Discussion starter - 280 Remington versus 7mm Remington Express

[sdeeter19555]

So I inherited a 7mm Express in a 700 Remington, was my Grandfather's, then my dad's, and, unfortunately, now mine as we lost dad Tuesday. He never got around to load for it.

I know they are supposedly one in the same the same (280 vs 7mm). He has load data for 7mm Express (Lee die set instructions if I remember correctly) and it is a touch different than 280.

Worth chasing 7mm Express data or just use 280 Remington data?

My goal is a load for deer season as my 15yo daughter wants to use it for hunting.

 

[CJ6]

280.
The chambers are the same.

 

[Bronsin]

I would suggest using more recent data for the .280 since it's the same cartridge. The Lyman manual is a great source, and the manual for whichever bullet manufacturer that your going to use will be good choices.

 

[waverly]

My 70’s Ruger #1 has 7 mm Express / 280 Remington stamped right on the barrel. Apparently 7 mm Express was easily confused with 7 Mag. Back in the day.

 

[Steve h]

Renamed 7mm express back in the day to try to create interest I guess.

 

[JEFFPPC]

If you can find some SR4759, a reduced load with 120 grain bullets will reduce recoil and kills deer just fine. The year they stamped them 7mm Express I bought a new BDL. I hunted across the country with it. I sold it last year on its second replacement custom barrel. Killed lots of deer with it out to 800 yards. I believe most of the loading manuals treat it with kid gloves maybe due to its chambering in the 760, not sure. Great under appreciated cartridge. Good luck to your daughter. Now MOST important. Get the stock fitted to her in her heaviest hunting clothes.4831 and RL19 make it scream. Only cartridge I ever load that needs magnum primers for top accuracy.

 

[White Eagle]

1 in the same
the 7mm Express was a marketing gimmick to boost sales but the real culprit was the rifle they put it in a pump or auto loader if I recall
you can use any 280 Remington load data for the 7mm Express

 

[358WCF]

Thinking that the 7mm Express was loaded to a bit higher pressure than standard 280.

About 30 years ago I chronographed some 280 vs 7mm Express factory loads.

From a 22" M70 Wintuff @ 10' instrumental:
RP 280 150 pntd SPCL-2652fps
RP 7mm Express same bullet-2794fps
Norma 280 150 SemiPt-2731fps

The 7mm Express, I believe, had a warning on the box to only use in modern bolt action rifles, but the box is still buried somewhere in the basement so I wont swear to the exact wording.

Edited for detail

 

[waverly]

Pacific Tool reamer print dated 2001, also write up from Sierra# 5 reloading manual for history.

I've only shot the 280 in a Dakota model 10. The load is RWS brass, H4831SC, CCI 200, 140 Accubond. It shoots under moa in a single shot rifle. I haven't hunted with this rifle, but I've had plenty of experience with the 140 Acc. on deer in other cartridges.

P.S The Ruger#1 so far, I have never shot, so no load data on that rifle. I've had it a long time though. My #1's are safe queens.

Waverly

 

[wboggs]

So I inherited a 7mm Express in a 700 Remington, was my Grandfather's, then my dad's, and, unfortunately, now mine as we lost dad Tuesday. He never got around to load for it.

I know they are supposedly one in the same the same (280 vs 7mm). He has load data for 7mm Express (Lee die set instructions if I remember correctly) and it is a touch different than 280.

Worth chasing 7mm Express data or just use 280 Remington data?

My goal is a load for deer season as my 15yo daughter wants to use it for hunting.

Use the reducded load data from Hodgdons using 4895. I have found the loads to be very accurate in other calibers and plenty powerful enough for deer at 200ys or so

 

[sdeeter19555]

Thinking that the 7mm Express was loaded to a bit higher pressure than standard 280.

About 30 years ago I chronographed some 280 vs 7mm Express factory loads.

From a 22" M70 Wintuff @ 10' instrumental:
RP 280 150 pntd SPCL-2652fps
RP 7mm Express same bullet-2794fps
Norma 280 150 SemiPt-2731fps

The 7mm Express, I believe, had a warning on the box to only use in modern bolt action rifles, but the box is still buried somewhere in the basement so I wont swear to the exact wording.

Edited for detail

My father told me the same, and I have older manuals that show it as a stand alone cartridge...I know they call them one in the same now.

I've heard most of the rumors about the semi-autos and whatnot. What I've come to believe is likely true is that they removed the 7mm Express because guys were putting 7mm Express ammunition in a 7mm Remington Mag.

I have some factory ammunition, and a chronograph...hmm.

I should have caveated; my daughter has been hunting the past 6 years with full power 30-06 loads, so a full power 280 or 7mm Express won't even phase her.

I guess I'll focus on the modern 280 loads and see what I can get it to do.

Thanks all!

 

[Tommie]

For a very short period Remington called it 7mm-06. I’ve seen one gun so marked. Imagine someone necking down a 30-06 case and touching it off. Talk about a disaster recipe! Remington was grasping for straws.

 

[a1712]

For a very short period Remington called it 7mm-06. I’ve seen one gun so marked. Imagine someone necking down a 30-06 case and touching it off. Talk about a disaster recipe! Remington was grasping for straws.

I had one, a 700 BDL, purchased new. Rifle and box were marked 7mm-06. Wish I still had it seeing the ridiculous prices people will pay for the oddball Remingtons. Brian.

 

[TTE]

It is the same cartridge. Treat is as you would any cartridge you are going to hand load for ..... start with low powder charges and work up.

 

[stork]

280.
The chambers are the same.

This!!!