Smart choice in getting the .280. If it were "mine" and it had at least a 24" barrel, I would have to ream it out to .280 Ackley Improved ( just because I am an Ackley freak,ha) I had a .280 Remington Mountain rifle once, reamed it out to the Ackley, and only gained 50fps out of the 22" barrel,so it was a bust, but a longer barrel is worth it. However, with today's modern powders and premium bullets ( I am also a Barnes TSX freak!) a standard .280 is a great one to load for. I used the 150 Ballistic tip for deer and the Speer 160 spitzer for elk. My friend killed a huge cow elk with a neck shot using this rifle/160 Speer. She was DRT with massive damage, and the bullet may still be going! Today, I'd use the Barnes 140 TTSX on everything. I shoot that particular bullet over 3600 fps out of my 7mm RUM ( my long range rifle) and with its muzzlebrake, it's like shooting a .280, very sweet, but its a heavier rifle than my now "go to" elk rifle, a Model 700 .35 Whelen Ackley Improved ( early season , its in its synthetic stock. Late season, its a wood stock, much warmer to hang onto,ha) I shoot the Barnes 200gr TTSX at 2950 fps. It replaced my .338 winmag which I used for years, another great round for elk for sure, but is harder to hold onto in a light rifle. I have a great hunting buddy who has used a little Browning BLR in .308 since high school ( '70) out here in Utah who uses the 150gr remington factory Corlokt load on everything. Mulies, elk, even cow buffalo. I have other friends who use .270's succesfully, and others who use bigger callibers. Personally, I think you made a wise choice, a very good round indeed. Pssst....ream it out to the Ackley Improved later, when you are more experienced in handloading...it's a beautiful round, ha.