The .280 British (7x43mm) was a purpose-designed intermediate cartridge developed by Britain in the late 1940s as a universal round — capable of feeding automatic rifles, light machine guns, and serving as a sniper round at extended range. Tested extensively in the EM-2 and FN FAL rifles, it offered significantly better ballistics than either the .30-06 or the Soviet M43 at intermediate ranges while producing manageable recoil in automatic fire. The cartridge represented the ideal compromise between the old full-power battle rifle round and the new intermediate assault rifle concept.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1948, United Kingdom
Parent case: None
Standardization: SAAMI
Bullet diameter: 0.284" (7.21 mm)
Case length: 1.709" (43.41 mm)
Overall length: 2.791" (70.89 mm)
Max pressure: 55,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimless
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:9
Muzzle velocity: 2415–2530 fps
Muzzle energy: 1814–1993 ft-lbs
Effective range: 600 yd
Common bullet weights: 140 gr
Primary use: Military (Historical)
Production status: Active
Also known as: .280/30 · 7x43mm
History: Developed by the British after WWII as a more practical combat round than full-power .30-06. Studies showed most combat engagements occurred under 400 yards. The U.S. rejected it, insisting on a full-power 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge instead. The British eventually capitulated in 1953.
Notable firearms: EM-2 (prototype), Taden gun (prototype)
Military use: {"country":"Proposed for NATO — rejected","years":""}
Similar cartridges: 7mm-08 Remington, 6.8x51mm .277 Fury