280 ammo

280 ammo — the .280 Remington — is a flat-shooting 7mm hunting cartridge that many consider one of the most balanced, underrated rounds available. Built on the .30-06 case necked to a 7mm bullet, it splits the difference between the .270 and the .30-06, offering excellent trajectory, efficient high-BC 7mm bullets, and moderate recoil for deer, elk, and open-country game. Often overshadowed by flashier cartridges, the .280 quietly does everything a versatile big-game round should. This page covers what it’s good for and how it compares.

Tatted Tacticals stocks .280 Remington from Federal, Nosler, and Hornady — 140- to 160-grain hunting bullets, in boxes and bulk.

What the .280 Does Best

The .280 is a flat-shooting, efficient big-game cartridge. A 140- to 150-grain 7mm bullet near 2,900 fps delivers a flat trajectory and excellent downrange energy for deer, antelope, and elk, with recoil milder than the magnums and a slight edge in bullet efficiency over the same-class .270. It’s a do-it-all hunting cartridge that benefits from the wide selection of quality 7mm bullets. Our .280 ballistic data guide has full numbers.

.280 vs. .270 and .30-06

The .280 sits right among the classic .30-06-based hunting cartridges. Versus the .270 Winchester, it uses slightly heavier 7mm bullets for comparable trajectory with a touch more bullet weight; versus the .30-06, it shoots a bit flatter with less recoil. The improved .280 Ackley Improved squeezes out more velocity, while the 7mm-08 offers similar bullets in a short action. Standards follow SAAMI specifications.

Buying .280

Federal law sets the minimum age for rifle ammunition at 18; per ATF guidance, confirm federal rules and review our ammunition shipping rules and state restrictions before ordering.

.280 Ammo — Frequently Asked Questions

What is a .280 round?

The .280 Remington is a 7mm centerfire rifle cartridge built on the .30-06 case necked down to a .284-inch bullet. It’s a versatile big-game hunting round delivering flat trajectory and good energy with moderate recoil, well-suited to deer, antelope, and elk. It fires efficient 7mm bullets and competes directly with the .270 and .30-06.

Is a .280 the same as a 7mm Mag?

No. Both fire 7mm (.284-inch) bullets, but the .280 Remington is a standard-pressure cartridge on the .30-06 case, while the 7mm Remington Magnum is a larger, belted magnum with more powder, velocity, and recoil. The 7mm Mag reaches farther and hits harder; the .280 offers lighter recoil and excellent all-around performance.

What is the difference between .270 and .280?

Both are flat-shooting .30-06-based hunting cartridges, but the .270 fires a .277-inch bullet while the .280 fires a slightly larger .284-inch (7mm) bullet. The .280 offers a wider selection of heavy, high-BC 7mm bullets, while the .270 is famous for flat trajectory. In the field their performance is very close.

What is a .280 Remington comparable to?

It’s comparable to the .270 Winchester and .30-06 in role and performance — a flat-shooting, moderate-recoil big-game cartridge for deer and elk. With 7mm bullets it bridges the two, offering .270-like trajectory with slightly heavier bullets. The .280 Ackley Improved version pushes performance closer to a 7mm magnum.

Can you buy .280 ammo online?

Yes. In most U.S. states you can buy .280 online and have it shipped to your door. The minimum age for rifle ammunition is 18, and some states and municipalities add restrictions or shipping limits, so confirm your state and local laws before ordering.