.280 Remington or 7mm-08

[gene pool]

Gentlemen,

I wish to build a light hunting rifle in 7mm caliber. It will be used for small game up to and including deer. I have decided NOT to go with a magnum, but instead either with .280 Remington or 7mm-08. I have both long and short actions ready to go and will use a Kreiger or Shilen barrel.

I like extreme accuracy in all my rifles. With that, what are your experiences and suggestions regarding those two calibers?

Thank you,
Gene

 

[bheadboy]

i have had 280, 280AI , 7-08, and 7-08Ai,

the 7=-08 is a great cartridge, and wanting a light rifle, go with the short action, 22 or 24'bbl, my choice, haveing messed around with a lot of them , is the following,

700 bdl, trued, hart #3 fluted, 24" 9 twixt, luepold 3.5x10x at 7 1/4 lbs in a hightech stock,
the chamber is a 7-08 AI

140 sierra, and nosler bt's at 3025fps and shooting .300-.400"

what more would you need.

Bob

 

[alf]

I've been getting off the magnum bandwagon myself. My last one in 7STW went bye bye a couple of months ago.

I built a 7-08 with a fluted #3, 8 twist, in a McM Classic stock with Edge fill, 3,5-10 CDS in Talley Lightweights. Weighs in at 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and hammers deer with a 120 Ballistic Tip at 3175. I've got a target around here that put three of those into 1 3/4" at 500 yards.

I wouldn't change a thing........

 

[wboggs]

Another vote for the 7mm-08 either standard or improved. Light rifle, accurate, mild recoil, huge selection of quality bullets, absolutely deadly on deer. It is also easy to shoot from positions if you do that.
Bill

 

[MrMajestic]

Both are great cartridges with great component availability. Required velocity with your predetermined bullet weight would be the deciding factor. I personally like the 180 gr. Berger so my choice would be the .280(AI?) with a 1in9" minimum twist.

 

[K22]

If you want a light rifle for game up to the size of deer, the 7mm-08 is the way to go. Very accurate and effective on this size game. Recoil is mild especially with the 140 and under bullets. I really like those short action rifles and for woods hunting, they're hard to beat.

The 280, by virtue of its higher powder capacity and velocity, is better suited for open country where long range shot are the norm although a skilled riflemen is not too handicapped with the 7mm-08. Watching these guys knock over rams at 500 meters with the 7mm-08 made a believer of me.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one but I'd lean towards the 7mm-08.

 

[bheadboy]

i have to agree with K22, the short action is very desirable, helps keep weight down, and handling is great.

i have experience with 2 280AI 26" bbl and both shot in the .300's with 140's velocity 3140 not pushing, great open country rifles, handled 160s in the 2950 simular groups. weight 9lb+ - not a bad comment

HOWEVER- i wanted to build a lighter rifle, (following heart surgery) 7-08AI as discussed above and boy am i pleased, 2lb lighter, 3 inch shorter and i onlygave up 100fps with 140's, groups the same in the .300's, using 10gr less powder.
Bob

 

[necchi]

Another vote for the 7-08,

You said light,
The 30-06 case isn't light.
The 7-08 is a pleasure to load for and shoot. It's no slouch either.

 

[wboggs]

To put this in perspective: We are talking about a hunting rifle, not target.
Look at Bob's 100fps difference at muzzle with his 140NBT load. THe 3100 fps loads slows a little faster than the 3000fps so at 300yds. it is 86fps faster. Drop with a 200yd zero is approximately 0.5" more at 300yds and even at 400yds. it is only 1.5" more.
I would like to meet the hunter or animal than can tell the difference. To gain an advantage with a larger case, you must go up in bullet weight and the amount of a slower burning powder.
The orginal post stated up to deer and again I would like to see a deer that falls any faster to a 175gr out of the .280 Ackley than the 140gr. out of the 7mm-08.
Target shooting is a different game. Fractions of inches make the difference between a x or 10 or 10 and 9 and the conditions are at known ranges. Not exactly true in the field.
Of course, you should choose what makes you happy. Just be aware that is what you are basing your decision on.
Bill

 

[bozo699]

Another vote for the 7-08,

You said light,
The 30-06 case isn't light.
The 7-08 is a pleasure to load for and shoot. It's no slouch either.

Necchi,
I seem to agree with you a lot lately ;D another vote for the 7mm-08, I have three of them and love all three, it's a great little round
Wayne.

 

[Rtheurer]

I built my Light weight Mule Deer rifle off a Long Action I had. Went with the 280AI. Its very light and handles great in, off hand and position shooting. Dont let that Long action persuade you away from it. I get ALOT of folks who pick it up for the first time comment on how light it is from what it looks like.

If I had a short action available at the time of the build I might have gone with 260 or the 7mm 08' AI though.

If you have both actions maybe you could do both? No point not having two great rifles in two great calibres right?

Best of luck
R T

 

[jbarnwell]

Another vote for the 7mm-08, typically very accurate and mild mannered. I have two factory rifles and one custom in this caliber, all three have been very easy to get to shoot well. I stick with 120-140 grain bullets. Good luck on your project.

 

[wapiti25]

7-08 no question