Delpndjeepcj7

I'm looking to replace my current do-all whitetail/black bear rifle, a winchester model 70 classic featherweight, .280 caliber, with a Swift 3-9x40, in excellent, like new condition (used lightly only 4 years) with something that I can for find ammo for, (is it just me or does anyone else near Harrisburg Pa have a really hard time finding any. 280 ammo in gun shops, let alone quality bullets?) I really would like to be able to switch to the new gun and scope without having to shell out anymore than $50-$100 more than what i sell the old one for, I like the gun, it shoots great, but it is very frustrating to not be able to find hardly anything ammo-wise let alone something other than cheapo 140gr remington cor-lokts. I was thinking of something in the 7mm wsm or 7mm rem mag range maybe even a 300 wsm. If I should just shell out the scratch to reload instead of a new gun let me know. thanks for your help

m.t.hands

i started reloading for this very reason, my first different cal was a ruger model 77 in 7mm rem mag everybody else was shooting 06's 270's or a 30-30, could not find ammo anywhere, so i started reloading, few years back i bought a rem model 700 in 7 mmSTW go anywhere besides a gun shop and tell them you'd like some ammo for this, they just cock there head like a dog does when you make a strange noise, anyway reloading is a very enjoyable hobby and will inprove your shooting, the last time i priced the components to reload a box of the STW's (minus brass) was still alot less (about 1/4 the cost) than factory loads

good luck if you decide to reload, check out the reloading forum, and get the lowdown on starter kits, i'm still using most of the components of my starter kit

Deleted User

[Deleted by Admins]

Virginia7

Can't find ammo??? Why not just order your ammo via the Internet? I usually just order 100 rounds/5 boxes at a time, and that takes care of things for a while. Try the
Cheaper-Than-Dirt website. Here's a link:

Link: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/default.asp

Superpig

I love the 280 and have owned one for the better part of ten years. I would not sale the rifle if you like it and it's accurate. I would look to Cabela's, Bass Pro, or many of the other online sources for ammo. A good do everything load for deer and bear would be the Federal Premium load using the 150 gr. Nosler Partition. I handload for my 280 but have found the Winchester 140 gr. Ballistic silver tip to be very accurate out of my rifle. I have also used the 150 gr. load mentioned and it was quite acceptable. I wouldn't hesitate to use the 140 gr core-lokt on deer. If you are looking for a larger ammo selection look to the online ammo places. You will find quality loads from Federal, Hornady, Remington, & Winchester that are readily available online. You can also find Norma loads online. My Grandad always told me to never part with an accurate rifle. If you want something else save the money to buy it but keep the old rifle.

zekeskar

Well, you've had plenty of advice on spending the money to invest in reloading rather than cash out your old gun. I noticed that the beginning stuff is said to cost you around $250 - quite a bit more than the $50 - $100 you want to spend. But it's probably a great hobby, if you want another hobby. Me, I don't have the time or inclination to reload (I know it's a fun hobby, can pay off and improve accuracy, but I really DON'T have the time or inclination), and also don't really like to have money tied up in a collection of redundant guns (I only have: .22, 30-06, 12 ga., 20 ga), so I think I'm on the same page as you.

I expect you've actually checked the availability of shells in your local stores in the calibers you mentioned. My personal experience in my mid-sized town is that with the exception of the "best" specialty gun shop, which isn't very convenient to where I live, and actually isn't all that great in reliable availability, only the absolutely most common calibers have any sort of reliable supply in a variety of brands and weights of cartridges. I'm talking 30-06, .308, .270, 7mm mag type of stuff. The 300 mag is pretty common too. The others are hit and miss. But the 06, .308 and .270 far and away trump all others when it comes to finding the specific brand and weight you need at any given time. Just a thought - these boring old standard cartridges are hard to beat for performance for any hunting I do from white tail to moose and black bear.

If I were you, I'd consider that, or I'd go with a suggestion I saw and buy over the internet and get a good enough supply to last a while. Added benefit of probably getting several boxes from the same factory run, which will help accuracy. I'd be hard pressed to abandon a gun I loved if there were a way to solve the ammo issue.

Delpndjeepcj7

I hadn't thought of the cabelas website, I was in their new store near here in Hamburg PA, didn't even have any .280 ammo, but the website seems to have a bit of selection, I may just try that, have you or anyone else had any problems with ordering ammo online, ie, does it cost extra to be shipped ' cause it's ammo, or not. I'm trying to keep my costs down as I got a new addition to the family coming in april that will eat up any extra money, plus gotta keep that new baby in Camo clothes and camo Diapers
any way thanks for the suggestions, I'll check out online stuff, maybe see if there is any used presses around for reloading.

tanzian

You musta been looking in the wrong place ( happens in a store as big as that one...lol) as when I was in the Hamburg Cabelas just a week ago I saw all kinds of .280 REM ammo. As a matter of fact I bought 5 boxes of the federal stuff to burn for the brass. Also...Most all gun shops will order you whatever ammo you want. If they dont stock it just ask them to order it for you. I hate to see someone sell a good rifle in such a fine caliber for no real good reason.

popeye

The Gander Mountain store in Chambersburg had a nice selection of 280 ammo this summer.

Clint.

The 280 is a great cartridge. That model 70 is pretty decent too.
Keep it dude...you'll be sorry if ya don't.

Clint