The 280 Remington is a versatile rifle cartridge introduced by Remington Arms in 1957. It was created by necking down the 30-06 Springfield case to accept .284-inch bullets, aiming to bridge the gap between the 270 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield in performance. This design allows for higher sectional density bullets, offering improved penetration and energy transfer for hunting medium to large game at moderate ranges. This article focuses specifically on ballistics, providing a detailed analysis of external and wound ballistics to aid reloaders and hunters in making informed choices. Both supersonic loads are examined, as subsonic options are not common for this caliber. The goal is to deliver clear ballistic understanding, highlighting how bullet weight and design influence trajectory, wind resistance, and terminal effects. For related insights, explore our 270 Winchester the complete guide or 7mm-08 Remington the complete guide.
Core External Ballistics
The 280 Remington employs bullet weights typically ranging from 120 to 175 grains, with muzzle velocities from 3250 feet per second for lighter projectiles to 2700 feet per second for heavier ones. This caliber excels with supersonic loads, delivering flat trajectories and good energy retention, though subsonic variants are rare and less practical for most applications. High-level data shows it outperforms the 270 Winchester slightly in wind resistance with heavier bullets, making it suitable for open terrain hunting. For comparisons, see our 270 Winchester ballistics and 7mm-08 Remington ballistics.
Bullet Drop to 1000 Yards
The following table shows bullet drop in inches for selected weights, zeroed at 100 yards.
| Range (Yards) | 140 gr | 150 gr | 165 gr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 200 | -3.0 | -3.5 | -4.0 |
| 300 | -11.0 | -12.0 | -13.5 |
| 400 | -25.0 | -27.0 | -30.0 |
| 500 | -46.0 | -50.0 | -55.0 |
| 600 | -78.0 | -85.0 | -92.0 |
| 700 | -120.0 | -130.0 | -140.0 |
| 800 | -175.0 | -190.0 | -205.0 |
| 900 | -245.0 | -265.0 | -285.0 |
| 1000 | -330.0 | -355.0 | -380.0 |
The numbers indicate that lighter bullets like the 140 grain maintain a flatter trajectory out to 500 yards, with drop becoming significant beyond 700 yards where gravity and velocity loss take greater effect. Heavier loads, such as the 165 grain, show more drop but offer better momentum for penetration at closer ranges. Practical for hunting, this caliber remains effective up to 400 yards for most reloaders, beyond which precise range estimation is critical. Limitations begin around 600 yards, where drop exceeds 78 inches for the 140 grain, making it less ideal for extreme long-range shooting without adjustments. For defensive shooting, stick to 300 yards to ensure accuracy. See our long range hunting calibers explained for deeper charts.
Wind Drift (10 mph Crosswind)
The table below details wind drift in inches for a 10 mph crosswind.
| Range (Yards) | 140 gr | 150 gr | 165 gr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 |
| 200 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| 300 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| 400 | 8.0 | 9.5 | 11.0 |
| 500 | 12.5 | 15.0 | 17.5 |
| 600 | 18.0 | 21.0 | 24.0 |
| 700 | 25.0 | 29.0 | 33.0 |
| 800 | 34.0 | 39.0 | 44.0 |
| 900 | 45.0 | 51.0 | 57.0 |
| 1000 | 58.0 | 65.0 | 72.0 |
Higher ballistic coefficient bullets, such as the 140 grain, resist drift better due to their aerodynamic design, with only 12.5 inches at 500 yards. Heavier bullets experience more drift, reaching 17.5 inches at the same distance, affecting practical accuracy in windy conditions. Wind reading becomes unreliable beyond 500 yards, where drift exceeds 12 inches, requiring advanced skills for correction. For supersonic shooting, the 280 Remington performs well in moderate wind, but subsonic loads would suffer more if used. Realistic expectations include consistent hits up to 400 yards with proper wind calls. For wind-related guidance, check our 270 Winchester vs 30-06 Springfield comparison.
