For hunting North and South Amercian big game?

split the difference and get a .290 AVA (0.296")

Clearly the .280 is far better, because I've had one since 1985, and haven't had an '06 since about 1982. That evidence is as good as you will get from anyone supporting either cartridge, no matter what anyone says... .

Buy whichever rifle in either caliber that you like and go hunting...it will utterly matter not at all...

Dennis

The .280 doesn't kick as hard but shoots smaller, lighter bullets.
The big difference is in the availiability of top quality factory ammo. The '06 has far more. E

A replay of the 7/08 vs. 270 thread.

And the 30-06 vs the 300 win mag
And the 300 win mag vs the 338 win mag
And the " "

.280 Remington / .30-06 Springfield
7mmRM / .300WM

6 to one, half dozen to another.

I have owned a .280 Rem, and a .270 Win, & I now have a 30-06 in my battery. There pretty much all apples to apples, but the .280 is just sexier...

I have both. Everything I've shot with either ended up on the table with some side dishes.

And the 30-06 is the boring safety date.

Can you buy .280 Rem ammo in South America?

"Less filling"
"Tastes Great"

Gotta keep you guys busy.

That's a very good question but what about the 30.06 vs .270 Win..... ...........Hillbilly.

The .280 is a fantastic cartridge; in fact it is almost as good as a 30-06!

The 280! Definitely much more sexy

If our wives knew how wishy-washy we were about guns and cartridges, they'd never trust any compliment we gave them.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Own both but prefer the 30-06 for the bigger stuff because of the heavier bullets that can be used.

"split the difference and get a .290 AVA (0.296")"
Couldn't you just use the famous B-29?

Get a 280 for your wife.

Then you can say, "Your 280," without getting in trouble.



Bruce

.280 Remington Shewemington - now, a 7x64 Brenneke is a horse of a greener other sides gras.

true .... but some folks don't like their whole game animal as burger (some like steak and roasts)

The .270 is a smaller diameter, faster, improved version of the 30-06. Then came the .280 because it was still faster and sexier than the 30-06 and because guys like me just need something different because the 30-06 and the .270 we have has since our teens was just not as cool. 7MM but in a non-magnum case. Then came along the 338-06 which was sexy and a bigger caliber. I am sure there are more from the same old '06 case but are they really ever that much of an improvement? if I am a hunter, probably not. if I am a rifle and ammo manufacturer, then sure, the new, sexy cartridge is the greatest thing out there.
I am still not sure why I ever bought a .260 Rem but probably because it is cool, lightweight, compact, accurate and because I didn't already have one in the gun safe....

.270

JohnMoses - Your current avatar is great.

Some "objectivity" and logic given to a subjective thread! When you kill your BG, you can ask 'em which one was more effective.

.30/06 is also the boring safe date when buying ammo too. (yeah, duhh!)



(true!)

280 AI

They're nearly identical. Comparing their relative merit is splitting hairs.

If the 30-06 is too much, the 280 isn't the answer.

If the 280 is not enough, the 30-06 isn't the answer.

Can we get an Amen!

Well said!

No.

Not until we do a .30-06 vs .280Rem vs .284Win and there +/- in comparison to the .270W with 130gr,139gr and 140gr bullets with powders of three different burn rates.

Amen. Get both I did

7mm Rem Express.

Based upon this reply, I suppose you hunt with 30-06's specifically since it's the only ammo any store in the world is likely to carry the most of. And, I suppose that your 30-06's will shoot every type of ammunition available all over the world accurately?

While availability of ammo is a consideration, the answer is to make up two boxes of ammo and put them in different bags.
Personally, I've never had a rifle nor ammo lost.

stop the debate and buy a 7mm express

UUUUuuuhhh? What was the question?

nuff said

This. 30-06 will be available wherever you hunt, good if ammunition is lost, stolen, seized in transit.

I’ve never owned and 30-06 but I do like the 25-06..

