Published: December 2025 | Last updated: April 2026
The 280 Remington was introduced in 1957, formed by necking down the 30-06 Springfield case to accept .284-inch (7mm) bullets. It sits between the 270 Winchester and the 30-06 Springfield in the traditional American hunting cartridge lineup – wider bullet diameter and better sectional density than the 270, more velocity than the 30-06 with 7mm bullets that carry higher BCs for their weight than .308-inch alternatives.
The 280 Remington‘s commercial history is complicated. It was introduced in the Remington Model 740 semi-automatic rifle at a time when many hunters were skeptical of the platform, limiting its initial adoption. The similar-but-not-identical 280 Remington AI (Ackley Improved) and later the 7mm-08 Remington drew attention away from the parent cartridge. Remington briefly renamed it the 7mm-06 Remington, then restored the original name. Despite this marketing turbulence, the 280 Remington‘s ballistic merits are genuine and undiminished. It produces 7mm Remington Magnum-class performance inside 400 yards with significantly less recoil, and its 30-06 case capacity drives the full range of 7mm hunting bullets efficiently.
The 280 Remington‘s position in 2026 is as a connoisseur’s cartridge – less common than the 7mm-08 Remington or 270 Winchester, but ballistically superior to both for hunters who want maximum versatility from a 7mm long-action. Factory ammunition variety is sufficient from Hornady, Federal, Nosler, and Remington, and handloaders have the full range of 7mm component bullets at their disposal.
For reloading data, see the 280 Remington complete guide. For comparisons, see 280 Remington ballistics and 270 Winchester ballistics.
Core Ballistic Parameters
| Load | MV | BC (G7) | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140 gr Hornady ELD-X | 3,000 FPS | 0.315 | 2,797 ft-lbs |
| 150 gr Nosler Partition | 2,890 FPS | 0.280 | 2,781 ft-lbs |
| 160 gr Nosler AccuBond | 2,800 FPS | 0.330 | 2,786 ft-lbs |
| 175 gr Berger Elite Hunter | 2,700 FPS | 0.350 | 2,834 ft-lbs |
All data below uses a 100-yard zero, 1.5-inch sight height, 59°F, sea level, 24-inch barrel. The 280 Remington is a standard long-action hunting cartridge. A 100-yard zero is the practical standard for deer and elk hunting applications.
Bullet Drop (100-Yard Zero)
| Range (yards) | 140 gr ELD-X | 150 gr Partition | 160 gr AccuBond | 175 gr Berger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 200 | -3.2 | -3.6 | -3.8 | -4.3 |
| 300 | -12.0 | -13.5 | -14.0 | -15.8 |
| 400 | -27.5 | -30.8 | -31.8 | -35.8 |
| 500 | -51.5 | -58.0 | -59.5 | -67.2 |
| 600 | -86.5 | -97.2 | -99.5 | -112.5 |
| 700 | -133.5 | -150.0 | -153.5 | -173.5 |
| 800 | -194.5 | -218.5 | -223.5 | -253.0 |
| 900 | -271.5 | -304.5 | -311.5 | -352.5 |
| 1,000 | -366.5 | -410.5 | -420.0 | -475.5 |
Drop in inches. Zero at 100 yards.
With a 100-yard zero the 280 Remington’s trajectory is competitive with the 270 Winchester across the load range. The 140-grain ELD-X at 3,000 FPS drops 27.5 inches at 400 yards – within 1 inch of the 270 Winchester 130-grain AccuBond at 3,060 FPS (approximately 26.5 inches). The 280 Remington’s heavier 140-grain bullet at nearly equal velocity provides the same practical trajectory with better sectional density and penetration.
At 300 yards the spread between loads is modest – 3.8 inches between the lightest and heaviest. A deer hunter using holdover can manage this with practice. At 400 yards the spread grows to 8.3 inches – meaningful, and a reason to choose the 140-grain ELD-X for unknown-distance open terrain shooting, or the heavier Partition and AccuBond for close-range timber work where trajectory is less critical.
The BC crossover between the 140-grain ELD-X and the 175-grain Berger occurs around 550-575 yards. Past that point the Berger’s G7 BC of 0.350 overcomes its 300 FPS velocity deficit, and the Berger starts pulling ahead in retained velocity, energy, and wind resistance. Inside 550 yards the ELD-X shoots flatter; past 550 yards the Berger shoots flatter. This crossover defines the practical load selection for different hunting applications.
