I am going to be having a custom rifle built in either 280 ackley or 338-06 for all north american game besides brown bear. Which caliber would you choose and why? What would you have done to the rifle? The rifle im building off of is a remington model 700 sps stainless. Im thinking about putting the rifle in a Mcmillan Edge rifle stock. Is the Edge stock worth the money? Im looking for any ideas on this rifle as this is my first custom built rifle.
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DrMike
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I've witnessed both cartridges used on game. They are each winners in their own right. I would be happy with either. Each has an excellent selection of bullets available. Each has that undefinable, but very real quality that can best be summarized as charisma, or qualified as "sexy." The 280 AI has properly headstamped brass readily available from Nosler (important to me, but not at all important to many people), whereas properly headstamped brass for the 338-06 is somewhat more expensive and less common. There is no question but that for moose, elk, mountain grizzly and bison, the 338-06 has a more potent impact. On the other hand, with the excellent 7mm bullets (especially those with somewhat more mass) available for use in the 280 AI, it will work very well on each of those critters (though I personally prefer more frontal area for mountain grizzly and bison). Either has some very desirable qualities that would make the owner very proud to carry a well-built rifled chambered thusly. Flip a coin, and enjoy shooting a great cartridge, because whichever you select, you will be pleased.
Well, this isn't the most probably answer, but I would say the 338-06. Reason being, with a 24" barrel you could shoot 180's at almost the same speed as a 300 Win Mag, granted it isn't going to be a super long ranger, but 400 yards shouldn't be an issue, then on the heavy side you can shoot 225's at 2600-2700 and have a smashing load for big game. It has alot of utility. Not downplaying the 280AI either, as that is a great round. I just like the bigger bullets more for game larger than deer. Plus, you would have a rifle that would handle brown bear with authority! It is an all around cartridge. Scotty
I have a .280 and have owned and shot a 338/06, the latter will out preform the 280 hands down. I would like to leave it at that, HOWEVER my answer is somewhat dependent on which North American game you will be hunting and shooting the most. If you are concentrating on deer or smaller sized game for the greater majority of your shooting then I believe the 280AI with 140 grain bullets will best meet your needs. If you are like me and haven't shot a deer with a rifle in several years, or antelope, or hog, blackbear or a (heffelump) and are going to shoot elk, moose, bigger bears, and maybe elk then the 338/06 is still your best bet. Mostly it boils down to which you will spend most of your time hunting. If the bigger game is occasional then use the 160 or heavier PT and your good to go otherwise the 140 will get it done.
Did I cover everything I may have left out elk!
Did I cover everything I may have left out elk!
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DrMike
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Bill,
I had no idea you were hunting heffelump that far south. Sure wish you had some elk to hunt.
Laker,
In light of your qualifying post, go with the 280 AI. It will do all you need for antelope, deer and elk, and it will do the job in spades.
I had no idea you were hunting heffelump that far south. Sure wish you had some elk to hunt.
Laker,
In light of your qualifying post, go with the 280 AI. It will do all you need for antelope, deer and elk, and it will do the job in spades.
Man, with those .338 180gr BT's you have a perfect deer and antelope caliber! Just kidding, they will both handle any of the game you have in spades. Although, if I was hunting deer and elk in griz country, I would want that 338. Just me, I am a little bit of a chicken! Scotty
DrMike
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Scotty,
I agree with you. I would likely opt to build the 338-06. However, that is dictated in part by the fact that I already have a 280, a 7mm RM and a 7mm WSM. I do not own a single 33 calibre rifle, and it is a deficit that should be rectified. Besides, the grouse in BC are very tough and the extra punch helps ensure that they are put down with authority. :shock:
I agree with you. I would likely opt to build the 338-06. However, that is dictated in part by the fact that I already have a 280, a 7mm RM and a 7mm WSM. I do not own a single 33 calibre rifle, and it is a deficit that should be rectified. Besides, the grouse in BC are very tough and the extra punch helps ensure that they are put down with authority. :shock:
DRMike
With all of those 7mm's, I think you need somthing larger like maybe a 284/338. Was there a "notch" there youi were trying to fill?
I have 7mm Mauser, 280, 7mm Rem mag and of course the grouchy STW, I probably need another 33 but what would I do with 2,000, 7mm bullets. ? Elk starts the 15th in Wyoming!!!
With all of those 7mm's, I think you need somthing larger like maybe a 284/338. Was there a "notch" there youi were trying to fill?
I have 7mm Mauser, 280, 7mm Rem mag and of course the grouchy STW, I probably need another 33 but what would I do with 2,000, 7mm bullets. ? Elk starts the 15th in Wyoming!!!
Bill, I have a feeling if you had a 338WM or better with some 225 or 250gr PT's you would think you have slipped and gone to elk heaven! I wished you could shoot some rounds out of my 338WM at 400 yards. It is accurate and pretty pleasant to shoot. But then again, you have killed more elk that CWD has killed deer, so this young feller will never preach rifles to you!
Mike, I am surprised you can live with your gun safe knowing there is a HUGE gap between that 8mm and your 35's. I know you are probably tossing and turning a little every night!
Just kidding with you both on the above. Hopefully someday we can sit on a ridge, overlooking a huge drainage and tell stories about why each of the different rifles is better for that exact period in time! But if an elk pops out, you two had better be quick!
