Author Topic: 7x64 Brenneke v. .280 Remington? (Read 4976 times)

gimphunter · « **on:** December 23, 2006, 02:17:16 PM »

Just curious, I've been wanting a .280 Remington, but is there any real practical difference between it and the 7x64 Brenneke? They both look great on paper, but I took a quick look at the cartridge dimensions and it almost looks like you could interchange the two in the same rifle. Does the 7x64 have anything to recommend it beyond novelty?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:31:52 PM »

No...not really...To me...the 280 is a-lot more cartridge for the money...and finding a 7x64 is hard to do... They are close to performance..but..the 280 can be loaded up higher..

Here's what my 280 Handi will do for ya if your interested...this is a 10 shot group with Remington factory 140 grain loads..

And a 5 shot group with Federals 140 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claws...

nomosendaro bought it off me for his stable..I haven't seen any of the Brenekees that would do this good...I'm sure there are some out there..but finding one would be difficult...Most of the folks who have the 280's really like them...and it's very easy to see why..

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:41:12 PM »

My 7x64 Handi shoots as good as my .280, but brass is harder to come buy as is ammo for it, Federal used to offer it with Nosler partitions, but has been discontinued. If you aren't a handloader, the 7x64 wouldn't be the best choice for that reason. As far as ballistics, they're pretty much twins. In a Handi, the .280 comes with a 26" barrel, while the 7x64 was a 24", there's one in the classifieds here right now if it's not been spoke for since I last checked.

Tim

gimphunter · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2006, 02:54:17 PM »

I do handload, so I don't care about the availability of loaded ammo. But I didn't know that the 7x64 was a 24" barrel. In this cartridge class, the extra 2" might well be reason enough to prefer the .280 Rem. Of course, it seems to have a reputation for accuracy, as Mac's targets illustrate.

Thanks, guys.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2006, 03:19:53 PM »

The .280 is an excellent shooter, I don't recollect anyone here having one that doesn't love theirs, mine include. Mine is now a .280 Imp-Imp, but it shot extemely well before the rechamber, I've only fired start loads to fire form in it so far, but even those shot mostly insdie of 2" shooting 5 shots groups as fast as I could reload, let it cool and do it again for 50 rounds!!

Tim

safetysheriff · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2006, 03:41:59 PM »

i think the .280 Rem' is probably the most underrated Big Game cartridge for North American hunting. it doesn't get the press that it so rightly deserves. in single-shots and in bolt-actions it Does Not take a back seat to the .270 Win'; nor does it take a back seat to the .308 Winchester in any area, from what i can see.

why look at the Brennecke when the .280 Rem' in a Handi' gives you that kind of accuracy with such a decent length of barrel? even handloaded i'd think that the Brennecke is not worth the trouble with the .280 giving us so much.

but: that's just my opinion!

ss'

bigchuckie · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2006, 06:14:59 PM »

IF anyone is interested there is a 7x64 barrel on Ebay. The auction runs out on 1-03-07 he is selling brass and dies seperately

MSP Ret · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2006, 02:38:58 AM »

Underated and overlooked is correct about the .280, they just seem to be inherently accurate, have MANY bullets for the reloader to choose from, have great factory loaded ammo available, can be loaded to a wonderful long range varmint round or also for a superb big and dangerous game round. There is nothing the .280 gives up to any cartridge for the deer, antelope, or hog hunter. The bench rest shooter would also be as well served by it as any other round. It would make a great only rifle, a riflemans rifle, for any shooter, and especially for a handloader...Happy New Year....<><....

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2006, 02:55:57 AM »

To me the .280 just isn't near the cartridge that the .30-06 is. Why eveyone wants to kick the .30-06 to the curb is something I can't understand.

Fred M · « **Reply #9 on:** December 29, 2006, 06:39:52 AM »

Swampman.
The reason you don't understand should be obvious to you by now.

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2006, 07:44:29 AM »

Actually I think trying to be like Bill Jordon has a lot to do with it. Those TV hunters like the .280, and folks want to be like them.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2006, 12:23:47 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 29, 2006, 02:55:57 AM

To me the .280 just isn't near the cartridge that the .30-06 is. Why eveyone wants to kick the .30-06 to the curb is something I can't understand.

WHO CARES SWAMPMAN

Read the topic...the 30-06 is not part of it...now is it...Why are you always trying to start an arguement on these types of threads?

Mac

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2006, 12:29:39 PM »

My post was in response to what safetysheriff said about the .270, .280, and the .308. I wasn't trying to be argumentative. The most underated cartridge in the world is the .30-06.

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2006, 12:57:36 PM »

If you two can't play nice don't play at all. CLEAR?

safetysheriff · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2006, 02:19:35 PM »

swampman'

in some respects the 3 long-action cartridges......30-06, .280, and the .270 are part of a "5-card Straight" that would include the .35 Whelen and the .25-06......if the analogy is palpable.

the .280 is something of a compromise between the .30-06 and the .270, as i see it. it hasn't the bullet weight of the .30 cal', nor quite the velocity of the .270. it fits very well in the middle, however. i mentioned the .308 because of the relatively broad range of bullet weights available for it that have very good ballistic co-efficients as well. but the short-action .308 is not quite as strong of a competitor -- from what i can see -- with the longer-range killing power of the three other cartridges. and with the match-grade projectiles available for the .280 today the .308 does not excell in many competitions any longer either!

the .30-06 isn't really under-rated.........simply because the world's most popular cartridge, by definition, can't be! it's a production-packaged killer for 100 years because it is so well-recognized as such.

take care and Happy New Year to you,

ss'

MSP Ret · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2006, 02:27:12 PM »

I really like my 06's and .308's, the 30-06 is one of those true all american smokeless rounds that can and does do all it is asked to do, but as I said, the .280 is underated and overlooked, it also can do it all with a great selection if .284 bullets!!!....<><....

