Yes. My answer concerning pressure actually was an oversimplified explanation. It is true that the M740, and all succeeding Remington autoloaders based on that design, are certainly strong enough to handle the maximum pressure level of any round in the .30/'06 stable, but as that article notes, the 740 types are "finicky". Actually, the situation was that maximum performance levels in both the .270 Win. and .280 Remington are dependent on large volumes of slow-burning powders like H4831, RE 22, etc., which, although producing peak presures well within the design limits of the rifles, result in pressures at the gas port which are too high. This makes the action open sooner, and with more energy and velocity, than the cartridge cases can often stand. IF the action opens too soon, before pressures have dropped enough, the cartridge case is still clinging to the chamber walls while the extractor is trying to snatch it out of the chamber! NOT GOOD!!

This can result in broken extractors or cartridgesthat have the headstorn off, leaving the rest of the case still in the chamber. Although this damages neither the rifle or the shooter, either occurrance can result in a stoppage at the wrong time. (I have actually seena case head torn off bya Model 742 in .30/'06 which was loaded with a 200-grain bullet and a maximum charge of RE 22. I don't recall the exact amount 0f RE 22. But there was no damage to the gun, just thehead ripped off the case!!)

In other words, the "finicky" description refers to the fact that gas port pressures in the 740-series rifles has to be very closeto a specific level for functional reliability and to prevent damage.

Thisis comparable to the situation with the M1 Garand, in which slow-burning powders and/or too-heavy bullets can cause operating rod damage due to pressures being too high at the gas port.

So, perhaps maximum peak pressures in the early .280 factory ammo were not below those of say, the .270 Win. But medium burning rather than very slow burning powders were used to make sure the pressure had dropped enough by the time the bullet passed the gas port. Note this has a cumulative effect on the maximum attainable muzzle velocities in calibers like the .270 and .280 as well,which is alot likeactually down-loading the ammo to begin with.

I am guilty of stating this in an oversimplified way, and your comments are indeed correct.

Eldequello,

Thank you for your response. I knew there was really a better explanation to the story. I know from experience that you generally don't speak unless you are certain of your facts.

I can clearly see why you never felt the need to go into the full explanation. However, now that you have I personally have a better understanding of the issues. (Which of course was the reason I asked)

Thanks again,

JC

JC -You're quite welcome! I love the .280! And the .270 as well, not to mention the great old 7X57mm!

Wow...you have got to love Gun people! Ask a simple question and there are so many opinions and angles to the question presented not to mention technical explanations! It just shows you how passionate Gun people are about their hobby. I happen to take interest in some of the old cartidges that seem to be falling to the wayside, but I really don't have anything against the newest cartidges either. I'd like to see a fine cartridge like the .280 survive and I suppose I'd get the Sako Finnlight in .280 if I had anymore room! (I may have to squeeze one more in.)

I want to thank everyone for taking interest in this post and giving their opinions. I hope Remington saw this interest!

Well, I have never read so much about so little that meant nothing to so few. IMHO, the .280 Remington is a superior big game cartridge...many have said that Jack O would have rebored all his .270 rifles to this fine cartridge. With modest reloads, it is as fast and asflatas a .270 and as hard hitting as a 30'06 up to 150gr bullets. A perfect deer rifle. So go buy one and enjoy. Regards, Rick.

Don’t worry about squeezing one more because the Sako Finnlight doesn’t offer the 280 Rem. according to the web page...

I dont think the 280 is going anywhere. Although its following isnt huge...you can see its extremely loyal. Its a damn stout round handloaded.

don't give up i looked and looked 5 years i wanted a 700bdl in 280 finally found one now i have 7mm mag and 280 as my main out west combo

Since we have brought up O'Connor and Carmichel, I recal a colum written by the later about his meeting the former. At a party Carmichel was introduced to O'Connor and Carmichel proceeded to tell old Jack about a custom rifle he was having built. O'Connor asked him what cartridge it would be in and Carmichel thought he had better say .270 win. (really he was having it in a .280) A while later when there was no one around to overhear them O'Connor told Carmichel that if he was smart he would get his gun in .280 as Jack figured it had a lot more potential for handloading.

Years ago I picked a .264 win. mag. over a 7mm rem. mag. I don't think anything I've shot with the "6.5",would have known the difference.

Robin down under