My first 28 caliber was a .280, and it remains my favorite caliber today. I have loaded dozens of powder/bullet combos for my rifles, and after shooting dozens of elk, deer, bears, and loaning it out on moose and sheep hunts I have decided it will remain my favorite caliber. It hits elk with authority, but doesn't cause large amounts of meat damage even on small critters, like Coues. The .280's long range ballistics are phenomenal, and retained energy stays sufficient for almost any species to "waaaay" out there. I love the new crop of "long range" calibers, but hit a bull at 400 with a Creed and then repeat it with a .280 and you'll notice a big difference. I know, I've done it. I'm a fan of a lot of calibers, mostly guns that kill elk well, and the .280 has proven to me that it is a lot more gun than Remington ever allowed it to be.