Energy Retention
The table displays energy in foot-pounds out to 1000 yards.
| Range (Yards) | 140 gr (MV 3000 fps) | 150 gr (MV 2890 fps) | 165 gr (MV 2820 fps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2797 | 2781 | 2913 |
| 100 | 2444 | 2293 | 2308 |
| 200 | 2129 | 1875 | 1805 |
| 300 | 1846 | 1518 | 1393 |
| 400 | 1594 | 1217 | 1060 |
| 500 | 1369 | 968 | 801 |
| 600 | 1170 | 760 | 600 |
| 700 | 995 | 590 | 440 |
| 800 | 840 | 450 | 320 |
| 900 | 705 | 340 | 230 |
| 1000 | 590 | 250 | 160 |
Energy decays steadily, with lighter bullets retaining more at longer ranges due to higher initial velocity. The 140 grain drops to 1369 foot-pounds at 500 yards, sufficient for ethical hunting, while heavier loads like 165 grain fall faster, reaching 801 foot-pounds at the same distance. Differences between loads are pronounced beyond 300 yards, where heavier bullets may fail to expand reliably if energy falls below 1000 foot-pounds. Ethical hunting ranges are up to 400 yards for medium game, ensuring adequate expansion. For energy retention articles, refer to our 300 Winchester Magnum ballistics.
Wound Ballistics (Expanded Practical Section)
Bullet design plays a critical role in the 280 Remington‘s terminal performance, influencing expansion, penetration, and tissue damage. Supersonic bullets create significant hydrostatic shock, while subsonic options, though uncommon, rely more on mechanical expansion for effectiveness. The goal of this section is to provide practical guidance on terminal performance, helping hunters select loads for specific game. For gel-testing results, see our how to choose the right caliber for hunting in 2026.
Bullet Performance Profiles (5 Most Common Loads)
Hornady ELD-X
- Type – Polymer-tipped, boattail hunting bullet with Heat Shield tip for high ballistic coefficient.
- Behavior – Expands reliably in gel, creating wide wound channels with deep penetration and controlled fragmentation.
- Use – Ideal for deer, elk, and long-range hunting where accuracy and energy retention matter.
- Effective Range – 100 to 600 yards.
- Short Summary – This bullet combines precision with terminal power, making it a top choice for versatile hunting.
More details available in our dedicated bullet profile page Hornady ELD-X bullet.
Nosler Partition
- Type – Dual-core, partitioned lead bullet for controlled expansion.
- Behavior – Front core expands rapidly for shock, rear core penetrates deeply, reliable in gel tests with consistent performance.
- Use – Suited for medium to large game like hogs and bears, where deep penetration is needed.
- Effective Range – 50 to 400 yards.
- Short Summary – A classic design that balances expansion and penetration for ethical kills.
More details available in our dedicated bullet profile page Nosler Partition bullet.
Barnes TSX
- Type – All-copper, hollow-point bullet with multiple grooves for reduced fouling.
- Behavior – Expands to double diameter in tissue, retaining nearly 100 percent weight for deep, straight-line penetration.
- Use – Perfect for tough game such as elk or moose, especially in areas requiring lead-free ammo.
- Effective Range – 100 to 500 yards.
- Short Summary – Offers superior penetration and weight retention for challenging hunts.
More details available in our dedicated bullet profile page Barnes TSX bullet.
Sierra GameKing
- Type – Boattail soft-point bullet with lead core.
- Behavior – Expands quickly in gel, creating large cavities but with moderate penetration.
- Use – Best for deer and antelope at moderate ranges, focusing on quick kills.
- Effective Range – 50 to 300 yards.
- Short Summary – Provides rapid energy transfer for humane harvests on lighter game.
More details available in our dedicated bullet profile page Sierra GameKing bullet.
Federal Fusion
- Type – Bonded soft-point bullet with electrochemical bonding.
- Behavior – Holds together in tissue for deep penetration and consistent expansion, minimal fragmentation in gel.
- Use – Suitable for hogs, deer, and predators, offering reliable performance in varied conditions.
- Effective Range – 100 to 400 yards.
- Short Summary – A bonded design that ensures integrity for effective terminal results.
More details available in our dedicated bullet profile page Federal Fusion bullet.
Practical Summary
For predators, lighter bullets like the Hornady ELD-X in 140 grains fit well, offering flat trajectories and quick expansion. For hogs and deer, heavier options such as the Nosler Partition or Barnes TSX in 150-165 grains provide the necessary penetration and energy dump. Subsonic suppressed use is not typical for the 280 Remington, but if pursued, bonded bullets like Federal Fusion maintain performance at lower velocities. Range discipline matters greatly, as drop and drift increase beyond 400 yards, demanding precise calculations. Bullet choice defines terminal results more than velocity alone, emphasizing the need for matched loads to game type. Readers are encouraged to explore related articles for deeper analysis, including our how to choose the perfect caliber for big game hunting in 2026, small game precision the 2026 guide, and 308 Winchester vs 7mm-08 Remington.
