Finally

[hipster]

I just got ( man am I excited) one of the scopes I was waiting for. After serious thought not to mention some crying and whining, I decided to order Leupold. I had placed the order for 2 but had to settle for one just because of dollars and cents. Lucky for me a close friend of mine has a small buisness on the side and can get some ok deals on scopes archery equipment and the like. Frank sold the other one with no problems so we are all happy. I still can't get over the pricing difference between here and the States on Leupold scopes. I did pay less than I would have at a retail hunting center, but I still could have saved more if I had of got it State side. Now I just have to mate it to a rifle. Hmmm I wonder what caliber this should sit on top? I have a hankering for a nice 30-06 Just for Moose and Caribou ( planning a Caribou hunt for next year) then again it might just be perfect on top of a .280 Rem.

Well enough yacking from me here are the pics.

[RIKA]

Glad for ya! Those Leupolds are really beautiful, aren't they?

RIKA

[John in AR]

I’d never owned a Leupold until two or three years ago. Now I have two of them and I can’t hardly stand to use anything else; they’re that much better than what I was used to.

[brass hammer]

YES THEY ARE! and you get that 'little-green-rag, with every [1] you buy!

but HIPSTER? was it a 12power x 40mm? [it didn't look like it from the 'lightgatherin'-end],,,fill us in, by all means, iffin' you please! :dgrin:

[Aslan]

it belongs on a .280 period. 'enough said.

:devil:


ps. good choice of scopes....

[anodes]

Hip, A .280 would be perfect for caribou. My personnal "North of the Border" chamber would be the .35 Wheelen AI.
anodes.

[hipster]

YES THEY ARE! and you get that 'little-green-rag, with every [1] you buy!

but HIPSTER? was it a 12power x 40mm? [it didn't look like it from the 'lightgatherin'-end],,,fill us in, by all means, iffin' you please! :dgrin:
Oh yes it is a 4 x12 x 40 mm I got the Leupy Bases but decided to go with the Millet rings( I have heard good things about these rings) If the rings are not what I expect I will change to Leupy rings in short order.

[hipster]

Hip, A .280 would be perfect for caribou. My personnal "North of the Border" chamber would be the .35 Wheelen AI.
anodes.

Well 3-4 of us are trying to get away for a hunt of the James River herd( way north in Quebec and very barren). Barren ground makes it tough to get close and I am told to expect shots in 200-300 yard range If I am serious about two trophy quality Bulls ( we get two tags for around 300 Canadian) I have been dreaming of this for quite some time and hopefully we will be able to make this work.


I threw in the 280 just for you aslan. I saw one being fired at the range on my last visit. The fellow was shooting hand loads with 150 grain BST's and was grouping 4-5 inches at 100. He said the twist was 1 in 10 I sugested that the twist rate was too slow for that long bullet and to try a 140 or a shorter length 150. He was pissed about the poor groups.. This has not changed my opinion of the .280.

[Flinter]

Leupold makes a fantastic product. I only have one right now (6.5-20x50mm with mildot and target turrets) but I really need to buy another.

[Coyote]

Sweet scope, I've got the same one. Its mounted on an '06.

[hipster]

Sweet scope, I've got the same one. Its mounted on an '06.


I like your thinking and choice and am very much leaning in that direction for the scope alone. I am kind of getting into a reverse direction instead of putting a scope on a rifle I am putting a rifle under a scope more fun deciding that way.

[Aslan]

I personally use 140grs in my .280, I'm only pushing them to 2950, which isn't excessive, but seems to be the sweet spot for accuracy in my rifle. (I'm not a speed freak when it comes to loads, accuracy means more to me in a hunting round.)

I use Barnes simply because the rifle seems to like them a lot. going with the Barnes more than makes up for any differences between the 140's and a heavier bullet. (not that a critter is going to refuse to drop because it was hit with a 140 vs a 150 grainer)

Whatever you do, you have the right optics...

:devil:

[hipster]

I personally use 140grs in my .280, I'm only pushing them to 2950, which isn't excessive, but seems to be the sweet spot for accuracy in my rifle. (I'm not a speed freak when it comes to loads, accuracy means more to me in a hunting round.)

I use Barnes simply because the rifle seems to like them a lot. going with the Barnes more than makes up for any differences between the 140's and a heavier bullet. (not that a critter is going to refuse to drop because it was hit with a 140 vs a 150 grainer)

Whatever you do, you have the right optics...

:devil:

Well 2950 is pretty darn fast no matter what anyone says. With the higher BC of those long barnes bullets that .280 you got is probably just as flat a shooter as a 7 Rem Mag with run of the mill 140's Not to mention barnes 140's probably will shoot through game like a 160 in other bullets.

I am all over accuracy versus speed now that I am older and somewhat wiser than I was in my 20's. If I can't hit it I can't knock it down I will take a tight grouper over a lazer any day. This just might be me but I do now prefer less recoil and muzzle blast. I love the 300 win mag I think it is one of the finest rounds ever devised. Do I have a use for it? at this point in my life no, for any hunting I will be doing from now on a standard caliber will do all that I need to do.