I have a 280 and I really like what it does to deer…

As was stated seems everyone had a 270 or a 30-06 so I wanted nothing to do with either. Not that thee is an issue with them I just want something a little different.

13 years later

I'd take either one. Shot an 06 my whole life. Like the 270. Never owned a 280. Would love to add one to the arsenal. Will say this, killed alot of stuff with a 25-06 and a 30-06, and after shooting a 270 for a while, I'm on the 270 train. As far as which is superior, I don't think you would tell a difference when you pull the trigger.

No difference. Dead is dead

Yup. Only one classification of dead.

my Dad used a 280 Remington since the early 60`s and really liked the cartridge except for one thing trying to find ammo ,so Dad brought all new 30-06`s for himself , brother and myself . i still have his 280 Remington good cartridge if you can find ammo . good luck ,Pete53

couldn't have said it better

And then just re-name it to .280 Remington.

I have six 30-06’s, one 280, guess the 30-06 wins, has more votes???? What about the 284?


I just got the 280, haven’t shot it yet, eager to try it.

An Easter miracle.

Hand loaded to .270 Win pressures, the .280 Rem / 7 mm Express is amazing ,
Funny though, you don’t ever hear about the .30’06 loaded to those pressures.

Too much of a Good Thing ?

I sometimes wish I had bought my Weatherby lightweight in .280 Rem instead of ‘06. I think I posted that before. If I run across a .280 with a 24” barrel in decent shape it’ll likely follow me home.

Six for one, half a dozen for the other.

I've got a Cooper 280 coming to my ffl tomorrow or tues. First ever 7mm of any type. Been shooting 270s for 60 years. More of the same I know but I really like the wood on the coming. Got everything to load so I'll find out shortly.

OK, it's a 13 year old thread, but the info is still relevant.

I started with 30-06 and tired 280 for a while. On paper 280 is the better cartridge, but I wasn't selling my old 30-06 rifles and 280 wasn't enough better to justify keeping both. I let the 280 go.

For a young shooter I'd advise passing on both as well as 270. A 6.5CM, 7-08 or 308 do 95% of what a 270, 280 and 30-06 do. And they do it at ranges farther than 95% of shooters can utilize. And if you're good enough to be able to shoot farther than those 3 you can justify skipping straight to one of the magnums.

If I take my .280 Rem. out on a hunt, a 30-06 makes the hunt as back up. If I decide to use a 30-06, the .280 goes as back up. Same deal it I use a .270 for the hunt. The 06 goes as back up. The 06 also backs up my .35 Whelen. I never worry overmuch about finding ammo for the 06 or the .270. The .280, I might get lucky and find a box or two on a store' shelf but I won't gamble on a hunt and make sure whatever is usually the back up will be chambered in easily found ammo.
PJ

Not a problem at all a set of dies and components can load 280 24/7/365. It's only a problem for people who aren't smart enough to reload.

In a pinch, can you buy 280 ammo in SA?

Bet you could get 06. Maybe something to think about..

Ammo availability in the boondocks hunting camp area is sheer foolishness and Fudd-like banter. The first thing you put in your kit for your hunt is correct ammo and correct ammo is the last thing you verify onboard and cross off your list. Anything else is total folly or just repeating dumb comments you read elsewhere on the innanet. Get a grip…

Must be early spring since the winter mental masturbation effects haven't worn off yet.

I have two 30-06s, no 280, two 7mm-08s, and a 308.

when i was kid i did use what Dad gave me , > Magnum Bob if you need any help with some precision loading of some better ammo give me a P.M. or need help with how to shoot precision bench rest rifles come on up . other wise don`t be a smartarse

There’s no difference that I can tell on game hit with 7/08,270,308,30/06, 7mag or even the 300 savage….I doubt I could tell any difference with the 280 either…

And you place good shots past 300 yards just as well with the 300 Savage as you do with the 7mag, correct?

