.280 Rem Ackley Improved

[Brithunter]

Ok so the deed is done and the rifle chambered  . Have fire formed 6 cases, three for proofing and three to check feeding from the magazine which is did fine  . Oh the action is a 1968 BSA Monarch 1st pattern (with the integral dovetails for scope mounts) the barrel was a new BSA Hammer Forged CF2 one originally in 7x64 not chambered for the .280 Rem AI and worked out at 23" long.


The build so far.


First case from the chamber neck filled wiht a Remington 175 Gr bullet.

Looking at load data online the powders that I am likely to find in stock fairly locally, Cannot mail order powders here  , are H-4350, possibly IMR 4350, H-4831 (not sure about SC or not) possibly IMR 4831 and Vhit N160/N165 oh and reloader 19 possibly Reloader 22.

To start with I shall try some Sierra 150 Gr HPBT Match Kings to get a feel for it the switch to either Hornady 139 gr BTSP or the Remington 175 Gr Semi Spitzers I got from Midway a few years back and later will try to get some 150/154 Gr spitzer SP's to try.

Anyone have experience with this cartridge and good load suggestions? The rifle will be used for deer once it's finished. Right now it's off being proofed (legal requirement here) and then will be finish polished and blued then i have to bed it into the stock before load development can start.

[sjf]

I got my best results with VV165, H4350 and RL22, great cartridge. My best results by far were with VV165, CCI BR2 primer and 63.5 gr with 140 gr Accubond gave me a 1/2" average for 4 -3 shot groups. 140 Sierra BTSP also shot right at a 1/2" with that load. VV 165 has been a "wonder powder " in my 280 AI as most other powders tried average right around 1"-1 1/4" groups.

[Brithunter]

Cheers for that  Primers will be CCI either 200's or 250's I have both and just picked up a fresh box of the 200's. I doubt the shop has any BR primers you might get match ones on occasion but I need consistancy so I'll work with these as I can usually get them which is an important consideration for me.

Powder I have to get as yet so will enquire what they have in stock and try another shop one I have never been to as yet and see what they have and are like. I'll also hopefully get the cases right after Christmas which should be OK as I doubt the rifle will be ready before Christmas now with less than two weeks to go now and the rifle won't be back from proof until next Friday at least then the smith has to polish and blue it and of course it's not the only gun he has to work on.

[the jigger]

Brit,
I have had good performance with RL19 and IMR4831.
120gr Bal Tips are fast and accurate.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

[Brithunter]

Brit,
I have had good performance with RL19 and IMR4831.
120gr Bal Tips are fast and accurate.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

Thank you. Hmmm Not too sure about the Ballistic Tips although I have uesed them in the .308 (165 Gr) and the 100 Gr on in the 6.5x55 the 100 Gr ones were a bit to explosive. However I will give it some thought  unless the chance for some big stuff presents itelf for my hunting there is no real need for the premium and bonded core bullets. The normal cup and core will do what I need. Most of my deer hunting is for the smaller species like Roe and Muntjac and providing it shoots well the Hornady 139 Interlock or the Speer 140 grn Hot Cor will be all I should need.

[roper]

Cartridge:  280 Ackley Improved
Load Type:  Rifle
 Starting Loads

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 Maximum Loads

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Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure       

