Does anyone make .288” dia 7mm bullets?

[Lee in Texas]

I got an old rifle that I would like to shoot as is. I don’t want to rebarrel. Are there any 180gr .288” bullets on the market?

 

[DiffEQ]

Did you try looking at cast bullets?
I doubt you would find any copper jacketed in that diameter.

 

[Lee in Texas]

I considered it, but this rifle was meant for long range. Not sure about using cast lead for that. Another option would be a special run of machined copper bullets. I’m kinda leery about sticker shock on that. I’ll give Hammer Bullets a call on Monday.

 

[Lee in Texas]

I called Hammer bullets. I was surprised to find out that a custom run is the same price per bullet as their regular production runs. I need to pay for a tool and buy a minimum of 500 pieces, but that was expected. So…cool. I’m glad it’s an easy thing to do.

 

[Clancy]

What are you shooting them in? Just curious, never heard of this critter.

 

[Lee in Texas]

It’s a 98 Mauser in 280 OKH (300 H&H necked down to 7mm). It was owned by Elmer Keith. It was an experimental rifle that didn’t work out that well, due to powders available at the time. I think it would be great to find a good load and take it hunting. It’s a beast of a rifle, though. It weighs about 14 pounds. I saw some photos of it with a Lyman scope that had internal adjustments. It also has mounting blocks for a Unertl scope.

 

[FNSafari]

How does the barrel borescope? Elmer did a LOT of shooting .

 

[dellet]

Sounds like a modified 280 Ross or Jeffery. I think the Jeffery was a 300 H&H case and 288 bore

Hornady at one time made a .287

 

[Sandstorm]

I can see why you would not want to re-barrel that rifle. Some history there.
Yea .287 is what you want.. but thinking a custom is your only bet here

 

[Clancy]

It’s a 98 Mauser in 280 OKH (300 H&H necked down to 7mm). It was owned by Elmer Keith. It was an experimental rifle that didn’t work out that well, due to powders available at the time. I think it would be great to find a good load and take it hunting. It’s a beast of a rifle, though. It weighs about 14 pounds. I saw some photos of it with a Lyman scope that had internal adjustments. It also has mounting blocks for a Unertl scope.

Do you, or anyone know what the rifle was in his famous antelope photo? Had a large telescope on it for sure.

 

[Lee in Texas]

Do you, or anyone know what the rifle was in his famous antelope photo? Had a large telescope on it for sure.

I think it was a 280 Dubiel or 285 OKH. I’ve seen threads from a previous owner who searched for photos. There was one lead that was apparently never checked out; Handloader magazine, volume I, issue 4 (1966). I bought a copy off eBay and the only mention was that it was unsuccessful due to powders at the time. That contradicts another mention somewhere else that said his favorite rifle for coyotes was his big 7mm but I don’t remember the whole quote. It is possible that both quotes are about the same rifle. The one I have has been set back and rechambered. Removing the stock shows previous locations for Unertl mounting blocks and “280-300-CCC” (280-300 H&H-Controlled Combustion Chamber (front ignition)). It would be cool if there were a good quality photo of Elmer with the rifle and a dangerous game animal he killed with it, and wrote about many times, but I suppose it would not have been affordable then. As is it, it’s a pretty cool…affordable…piece of history from the shooting sports.

 

[Ray123]

I got an old rifle that I would like to shoot as is. I don’t want to rebarrel. Are there any 180gr .288” bullets on the market?

Woodleigh used to make .287 dia...use search engine. Or Try .284? Or if ya know a machinist friend with an accurate Hardinge lathe with collets, he can turn down heavy jacked .308 dia. Or any Barns, Hornady, nosler, all copper .308 bullets to .288 dia. ... for free, ...with a donation of a few primers, and have the bullet weight of your choice in any dia you desire.
I know that old guy....the way we roll locally. What have ya got to trade, primers? Cases? An old can of powder half used? Don't have to be of equal monetary value...it just has to have value to those involved in the exchange.

 

[Ray123]

Quick search 130 gr .287 dia at Buffalo Arms a box of 100 $43. In stock, to get ya started for 280 Ross and 275H&H stated on their sight. I've ordered from them and received what I ordered good price in a timely manner.

 

[Lee in Texas]

I was about to post that this all may be a bit impractical. It was an experimental rifle that never worked out. It also weighs about 14 pounds. I’m not sure he would have carried it on a hunting trip. Maybe if the idea worked out, he would build one in a sporter weight. I need to get it inspected for barrel condition, chamber cast, twist rate, and bore diameter. I don’t want to rebarrel or even set it back. It may just sit in the safe and come out if a good friend stops by.

 

[AckleymanII]

Lee, how did you measure the bore dia?

A barrel that has been shot a lot, will have quite a bit of taper in the bore dia the first 3"-9" in front of the throat.

Lee, being the experimenter that you are, a modest investment in a Teslong bore scope would be prudent, They do offer a military discount, and you should be out of pocket around $100 on the model that hooks up to an old lap top or I pad.

 

[paul castelli]

might drop these guys a line

Making a Custom Order | Hawk Bullets

Calibers, unusual weight, jacket thickness, and nose profile selection. Mininum quantities

hawkbullets.com

 

[Ray123]

The 280 OKH was Keith's varmint gun for coyotes and eagles, preferred the heavy barrel. It's 300H&H brass necked down for 280 Ross bullets of .288 diameter 180 grains loaded with 55 grains of 4350 according to Elmer...there was only one 4350 powder in those days, and it wasn't Hodgdon, or Accurate. This would be easy to load for, as the cartridge would headspace off the 300H&H belt for the first shot, to get the profile of the chamber.
General size the body with a 300 H&H, step it down to 7mm and mandrel it to .286 check for fit and load. All copper bullets are easily machined to .288 dia from .308 ...then I'd just make the neck die in the lathe, off the profile of the fired case.

 

[buckstix]

pm sent - CONTACT ME ... I OWNED THIS RIFLE AND HAVE THE ORIGINAL BULLETS AND AMMO THAT CAME WITH THE RIFLE - ALSO, I MAKE BULLETS IN .288 DIA