Got my new to me Cooper custom in 280 today. Checked it out and scoped it. As soon as I get a decent day we'll see what it does. I noticed today that RL 16 preforms really well with140's. Happen to have a pound, going to give it a try.

very true

Hard to argue this. All makes a hole. I will say I had a 240 wby for a while and I could tell a difference. Bullet was on them quick. I was shooting 70 grain noslers and they absolutely exploded deer and coyotes. 1 inch high at 100 and you were good to 325. Decided to go back to the 243 win. But I can tell you, that is one cartridge I could tell the difference on. Everything inside 150 yards had softball sized holes in them. Everything past 350 you couldn't even tell they were shot. Pretty fun gun. Was a mark v deluxe. I'm in the 06 group.

Don't think anyone has mentioned it, but it seems to be much easier to find lightly used nice rifles in 30-06 than just about anything else, maybe because when guys get their new 300PRC they reckon they can live without their '06

In recent months I have picked up a Belgian-made Browning Hi-Power, a Sako Classic, and a Husky 1640, all in 30-06, at what I consider to be very good prices......and Norma sells that 150 gr Whitetail load for about $22/ box......

Ten 280’s over the years. Still have two 280’s. Have two 280 AI’s.

Never would I own a 30-06.

Pick em.

Easy. Buy both

North America, 30/06 with 280 as a back up in camp or the other way around when down south.

Both - however I converted my 06 to a 35 Whelen and with my 280 feel they are the only 2 rifles I will ever need for Big Game.

I bet that's a beauty

I have that pair myself, except one's a 280AI.

Scott you're correct it is a beauty.

...especially when it's rimmed and in a drilling.

Not having an '06 is a handicap.

Just asked cause I`ve seen it happen....the "forgetful" hunter used our spare.

BTB, bring along an extra scope..had one go to hell when we were in Africa..

S hit happens.

if i ever get a chance to go to Africa on a plains game hunt >for sure it would be only a 30-06 just for the simple reason of finding more ammo easier .

There is nothing any non magnum cartridge can do that a 30-06 can't. 110s through 220s. Prairie dogs to Buffalo. Variety is fun, but when you get down to it, pretty tough cartridge to beat. If I had a hunt of a lifetime on the line, I'm taking an '06. Love my 270, but give me that 06.

Pretty Much Say's it all,,,,,, and then some.....
Lj in Alaska.....

There is no way to take a bad side of this debate, both cartridges are very good. Thank god we such good options. Win Win!

This fellow chose the 30-06, I have the book and it's exceptional...

Over 40 years ago, J. Y. Jones started his North American big-game hunting career, which ultimately evolved into a quest to take all the huntable species and subspecies of North America with the same .30-06 rifle (it was a Rem 700 ADL).

One Man, One Rifle, One Land
By J.Y. Jones
Safari Press, 2001
Non Fiction, Hunting
558pp, 300 color photos, large format, 8.5x11
ISBN: 978-1-57157-169-4

That's the kind of rifle that does work in the field. And a wing safety to boot. Very nice.

As a minimum I have to own an 06 and a 7mag.

I am primarily a whitetail hunter. My rack is stacked with a large complement of 30-06 and one 7mm-08. 280 Rem is an option, for sure. However, when I go looking, there are damn few .280 Rem options available. I'm sure that if a 280 fell into my hands, I'd adore it. It just has not happened.

Beyond that, I'm just not getting shooting opportunities that require 280 REM. Last year, I took the longest shot on a buck that I've had in 40-some years of deer hunting. It was with an '06 and a 150 grain bullet. The animal went toes-up before I could pull the scope away.

I can't see putting another gun on the rack to fill any gap between 7mm-08 and '06. If someone can help me see that hole, I'd love the input.

Get a 280 and you won't need the '06 OR the 7-08!

I have used the .25-06, .270 and .30-06 cartridges for a considerable portion of my hunting. I have been completely satisfied with each of them.

Have fired a few .280’s in my time, but never hunted with one. I am certain that it would do for anything practically speaking that the others would do.

But, that being said, I would take a .30-06 over a .280 any day of the week.

Agree completely.