If I do ever get the chance to hunt Brown bears or Woods bison It might be an option with 220 grainer's but it would not do what a .338 Win would do with a 225-250. That senario is down the road a ways I figure but when the time is right I know I can get a lot of quality experience and input fom the members here on this site.

I have never shot Barnes bullets I have shot partitions in 300 Win in the Fed premium ammo and they killed everything I ever hit right. What I read about the TSX is varied some shooters like them some don't. I may just give them a try I haven't found any yet at any of the shops I frequent. I would like to ask you some more questions on the .280 if you don't mind. Charts and numbers are one thing, real world field performance is another.

[Aslan]

knock yourself out - I'll be glad to answer any questions I can....

:devil:

[hipster]

Ok here comes the mindless drivel.

When talking about larger game ( deer size and up) what can you tell me about terminal performance over ranges you have shot? You being in AZ I would hazzard to guess that you might have shots longer than I would.

[Aslan]

The longest shot I've made on a deer - muley, was a tad over 250 yds (measured after the shot with a laser range finder) It was a textbook heart shot and the deer took one step and dropped.

By the same token, I shot another muley at about 75 yds and it took off like a bat out of hell. Thought I'd somehow missed. Fired another round, and then a third before he dropped. He must have run another 75 yds before dropping.

The first shot - right in the heart, the second, in the lungs and the third was a spine shot at the base of the neck as he ran. All three shots were where I placed them, none of the bullets were recovered.

I've taken 9 deer with the .280 (we only get one a year here because of the way the draws work) The last 3 were using the XLC's. This includes the two mentioned above and another one at 130 yds. It ran 5 steps before dropping dead.

I've taken two elk with the .280 before I got my .338

probably 50-60 coyotes have been taken with it, though I prefer the .223 for them. (The .223 does less damage to the hides then the .280)

oh yeah, and one bobcat.

and another 10 - 20 jack rabbits

I'd describe the terminal effects on critters as quite satisfactory. I'd not be afraid to use it on any north american game animal, though I'd be inclined to use my .338 for the big brown bears.

It shoots flat, has a very wide selection of bullets available for it.

I had at one time considered going to the ackley improved version, but it works so well as it is that there's no point, except for the sake of having a wildcat.

Hope this was helpful....I'm a .280 bigot and proud of it!

:devil:

[brass hammer]

a most proud/proclaimed statment,yet, the .270win./warhorse30/06.
CAN /WILL DO THE SAME job.
[although, the .270win in 130 grainers have '
left me hairless'] :dgrin:
ALL MY FAULT,I SHOULD ADD.

[Aslan]

oh yeah, the .270 and the 30-06 both work very well. They just aren't the .280 you see.

The .270 is a very good round, but in the past bullet selection was somewhat limited. The 30-06 on the other hand has a huge selection of bullets available for it.

The .280 seems to be a good compromise to me. Large bullet selection like the 30-06, but with the flat trajectory and good SD of the .270.

I doubt you can find a critter that's going to refuse to die because you "only" hit it with a .270, or because you didn't use an '06

It's a Ford, Dodge, and Chevy argument. I like the .280

Your mileage may vary...

:devil:

[hipster]

The .270 is a very good round, but in the past bullet selection was somewhat limited. The 30-06 on the other hand has a huge selection of bullets available for it.

The .280 seems to be a good compromise to me. Large bullet selection like the 30-06, but with the flat trajectory and good SD of the .270.




I think Flat trajectory is relative for each of us and we have a sweet spot that we consider perfect for our application. A lot of us here "roll our own" so we can change the trajectory/ performance as our hearts desire. I consider my swift to be ultra flat shooting inside its envelope. at a 100 yard zero it smokes hogs to 250 yards with no hold over, at a 200 yard zero it will do 400 yards with no wind and not too much of a hold over.

In medium caliber rifle I consider 2800 and up to be a very flat shooter. If I could find a .280 in the package I am looking for it would be a done deal. I can get a lot of calibers in the stainless synthetic line but Rem has not put out a 280. I do like wood stocks but I tend to rough them more than they deserve and stainless just makes life easy for me. Though the 270 is a classic and one of the most popular rounds ever created. I tend to agree bullet selection is more limited than 280 or 06.

Your results are very good 3 elk and many other animals speaks well of the 280. I would hazard to guess the guy on the other end deserves some credit for putting those warheads were they needed to go. I did not know about the Ford Dodge or Chevy argument one word solves the whole thing though Silverado nuff said. Thanks for the info it does help a lot :bird:

[Aslan]

yup, I drive a silverado 4x4 pickup - I knew I liked you for a reason.

I've come back without a deer or an elk many times, though I have never lost a wounded animal

Didn't get an elk tag this year, but I do have a deer tag - got a coues permit. Very small deer, but can vanish even while you're glassing them.

should be a fun hunt, I am in a unit I've never hunted before.

One of my buddy's got an elk tag and I'm going to elk camp with him and hunt coyotes in the adjacent area (don't want to interfere with his hunt) I should get about a weeks worth of solid coyote hunting in, then I have three days and then it's off to deer camp.

I plan to have a great October!

:devil:

[hipster]

yup, I drive a silverado 4x4 pickup - I knew I liked you for a reason.

