The Remington 700 Mountain Rifle in .280 Remington caliber is the best combination I have ever found for deer hunting. The lightweight Mountain rifle (only 6.5 pounds) was made with the best features usually found only in custom rifles. It starts with the proven M700 action, the action chosen for more target and custom rifles than any other, the great adjustable M700 trigger, and the best stock design ever made for a factory rifle.
The classic style stock is slim for weight savings, has the classic point checkering, black forend tip and grip cap, rubber but pad, cheek piece w/o a silly Monte Carlo hump, and a drop-down floor plate for unloading. More weight is saved by slimming the barrel but keeping it 22″ long for good velocity. Don’t let this slim barrel make you think accuracy will suffer. This rifle will shoot just about any ammo into sub-moa groups.
Over the years since Remington introduced the Mountain Rifle, there have been several variations. First came the standard Mountain Rifle like the one pictured above with the wood stock and drop plate magazine. Then a stainless synthetic model with the ADL type stock with no drop plate. I think that stock was made by McMillan. Remington now makes the standard wood and blue model with a detachable magazine, and a stainless model with a laminated stock drop plate magazine. Personally, I prefer the drop plate to the detachable mag. Detachable means you will accidentally leave it in the truck at least one time per season. Calibers available are 243, 260 Remington, 270 Win., 280 Remington, 7mm-08 Remington, and 30-06.
The .280 Remington Cartridge
The 280 Remington cartridge, also known as the 7mm Express Remington, is a versatile hunting and sporting cartridge that was first introduced by Remington in 1957. The cartridge is based on a necked-down .30-06 Springfield case, which gives it a relatively short overall length and a moderate recoil.
The 280 Remington is a popular choice for hunting medium to large game, such as deer or elk. The cartridge’s high velocity and flat trajectory make it ideal for long-range shots, while its relatively heavy bullet weight allows it to deliver a significant amount of energy on target.
One of the key advantages of the 280 Remington is its versatility. The cartridge is available in a range of bullet weights and styles, which allows hunters to tailor the cartridge to their specific needs. For example, lighter bullets are ideal for smaller game and varmint hunting, while heavier bullets are better suited for larger game and long-range shots.
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The 280 Remington also has a reputation for being accurate and consistent. The cartridge’s moderate recoil allows for quick follow-up shots, while its high ballistic coefficient ensures that each shot is as accurate as possible. This makes the 280 Remington a favorite among hunters and long-range shooters alike.
In recent years, the 280 Remington has seen a resurgence in popularity. Many hunters and shooters are drawn to the cartridge’s versatility and excellent performance, making it a top choice for those who demand the very best in a hunting or sporting cartridge.
Overall, the 280 Remington cartridge is a versatile and reliable choice for hunters and shooters. Its combination of accuracy, versatility, and moderate recoil make it an excellent choice for hunting medium to large game, and its high ballistic coefficient and flat trajectory make it a popular choice for long-range shooting competitions.
Using slow-burning powders similar to IMR 4831, the .280 can be loaded to some impressive velocities. Check below for my tested hand loads but consider them TOO HOT for your rifle and back off the max loads. Bullets in the 140 to 160-grain range work best with the .280 Remington. There are dozens of 7mm bullets to choose from and many great powders to make this cartridge fun for hand loaders.
Remington 700 Mountain Rifle in .280 Remington Ballistics
| Weight Bullet | Powder Charge | Velocity | Barrel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140 Barnes | Barnes Factory | 2900 | 22 | |
| 140 Nosler BTIP | Nosler Factory | 2850 | 22 | |
| 140 Nosler BTIP | 57.0 SuperFormance | 2960 | 22 | |
| 139 Hornady SP | 56.0 IMR4831 | 2885 | 22 | |
| 139 Hornady SP | 57.0 SuperFormance | 2970 | 22 | Max |
| 150 Nosler BTip | 55.0 IMR4831 | 2860 | 22 | |
| 150 Nosler BTip | 57.0 H4831 | 2600 | 22 | |
| 150 Nosler BTip | 56.0 RL22 | 2635 | 22 | |
| 150 Nosler BTip | 58.0 7828 | 2600 | 22 |
Nosler 280 Remington 140 BT Ammo Ballistics
Nosler 280 Remington 140 BT Ammo advertised velocity is 3000 fps. Chronographed muzzle velocity of from 22″ barrel is 2,850 feet per second (fps).
The .280 Remington has always had some very tough competition, especially from the .270 Winchester and Remington’s own 7MM Magnum. Remington initially introduced the cartridge loaded to lower pressure levels than most modern cartridges and because of the lack of velocity, it didn’t catch on like some of the other standard cartridges with higher advertised velocities. Remington later renamed the cartridge to 7mm Remington Express, and this time the velocities were up to par with or ahead of its competitors. Remington later dropped the 7mm Express name, went back to .280 Remington, and kept the power up where it should be. If you are wondering what those power figures are, three of the current factory loads are listed below;
The .280 is often compared to the .270 Winchester and 30’06. Mr. President and I are in a constant argument, I mean discussion, about the great .280 and his .270 pop gun. One other thing, I failed to mention is that you will be hard-pressed to find a 30’06 load that will push a 150-grain bullet faster than 2800 FPS.
I have done a lot of testing and a lot of deer hunting with the Remington M700 Mountain Rifle in .280 Remington and found it to deliver excellent accuracy and power to spare. Two bullets that I really like for the .280 are the 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and the 139-grain Hornady SST. The .280 pushes the 150 to 2900 fps and the 139 SST even faster. A ton of retained energy at 300 yards is all you need for animals up to the size of elk. All this in a lightweight rifle that is easy to carry and has a properly designed stock that minimizes recoil.
I have no idea why the .280 is not the #1 selling caliber in the country. Must be a vast .270 conspiracy!
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