Get both as well as 270, 6.5-06, and 25-06

It’s a fantastic round. I’m hoping to pick up another I found for sale.

M70 fwt XTR. Sweet little rifle.

Yes!

I like my 30-06 an awful lot, but no, I don't think it's better than the 280, just different.

Been shooting a 7mm express for about 2 months. Had it built this summer. Number 2 shilen stainless on a rem 700. I worked a load with 139 sst bullets and A4350. It's right at 3000 fps. Been pretty impressed with it on deer so far. It seems that a 280 with 140s, a 270 with 140s, and an 06 with 150s are dang near identical out to 450 or so. I think the 280 would shine with heavies and that's my next project with the gun, but in the end, 165s or 180s in an 06 is a thing of beauty.

I think Coyote10 is on the right track. I’ve had a pretty good sampling of centerfire cartridges. I liked a lot of them and killed a bunch of game with them but, in the end I always keep my 30-06. And my other rifles have been good and fun to work with. The ‘06 with 165s gives me a rock solid sense of confidence.

For a do all, 30-06 every time.
Whitetail only, I'm in the 270 with 130s interlock crowd.
Occasional mulie and elk, 280 rem with a 150 or 160 interlock or partition.
Elk first and foremost with the occasional mulie, 06 with a 165 partition.

That 06 with a 150 will run right up there around 2950 to 3 grand.
With a 165 it's still at 2850ish.

Dream rifle is a 30-06 improved. 165s at 2950 maybe more. Ain't nothing taking that.

Splitting some pretty fine hairs.

Right!

Never had an '06, but the 280AI does just fine

Exactly. Not much an 06 can't do.

30-06. No doubt about it, for both continents especially.

I own many 30-06s. Love it’s great range of game taking capability.



Having said that, my 2-rifle battery for NA is my:

280 Rem: Pronghorns/Deer
35 Whelen: Elk, Moose, Bear



My 2-rifle battery for Africa is my:

9.3x62 Mauser: PG & DG
404 Jeffery: DG



If finding ammo replacement is a great concern, I also have and would take:

NA & SA: 30-06.

Africa: 375 H&H & 458 Lott.


This may be TMI with the Africa info. Sorry if it is.

Same could be said about the other 2 and a long list of others.

30-06 just because.

So which one came out on top?

Depends on who you ask.

😄

Yea, well, that's just like, your opinion, man.

Again, 280

The 280 is like a 30-06 with more panache.
What one does the other will be equally well.

Both great cartridges. I have two .30-06's and one .280. I used to hunt deer with the 30-06 years ago, but lately find myself using it most often for elk. I've used the .280 mostly for deer and antelope. But there is a lot of overlap between the cartridges so either one can serve well for almost any American big game.

The choice of which to use when is mostly about personal preference.

Funny, but I have one .30-06 and two .280s. I know I only "need" one of the three and dread having to make the choice, but I want to pare down on my possessions. I'll just do what I have to do, though. That said, I'll suggest that it's six of one or a half dozen of the other when it comes to getting the job done because both will launch very good bullets with sufficient vigor. If you handload, the .280 is very interesting but if you only buy factory ammo, then the .30-06 makes more sense.

I'm down to one 30-06, a 280 AI and 3 270's. Usually take the 30-06 near the end of the season because it is a lucky rifle.

The 280 & 270 are far superior to the 30-06.... there, I said it......

I have a .30 Gibbs that is fast becoming my favorite rifle if I have to walk much.



Pushes the 165 NAB accurately in the 2950-3000 fps range with a 22" barrel and H4350. Staball 6.5 will push it even faster but I got poor accuracy. It is all ballistic nonsense as there is very few scenarios where the extra 100-150 fps makes any difference but it is fun to shoot something different.

Always been a huge 06 fan but think the 280 could be a better choice

30-06 can be very versatile for the hand loader.

Aint a thang wrong with the Improved or the Gibbs.

The true and tried 30-06. Been doing the job forever.

