I bought a regular .280 barrel last year. as you know, on paper it is a great round. I haven't really gotten serious about trying different bullets, grouping etc. but after about 50 rounds it is plenty accurate to kill a deer. I'm shooting the 140 grain ballistic silver tips. The only shot I made last year was a head shot on a doe @ 75 yds so I have no proof of bullet performance. My buddy has two .280 bolt rifles and has killed about 10 deer with them. All one shot, all fell within sight. Also the recoil is very tolerable in my regular encore. You should be really happy with this cal. in the PH.
TP