280 REMINGTON AMMO

.280 Remington Ammo: Overview, Ballistics, Best Uses & Factory Ammo

Overview of the .280 Remington

The .280 Remington, introduced in 1957, is a highly versatile big-game hunting cartridge that bridges the gap between the .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield. Built on the .30-06 Springfield case, but necked down to accept a 7mm (.284-inch) bullet, the .280 Remington offers higher velocities, better sectional density, and improved ballistic coefficients over its parent case while maintaining moderate recoil.

While it was initially overshadowed by the .270 Winchester, the .280 Remington has gained a reputation as an exceptional hunting round, offering flat trajectories, long-range effectiveness, and excellent retained energy for big-game hunting.

Best .280 Remington Ammo We Sell at ProArmory

At ProArmory, we offer a selection of top-quality .280 Remington ammunition to meet your hunting and shooting needs:

History of the .280 Remington

The .280 Remington was developed as a hunting cartridge capable of outperforming the .270 Winchester while offering a broader bullet selection and better sectional density. Remington introduced it in 1957 for use in semi-automatic and bolt-action rifles, but early adoption was slow due to the overwhelming popularity of the .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield.

Key Development Goals:

  • Deliver higher velocities and flatter trajectories than the .30-06 Springfield.
  • Provide a ballistic advantage over the .270 Winchester by offering a wider range of bullet weights.
  • Offer a high-performance big-game cartridge for hunters looking for long-range capabilities with moderate recoil.

Despite its slow start, the .280 Remington has since gained widespread acceptance and is now regarded as one of the best all-around hunting cartridges for North American game.

Best Purposes for the .280 Remington

The .280 Remington is an excellent choice for a wide variety of hunting applications:

  • Big-Game Hunting – Effective for deer, elk, moose, and black bear, thanks to high energy retention and deep penetration.
  • Long-Range Hunting – The high BC of 7mm bullets makes it exceptional for long-range shooting, reducing wind drift and drop.
  • Backcountry Hunting – Lighter recoil than .30-06 Springfield and 7mm Remington Magnum, making it a great option for long treks in rough terrain.

Why Choose .280 Remington?

Hunters prefer the .280 Remington over similar cartridges for its optimal balance of power, accuracy, and efficiency:

  • Superior Long-Range Performance – The higher BC bullets offer flatter trajectories and excellent retained energy.
  • Moderate Recoil – Less recoil than .30-06 Springfield, making it easier to shoot accurately and comfortably.
  • Better Bullet Selection Than .270 Winchester – Accepts heavier bullets (160-175 grains) for large-game applications.
  • High Retained Energy – Excellent performance past 500 yards, making it an ideal big-game hunting round.

Ballistics of the .280 Remington

Factory-loaded .280 Remington ammo typically fires 140- to 175-grain bullets at speeds between 2,700 and 3,000 fps, offering exceptional accuracy and energy retention.

.280 Remington Ballistics Table

Bullet Weight

Muzzle Velocity (fps)

Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)

Drop @ 300 yds (inches)

Energy @ 300 yds (ft-lbs)

Drop @ 500 yds (inches)

Energy @ 500 yds (ft-lbs)

140 gr AccuBond

3,000 fps

2,800 ft-lbs

-7.5

2,000

-22.5

1,500

150 gr Partition

2,900 fps

2,805 ft-lbs

-8.2

2,050

-24.2

1,550

162 gr ELD-X

2,850 fps

2,930 ft-lbs

-9.0

2,200

-25.8

1,620

175 gr SP

2,700 fps

2,830 ft-lbs

-9.8

2,250

-27.6

1,700

Note: Ballistic performance may vary based on rifle barrel length, environmental conditions, and bullet selection.

Differences Between .280 Remington, .270 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield

Feature

.280 Remington

.270 Winchester

.30-06 Springfield

Bullet Diameter

.284 inches

.277 inches

.308 inches

Muzzle Velocity

2,700-3,000 fps

2,850-3,100 fps

2,700-2,900 fps

Muzzle Energy

2,800-3,000 ft-lbs

2,750-2,900 ft-lbs

2,700-3,000 ft-lbs

Effective Range

1,000+ yards

800-1,000 yards

800-1,000 yards

Recoil

Moderate

Lower

Higher

Best Use

Long-range hunting

Hunting, target shooting

Big-game hunting


Which One Should You Choose?

  • .280 Remington – Best for long-range big-game hunting, offering higher BC bullet options than .270 Winchester with manageable recoil.
  • .270 Winchester – A versatile hunting cartridge with flatter trajectories, but fewer heavy bullet options than the .280 Remington.
  • .30-06 Springfield – A classic hunting caliber with more bullet weight options, but with higher recoil than both the .280 Remington and .270 Winchester.

Best Factory Ammo for .280 Remington

Hornady Precision Hunter .280 Remington 162gr ELD-X

  • Best Use: Long-range big-game hunting
  • Recommended Barrel Twist: 1:9” or 1:10”
  • Why Choose This Ammo?: High-BC ELD-X bullets provide long-range accuracy, controlled expansion, and deep penetration, making it ideal for elk, moose, and large deer.

Federal Premium Nosler Partition .280 Remington 150gr

  • Best Use: Versatile big-game hunting
  • Recommended Barrel Twist: 1:9” or 1:10”
  • Why Choose This Ammo?: The Nosler Partition bullet design ensures maximum weight retention and deep penetration, making it an excellent choice for tough-skinned game.

Remington Core-Lokt .280 Remington 140gr PSP

  • Best Use: Traditional hunting applications
  • Recommended Barrel Twist: 1:10”
  • Why Choose This Ammo?: The Core-Lokt bullet is a proven hunting design, offering excellent expansion and energy transfer for whitetail deer.

Nosler Trophy Grade .280 Remington 140gr AccuBond

  • Best Use: Medium to large game hunting
  • Recommended Barrel Twist: 1:9” or 1:10”
  • Why Choose This Ammo?: AccuBond bullets offer deep penetration and high weight retention, making them effective for long-range hunting.

Final Thoughts on .280 Remington

The .280 Remington is a powerful, flat-shooting hunting cartridge that balances velocity, energy retention, and moderate recoil. Whether you need a long-range elk rifle or a versatile hunting caliber, .280 Remington ammo delivers outstanding ballistic performance.

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