I think that pretty much says it all. I have a .280, several .270s and a few 30-06s. If push came to shove and I could only have one? The 30-06 would be the one that stays.
PJ

I have 2 .280s, + an AI, and a .308Win

My next .30’06 will be a .338’06 though

Have had and still have a .30-06 since 14 years old. It's boringly versatile. Had a .280 and was satisfied except I didn't reload, this along with factory ammo difficult to find in my area so I sold it.
It's the only rifle I've sold for this reason and the only rifle that a guy was lived pissed at me for doing so, we never spoke again after he let everyone on the net know!
It's amazing how entrenched people can get over their favored caliber, maybe even worse than politics.

Have whatever you want.

Never don’t have a 30-06.




P

The 280 arranges,what the Twat-Six cannot...a .796 BC at 2700fps+. Hint.

Just sayin'..............

(One of) My favorite Rifle(s) is my Winchester Model 70 Super Grade in wait for it...... 280 Remington.

Not only is it a nice looking rifle, it shoots my favorite 280 hand load: a 160g Federal TBT in Winchester brass over Reloader 26 at 2900 fps chronographed in 37 degree weather.

I also have a Model 70 Featherweight in 300 WSM so no need for a 30-06 here, but it's a fine cartridge. (As are most of them) I am also a big fan of the 7mm-08. (I have two of them)

If I couldn't load my own ammo, I'd likely favor something besides the 280 as it has been done a dis-service by Remington from the start and so factory ammo does not maximize it's potential at all.

Definitely the .280.....unless you want to be able to buy ammo for it. In that case it's 30-06.

neither, i'd go with my 270 Winchester.

I think some of the biggest handicaps for the .280 Rem are difficulty finding ammo unless he is a hand loader, the fact that Remington DELIBERATELY underloaded the round to favor their weaker (?) actions IE the pump and autoloaders. Funny thing and by funny I mean peculiar and not funny ha ha. Remington has no problem chambering those type rifles to the .270 Win. It almost seems Big R wanted the .280 to fail. I can easily hand load 160 gr. Speer Grand Slams, the older two core version to 2910 FPS with no apparent pressure problems and excellent accuracy. I'm thinking that if I can get another elk hunt lined up I'll give my .280 Rem. a try with my hand loads and see what's what. As usual my 30-06 will come along as back up gun or maybe I'll let the usual .35 Whelen play second fiddle.
PJ

30-06, you can get ammo wherever ammo is sold, try finding 280 ammo anywhere! Even if you handload, you better have all you need when you travel. For localized stuff and handloader, the 280 is fantastic.

A friend of mine once told me that if you only had one do-it-all rifle, it should be a .280 AI. I don’t have one and I let a couple of 7mm Express Remingtons slip through my fingers. Alas, I have never been inclined to own a .270 anything but I do have a .30-06 and .35 Whelen.

.30-'06 if factory loads, .280 for hand loading ...

Yes to both

I have both. Not sure there is a lick of difference is the average hunter’s (me) hands. I guess I like the puzzling look most guys have when I say “280” when they ask.

The 280 Rem is my all time favorite general purpose cartridge provided you handload and keep a generous supply of brass.
If you travel you want a 270 which does about 96% of what a 280 Rem can do unless you think you want to shoot at things farther than 400 yards or so. Then you need some sort of 7mm.

280 by several miles - just because. I've had one since 1982 and it's killed a truckload of deer. I really try to like the 30-06 and buy one every couple of years when I get bit by the practicality bug. But then I get out the RAID and it all feels better.

Well since I have a 280 AI, 3 270's and one 30-06 I'll say this. The 280 AI has only been out a couple of times. The 270's have had a pretty good share of field time and killed a few antelope, whitetails, mulies and elk. However the 30-06 has been out a minimum of 3 times as often and put truckloads of various game animals in the freezer. 180 grain bullets at near 2800 fps just seem to do the job no fuss. 150 grain bullets at near 3000 fps do the job just fine on lighter stuff if maybe just a bit messy. Long ago settled on the loads I use in the 30-06 and have yet to find fault with them. If I cared about closet space I would have two 30-06's, one sighted in for the 150 gr. load and one sighted in for the 180 gr. load. Maybe even better both sighted in for the 180 gr. load.

