I have the 26 inch barrel Nef 280. It really shoots well. I have never tried to squeeze any screaming velocity from it. For deer I shoot the 120 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter at about 2850-2900 fps. I have shot the 280 for many years. I had the 7MM Mags but after the first 280, I was done with the Muzzle blast and recoil of the 7Mag. It comes within a 100 fps of what my last 7Mag did.