Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Norma Tipstrike in .280 Rem

I came across the Norma Tipstrike yesterday while searching for ammo on Ammoseek.com. They make a 160 grain .280 Remington cartridge.

https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en-us/products/dedicated-hunting/centerfire-rifle/norma-tipstrike

Would this bullet in this chambering be suitable for smaller to medium African plains game such as impala, blesbuck, and bushbuck?

I would be using it in my Browning A-Bolt chambered to .280AI.

My thought is that if this ammo is not suitable, then I could use it for practice here in the US with the fired brass now fire-formed to my chamber. I would reload with something like a Nosler Partition/Accubond or Swift A-Frame (if I could find it). I will be hunting in the Eastern Cape with much of it in the Coastal Bushveldt with distance probably not exceeding 150 yards.

Thanks

I can't imagine any .280/160 hunting load not being suitable for deer-sized plains game such as impala, blesbok and bushbuck.

Have killed plenty with the 160-grain Sierra GameKing at 2700 fps from a 7x57, and never recovered one of them, but unlike the GameKing the Tipstrike's jacket has an inner ring near the base, very much like the Hornady Interlock ring to help keep the core and jacket together. And the muzzle velocity listed by Norma for the load is 2789 fps, which ain't much different than my 7x57 handload.

I appreciate the advice.

160 grain is about the max I can go in the rifle because it is a 1-10 twist. My PH when he heard I was going to come with a .280 suggested 160 grain bullets rather than the more common 140 grain.

African PHs are often still obsessed by bullet weight rather than construction, because many don't really understand bullet construction.

Have also killed a bunch of big game, some cosiderably larger than deer, with the 139-grain Hornady Interlock at 3100 fps from the .280. It never failed....

I note that your rifle is chambered for the 280AI. You should be OK shooting 280 Rem in your rifle but it is far from optimal. You should try some and make sure there are no head separations.

I have shot hundreds of the larger plains game with a 270W and 130 grain TTSX bullets. John has used his 7-57 on lots of game as well so no worries power wise.

Why would you even consider using 280 Rem ammo in an AI for an African trip? Does not compute!

Might also mention that I've taken plenty of big game with both the standard .280 and .280 AI, and never been able to tell any difference in "killing power." But could also say the same thing about the .270 Winchester....

If those rounds shoot good in your rifle, I think they'll work really well for you. I don't know anything about the 280 Rem. in a 280 AI thing. Mine is a regular 280 Rem.

Good luck, NYH1.