This exactly. Factory 280 ammo is anemic. But if you have a solid bolt action and you handload you can really push the 280. There was a great article in the January 2001 issue of Rifle magazine by John Barsness on loading the 280. I either saved it or printed it out. If anyone is interested I can try finding it.

Mine is built on a CZ 550 action with a Shilen barrel.

No difference at all out at 500 yards on most game, both have speed and bullet technology, especially because they are 7mm and 7.62mm. The 280 Rem and 30-06 are not separated by much however there are a couple of considerations. The 280 Rem is the easier button for long range capability having heavy for caliber high BC projectiles at high velocity. The 30-06 has long range capability with numerous 7.62mm projectiles for any occasion. It also has more horsepower for tackling the heaviest of game in close. Being able to throw 220 grain loads at 2,400 fps and 250 grain loads at 2,300 fps.

It really just depends on what bases you are trying to cover. Most likely that will depend on where you live, what you intend to hunt, and how you intend to hunt.

You DUMB Fhuqks never cease to amaze,by simply doing your best. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!...............

Good ole Stick still shooting cross country at nothing, what a sage.

It's your Imagination,simply Pretend with it in the manner which soothes you most. Hint.

You Drooling CLUELESS Fhuqktards are a hoot! Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!.............

Larry post up that vid throwin ur rifles in the bushes😂

Keep "living" vicariously,with that WELL practiced Brokedick Whine. Hint.

Fortunately for you,Imagination,Pretend and Emoji's are free so even YOU can "afford" to "contribute",from your Couchbound Kchunt. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!...............

14 years later, pole vaulting the same mouse turds with Big Shtick leading the charge lol.

Be SURE to start a Thread,on the first day you fire a Live Round this year! Hint.

Typical "slow" day here. Hint.





Google as you must, nod your pencil neck like you "understand" and keep The Hurt Feeler Reports coming. You Professional victims are a fhuqking hoot! Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!.............

280

Missing Muledeer…

Mule Deer impersonator?

Nope, he was the original muledeer…

Took a buck with both last season.....



30-06 Springfield, 180 gr. Nosler Partition (IIRC)

Neck shot, DRT



280 Rem., 162 gr. Hornady ELD-X

Heart Shot, ran 20 yds.

Which is better, Quien Sabe?

IMHO, shot placement/POI trumps....

ya!

GWB

One could simply buy one of each if you cannot decide!

👍😂

Or several if you were a rifle looney!

ya!


GWB

Hey stack, let me know how you like that mark 4. Fixing to pull the trigger on that model of reupold.

I love the .30-06 but you could look at the .280 it gives you more umph than a 6.5 creed or the 6.5x55. I have one it has killed a lot of deer and less recoil than a straight 30-06 very affordable to reload for as well.

I prefer the 280 Ackley version over both.

I prefer the 280 Ackley Improved version over both.

.30-06 for the win. Way more versatile.

For hunting big game, as the OP said, how is it more versatile? What big game animal can the -06 take that the 280 (preferably AI) can't?

Pronghorn, both
Deer, both
Elk, both
Moose, both
Wolf, both
Mountain lion, both
Black bear, both


Now if you live in AK and hunt the big bears you may want the -06 over a 280, but that's a very small percentage of hunters.

Both can work up close, but farther out I'd give the edge to the 280, again especially in AI.

Way more versatile? Not seeing it.

Yep, 280 AI for the win.
But if only the other 2, then 280 Rem.

The .30-06 has taken the Big 5. The .280 is a nice medium game cartridge.

Sweetie,

The 223 has taken the Big 5. Hint.

Your Fhuqktardation is impressive. Hint.

Just sayin'..............

Blow it out ur ass Larry 😂

7x57

You just might be right.
PJ

North American big game was asked about, not Africa