Thanks everyone!

In the .280, a maximum load with a 175-grain Nosler Partition bullet will make a wound just like those made by the 7mm Remington Magnum using the same bullet!

I once killed two 300+ pound black bears with a 20" barreled .270 Win. firing 150-grain Nosler Partition bullets, MV 2800 FPS. Fired three shots, hit them with two. Both dead on the spot, one at 40 yards, one at 200 yards.....

if you handload, try 56.5-57 grains of IMR 4350 behind a 140 grain bullet. I'm getting .75" groups at 100 yards with that load since I bought the gun at the age of 16 in 1990. Comes out of the muzzle around 2970-3000 fps. I've flipped whitetails over out to 450yds with that load. I'd shoot 160 for elk though, as most guys will tell you that. But I think a 140 gr Barnes TSX or Accubond will do just fine, and I wouldn't be afraid to tote that combo with me.

The 280 Rem. is one of my favorites, and it's worked well on the bear, caribou and deer i've harvested with it! If i wanted a "one load for everything" in this cartridge, i'd pick the 150 NP...

DM

I do load my own, but there are some real good factory loads out there with premium bullets. However by loading my own I can really improve the accuracy of any bullet I choose. Plus you get a lot of satisfaction and confidence in your rifle when you finally get it right. A lot of test rounds, give me a reason to get to the range a lot more often.

CorBon & Federal both load the 140 gr. Barnes TSX bullet for the 280. I handload this same bullet to an average velocity of 3043 fps with 1/2 MOA accuracy out of my custom Remington 700 w/25" barrel. I allowed my best friend to use the rifle last year on a Colorado elk hunt. He took a 5X6 bull at 302 yards with this load. The bullet entered the shoulder plowed through to the other side and exited. He said the bull staggered about 10 feet and dropped.

I personally have removed many feral hogs from my property with this same load. Last deer season I shot a huge sow in the rear end at a little over 100 yards. The bullet traversed the body and exited out the front end. I estimate the sow weighed 280-300 lbs. I don't use this bullet when deer hunting, but I keep a few in my pocket in case I see some hogs. My deer bullet is the Hornady 139 gr. & it and the TSX have nearly the same impact.

Never hesitate! The 280 is a terrific cartridge. Its basically a 7 mag (within 150 FPS) and no one doubts the 7 mags abilities.

My .280 shoots best with the 139 gr. Hornady SP., IMR 4350 powder. I have killed MANY whitetails with this combination, and it has performed well. It is just not that far off 7mm Mag performance. Have no fear......

The .280 is a great caliber! It will have no problem with the game you have mentioned, but it is bullet choice and shot placement thatare most important when it comes to taking a particulargame animal anyway. (Well to a certain point )Heck I know people who have taken plenty of Elk and Bear with a .243.

You would have more selection of factory loads with a .270, 30-07, or 7mm though. All of which are very capable.