Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 280 Featherweight

Looking for a new 280 and was considering getting a new Model 70 Featherweight chambered in it. Anybody have any experience with one of these?

Ditto.

Yup great experience. Best platform IMHO,
for a .280 unless you are partial to pushfeed.

Mine Feeds beautifully, and routinely gives me 3/4" Accuracy
( or better ) for 3 shot groups at 100 meters.

Recoil isn't quite as heavy as with a .30'06, and doesn't need a 24" barrel to show its stuff like the high pressure .270 Win, or .25'06

Mine is a '92 NH Fwt Classic ( 22" ). I'm told that the early ones came to market via the old Custom shop.

In Factory loads, It loves Fed Premium 150 NPs, and I like the results on game. Just about any factory tipped 140's do well for accuracy as well.
160's less so, but still inside an inch, so that's OK too.

I have not loaded the 162 Amax for it, so can't comment on that.

Wish it were stainless, and the loony in me feels that the twist could be tighter than 10" ;-(

Are the New ones from Shot Show 2015 finally available ?

No because Winchester won't ship the G'damned things!

I ordered one a year ago. Its supposed to be here in April. I'm not holding my breath.

Yeah right. lol

That's a negative, sir.

That is why I bought the one that was listed here!

Huh?

Campfire logic, Bob.

I guess so...

Nope physics !

Campfire logic would dictate a 23" for balance.

Wintering Well ?

I ordered one last April. Still haven't seen it. And the new Winny catalog shows the 280 as a standard offering in the FWT.

.270 WCF FW + Rock Creek FW contour 7mm/1-in-8" twisted tube = FW 280 Rem

Mine is a PF LW w/ take-off 280 tube (10" twist ) turned back & punched AI in a FW take-off handle.

Not much not to love there...

Well the standard offering listing sounds more promising than a ShotShow special.
Maybe we can sick Bob on them, False Advertising and all ...

They are probably trying to fill a freighter load with orders before shipping them. Hmmmm
Still it shouldn't require ordering 10 when 1 will suffice :-)

Who is ordering a 150th Anniversary Special M70 ? (24" .270)

That guy has been sniffing the fu ck out of some good glue...

Had one made in New Haven and foolishly sold it. Just seen they were offering them again. Have not yet owned a Model 70 since they changed hands.

Must be some special Canadian glue that you can't get in the states.

Or maybe it's just the metric system.

By my math, it's hard to see how the .007" difference in the 270 and 280 allows you to use a shorter barrel without compromising performance.

Then again, I've never complained about a 22" 270.

Give us a physics lesson then.

There is so little difference between a 280 and a 270 that you are splitting hairs.
Most 270`s are extremely accurate, mine is a G series model 70 FWT from 1984, I also had a Remington 700 in 280 and it did not shoot as well as the 270.
The Winchester is like shooting a shotgun, point and shoot.
The gun just flows up to your cheek. It is still very accurate and has taken several Sitka Black Tails in Juneau, AK and alot of Whitetails in NW Montana, Noxon area.
The 280 does have a large following though, my Remington could of been just a poor barrel, its gone.
Shoot strait and keep your powder dry
Enjoy a little of every day
Jack

There's a well used Classic FW in .280 on gunbroker currently.

5 Digit rifle as well IIRC.

280 owners say the cutest things to try to make their cartridge #1 on a standard case ,especially since their pet has required artificial respiration to keep it alive since it came on the scene in 1956

Like making up things about pressures, bearing surfaces, perfect powder capacity,superior killing effectiveness (LOL!), etc etc. Then, to make their case for how good it is,what do they do? Blow it out to AI and thump their chests about how great it is. If it's that good how come it needed "improvement"? LOL!

Which all gives me heartburn because the 280 is one of my 2 favorite "light" cartridges on the 06 case.

It's amusing to watch and has been going on for years.Old conversation.

Like Johnny B once wrote (about the 280 or something else, I can't remember), they remind you of some guy who's into collecting rare and exotic scotch from some Island off the Scottish coast and loves to lecture you on its alleged superiority over anything else coming out of a cask....

Actually after maybe 6-8 or so 280's,I have found the cartridge more temperamental and stubborn as to both accuracy and velocity than the 270. Mention the 7 Rem mag to these savants and they sneer down their noses and dismiss greater powder capacity...their pet is magic and is its equal....at less pressure no lessl...

It's hilarious! I never tire of it. 280 lovers enjoy picking fly shidt out of pepper..

338 I'm wintering fine thanks,loading a lot of 7 Rem mag without the need for making up stuff about 24" barrels and higher pressures.....Laffin.

Bob, you need a 7mm Weatherby.

You know, if MRC would offer a featherweight barrel on their 1999 action, I think they might be on to something.

I bought on the first Win 70 FWT's in push feed configuration. It won't shoot better than 1.5 MOA, BUT it is consistent with grouping and zero stability. Nice and easy to carry, swings like a favorite bird gun, and looks nice. I put a Burris Compact 2.5x-7x in low mounts on the rifle, and it is my 2nd favorite elk gun.

