New Toy

[model88_308]

It appears that a couple of rifles may be moving out next week, so I began searching for "replacements". I thought I'd found "the" rifle at 2 yesterday afternoon. But, as I continued to look, I found an even better(?) replacement.

I'll be making a call in an hour or two to see if my offer has been accepted. So, if I get disappointed then, I guess I still have a plan "B" already...

Well, phone just rang and plan "A" it is! A commercial Mauser action, rebarreled and custom stock in a beautiful piece of walnut. I'll try to attach a couple pics here.

 

[Big7]

Mausers are sweet. Best action ever. Closely copied by a few. The A303 is probably the oldest copy and Ruger is the closest copy. IMO.

 

[Cmp1]

Nice,,,,what cal?

 

[model88_308]

Nice,,,,what cal?

Thanks!

It's a .280. A caliber I used to own (×2) but hasn't lived here for 5-6 yrs now. Excellent cartridge.

 

[furtaker]

The 280 is an excellent hunting cartridge. It's a shame it never became very popular. I get the itch for a 280 AI every now and then.

 

[model88_308]

The 280 is an excellent hunting cartridge. It's a shame it never became very popular. I get the itch for a 280 AI every now and then.

I agree, and love the .280. Many times you'll find a rebarrel like this one is done in the AI version. I'm rather glad this one is not, since I don't reload. I'll have a few more factory choices with the standard case.

 

[Big7]

Good analysis. It's of it's self a good round. Me don't think very much to gain in AI. The case is plenty large as it is. If you like to tinker as I do, the AI might be worth messing with. Simple reason it never really took off is 2 simple reasons, IMO. When it came out it had 2 things going against it. At the time, the BELTED and MAGNUM craze was full on + everything had to have Millimeter taged on just for fun. I guess that would be three reasons after all. Great cartridge. To bad it never really took off.

 

[model88_308]

The first couple years, calling it the 7mmExpress didn't help either. Many even mistook it for the still new 7mag and bought incorrect ammo. It's at least on a par with the .270 in my eyes, and a skosh better, perhaps, with typically heavier bullets available. Even JOC had his final custom rifle being made in the .280 when he passed 41 yrs ago.

 

[furtaker]

The first couple years, calling it the 7mmExpress didn't help either. Many even mistook it for the still new 7mag and bought incorrect ammo. It's at least on a par with the .270 in my eyes, and a skosh better, perhaps, with typically heavier bullets available. Even JOC had his final custom rifle being made in the .280 when he passed 41 yrs ago.

No doubt it's a better cartridge than the 270. Heavier bullets with a better BC. Remington did that goofy name change in an effort to boost its popularity while in fact it hurt it. I have an old beat up 700 Mountain Rifle chambered in 280.

 

[model88_308]

No doubt it's a better cartridge than the 270. Heavier bullets with a better BC. Remington did that goofy name change in an effort to boost its popularity while in fact it hurt it. I have an old beat up 700 Mountain Rifle chambered in 280.

I had a VERY odd limited production .280. Remington made a very limited run of the M7400 Carbine in .280 about 15(?) years ago (18.5" barrel). I snagged one for next to nothing NIB, used it for a few years and sold it at a neat little profit as an unusual, never seen rifle.

Only pic I can find of that .280 Carbine. 2nd from left.

 

[lonewolf247]

Excellent Find! Great action and a .280 to boot! I always wanted to own a .280! This one is topped with a Leupold too!

 

[BriarPatch99]

Nice rifle ....nice wood too !!!

 

[Horns]

That joker is sexy. Love the wood

 

[Jester896]

It's a .280.

NICE!
That's going to be hard to find brass for!...I can't imagine where you would look for possibly once fired cases.

 

[Big7]

I had a VERY odd limited production .280. Remington made a very limited run of the M7400 Carbine in .280 about 15(?) years ago (18.5" barrel). I snagged one for next to nothing NIB, used it for a few years and sold it at a neat little profit as an unusual, never seen rifle.

Only pic I can find of that .280 Carbine. 2nd from left.

View attachment 980888

I happen to like the Remington semi-autos. We've all heard some bad stuff about them and I don't believe a word of it.. I've shot a few. 06' and I bought my Dad one in .243 Win. when he got so weak, he couldn't handle his prized Mighty Mosin he had before I was born. He laid a many deer and coyote low with that thing. He loaned it to one of his ARMY buds. He took it to Colorado and killed a monster Elk with one shot @ 200 or so yards
Off topic. Back to topic. The 7400 I got him in .243 Winchester was a flat shooting hammer. I used it a lot more than he did. I never had a failure to feed, failure to eject or failure to pop the primer. I think they are great rifles that don't break the piggy bank. And... They look good and have a great finish on wood and steel. That's one I wish I had kept.

 

[model88_308]

I happen to like the Remington semi-autos. We've all heard some bad stuff about them and I don't believe a word of it.. I've shot a few. 06' and I bought my Dad one in .243 Win. when he got so weak, he couldn't handle his prized Mighty Mosin he had before I was born. He laid a many deer and coyote low with that thing. He loaned it to one of his ARMY buds. He took it to Colorado and killed a monster Elk with one shot @ 200 or so yards
Off topic. Back to topic. The 7400 I got him in .243 Winchester was a flat shooting hammer. I used it a lot more than he did. I never had a failure to feed, failure to eject or failure to pop the primer. I think they are great rifles that don't break the piggy bank. And... They look good and have a great finish on wood and steel. That's one I wish I had kept.

I've owned at least one of all the 74xx series of semi-autos from Remington; 740, 742, 7400 and 750. The 740 proved to be less than a good boat anchor. The rest were all good, serviceable rifles. The two 7400s (.280 & 35 Whelen) were flawless from my memories as was the 750 Carbine in 35 Whelen that was my last. The only semi-auto centerfire I own now is a 1968 BAR GRII in '06. I've been using mostly lever guns; Marlins and BLRs for hunting the last several years now.

I've always enjoyed hunting with a semi-auto, but hate the noise of loading one in the pre-dawn darkness.