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
120 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  H1000  .284"  3.320"  62.0  2924  45,100 PSI  66.0C  3120  54,400 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 7828 SSC  .284"  3.320"  59.2  2997  52,500 PSI  63.0  3219  62,200 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  H4831  .284"  3.320"  61.1  3024  52,200 PSI  65.0C  3240  60,900 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4831  .284"  3.320"  56.4  2967  48,900 PSI  60.0  3223  60,100 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  H4350  .284"  3.320"  55.5  3120  54,000 PSI  59.0  3271  61,400 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  H414  .284"  3.320"  53.1  3059  52,700 PSI  56.5  3237  62,000 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4350  .284"  3.320"  55.0  3056  53,100 PSI  58.5  3222  60,900 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  Winchester  760  .284"  3.320"  53.1  3059  52,700 PSI  56.5  3237  62,000 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4007 SSC  .284"  3.320"  53.2  3028  51,800 PSI  56.7  3222  62,100 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  Varget  .284"  3.320"  47.0  2988  52,200 PSI  50.0  3153  61,300 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4320  .284"  3.320"  47.5  2970  51,000 PSI  50.5  3141  60,300 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4064  .284"  3.320"  47.8  3046  54,200 PSI  50.9  3180  60,400 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  Winchester  748  .284"  3.320"  48.0  3005  52,800 PSI  51.0  3177  60,600 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  BL-C(2)  .284"  3.320"  50.3  3089  55,800 PSI  53.5  3242  61,900 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4895  .284"  3.320"  47.7  3039  54,100 PSI  50.7  3174  60,800 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  H4895  .284"  3.320"  44.7  2974  51,800 PSI  47.5  3128  60,700 PSI       
120 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 3031  .284"  3.320"  45.1  3014  55,700 PSI  48.0  3120  60,200 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  H1000  .284"  3.320"  60.6  2910  51,600 PSI  64.5C  3065  59,800 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 7828 SSC  .284"  3.320"  56.4  2907  52,800 PSI  60.0  3079  61,300 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  H4831  .284"  3.320"  57.3  2910  53,800 PSI  61.0  3060  61,300 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4831  .284"  3.320"  54.8  2939  52,800 PSI  58.3  3128  62,000 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  H4350  .284"  3.320"  50.8  2913  53,300 PSI  54.0  3051  60,000 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  H414  .284"  3.320"  50.3  2932  53,500 PSI  53.5  3071  61,700 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4350  .284"  3.320"  51.3  2901  53,200 PSI  54.6  3067  61,200 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  Winchester  760  .284"  3.320"  50.3  2932  53,500 PSI  53.5  3071  61,700 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4007 SSC  .284"  3.320"  49.4  2878  51,200 PSI  52.5  3048  60,500 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  Varget  .284"  3.320"  44.7  2855  53,500 PSI  47.5  2991  60,800 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4320  .284"  3.320"  43.2  2787  51,000 PSI  46.0  2948  60,400 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4064  .284"  3.320"  44.2  2859  52,400 PSI  47.0  3007  61,800 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  Winchester  748  .284"  3.320"  44.8  2851  52,000 PSI  47.7  2994  60,600 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  BL-C(2)  .284"  3.320"  46.5  2888  52,600 PSI  49.5  3026  61,300 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4895  .284"  3.320"  44.7  2867  52,300 PSI  47.5  2982  58,000 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  H4895  .284"  3.320"  42.8  2813  51,200 PSI  45.5  2953  60,300 PSI       
130 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 3031  .284"  3.320"  42.0  2830  53,800 PSI  44.6  2941  60,300 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  H1000  .284"  3.330"  60.0  2778  48,200 PSI  64.0C  2972  58,700 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 7828 SSC  .284"  3.330"  56.2  2738  48,600 PSI  59.8  2967  60,200 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  H4831  .284"  3.330"  58.3  2841  53,600 PSI  62.0C  3012  61,100 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4831  .384"  3.330"  54.5  2821  51,200 PSI  58.0  3025  60,900 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  H4350  .284"  3.330"  52.2  2893  55,200 PSI  55.5  3012  61,600 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  H414  .284"  3.330"  50.3  2830  52,700 PSI  53.5  2991  62,200 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4350  .284"  3.330"  52.0  2814  52,700 PSI  55.4  2992  61,800 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  Winchester  760  .284"  3.330"  50.3  2830  52,700 PSI  53.5  2991  62,200 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4007 SSC  .284"  3.330"  49.8  2772  51,600 PSI  53.0  2936  60,100 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  Varget  .284"  3.330"  44.6  2754  54,100 PSI  47.4  2903  60,400 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4064  .284"  3.330"  43.7  2728  52,300 PSI  46.5  2876  61,200 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  IMR  IMR 4895  .284"  3.330"  44.2  2737  52,800 PSI  47.0  2870  60,500 PSI       