Wind Drift – 10 MPH Full-Value Crosswind
| Range (yards) | 140 gr ELD-X | 150 gr Partition | 160 gr AccuBond | 175 gr Berger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| 200 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| 300 | 6.5 | 8.0 | 6.8 | 6.4 |
| 400 | 11.8 | 14.5 | 12.2 | 11.4 |
| 500 | 18.8 | 23.0 | 19.2 | 17.8 |
| 600 | 27.5 | 33.5 | 27.8 | 26.0 |
| 700 | 38.2 | 46.5 | 38.5 | 35.8 |
| 800 | 51.0 | 62.0 | 51.5 | 47.5 |
| 900 | 66.5 | 80.5 | 66.8 | 61.5 |
| 1,000 | 84.5 | 102.0 | 84.8 | 77.8 |
Drift in inches. Half-value crosswind = divide by 2.
The wind performance table reveals a significant distinction between the 280 Remington’s hunting loads. The 150-grain Partition drifts 102 inches at 1,000 yards – 24 inches more than the 175-grain Berger (77.8 inches) and 17.5 inches more than the 140-grain ELD-X (84.5 inches). The Partition’s G7 BC of 0.280 is dramatically lower than the other loads, and combined with its lower starting velocity, produces significantly more wind sensitivity at extended range.
At 500 yards – a practical maximum for many 280 Remington elk hunters – the spread narrows: the Berger drifts 17.8 inches versus 23.0 for the Partition. That 5.2-inch difference at 500 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind is meaningful for elk-sized vital zones. In variable mountain wind where estimating exact velocity is difficult, the Berger’s superior BC provides more margin for error.
The 160-grain AccuBond and 140-grain ELD-X produce nearly identical wind drift at all distances despite the AccuBond being 20 grains heavier. The AccuBond’s G7 BC of 0.330 versus the ELD-X’s 0.315 is close enough, and the ELD-X’s 200 FPS velocity advantage compensates for the BC difference at moderate range. Past 700 yards the AccuBond pulls slightly ahead in drift; inside 700 yards they are functionally equivalent for wind correction.
Velocity Retention
| Range (yards) | 140 gr ELD-X | 150 gr Partition | 160 gr AccuBond | 175 gr Berger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,000 | 2,890 | 2,800 | 2,700 |
| 200 | 2,653 | 2,494 | 2,520 | 2,462 |
| 400 | 2,330 | 2,136 | 2,256 | 2,234 |
| 600 | 2,024 | 1,807 | 2,005 | 2,017 |
| 700 | 1,877 | 1,649 | 1,885 | 1,912 |
| 800 | 1,735 | 1,499 | 1,769 | 1,811 |
| 900 | 1,598 | 1,357 | 1,657 | 1,713 |
| 1,000 | 1,467 | 1,222 | 1,549 | 1,618 |
| 1,100 | 1,342 | 1,096 | 1,445 | 1,527 |
Velocity in FPS. Supersonic threshold approximately 1,340 FPS at sea level.
The velocity crossover is prominent in the 280 Remington’s load selection. The 140-grain ELD-X starts at 3,000 FPS – 300 FPS faster than the 175-grain Berger – yet by 600 yards the Berger has nearly caught up (2,017 FPS vs 2,024 FPS for the ELD-X). By 700 yards the Berger at 1,912 FPS is 35 FPS faster than the ELD-X at 1,877 FPS. From there the Berger builds an increasing velocity advantage through the remainder of the range.
The 150-grain Partition’s velocity retention is notably weaker than the other loads due to its lower G7 BC (0.280). By 900 yards it retains only 1,357 FPS – barely above transonic – and at 1,000 yards (1,222 FPS) it has gone transonic. For the Partition this is not a limitation in practice, as it was designed for hunting inside 500 yards where its penetration depth advantage over fragmenting designs is most relevant.
The 160-grain AccuBond and 175-grain Berger both stay comfortably supersonic past 1,100 yards. The ELD-X crosses transonic at approximately 1,075-1,100 yards. All three are legitimate choices for precision use at any practical hunting distance.
For hunting expansion thresholds: the ELD-X stays above 1,800 FPS to approximately 700-725 yards; the AccuBond to approximately 725-750 yards; the Berger to approximately 750-775 yards; the Partition to approximately 550-575 yards.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 140 gr ELD-X | 150 gr Partition | 160 gr AccuBond | 175 gr Berger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2,797 | 2,781 | 2,786 | 2,834 |
| 100 | 2,456 | 2,371 | 2,530 | 2,559 |
| 200 | 2,189 | 2,073 | 2,254 | 2,354 |
| 300 | 1,874 | 1,756 | 1,807 | 1,969 |
| 400 | 1,690 | 1,520 | 1,810 | 1,939 |
| 500 | 1,461 | 1,279 | 1,607 | 1,720 |
| 600 | 1,271 | 1,088 | 1,428 | 1,584 |
| 700 | 1,097 | 905 | 1,261 | 1,424 |
| 800 | 937 | 748 | 1,113 | 1,276 |
| 900 | 794 | 612 | 977 | 1,140 |
| 1,000 | 669 | 497 | 855 | 1,019 |
Energy in ft-lbs.
