No difference: 280Rem VS 7mm-08 ?

[roysclockgun]

For a number of years, I have carried my Browning Stalker in 280Rem and gotten bang/flop on everything from elk to white tail.

This year I secured a lease west of Jacksonville, FL and the area is very wet and thick. I have lanes of fire in three directions, from my elevated stand, but none longer than 150 yards.

The 280Rem has a 24" bbl, plus BOSS system, so is a bit long to use in the box stand when I need to turn the muzzle 180 degrees to shoot out of the window, opposite of where the muzzle is pointing.

When I got rid of my ex-wife, I kept the Howa in 7mm-08 that she'd been using. I have the longer stock that came with the rifle, as she'd used the "Youth Stock". I also had worked up very good hand loads for the rifle, using Nosler 120gr. Ballistic Tip (Hunting). The same bullet has proven to be very effective in the 280Rem. Some may complain about meat loss, but I am happy getting quick, clean, humane kills from that bullet. The only time I went heavier was for elk, using 160gr. Barnes Solids, which gave me thru and thru, quick kills.

The Howa is an excellent shooter. My question is; at this late date, should I switch horses. The Browning is as an extension of my arm and comes up by it's self. At age 75, should I be learning a new rifle, or stick with the old stand-by?

 

[JBT47]

Either are fine choices for your purpose. Use whichever you have the most confidence in.

 

[msinc]

Got rid of your ex wife???? You mean you had to loose the same woman twice???? Once would/should have made her your ex....then you had to get rid of her again. Okay, we're tracking. I personally only got rid of mine once and that SOB stayed gone!!!!
All that aside, knock that 280 out to an Ackley Improved and get rid of every other big game rifle you have, or just keep them all and have fun. You have two of the best big game rifles ever made. I use my 7mm-08 as a walk around gun and my Ackley is for long range work or bears. Not that I wouldn't shoot a bear with a 7mm-08....if that's what I have in my hand when I see one he's gettin' shot. Like soenbody else said on here, "it's the same thing just different"

 

[Zero333]

At this point it makes no difference which gun you use because you're not walking miles with them and the deer in Florida are no monsters.
I would opt for the 7mm08 because it's light and short.
I'm not one that has to use the same gun for hunting deer every year.
I change guns according to the habitat I'll be hunting in.

 

[XTR]

7-08 vs 280 is about the same as the 308 vs 30-06 discussion. The answer is that one fits in to a short action and the other gives you about an extra 100 to 150 FPS±. All of them will kill deer with equal efficiency.

 

[fyrewall]

I am old and I have a .280 that I shoot with 160-162 grain bullets and max loads of H1000 and CCI 250 primers. I think this combo might have more thump than any 7mm-08 load or momentum vs. kinetic energy. Being old does not stop me from trying new stuff but not women.

 

[1K6BRA]

Packed me a squaw for 10 years pilgrim,Cheyenne she were, lodgepoled her at Dead Wolf Creek and traded her for a Hawken gun! ( actually a pre-64 model 70 Winchester in 250-3000, seriously!) No deer anywhere will ever know the difference between a 280 or a 7-08.

 

[Sitsntree]

Beware the man who carry's only 1 gun because he will know it and shoot it well.

 

[LHSmith]

Find a lease that offers longer shots or build a roomier stand. You already KNOW the correct answer grasshopper.

 

[Toolbreaker]

The Browning is as an extension of my arm and comes up by it's self.

There's alot to be said for familiarity. It keeps your confidence.

 

[Mike Dettorre]

Stick with the 280 and sell the 7mm-08. Get rid of ALL the baggage.

 

[CaptainMal]

Part of the fun is using different rifles.

Most always I use a rifle, shoot a deer, pick a different rifle for the next deer. Some years I use 6-8 different rifles. Takes a few years for one to get back in rotation. That's the fun of multiple guns. To have and use just one would not be in the spirit of an Accurate Shooter member.

No deer hunting for me this year as wife is sick. Still playing with multiple guns in the hope I can get a day or two or three off. A two-day hunt means at least three rifles.

 

[AckleymanII]

I shot the 280 with 160g Sierra at 2900+ with IMR 7828, load right out of the Black Nosler Manual, most accurate for their 160g.
Deer never took a step.

7/08, I shoot the 130g Speer sptbt at 3000,deer are demolished, very effective at 350 yds.