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2006, 02:33:53 PM »

Quote from: MSP Ret on December 29, 2006, 02:27:12 PM

....but as I said, the .280 is underated and overlooked, it also can do it all with a great selection if .284 bullets!!!....<><....

And in a 26" barreled Handi, do it right on the heels of the 7mm Rem Mag!!

Tim

safetysheriff · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2006, 02:54:18 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on December 29, 2006, 02:33:53 PM

Quote from: MSP Ret on December 29, 2006, 02:27:12 PM
....but as I said, the .280 is underated and overlooked, it also can do it all with a great selection if .284 bullets!!!....<><....

And in a 26" barreled Handi, do it right on the heels of the 7mm Rem Mag!!

Tim

And that's no lie! i'll take the .280 over the 7mm Rem' Mag' any day....for barrel life, price of the brass, and efficiency with propellants......for anything we hunt in the Lower 48 States if not elsewhere as well.

ss'

gould · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2006, 02:54:39 PM »

The 280 is a great round i killed my first deer with one. The 06 is a great round also but every one has one. I like to be different. The 7mag is great to it has its place for longer range shots. There both 7mm and kill like lightning

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** December 29, 2006, 03:42:03 PM »

That's fine. I believe the .308 will out shoot any of those mentioned at 1000 yards. I know it will out shoot the .30-06 at 1000 yards. I just try to avoid the smaller calibers because the leaves never fall off down here. I can't take time off from work to find my deer.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #20 on:** December 29, 2006, 04:46:12 PM »

The .308 will outshoot the 30-06 at 1000 yards? Isn't that like saying the .38 Special is better than the .357 Mag at long range?....<><....

Fred M · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2006, 06:11:16 PM »

The trouble with Swampman is we can't supply him intelligence to understand ballistics. From the very beginning he has only ever done disturbance in most every thread with his uninformed brainless statements.

It is really getting to be tiresome to read his input, it adds nothing to readers that want to learn about hunting and shooting, handloading. Advantages of certain calibers etc.

Most of us here know the virtues of the 30-06, but very few have ever wrung out the 280 and the 280AI to its full potential. There are several good reasons why the 280 and the 280AI really shine. Perhaps the Handi the is not the very best platform for a 280AI.

But then under certain limitations the 280Ai does not need to be loaded to its full potential to put out incredible performance. I have had four different 280AI and done a lot of experimental load testing. I have helped many 280AI shooters and sorted out many problems that they ran into by advising proper methods.

The 280AI is about the best 7mm cartridge. Like it was said above the 280 AI with any bullet under 150gr will perform like a 7mmRem Mag.

To get back to the original question, the 280 Rem is superior to the 7x64 in North America. In Europe and Africa the situation is reversed since both are practically ballistic twins. It makes little sense to own a 7x64 in this country, though there is nothing wrong with a 7x64.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2006, 06:55:35 PM »

Quote from: Fred M on December 29, 2006, 06:11:16 PM

It makes little sense to own a 7x64 in this country, though there is nothing wrong with a 7x64.

Unless you're a dyed in the wool Handiholic and own both!!!

Tim

Mac11700 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2006, 07:47:17 PM »

Quote

It makes little sense to own a 7x64 in this country, though there is nothing wrong with a 7x64.

I get the feeling this statement has another meaning as well...I am just guessing here..but I would wager the 7x64 is much more difficult to come by up there in Canada ehh Fred...?
Gimphunter:

The ballistic advantage of the 280 over the Brenneke that are in factory loads is easy to see..and the amount of game the 7mm's have harvested rivals anything the 30 cals can show for too....perhaps not here in the states...but in the rest of the world...The three 7mm's that have come in a Handi are all very good cartridges..and if one reloads for them..it improves their ballistics even more so...

Mac

mt3030 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2006, 08:02:52 PM »

Quote from: Mac11700 on December 29, 2006, 12:23:47 PM

...Why are you always trying to start an arguement on these types of threads?

Mac

Maybe just to get attention, when he has nothing of value to contribute to the thread?

Swampman · « **Reply #25 on:** December 30, 2006, 12:16:55 AM »

Quote from: MSP Ret on December 29, 2006, 04:46:12 PM

The .308 will outshoot the 30-06 at 1000 yards? Isn't that like saying the .38 Special is better than the .357 Mag at long range?....<><....

http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles/AccuracyFacts.asp

gould · « **Reply #26 on:** December 30, 2006, 12:48:57 AM »

Doses the shorter stiffer action come in to play a little bit here? That is Winchesters claim in the short mags. May be they could have the 300 wsm and the 308 go head to head and find out. The 30-06's longer action flexis more then the short action 308 and at 1000 yards really shows. But at hunting ranges the animals don't know the differance.

Swampman · « **Reply #27 on:** December 30, 2006, 01:02:40 AM »

I believe the .308 is more accurate at all ranges, but the .30-06 clearly has more punch and handles a huge range of bullet weights very well. The 220 grainers have taken very large bear, and elephants. The 110 hollow points will turn a varmit into a red mist. It may not be the perfect cartridge, but it does everything well. The .308 is a tad less of a good thing, it's but still nearly prefect in a short rifle. I'm going out with my .30-30 right now to see if I can scare something.

I liked Col. Jeff Cooper, and will miss his writings. He knew his guns, cartridges, and he had grit. He didn't promote cartridges because he was on someone's payroll.

I may be old school but I still love the .30 caliber