Overall, I think they will all get it done, it really depends on how you want to hunt and your ability to put rounds where they need to go. I think Bill and I talked about this back a few months ago (probably closer to 6), the shot is probably the easiest part about elk hunting, everything before and after the shot is work, the shot is a millisecond pause just before really hard work! Scotty
Mike, I am surprised you can live with your gun safe knowing there is a HUGE gap between that 8mm and your 35's. I know you are probably tossing and turning a little every night!
Just kidding with you both on the above. Hopefully someday we can sit on a ridge, overlooking a huge drainage and tell stories about why each of the different rifles is better for that exact period in time! But if an elk pops out, you two had better be quick!
Overall, I think they will all get it done, it really depends on how you want to hunt and your ability to put rounds where they need to go. I think Bill and I talked about this back a few months ago (probably closer to 6), the shot is probably the easiest part about elk hunting, everything before and after the shot is work, the shot is a millisecond pause just before really hard work! Scotty
DrMike
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Yeah, it is hard to sleep at night. It is not because there is a gap in my safe; it is because there is no room in the safe and I need another to begin to fill with it. :shock: Honestly, each of my rifles was purchased (except for two recent additions that are in the process of being built) because I thought it was handsome. I knew the cartridge would work for most game and that it would be something I hadn't loaded for; but the primary motivation was that I thought the rifle was attractive.
I have no doubt that within the next couple of years I'll be adding a 338 to my safe. I've shot plenty of 338 WMs (and 338-378 and 338-06). When I add this cartridge, it will likely be a 338-06. If Federal can get their act together and provide brass, I would not mind adding a 338 Federal. I've passed on a couple of very attractive rifles (Tikka and Sako, each with attractive grey laminate stocks) chambered in this cartridge because of the lack of brass.
Bill, I've loaded for a surprisingly number of 7 STWs (and 257 STWs) during the past couple of years. There is a real continuing interest in the cartridge. Brass has always been a problem, but we have ordered quite a bit of the Nosler brass recently to meet demand. Consequently, why do you only have 2,000 7mm bullets? Don't you worry that you could run out?
Now, let's start planning on sitting on that ridge (growing older, sitting is very attractive) to discuss the merits of the various cartridges. That would be a hoot.
I have no doubt that within the next couple of years I'll be adding a 338 to my safe. I've shot plenty of 338 WMs (and 338-378 and 338-06). When I add this cartridge, it will likely be a 338-06. If Federal can get their act together and provide brass, I would not mind adding a 338 Federal. I've passed on a couple of very attractive rifles (Tikka and Sako, each with attractive grey laminate stocks) chambered in this cartridge because of the lack of brass.
Bill, I've loaded for a surprisingly number of 7 STWs (and 257 STWs) during the past couple of years. There is a real continuing interest in the cartridge. Brass has always been a problem, but we have ordered quite a bit of the Nosler brass recently to meet demand. Consequently, why do you only have 2,000 7mm bullets? Don't you worry that you could run out?
Now, let's start planning on sitting on that ridge (growing older, sitting is very attractive) to discuss the merits of the various cartridges. That would be a hoot.
Good morning DrM
There is a gun shop in Lewiston Idaho whom used to/may still, sell Speer seconds, my dad could never pass up a deal so when he passed away several years ago I ended up with his stash of stuff. That's why I have two Herters C press's, 2,000 7mm bullets, probably the same amount of 308's two 300 Bees, a 280, a 350 and a host of other stuff. I won't say how many 22 shells I own but they fit in two 50 cal military ammo boxes. Needless to say I won't run out in my life time. I had lots, he had lots more. I can reload .308 and 7mm very cheaply however his choice of bullet weights varied slightly from mine. The .338 Federal does interest me alot but right now I can go to the woods with a 300 under each arm and one between my teeth. I don't like having stuff I don't use but I hate getting rid of all of his stuff. There are not many to pass it on to.
There is a gun shop in Lewiston Idaho whom used to/may still, sell Speer seconds, my dad could never pass up a deal so when he passed away several years ago I ended up with his stash of stuff. That's why I have two Herters C press's, 2,000 7mm bullets, probably the same amount of 308's two 300 Bees, a 280, a 350 and a host of other stuff. I won't say how many 22 shells I own but they fit in two 50 cal military ammo boxes. Needless to say I won't run out in my life time. I had lots, he had lots more. I can reload .308 and 7mm very cheaply however his choice of bullet weights varied slightly from mine. The .338 Federal does interest me alot but right now I can go to the woods with a 300 under each arm and one between my teeth. I don't like having stuff I don't use but I hate getting rid of all of his stuff. There are not many to pass it on to.
I got my last STW brass from Cabelas. they are Remington up until recently I was using necked down 8mm Rem mag.
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With the list you mentioned I would go with the .280 Remington or .280AI and never look back. I'd still like to have a 338/06 for heavier stuff myself!!
I shot nothing but 140 gr. Partitions in my .280 and it worked for everything including my largest elk. A real nice 6x6 that had 53" main beams and a 43" inside spread. I hit him twice behind the shoulder about 2 inches apart at 250 yards. One bullet was found under the hide on the off side, the second went on through. He went maybe 30 feet!
Good luck on your choice. I'm a huge .280 fan!!!
I shot nothing but 140 gr. Partitions in my .280 and it worked for everything including my largest elk. A real nice 6x6 that had 53" main beams and a 43" inside spread. I hit him twice behind the shoulder about 2 inches apart at 250 yards. One bullet was found under the hide on the off side, the second went on through. He went maybe 30 feet!
Good luck on your choice. I'm a huge .280 fan!!!