The original article’s energy table was significantly incorrect – the 150-grain load showed only 250 ft-lbs at 1,000 yards, which would require the bullet to have nearly stopped. Any standard hunting bullet from the 280 Remington retains far more than 250 ft-lbs at 1,000 yards. The corrected figures above use accurate velocity-based kinetic energy calculations.
For deer (1,000 ft-lbs threshold), the 140-grain ELD-X holds above that mark to approximately 690-700 yards; the 150-grain Partition to approximately 615-625 yards; the 160-grain AccuBond to approximately 720-730 yards; the 175-grain Berger past 1,000 yards. The 280 Remington with high-BC 160-175 grain bullets is genuinely a 700-1,000 yard deer cartridge by energy standard.
For elk (1,500 ft-lbs threshold), the ELD-X holds above that mark to approximately 490-500 yards; the Partition to approximately 410-420 yards; the AccuBond to approximately 540-550 yards; the Berger to approximately 590-600 yards. The 280 Remington is a legitimate 500-600 yard elk cartridge with the right load – significantly more capable than the 7mm-08 Remington and comparable to or slightly exceeding the 270 Winchester on elk.
Terminal Performance Profiles
Hornady ELD-X 140 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with Heat Shield to prevent tip deformation in flight, bonded copper jacket to lead core. The lightest and fastest of the four loads – the 280 Remington’s flat-trajectory hunting reference.
Terminal behavior: Expands to 0.48-0.58 inches with 90-95% weight retention. At 3,000 FPS close-range impact the bonded construction prevents premature core-jacket separation – a relevant concern at the 280 Remington’s relatively high 140-grain velocity. Penetration in deer-sized tissue: 16-22 inches. At 400 yards where velocity drops to approximately 2,330 FPS, expansion is more controlled and consistent. The ELD-X expands reliably to approximately 1,600 FPS – past 800 yards in the 280 Remington.
Hunting application: Deer, antelope, and pronghorn inside 650-700 yards where energy remains above 1,000 ft-lbs. The ELD-X’s flattest trajectory inside 400 yards – only 27.5 inches at 400 yards from a 100-yard zero – makes it the practical choice for unknown-distance shots in open terrain. For elk, energy above 1,500 ft-lbs to approximately 490-500 yards; limit elk shots to inside 450 yards. The ELD-X is Hornady’s Precision Hunter factory load for the 280 Remington, providing verified trajectory and terminal data for all hunting applications.
More details: Hornady ELD-X bullet profile
Nosler Partition 150 gr
Construction: Dual-core partitioned design. Front core expands rapidly on contact; the partition retains the rear core for guaranteed minimum penetration depth regardless of bone contact, angle, or velocity. In the 280 Remington the 150-grain Partition is the standard heavy-game load for hunters who prioritize penetration reliability over BC.
Terminal behavior: Front core mushrooms to 0.52-0.62 inches in the first 5-7 inches of tissue. The partition maintains the rear core for 14-18 additional inches of penetration. Total penetration in elk-sized tissue: 20-26 inches. Weight retention 62-70%. Exit wounds on elk from broadside shots are routine. The Partition handles quartering-to shots through heavy shoulder bone with reliability that no fragmenting or non-partitioned design can match in this bore size.
Hunting application: Elk, moose, and black bear inside 400-425 yards where shot angles may be less than ideal. The Partition’s guaranteed rear-core penetration is its practical argument over the ELD-X or AccuBond for close-range timber hunting where shots arrive unexpectedly from difficult angles. Energy at 400 yards (1,520 ft-lbs) is at the lower boundary for elk on clean shots. A self-imposed 350-yard limit for elk with the Partition provides adequate energy margin (approximately 1,640 ft-lbs). For guides and professional hunters who must guarantee penetration on the first shot regardless of angle, the Partition is the selection.
More details: Nosler Partition bullet profile
Nosler AccuBond 160 gr
Construction: Bonded polymer-tipped bullet – the 280 Remington’s all-range balance point between the ELD-X’s flat trajectory and the Berger’s maximum BC. The AccuBond’s bonded construction handles the full velocity range from 2,800 FPS close-range to 1,600 FPS extended-range without core separation.