Excellent idea!

Not holding my breath though.

Neither am I. But I think it'd be a winner.

I like the .280. With a grain or two extra powder, it is ballistically identical to the wonderful .270 but in .284. A Featherweight .280 would be really nifty. I have only played with 3-4 .280s, but unlike Bob, have not found the .280 temperamental. I would give that title to the old '06, though.

I would get one in a .280 or even a 7x57.

Pressure Difference ( ~ +8.3% for the .270) & Expansion Ratio ( 95% )

The mathamagicians here can elaborate

My .280 AI is on a 24" KS - I want the velocity, and don't mind loading for that goal.

I don't have any .270's , but if I did, I wouldn't cut one down from 24", and I'd happily run 130 BT's at warp speed for max pbr

270 150 NPs in the bush for moose might fit nicely in a 22" Fwt, or
a similar SD 180 NP in a .30'06 would work too.
I like my .280 Fwt for that purpose.

Different platforms. Different purpose. Very small differences between the .30'06 and .280 because of the same 60Kpsi loading standard. Real difference in the bullet diameter of course.
I've loaded my .280's hotter, but it's not necessary.

People have different statures, and find different barrel lengths comfortable for hunting. I personally find the blast from the "high Pressure" rounds more annoying in shorter barrels, but they are certainly handy for pushing bush, or stalking in close cover.

I remember seeing a used #1 at a show, with a 20" .270 barrel, and I just shook my head.

Our winter has been quite mild, with very few truly cold spells of limited duration.

No Glue here

Well, you could always get a MRC at about 4 pounds heavier than what you want.

Absolutely! Stainless, tight twist, featherweight contour, 22 inches...I'd buy one.

Great minds...well except the tight twist part,but other than that.

European twist - 1:220mm (1:866 in). That's the twist in my M98. It shoots the 175s pretty well.

Gotcha.

Great minds Rev. That should scare the beejeebers out of you that we think alike.

Calling a 270 "high pressure" is like calling a 15 round pistol magazine "high capacity". Its not the 270s fault that it was loaded to standard pressure when the 280 wasn't.

Not in the least!! And I'll take mine in the old Ribgy configuration, thanks....

Mine would be in the Winchester Featherweight configuration. With either a Leupold 4x or 6x36 mounted.

Actually I was talking about the cartridge, but we're still on the same page.

Agreed, The 270 hasn't suffered any for its 65K psi loading standard.
The 280 has definitely suffered commercially from its lower 60K psi standard.
I suppose the .280's throat might last a little longer.

It is what it is.

Back in the mid 80's I bought a Rem. 280 mtn rifle 22" barrel hunted with it for 10 years. After that I put a 24" number 4 conture after market barrel on it. Why you ask biggest reason is it balanced the gun and I could hold it alot steadier off hand. Also it shot better. Pickup a light gun and try to hold it steady off hand when you are breathing hard climbing up mtns. all are hard to hold steady in those conditions but a balanced gun is much easier. It is now a 280AI and I don't regret it. Nothing wrong with the plain 280 just like the 200 fps I gained.

I've got two .270s now, one has a 24" barrel and the other has a 22" pipe. The three other .270s I've owned have had 22" barrels, too.

I've not been able to see any difference in killing deer with either barrel length. Neither seem to have any problems knocking a deer well and truly dead.

I don't even see any difference at the chronograph, perhaps my 24" pipe is a bit "slow", or the 22" pipes are a bit fast, who knows?

The Model 70 seems to balance better for ME with the 24" pipe, so I've kept it at that length. The Howa seems to work well enough with its shorter barrel.

Deer don't seem to care either way, nor do I. I use the same loads in both rifles, out of the same box, even. A good load with good bullets, kills deer just fine. I don't hunt elk, or moose, but my deer die quick and easy with the 6.8, no problems. I don't even have to worry about bullets, all the .277" bullets I've used kill stuff dead enough.

He's dead, and a liberal ass democrat. What else you got?

6.8 x 51 30degree, Longer neck in a SA Fwt - yeah I'd like that

No special tight twist is really required, because available bullets are designed for the normal 10" twist that millions of .270 Win work so well with. Change in that regard for the .277 caliber is going to be very slow. Glacial even.
On the other hand, a little over-stabilization isn't such a sin with todays quality of bullets. Lots of the new Lighter weight offerings designed for the SPC are available. Are they outside their performance envelope ?

The old 280 Remington is just another 'new' cartridge brought out to sell you and I yet another rifle.

The similar 7X64 is the same in Europe.

If you want a cartridge like that get a 30-06 or a 270.

Nosler #6 said:

"The biggest problem with the 280 is that it was introduced many hunting seasons too late. By the time it came along in 1957 the 270 and 30-06 had become America's favorite big-game cartriges and nothing else had a chance of dethroning either."

Why else would any company bring out a new product??

Similar performance to the .280, loaded at higher pressure under the CIP standards. The 7x64 case has even more taper, and quite different standard bore dimensions of a euro 7mm. Others here would know more about throating variations of these.

