I may be picking up a Cooper 280 Ackley Improved in the next few weeks.
I've already picked up a Redding Deluxe set of dies (FL & neck) but this is going to be the first time playing with an Ackley since about 15 years ago when I owned a .257 AI for a few months.
My question is this.
Are Coopers "generally" head spaced tightly enough to take a full power .280 Remington factory load or is this playing with fire?
I realize factory brass is available for the .280 AI but a true Ackley should be able to digest its parent case load.
My .257 AI required fireforming the shoulder with Bullseye powder and filler.
Trying the first factory .257 Roberts in it resulted in a small scale wreck which I'm not keen on repeating again with a two thousand dollar Cooper.
I've already picked up a Redding Deluxe set of dies (FL & neck) but this is going to be the first time playing with an Ackley since about 15 years ago when I owned a .257 AI for a few months.
My question is this.
Are Coopers "generally" head spaced tightly enough to take a full power .280 Remington factory load or is this playing with fire?
I realize factory brass is available for the .280 AI but a true Ackley should be able to digest its parent case load.
My .257 AI required fireforming the shoulder with Bullseye powder and filler.
Trying the first factory .257 Roberts in it resulted in a small scale wreck which I'm not keen on repeating again with a two thousand dollar Cooper.