Terminal behavior: Expands to 0.50-0.62 inches with 65-70% weight retention. At 2,800 FPS the AccuBond expands reliably with controlled mushrooming. Penetration in elk-sized tissue: 18-24 inches. At 500 yards where velocity drops to approximately 2,256 FPS, expansion is consistent. The AccuBond expands reliably to approximately 1,800 FPS – past 725-750 yards in the 280 Remington.
Hunting application: The 280 Remington’s best general-purpose hunting load for deer through elk at all practical ranges. Energy above 1,500 ft-lbs to approximately 540-550 yards for elk; above 1,000 ft-lbs to approximately 720-730 yards for deer. The 160-grain AccuBond splits the difference between the ELD-X’s trajectory advantage and the Berger’s BC advantage – for a hunter who uses one load for both deer and elk at varying distances, the AccuBond covers everything from 50-yard black timber shots to 500-yard mountain elk shots with consistent terminal performance.
More details: Nosler AccuBond bullet profile
Berger Elite Hunter 175 gr
Construction: Hybrid ogive hunting bullet combining secant and tangent ogive sections. Highest BC of the four loads (G7: 0.350). Uses controlled fragmentation for terminal effect rather than bonded or partitioned construction – the jacket fails at 2-3 inches depth, creating a large temporary cavity before the heavier rear section drives forward.
Terminal behavior: At 2,700 FPS the Berger penetrates 2-3 inches before jacket failure creates an immediate large wound cavity. This mechanism produces dramatic and immediate incapacitation on deer and elk from clean shots. At 500 yards where velocity drops to approximately 2,234 FPS, fragmentation remains reliable. At 700 yards (approximately 1,912 FPS), fragmentation is less explosive but penetration remains adequate. Penetration in elk-sized tissue: 14-22 inches depending on distance.
Hunting application: Deer and elk inside 550-600 yards with broadside to mild quartering-away shots. The Berger’s G7 BC of 0.350 produces the best wind resistance and energy retention of the four loads past 400 yards – at 600 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind it drifts 26 inches versus 33.5 for the Partition. Energy above 1,500 ft-lbs to approximately 590-600 yards for elk – the longest elk-adequate energy range of the four loads. For open-country mule deer and elk hunters who want maximum BC and wind resistance from the 280 Remington, the Berger is the selection. Not the preferred choice for quartering-to shots through heavy bone where fragmentation may limit penetration before reaching the vitals.
More details: Berger Elite Hunter bullet profile
Barnes TSX 140 gr
Construction: All-copper hollow point with relief grooves to reduce pressure. Reliable four-petal expansion with near-100% weight retention. The 280 Remington’s lead-free hunting solution for California and other regulated areas.
Terminal behavior: Expands to a four-petal mushroom of 0.48-0.56 inches. Full copper weight retained after expansion – 140 grains of copper driving forward. Penetration in elk-sized tissue: 22-28 inches – the deepest penetration of any standard 280 Remington hunting bullet. Reliable expansion from 2,800 FPS close range down to approximately 1,500 FPS at extended range – past 700+ yards. Exit wounds on elk are essentially guaranteed.
Hunting application: Deer, elk, and black bear in regulated lead-free areas, or for hunters who want maximum penetration depth on large game. The TSX’s penetration advantage – 22-28 inches versus 16-22 for the ELD-X – specifically benefits elk and large-body deer from quartering angles where the bullet must travel through substantial tissue before reaching the vitals. Reduce starting charges 5% from lead-core data; all-copper bullets require dedicated copper bore solvents and typically show best accuracy at 0.003-0.005 inch jump from the lands.
More details: Barnes TSX bullet profile
Practical Range Recommendations
Deer – any load inside 650-700 yards depending on selection. The 175-grain Berger holds above 1,000 ft-lbs past 1,000 yards, making the 280 Remington one of the longest-range deer cartridges available from a standard long-action bolt-action. A self-imposed 600-yard limit in field conditions with variable wind is appropriate for most hunters.
Elk – 160-grain AccuBond or 175-grain Berger inside 525-550 yards; 140-grain ELD-X inside 450-500 yards; 150-grain Partition inside 400 yards. The 280 Remington is one of the most capable 500-yard elk cartridges in the long-action non-magnum category. It outperforms the 270 Winchester and 7mm-08 Remington at 500 yards on elk by the energy standard, while producing notably less recoil than the 7mm Remington Magnum.
Moose – 150-grain Partition or 160-grain AccuBond inside 350 yards on broadside shots. The 280 Remington’s 2,781-2,786 ft-lbs muzzle energy is adequate for moose at close range with quality penetrating bullets. The Partition’s guaranteed penetration depth is specifically relevant for moose given their large body mass and thick muscle layers. A 300-yard limit provides energy above 1,500 ft-lbs with either load.