140 GR. NOS BT  Hodgdon  H4895  .284"  3.330"  42.8  2737  53,600 PSI  45.5  2876  61,600 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  Hodgdon  H1000  .284"  3.230"  54.5  2592  54,100 PSI  61.0C  2826  56,900 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  IMR  IMR 7828 SSC  .284"  3.230"  54.0  2737  53,900 PSI  57.5  2863  59,200 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  Hodgdon  H4831  .284"  3.230"  54.1  2705  51,900 PSI  57.5C  2840  59,900 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  IMR  IMR 4831  .284"  3.230"  51.2  2756  53,500 PSI  54.5  2881  60,800 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  Hodgdon  H4350  .284"  3.230"  49.5  2736  55,600 PSI  52.7  2855  61,600 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  Hodgdon  H414  .284"  3.230"  47.3  2689  53,200 PSI  50.3  2818  60,100 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  IMR  IMR 4350  .284"  3.230"  51.0  2746  52,600 PSI  54.5  2893  60,100 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  Winchester  760  .284"  3.230"  47.3  2689  53,200 PSI  50.3  2818  60,100 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  IMR  IMR 4007 SSC  .284"  3.230"  49.0  2714  54,000 PSI  52.0  2843  61,600 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  Hodgdon  Varget  .284"  3.230"  43.0  2632  53,800 PSI  45.8  2750  60,900 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  IMR  IMR 4064  .284"  3.230"  44.2  2686  54,600 PSI  47.0  2799  61,900 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  IMR  IMR 4895  .284"  3.230"  44.7  2665  51,600 PSI  47.5  2805  62,000 PSI       
150 GR. BAR TSX  Hodgdon  H4895  .284"  3.230"  41.4  2598  52,800 PSI  44.0  2716  59,900 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  Hodgdon  H1000  .284"  3.330"  58.5  2724  57,100 PSI  62.2C  2883  60,300 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  IMR  IMR 7828 SSC  .284"  3.330"  54.0  2668  51,600 PSI  59.0  2902  60,600 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  Hodgdon  H4831  .284"  3.330"  53.6  2657  51,500 PSI  57.0  2773  61,200 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  IMR  IMR 4831  .284"  3.330"  51.0  2650  50,600 PSI  56.0  2922  60,000 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  Hodgdon  H4350  .284"  3.330"  48.0  2676  51,900 PSI  54.5  2908  61,700 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  Hodgdon  H414  .284"  3.330"  46.1  2601  52,900 PSI  51.5  2808  56,000 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  IMR  IMR 4350  .284"  3.330"  52.0  2739  50,800 PSI  55.3  2932  61,200 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  Winchester  760  .284"  3.330"  46.1  2601  52,900 PSI  51.5  2808  56,000 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  IMR  IMR 4007 SSC  .284"  3.330"  47.5  2638  52,300 PSI  50.5  2790  61,400 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  Hodgdon  Varget  .284"  3.330"  43.5  2647  51,700 PSI  46.3  2796  59,300 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  IMR  IMR 4064  .284"  3.330"  44.0  2665  50,700 PSI  46.5  2834  61,100 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  IMR  IMR 4895  .284"  3.330"  45.1  2764  55,900 PSI  48.0  2850  60,400 PSI       
150 GR. SFT SCIR  Hodgdon  H4895  .284"  3.330"  42.0  2633  52,100 PSI  44.6  2773  61,200 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  Hodgdon  H1000  .284"  3.330"  57.3  2672  54,200 PSI  61.0C  2808  61,100 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  IMR  IMR 7828 SSC  .284"  3.330"  54.5  2667  51,900 PSI  58.0  2849  61,300 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  Hodgdon  H4831  .284"  3.330"  54.0  2674  55,000 PSI  57.5C  2812  62,000 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  IMR  IMR 4831  .284"  3.330"  52.2  2663  53,100 PSI  55.5  2847  61,900 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  Hodgdon  H4350  .284"  3.330"  48.4  2633  54,100 PSI  51.5  2747  60,700 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  Hodgdon  H414  .284"  3.330"  47.5  2594  52,700 PSI  50.5  2736  60,800 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  IMR  IMR 4350  .284"  3.330"  50.5  2647  53,600 PSI  53.7  2813  61,600 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  Winchester  760  .284"  3.330"  47.5  2594  52,700 PSI  50.5  2736  60,800 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  IMR  IMR 4007 SSC  .284"  3.330"  47.8  2587  53,100 PSI  50.8  2741  61,400 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  Hodgdon  Varget  .284"  3.330"  43.2  2551  53,200 PSI  46.0  2685  62,000 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  IMR  IMR 4064  .284"  3.330"  42.3  2517  52,900 PSI  45.0  2668  61,400 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  IMR  IMR 4895  .284"  3.330"  43.0  2532  51,300 PSI  45.8  2670  60,000 PSI       
