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Preferred bullet weight for .280 Remington when hunting deer?

April 5, 2026

Quick Answer

A preferred bullet weight for .280 Remington when hunting deer is 140 grains. This weight offers a balance between expansion and penetration, making it suitable for hunting larger game like mule deer. It also provides adequate trajectory and drop at longer ranges.

Bullet Selection for .280 Remington

When selecting a bullet for .280 Remington, consider a weight of 140 grains. This weight offers a good balance between expansion and penetration, making it suitable for larger game like mule deer. Popular bullet options include the Hornady 140-grain InterLock SP and the Sierra 140-grain GameKing.

Range and Drop Considerations

When considering the .280 Remington for mule deer hunting at longer ranges, keep in mind the bullet’s trajectory and drop. The .280 Remington has a relatively flat trajectory out to 400 yards, making it suitable for hunting at longer ranges. However, it does have a noticeable drop at ranges beyond 500 yards, so make sure to compensate for this when aiming.

Terminal Ballistics and Penetration

The 140-grain bullet offers sufficient penetration to take down larger game like mule deer. When selecting a bullet, consider one with a high ballistic coefficient (BC) to minimize drop and wind deflection. A BC of .500 or higher is suitable for hunting at longer ranges.

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