280 AI - Does anyone else shoot this wildcat.

Why not? said:
No trick at all to reform 375 H&H to 300 H&H. One single pass through the sizing die until the reformed case just barely allows the bolt to close.

Done it many times.

Ted
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Thanks for that tip, I truly did not know that! I knew it was the parent case, however, to just run it thru the die. Can I assume the there is no trimming and inside neck turning? Many thanks!:cheers:
 
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9.3mauser said:
Well, your definition is different from mine. Using your definition, most wildcats are not really wildcats. The fact that the AI is capable of firing the factory parent cartridge is irrelevant. With a few exceptions, you can't go out and buy formed AI cartridges off the shelf, and they aren't factory loaded. To get formed AI cases you have to fireform in some manner and load your own. That, to me, is what makes it a wildcat.
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I don't necessarily disagree with you, but Ackley himself didn't consider his improved cartridges wildcats. - dan
 
It appears that there are various definitions for a wildcat cartridge. From what I have read from "the experts" years ago, a wildcat cartridge is "an innovative cartridge from an individual(s), which is not manufacture by a firearm and ammunition company." Today, the 280 AI is not a wildcat cartridge, firearm and ammunition factories are manufacturing these items, therefore; it "was" a wildcat cartridge.
 
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9.3mauser said:
Well, your definition is different from mine. Using your definition, most wildcats are not really wildcats. The fact that the AI is capable of firing the factory parent cartridge is irrelevant. With a few exceptions, you can't go out and buy formed AI cartridges off the shelf, and they aren't factory loaded. To get formed AI cases you have to fireform in some manner and load your own. That, to me, is what makes it a wildcat.
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Well I believe you are wrong. All .280 AI chambers will accept the parent case .280 Remington (factory loaded available) and fire form to the AI version... you do not have to load the factory round, it is available. That is why it is not considered a wildcat. This was being taught at gunsmithing school in 1966... the same school Ackley once taught at.

Wildcats however can not chamber and fire the cartridge until the brass is altered and custom made for the wildcat cartridge.

An improved chamber can always fire a factory made round plus the blown out brass reloaded... a wildcat has no factory ammo that will chamber.
 
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pete dobinson said:
Necking down the 338win to 30-338 would classify as a wildcat. It would be almost identical to the 308 norma.
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Good cartridge too. I have a win 70 receiver and other parts here to build another. Keeping an eye out for a faster twist 30 cal barrel so I can sling some of those extra heavy 30 bullets. Ballistically its the same as the 308 Norma Mag, and that's not a bad place to be. - dan
 
SuperCub said:
The thing about the 300H&H is that it can be replaced with a 3006. I own both and would not miss the 300 if keeping the 06.
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Maybe. But nothing feeds as smoothly as a 300 H&H. Of course, I own both too, but if it wasn't for the sentimental attachment to my main 30-06 I don't know which way I would lean more toward.
 
Many 8mm x 57's were converted over the years to 8mm - 308 Norma Mag... fairly easy to alter reloading dies too... and that's a wildcat...
 
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