160 GR. NOS AB  Hodgdon  H4895  .284"  3.330"  40.9  2496  52,300 PSI  43.5  2615  59,500 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  Hodgdon  H1000  .284"  3.325"  56.8  2653  52,300 PSI  60.4  2797  61,300 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  IMR  IMR 7828 SSC  .284"  3.325"  54.0  2678  53,600 PSI  57.3  2824  61,900 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  Hodgdon  H4831  .284"  3.325"  53.0  2662  54,200 PSI  56.4  2788  61,400 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  IMR  IMR 4831  .284"  3.325"  51.5  2697  54,700 PSI  54.8  2850  62,000 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  Hodgdon  H4350  .284"  3.325"  47.6  2629  52,900 PSI  50.6  2755  60,800 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  Hodgdon  H414  .284"  3.325"  47.0  2610  52,600 PSI  50.0  2730  60,300 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  IMR  IMR 4350  .284"  3.325"  49.4  2677  54,400 PSI  52.5  2797  60,800 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  Winchester  760  .284"  3.325"  47.0  2610  52,600 PSI  50.0  2730  60,300 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  IMR  IMR 4007 SSC  .284"  3.325"  48.0  2641  53,100 PSI  51.0  2782  61,100 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  Hodgdon  Varget  .284"  3.325"  42.6  2570  54,600 PSI  45.3  2690  62,000 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  IMR  IMR 4064  .284"  3.325"  42.0  2556  53,700 PSI  44.5  2673  61,000 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  IMR  IMR 4895  .284"  3.325"  42.3  2547  53,100 PSI  45.0  2675  61,100 PSI       
162 GR. HDY BTSP  Hodgdon  H4895  .284"  3.325"  40.9  2535  53,800 PSI  43.5  2651  61,400 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  Retumbo  .284"  3.330"  59.0  2652  49,000 PSI  63.0C  2831  59,300 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  H1000  .284"  3.330"  57.8  2641  52,500 PSI  61.5C  2789  61,100 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 7828 SSC  .284"  3.330"  53.8  2618  52,600 PSI  57.2  2776  61,000 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  H4831  .284"  3.330"  54.0  2653  55,100 PSI  57.7  2779  62,000 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4831  .284"  3.330"  52.0  2633  51,400 PSI  55.3  2798  61,400 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  H4350  .284"  3.330"  48.4  2621  54,500 PSI  51.5  2734  61,800 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  H414  .284"  3.330"  47.0  2571  53,200 PSI  50.3  2717  61,600 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4350  .284"  3.330"  49.8  2632  53,100 PSI  53.0  2762  61,100 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  Winchester  760  .284"  3.330"  47.0  2571  53,200 PSI  50.3  2717  6,1600 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4007 SSC  .284"  3.330"  47.0  2590  53,000 PSI  50.0  2711  60,900 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  Varget  .284"  3.330"  43.0  2518  53,700 PSI  46.0  2667  62,100 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4064  .284"  3.330"  42.3  2532  55,900 PSI  45.0  2643  62,300 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  IMR  IMR 4895  .284"  3.330"  42.8  2530  53,700 PSI  45.5  2650  61,300 PSI       
168 GR. SIE HPBT  Hodgdon  H4895  .284"  3.330"  40.4  2474  52,300 PSI  43.0  2595  60,900 PSI       
175 GR. SFT SP  Hodgdon  Retumbo  .284"  3.270"  56.7  2604  52,400 PSI  60.3C  2743  59,800 PSI       
175 GR. SFT SP  Hodgdon  H1000  .284"  3.270"  55.5  2544  52,700 PSI  59.0C  2675  61,100 PSI       
175 GR. SFT SP  IMR  IMR 7828 SSC  .284"  3.270"  53.1  2505  51,400 PSI  56.5  2686  61,700 PSI       
175 GR. SFT SP  Hodgdon  H4831  .284"  3.270"  52.0  2496  51,900 PSI  55.5  2651  62,000 PSI       
175 GR. SFT SP  IMR  IMR 4831  .284"  3.270"  51.7  2545  51,200 PSI  55.0  2702  61,400 PSI       
175 GR. SFT SP  Hodgdon  H4350  .284"  3.270"  47.7  2515  54,700 PSI  50.7  2626  62,100 PSI       
175 GR. SFT SP  Hodgdon  H414  .284"  3.270"  45.9  2469  52,600 PSI  48.8  2594  59,700 PSI       
175 GR. SFT SP  IMR  IMR 4350  .284"  3.270"  50.0  2529  51,300 PSI  53.3  2681  60,700 PSI       
175 GR. SFT SP  Winchester  760  .284"  3.270"  45.9  2469  52,600 PSI  48.8  2594  59,700 PSI       
175 GR. SFT SP  IMR  IMR 4007 SSC  .284"  3.270"  46.1  2485  52,700 PSI  49.0  2598  59,900 PSI       

