I have been using the 280 for about ten years. It' s a great cartridge. It' s even better if you are a handloader. If you do not handload there are a great number of loads available today. I like the Winchester 140 gr. Ballistic silvertip for deer and I have used the 160 gr Speer Nitrex Grand Slam load on Elk. My usual elk load is a 175 gr. Partition Handload. As to ammo being plentiful at the local Wal Mart it will not be. Cabelas, Natchez shooters supply and a host of others offer all available ammo on the web.