what do i have for options on parent cases if i want to make 280 ai cases? 270, 30-06 all have their shoulders farther back than a 280 case and therefore will not be tight in the chamber when i go to fireform. i tried running 06 brass through my 280 ai dies and the reduced neck is not in line with the case body, also there is a slight buldge remaining from the 30 cal neck. is this buldge enough to headspace the case for fireforming? i want to use winchester brass but all they make for the 280 is nickel and i don't want to use that. the rem brass from what i hear is no good so i don't want to waste my time fireforming it. any thought are appreciated.
resizing ? case to 280 AI
- Thread starter bingo1010
- Start date
You might try necking up a bit more first. Say from 30 to 323 (8mm) or 35 expander button size. Then neck down leaving a short shoulder in the larger size that provides a crush fit of the case in the chamber when you close the bolt. You might get by with leaving it at 30 case size but I would be more confident with a bit more shoulder to prevent firing pin impact from shortening the case. Once fire formed you should be good to go. I have had no problems using Remington brass converting it from 30/06 to 35 Whelen. Perhaps not up to match standard brass but normally quite adequate for hunting rifles. I also use Federal or W/W as available for a number of conversions.
Nosler makes 280AI brass. I checked out some of there brass this week and it makes most factory brass look like crap, sorted by weight, already trimmed with flash holes deburred, I know what brand I'll be buying from now on.
I fireformed my 280 brass to AI with C.O.W, they were remington cases and they did vary some, some provided crush and some did not. regardless my brass turned out very well and is accurate.
I might try another brand of brass at a later date but the remmy stuff gets me by.
I might try another brand of brass at a later date but the remmy stuff gets me by.
You could go the route of necking your brass (270 or 30/06) to 7mm and then fireform using the small amount of pistol powder cream of wheat method. 15 gr. of Red Dot is what I use, then fill the case with COW. A drop of white glue in the top to keep everything in. Do not put a bullet on top. Then just go to a safe shooting area, and fire them off, one at a time. Then trim to length, and load. This is a long drawn out method of getting AI brass, but if you want to use what you have, this is an option. And it doesn't put unecessary wear on your bore. I would probably just get a few boxes of 280 factory loads and fire them off. That way you also know where it shoots with factory ammo, just in case you ever need to. Good luck, Eric
I'm speedy
I wouldn't even bother with the glue or lard or any other type of plug, I didn't, I just took a drill bit the same diameter as the hole and packed the COW down a bit, if your worried then stuff a little wad of toilet paper in the end. Then you don't have to worry so much about lard or glue coating the barrel. I went to the range and was by myself so I kept my barrel pointed at a slight upward angle so the COW wouldn't pour out of the case. Wear ear protection because it is still loud, almost no recoil but a good bang for sure.
I think I used 19 grs of Unique but like everything else just take the can to the range and start lower and up the charge until your brass forms fully.
I did the fast powder with corn meal thing, used 22cal patches as a plug, worked great AS LONG AS I LUBED THE CASES, when I didn't I had primers pushing out and cases with incorrect headspace.
Very good point. I would probably avoid the other 06 based cases for the 280 AI, as they are slightly shorter, and you end up with short necks. As mentioned, Nosler makes correctly marked brass, and 280 Rem Brass works fine and is easy to get. FWIW - dan