 
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[Brithunter]

Cheers for that  have printed it out. Hopefully the rifle will be back Tuesday or Wednesday and I can get on with things.

[Tom W.]

Nosler makes brass for that caliber, but it's a tad pricey....My son has one.

BTW, that's a beautiful rifle..

[Brithunter]

Thank you. I phoned the smith and got told yes it had passed through proof but I doubt I'll get it back for another two weeks now  seems only one turned up to work at the proof house today and they close up for Christmas tomorrow and I doubt they will open until January 4th that it unless they can get it on the carrier back to Malcom tomorrow but I won't be holding my breathe on that one.

The stock has pleasing lines and for now it will have to do but it will be replaced with a new one of the same make style but an unsanded one. Someone has heavily sanded this one and removed the chequering from the forestock. Shame as with an oiled finish I believe the grain would stand out more.

We will see what he has in stock and hopefully we can get a nice colour and grain. A lot of them are of a deeper red colour:-


That's a 59 vintage Majestic Fetherweight  in 270 with the same type of stock. A lot are even a darker reddish hue but also BSA did have some with very nice Honey cloured walnut it will depend on what he pulls out of the racks from the stock.

Now the Nosler brass is no go as here it costs $206 per 100 pieces and I am not paying that plus it might not even chamber as SAMMI changed the specs on the 280AI when the adopted it for some reason  . The only place that has the Nosler brass that I am aware of is Miday.UK...Nope I'll use .280 remington brass that I can get for about £35 per 100 instead of £128.92 per 100 fro the Nosler.

[Brithunter]

Ok chaps,

             Just picked upa new tub of Hodgdons H4831SC. He also had some H414 so it looks like H4831 will be the powder to first try with in the .280 after i get the rifle back. I will see what the gunshop a bit south of here stocks assuming they do powders. never visited that one as yet as it's fairly new as a gunshop I understand.

