270 or 280 Barrel

[jake]

I'm looking to buy one of these barrels for a prohunter frame that I have. I know there is not that much differance in the two.
 
I'm looking at a 26"weathershield 270 win barrel and a 28" prohunter 280 rem barrel.
 
Just looking for a little imput.
 
Thanks

[243dave]

If your a reloader and want something that not many have, get the 280.  If you don't reload get the 270, lots of different types of ammo can be bought anywhere for the 270 at a reasonable price, the same can't be said about the 280.  The performance of the two are so close it just comes down to what you want and you can't go wrong with either one, they are both fine rounds.
Dave

[fishtracker]

I agree with 243dave.  But, if you want more input, give us a bit more information.  What are your planned uses?  Do you reload?  There might be better choices out there.  Deer only, maybe a .260.  A .308 gives you a lot of critters and a lot of choices if you reload. 

[yooper77]

If I were too choose from your two, the 280 Remington in the 28" prohunter barrel and have it shortened too 23". I also reload so 270 Winchester if you don't in the same shortened barrel.

I would choose 270 Winchester in a 24 inch standard tapered barrel over the 26" or 28" barrels.  I feel the extra weight isn't needed and makes the rifle unbalanced too me.
 
yooper77

[TScottW99]

I am a .280 fan so my vote goes there.  Of course I reload, if you do not and depend on factory ammo go for the .270.

[Dalgo]

I second Yooper's thoughts on the barrel length.  24" tapered a much better balanced package. As for the caliber, both are great. I have used .270's for many years. Not shot the .280, but I had a 7 X 64, which is virtually the same caliber as the .280. For me, the advantage goes to the .280 as it can shoot heavier bullets (175 gr.). But, as others have pointed out, there are trade-offs with respect to ammo availability and bullet weights offered.  If you plan to reload at all, I definitely would go with the .280. Again, as Yooper suggested further on, if you do get the Pro-Hunter barrel, I would have it shortened.


Pierre

[jake]

I do reload, and it will be for mostly whitetails. I have been thinking about getting a 243 barrel also and just use it for deer and calling coyotes.
I like shooting coyotes to so I was thinking maybe the 243 will be better suited for a dual purpose barrel.
 
What do you think. Thanks

[243dave]

Honestly the 243 would do well for both whitetail and coyote.  I've used the 243 for a long time and know it works well but you will see before this thread is over a lot of people think the 243 is barely big enough for coyotes and half grown deer, its better than that and can work well as a dual purpose round.  Heres the thing, you must understand that it will not penetrate big game like a 30-06 shooting 180gr bullets.  In order to get the most out of the 243 for deer use 100gr bullets and the best bullets like partitions and grand-slams.  These two bullets can hit a deer quartering away, break the off-side shoulder and then exit leaving a golf ball size hole on a good size deer.  For varmints and such I prefer 70gr ballistic-tips.
Dave

[jake]

I agree with you Dave, I dont think that a deer is that tough.It dont matter what caliber you use if you dont hit them where you should.
 
I think I might just go with the 243.

[243dave]

I'm not trying to talk you into a 243 but it is a great cartridge.  Honestly I believe the 270 is probably the best deer round made.  I hate to say it cause I am a big 243 fan and my whole family seems to own 270's, but a 270 with 130gr. bullets at 3100fps is big medicine for deer at close range and way out there.
Dave

[30HERRETT]

270 if you don't reload and you can almost always find them in a store if you run out while you are on a hunting trip .

[ptpalpha]

Since you reload, I'd definately choose the .280 over the .270, but it sounds like your choice of the .243 makes the most sense to use for both whitetail and coyotes.

[Ladobe]

If I picked the 280 over the 270, Jack would turn over in his grave.       Of the two the 270 is the easy choice for me, even though I did reload.
 
But for w-tails and coyotes the 243 would get it done just fine.

[OK hunter]

The answer is so obvious that I'm shocked nobody has offered it yet.




Buy ALL THREE!!!!   

[Muddyboots]

Have PH .280 and is go to rifle barrel. Shoots 139/140 gr bullets inside inch all day every load I tried. So I am big fan of it for sure.
Muddy

[atitagain]

By this point, it might have all been said, but:
The most versatile, caliber will be the .270. Off the shelf ammo is available for anything from varmints to elk and moose.
The .280 is simply a 7mm Mag., without the magnum. Properly hand loaded, it will take pretty much anything in North America.
Personally, I like the flat shooting .270, but will never give up my .280.