roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 1
I carried a Mauser in .270Win. for many years. One of Jack O'Connor's last writings claimed that if old Jack were starting over, he'd get a rifle in .280Rem. I had for some time believed that the 7mm bullet flies about as good, or better than the bullets on either side of it.
In an unexpected trade, I got an as new Browning Stainless Stalker in .280Rem. In another trade, I received a new in the box, Zeiss Conquest scope. So, mating the two I went to the range and began turning in better groups than I had with any .270Win. rifle that I had owned, or any 308 or 30-06 that I had worked up loads for. Of course, for a few days, I did fiddle with various hand loads and the BOSS thingy at the muzzle. I settled on the 120gr Nos. Bal. Tip (Hunting bullet). I was not without some sadness when I sold the .270Win. Mauser and my 1952 made Win. Model 70 in .270Win. The Browning in .280Rem. pushing that 120gr Nos. was just too good to lay down.
The one shot kill count with that bullet/rifle combo is still rising: two mule deer, two pronghorn, four white tail and three wild hogs. Distances ranged from 90 yards on pig to 280 yards on pronghorn. Biggest being a mule deer buck that was clearly over 200 lbs. on the hoof. All were "bang/flop" kills, save to one mule deer buck, who swung his head at the moment of my shot and the bullet drilled through a heavy piece of antler before entering, just behind the elbow. The bullet was upset from penetrating the antler and went in flopping over and over. Some innards material showed at the entrance hole and unlike the other kills, there was no exit. The deer stagger 20 some paces and fell. He was stone dead when I reached him.
I am not claiming any records by stating these figures, but just saying that what I have believed for years is apparently true. The newer bonded bullets can be lighter and still turn in heavier bullet performance, simply because they are accurate and they retain their weight better.
Can't talk long today, as I am off to hunt some more Ga. White Tails. I have taken three out of my allowed 5, and want to be finished hunting by Christmas. Merry Christmas to all.
Steven
In an unexpected trade, I got an as new Browning Stainless Stalker in .280Rem. In another trade, I received a new in the box, Zeiss Conquest scope. So, mating the two I went to the range and began turning in better groups than I had with any .270Win. rifle that I had owned, or any 308 or 30-06 that I had worked up loads for. Of course, for a few days, I did fiddle with various hand loads and the BOSS thingy at the muzzle. I settled on the 120gr Nos. Bal. Tip (Hunting bullet). I was not without some sadness when I sold the .270Win. Mauser and my 1952 made Win. Model 70 in .270Win. The Browning in .280Rem. pushing that 120gr Nos. was just too good to lay down.
The one shot kill count with that bullet/rifle combo is still rising: two mule deer, two pronghorn, four white tail and three wild hogs. Distances ranged from 90 yards on pig to 280 yards on pronghorn. Biggest being a mule deer buck that was clearly over 200 lbs. on the hoof. All were "bang/flop" kills, save to one mule deer buck, who swung his head at the moment of my shot and the bullet drilled through a heavy piece of antler before entering, just behind the elbow. The bullet was upset from penetrating the antler and went in flopping over and over. Some innards material showed at the entrance hole and unlike the other kills, there was no exit. The deer stagger 20 some paces and fell. He was stone dead when I reached him.
I am not claiming any records by stating these figures, but just saying that what I have believed for years is apparently true. The newer bonded bullets can be lighter and still turn in heavier bullet performance, simply because they are accurate and they retain their weight better.
Can't talk long today, as I am off to hunt some more Ga. White Tails. I have taken three out of my allowed 5, and want to be finished hunting by Christmas. Merry Christmas to all.
Steven