It pre-dates the iconic .270 Winchester but not the venerable .30'06

Neither the 7x64, .280 Rem , or even the 7 RSAUM run any risk of unseating the popularity and commercial success of either the .270 Win, or dare approach the King .30'06 .

Big deal. The .280 is a great cartridge in it's own right. Why would anyone need a 270 or .30-06 instead? Your point seems pretty moot. It will really bite you in the backside when you hear that my 280 is a Remington 700.

That settles it,gonna get two .280's now!

Another drive by from Dumb Don

Now we're talkin', Make sure that at least 1 is a M70 Fwt, and maybe a 700 Mtn Stainless. You'll wish you bought two of each as a NIB investment :-)

Actually thinking of getting one of these and have Douglas put on one of their "Featherweight" barrels. Then a nicely figured wood stock.

http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/dumoulin-mauser-action.aspx

Drooling !

Please post pics and experiences as this evolves.

Cheers

Will do,but this will take awhile.

Think I'll go shoot my 280 today....

Sounds like a plan Bob! Are you still actively working with the Mashburn ?
I always enjoy our discourse, we've explored many subtle points over the years. I am the richer for it.

To the OP : good luck with your .280 Fwt M70 quest.
Mine is a '92 NH Fwt Classic, and it has been a real gem.
Over the years I've had others ( Rem 700 Mtn, 725, 700 KS now AId ), but this is the best of the type.

I truly hope that Winchester can deliver enough of them in .280, so that all who would consider purchasing them can do so.

Waiting over a year for a Shot Show special to "arrive" is just painful.

Those actions are supposed to be a PITA to get scope mounts on. If you have a decent machinist/smith, then it's just a project.
ETA: Talley solution
http://www.talleymanufacturing.com/...ulin/Steel-Base-for-Dumoulin-Mauser.aspx
Also lots of internet chatter they are made in China.

Bob -

The thing that makes the .280 so far superior to a .270 is +007".

Hard to find one any better than that. I've admired those, but figured I already have a good 270 win and 30-06...

The best reason to build a .280 on a lightweight rifle is to shoot the 180 Berger. Seems to me, anyway. If not, the .270 or .'06 have it covered.

That and to copy Bob.

I respect both or your opinions. However, I've never had a finicky 30-06. Even though I've owned more than 20 of the damn things. Well, I forgot about the 30-06 I bought from DMD. It had bedding issues which was honestly disclosed upon purchase. It shot great after re-bedding: I can see where this one would appear to be finicky. Here's a quote from JB on the subject of 270 win and 280 rem:

Knew about the scope mount problem,didn't know Talley makes mounts for the Dumolin.

Going to use Hornady 139 BTSP & FB in it.

Copying BobinNH,well......

BSA,

Many have had great success with the '06, but it hasn't lived up to my expectations, and though I am not superstitious, it has always seemed "unlucky" for me in a variety of ways. Maybe it's mental on my part in that one good '06 could do everything well. Instead, I get to have and play with a couple of great 270s, an equally great pair of .300 Win's, a nice .280, a nice .300 Weatherby and an 8mm Mag that is superb, all of which do about the same thing as a good '06.

Also, to the OP, I say get the .280 Featherweight. Great classic rifle or slip it into an Edge and have more modern and near perfection. The 1:10 twist I believe Winchester puts in these will limit longer bullets, but a 150 Partition or NBT should stabilize and will do much!

Yup - No flies on either of those. That's why they are the King and Queen !

With my .280 Fwt Classic, and 700KS in 280 AI it is very difficult to justify anything in .270 or .30'06. My backup is a M70 SS Classic in .308

Back story on my commitment to the .280 Rem & AI, is that I had hunted with a borrowed BRNO in 7x57 w/ a low mounted 2.5x scope, and open sights. I only fired it on paper to confirm sight-in, and Dad said it was "Ok, and don't get too attached to it" Hmmm
Returning that was not easy.
It was a natural pointing wonder, that fed cartridges like greased lightning; slow or fast cycle. I can't comment on accuracy, but it was minute of cow elk accurate. Yummm

I wanted more MV, and the magic of that mauser , which led me to study on the .280.

Later, I could've stumbled into equally good .270's or .30'06 , but I persisted with my passion, and the Fwt .280 has given me much of the same thrill as that 7x57. I had a wood/blue 700 Mtn that wasn't as accurate as I wanted, and I started looking for .280 w 24" barrel to possibly punch out to Improved ( RCBS or AI ). They were scarcer than hens teeth. Many 22" .280's went through my hands until I dummied up, and realized that I really wanted a 22" .280 for Whitetail etc, and the 24" 280 AI for Mule Deer and Antelope, maybe Cariboo. Now I am happy.

Knowing what I know now about the chambering & throating variances of 7x57's, 275 Rigbys etc. I don't think I would mess with it today.
I would have to take a long hard look at a 7mm-08 first, in a Win M70
if the .280 wasn't available ;-)

I suspect that a 22" 7mm-08 120BT could do it all

Cheers