Black bear – 150-grain Partition or Barnes TSX inside 350 yards. Bears require deep, straight-line penetration that handles heavy muscle and bone from any angle. The Partition and TSX both provide this from the 280 Remington at those distances.
The 280 vs 7mm Remington Magnum argument – the 280 Remington at 175-grain Berger (2,700 FPS, G7 BC: 0.350) produces approximately 2,834 ft-lbs muzzle energy. The 7mm Remington Magnum with 175-grain Partition at 2,900 FPS produces approximately 3,267 ft-lbs. The magnum has 433 more ft-lbs at the muzzle and holds above 1,500 ft-lbs approximately 100 yards farther on elk. The 280 Remington counters with approximately 8-10 ft-lbs less recoil (14-17 ft-lbs vs 22-25 ft-lbs), approximately 2,000 rounds more barrel life, and the ability to fit in a standard short-action when loaded to appropriate COAL. For hunters who take elk inside 450-475 yards, the 280 Remington is fully adequate; for elk at 500-700 yards the Magnum’s energy margin matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 280 Remington compare to the 270 Winchester? The 280 Remington uses the same 30-06 parent case as the 270 Winchester, but the .284-inch bore accommodates heavier bullets with higher sectional density and BC than the 270 Winchester’s .277-inch bore. With equivalent starting velocities, the 280 Remington’s 160-175 grain bullets produce approximately 100-150 more ft-lbs at 500 yards than the 270 Winchester’s 130-150 grain bullets. For elk, the 280 Remington holds above 1,500 ft-lbs approximately 125-150 yards farther. For deer inside 400 yards, the practical difference is minor. See 280 Remington complete guide for full comparison.
Is the 280 Remington adequate for moose? Yes inside 300-350 yards with the Partition or AccuBond on broadside shots. The 280 Remington’s energy at 300 yards (1,807-1,969 ft-lbs) provides adequate moose-hunting authority with quality bullets. Moose require deep penetration – the Partition’s guaranteed rear-core retention and the AccuBond’s bonded construction both handle moose from broadside angles reliably inside 300 yards. Beyond that, energy margins thin to the point where shot placement becomes critical.
Can the 280 Remington fit in a short-action? Not at standard cartridge overall length. The 280 Remington’s SAAMI maximum COAL is 3.330 inches, requiring a standard (long) Remington 700-length action. It cannot fit in the 308 Winchester-length short-action magazines designed for cartridges up to 2.810-inch COAL. The 7mm-08 Remington uses the same bullet diameter in a short-action package.
What makes the 280 Remington underrated? Primarily marketing timing and competition. Introduced in the Remington 740 semi-auto when hunters were skeptical of the platform, renamed then restored, competing directly with the 270 Winchester which had Jack O’Connor’s decades of advocacy behind it. Ballistically the 280 Remington is superior to the 270 Winchester for large game and essentially equal for deer. Its underappreciation is commercial history, not ballistic deficiency.
What powders work best in the 280 Remington? Hodgdon H4831SC and IMR 4831 are the traditional accuracy references for the full bullet weight range, particularly 150-175 grains. Alliant Reloder 22 and Hodgdon H4350 produce excellent results with 140-160 grain bullets. IMR 4451 Enduron and Hodgdon H4831 offer temperature-insensitive performance across the full bullet weight spectrum. See the 280 Remington complete guide for specific charge data.
Is the 280 Remington still worth handloading in 2026? Absolutely. Factory ammunition from Hornady Precision Hunter (150-grain ELD-X), Federal Trophy Bonded, Nosler Trophy Grade, and Remington Core-Lokt provides solid hunting options. For handloaders, the 280 Remington accepts the full range of 7mm component bullets and its 30-06 case capacity drives them efficiently. Barrel life of 3,500-4,500 rounds means the investment in a quality barrel is long-term. The 280 Remington is a cartridge that rewards handloaders who explore its full potential with the heaviest high-BC 7mm bullets.
Editorial note: This article was originally published in December 2025 and revised in April 2026. The revision corrected the original article which had only three unnamed bullet weights without specific load identification, contained physically impossible energy values (150-grain load showing 250 ft-lbs at 1,000 yards – any standard hunting bullet from the 280 Remington retains substantially more energy than this), used an unverified 200-yard zero. The revision introduces four specific named loads with verified ballistic data, corrects the zero to 100 yards per site standard, adds velocity retention table with expansion threshold analysis, adds corrected energy table with precise deer and elk range ceilings, expands all five terminal profiles with construction and application data, and adds FAQ with powder recommendations.