I've come back without a deer or an elk many times, though I have never lost a wounded animal

Didn't get an elk tag this year, but I do have a deer tag - got a coues permit. Very small deer, but can vanish even while you're glassing them.

should be a fun hunt, I am in a unit I've never hunted before.

One of my buddy's got an elk tag and I'm going to elk camp with him and hunt coyotes in the adjacent area (don't want to interfere with his hunt) I should get about a weeks worth of solid coyote hunting in, then I have three days and then it's off to deer camp.

I plan to have a great October!

:devil:


Best truck I have ever owned period and I have had 10 over the last 18 years( bought my first new one at 18) I used to drive another brand that started with the letter F. Now I know how ignorant I was. The best toughest damn truck I have ever seen, she got quite a few battle scars but has never let me down ever and I work her harder than any truck I have ever owned.I am now a chev man for life.

My draw results have sucked so far I only have a calf tag for Moose (missed for bull in one zone and cow in another) I have a buck tag for deer and am waiting for the draw results for non antlered in the same zone. Sept 3 I will know If I got drawn for the Doe tag (fingers crossed). Having not hunted for quite some time I will be quite rusty, lucky for me my zones have excellent numbers of deer and moose. Scouting starts this weekend for me as I will be off from tomorrow till tuesday. I figure my new boots are going to be broken in by monday night. Well good luck to us both in our up coming hunts.

[brass hammer]

[QUOTE=hipster]Best truck I have ever owned period and I have had 10 over the last 18 years( bought my first new one at 18) I used to drive another brand that started with the letter F. Now I know how ignorant I was. The best toughest damn truck I have ever seen, she got quite a few battle scars but has never let me down ever and I work her harder than any truck I have ever owned.I am now a chev man for life.

HAR,HAR,HAR,HARDEE,HAR,HAR!,,,MAYBE?[IFFIN' YOU NEVER LEFT THE BLACK-TOP/HARD-PAN],,,,,,,that is?,,,,as i [1] time detonated a propane/anti-matter WAR-HEAD offa' my RIGID ball hitch,,,IN MY FORD!!! and FRANCE surrenderd,,,AGAIN!!! :rolleyes:

[hipster? iffin' you have got to go through[10] cars/trucks in [18] years?]
YOU HAVE GOTTA' BE THE WORST non-drivin'/maintaince performin' MO-FO
GOD EVER PUMPED AIR INTO!!![friend] :nyah: :laugh01: :shrugs: :roflmao1: :beer:

[hipster]

[hipster? iffin' you have got to go through[10] cars/trucks in [18] years?]
YOU HAVE GOTTA' BE THE WORST non-drivin'/maintaince performin' MO-FO
GOD EVER PUMPED AIR INTO!!![friend]


Nope not even close old buddy I used to trade up quite often as I liked to have a new truck every couple of years (lease) Two of them were crashed and written off (in short order) I don't have the liquid cash now that I used to have then not to mention many more responsibilities.

Good Sir, my truck spend lots of time off the black top and sees rutine mantainence. Matainence this year includes new u joints ,breaks all the way around, plugs, wires, yearly tune up, tranny flush and filter change, new rubber all the way around. It will need paint in the spring to take care of all the scratches and stone chips. I now average 60,000 a year :beer: :wavey: :bird:

[Aslan]

Paint? I think desert pin-striping is a badge of honor!

I tend to keep my vehicles for 10 years (or until I reach the point where maint approaches the cost of buying another one.)

I laugh when I look at all the 4x4's in our neighborhood that have pristine paint. You know that not a single one of them has ever left the pavement.

:devil:

[brass hammer]

thanks hipster/aslan,,,as this IS the way a bull-****tin' session operates! :dgrin:

my '95' is the classic desert pin-stripin' bumper to bumper.[plus all the little doggie toe-nail scratchs on the out-side over the beds fender/wheel wells] i've got [1] limb scratch on the
2000,well, i'm thinkin' brush-guard/winch[hasn't happened yet]
as WHERE EVER YOU TURN, SOMEBODY WANTS YOUR MONEY!

[hipster]

thanks hipster/aslan,,,as this IS the way a bull-****tin' session operates! :dgrin:

my '95' is the classic desert pin-stripin' bumper to bumper.[plus all the little doggie toe-nail scratchs on the out-side over the beds fender/wheel wells] i've got [1] limb scratch on the
2000,well, i'm thinkin' brush-guard/winch[hasn't happened yet]
as WHERE EVER YOU TURN, SOMEBODY WANTS YOUR MONEY!



Did you say Winch? I just got a dayton on sale yesterday for 159.99 it was listed for 489 but they were over stocked. Should work out nice for whatever I have to do with it. Oh **** I almost forgot I got drawn for a doe tag and it came in the mail yesterday. Whoo Hooo.

[Wylycoyte]

Wow! Nice buy on that winch, Hipster!

Nice avatar, too. :dgrin:

[Aslan]

damn, I wish I could stumble across a deal like that on a winch!

Good score.

:devil:

[brass hammer]

nice score/power-buy, you got,hipster!
good-luck on the deer hunt.