Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 280 Rem suggestions

I am currently putting together a 280 Rem for a backup to take to BC on my goat hunt.
Does anyone have any suggestions on ammo used.
I would really love to just buy some factory.
Is there any factory loads that are worth a crap?
I know reloading is a better option, but really don't want to dedicate a ton of time to this thing, as it will normally sit in the safe. But, if I have to reload....what are you guys finding works?

There are some good factory loads out there, some using Nosler Partitions.

Gotta ask, why put together a backup in a different cartridge?

Hmm, hadn't thought of that...
Maybe it should have been the same caliber.
It's just what I have I guess.
My first choice will be a .300 RUM that weighs about 10 lbs scoped.
The .280 weighs 7.5 lbs.
We are supposed to spike out of base camp for 3-4 days. Thought was to take to lightweight 280 for those few days to save a little weight. And then come back to base camp and use the .300 for moose.
You got me thinking now.

I like Federal Premiums with the 150 grain Nosler Partitions, primarily because they match my handloads closely.

Definitely agree about 7.5 pounds vs 10 lbs. Sounds like you are taking two different rifles for two different hunts. That makes sense. Originally thought you were talking a backup rifle in case something happened to your primary.

Thanks Brazos, I'll grab a few boxes and see what happens.

Kinda depends on your bullet preferences. I'm not sure the Partition is the best choice for goats, there are other premium bullets available in factory loads.

I'm just a Partition fan for elk and deer under 350 yards.

Good luck, I think you'll like the 280.

Winchester Supreme 140gr ballistic silver tips. I've never killed a sheep before but I've killed deer, elk, and even a few moose with them.

No flies on the partition for goats.

There are plenty. Federal fusion 140gr.
Federal 150gr partitions.

As far as factory ammo my 280 loves the 140gr Barnes TTSX as well as Noslers 140gr Accubond. They both flat kill as well.

This^^^^

It works for moose as well.........I've had 150 Partitions completely pass through on moose.

MM

My 280 took a moose last fall with a 150 Partition. I would carry the light 280 and leave the heavy 300 RUM in camp

I'd leave the .300 RUM home altogether. The .280 will do it all. Take an extra scope, already in mounts and sighted in. Save weight, space, and aggravation. KISS principle.

Pretty much anything in ammo that is accurate and weights around 140 -160 will do it all in the .280 too. Premiums not needed, but won't hurt. IIRC Jack O'Conner took a trainload of stuff all over the world with .270 and 130 to 150 gr. bullets, I think before Partitions even came along - or maybe not.

I do have a couple 10 poundish rifles - a Ruger 77 in .338WM which I use for moose hunting in my local area where I won't be hiking more than a few miles a day, at most, and a heavy barreled M98 in '06 that I use up here for hunting caribou, where I'm seldom more than a couple hundred yards from the snow machine, ATV, or boat.

If I'm doing anything strenuous, or packing iron for a long time, I'm carry something under 8 lbs or so - either a .260 Rem 725, 700 .243, carbine style RU77 in '06, or a '94 in .30-30. Those too have worked well over the last 40 years or so, from moose on down. No brown/griz tho. Never had the desire or occasion.

It ain't what you hit 'em with.... But don't let me stop you from playing with a favorite toy!

Enjoy your hunt!

All great comments and advice.
Thanks guys.
Hopefully I can put together a neat picture thread come October.