fireforming 280 AI

bingo1010

bingo1010

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when fireforming AI brass how much should a guy reduce the load? i have read the cream of wheat thing but i don't want to go that route. if you load em too hot when forming does it stretch the brass too much? are the necks much shorter after? thanks
 
Load up reasonably full pressure loads and have at it target shooting to form the brass. Many are suprised at how accurate fireforming loads can be often. Don't use reduced loads or the brass won't be fully formed in one firing. Many just shoot factory ammo which of course is full pressure to get their fully formed AI cases - assuming your chamber was properly cut to support the case when firing a factory round.
The brass will simply stretch to the chamber dimensions and can't be over size.
 
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when I first bought my 7mm STW there were not any factory brass available, so I put in 10 grains of bullseye pistol powder toped off with packed cormeal, then toped off with candle wax. why spend money on bullets and powder, only to readjust your scope?
 
Fireforming

Since the Nosler .280AI brass became available,I haven't bothered fireforming.The Nosler brass is exspensive,but it's great stuff,ready to load! Mur
 
Whelen B said:
Load up reasonably full pressure loads and have at it target shooting to form the brass. Many are suprised at how accurate fireforming loads can be often. Don't use reduced loads or the brass won't be fully formed in one firing. Many just shoot factory ammo which of course is full pressure to get their fully formed AI cases - assuming your chamber was properly cut to support the case when firing a factory round.
The brass will simply stretch to the chamber dimensions and can't be over size.
Click to expand...

This is the proper way to do it.Use a max or near max load for a standard 280 and you will have perfect formed brass.And they will shoot as good as 280 improved loads.If you are using old brass that has been fired a couple of times you may want to anneal the case necks.I have fired hundreds like this with never a problem.
 
Cream of wheat is pretty slick way of fireforming, I got perfect brass when I did mine, its fast and much cheaper and easier on the barrel.

But hey if your not into it thats fine too.
 
my experience with nickel brass is the same as RickF's. No problems whatsoever, quite a few reloads with no problems and dies don't seem to suffer any problems either like people say they should.
 
It's common for the necks to shorten by a couple of thou when forming a 40 degree shoulder. I feel that best pressure will be achieved by using a bullet on top of a normal powder load.

I know a shooter that competed with 6BR-to-dasher fire forming loads and had fantastic accuracy.
 
280ai

Don't bother fireforming, adds more rounds fired through your barrel,plus the cost and time of reloading 280 rem rounds it"s not worth it, get some Nosler custom 280 AI brass.I paid 70 bucks for 50 cases and they are ready to reload.
 
If the chamber is NOT cut properly, you will stretch the case head which will lead to shortened brass life.

A proper AI chamber will be a snug fit on a parent case. These barrels will fire the orig cases just fine and usually just as accurately, albeit a bit slower.

If the chamber is cut deep, you will need to form a secondary shoulder or head separation will likely occur.

If you need to form the secondary shoulder, Cream of wheat is the only method that will safely work.

I use the cream of wheat/cornmeal to fireform ALL my cases before I work them up for accuracy. Saves alot in wear and bullet costs. It does make a difference to do the load work up with fireformed cases especially if you plan to neck size later.

Jerry
 
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