[Darrell Davis]

Brithunter,

Don't see any mention of brass in your posts, but see some talk of Nosler brass in some of the others.

Now, I have been a Nosler Partition fan since the 60s, and for hunting, probably the 160gr Nosler Partition or another bullet of EQUAL integrity would get my nod in the 280AI.

As per the brass, providing your rifle was properly chambered, any quality .280 Rem. brass should do just fine.

Probably preaching to the choir here, but if your chamber is correct, a piece of standard 280 brass should be a slight crush fit in your improved chamber.

Load up a good solid load in that 280 brass, chamber, pull the trigger and out comes a well formed piece of 280 AI brass.

If your chamber was cut long, you may need to seat some bullets into the lands ahead of a moderate load and fireform the brass before working up loads.

The first option is for sure, the best as in that case, even factory 280rem ammo should work just fine for hunting.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot (CDOC)

[Brithunter]

Ol,Coot,

            I should have 100 or possibly 200 pieces of new Remington manufacture .280 brass in a week or so. As for the chambering yes if you chamber a std factory round the bolt has some resisitance to closing and if you extract that round unfired you will see a bright ring at the shoulder neck junction where the chamber pinches it. I chambered it 0.004" short as Ackley said.

       Meanwhile I am still awaiting the rifle to be returned from the proof house to the smith who will be bluing it. Hmmmm now where is the fingers drumming emoticon?

       Seems the proof House works part time as I tried chasing it up on the 4th but it seems they had a labourer and a sectretary in but that's all. The other 2 or 3 employees were still on holiday  seems like a good job to have. Short hours and no rush  . If proofing was not required by law I am sure they would have gone bust and closed up by now as no one could run a company like that and survive.

    As for bullets well I have Hornady 139 Gr BTSP, a few Hornady 139 Gr SP, Sierra 150 Gr HPBT match and a couple of boxes of Remington 175 Gr Semi Spitzers. Fireforming can be done using fast pistol powder and tissue paper wadded into the case. I might acquire some more .280 factory ammo but it depends solely upon price.

[Spanky]

What does the proofing process entail? Does the rifle have to have paperwork or does it go on your license or ??
Just curious as to what all is involved.
Thanks.



Spanky

[Brithunter]

What does the proofing process entail? Does the rifle have to have paperwork or does it go on your license or ??
Just curious as to what all is involved.
Thanks.



Spanky

I sent the rifle via the smith as he has an account and it makes things eaier plus he is going to blue it once it's back. So we sent the barreled action in the white. As it was a non standard chambering I also had to supply three formed cases which I de-primed and sized ready to load. I also gave them links to AI loading data that I had found like Nosler's site and cleaned the bore and removed any jacket fouling left by my test firing anf fire forming the cases so they could inspect it easily.

They then in theory inspect the rifle then load the three cartridge cases with a prescribed overload. It's something like 30% over and fire them they then inspect the cases and the rifle for signs of strees and damage. I kow it passed but it will interesting to see the rifle when it comes back. Once it passes proof the barrel is so marked with cartridge it chambered for and the proof pressure and cartridge case length. The bolt is stamped wiht a proof mark as is the receiver. It's illegal to offer for sale an firearm that is unproofed or out of proof through wear or alterations which matterially weaken the firearm. On collectables you can elect and pay extra for a proof certificate instead of having them stamp new marks on the gun.

This rifle was on my licence in it's original form as a .270 win rifle, the Police then removed it and issued a temp permit to possess an put an open slot for a .280 rifle on my firearms licence and once it comes back for proof it will be entered onto my licence as a .280.

[rugerfan.64]

As far as brass is concerned I would neck any extra 270 Win brass up and fireform that. 270 Win brass makes good 280 brass. I dont see why it couldnt be done with the 280 AI as well. Size that 270 brass with a 30 cal expander ball and then resize it in your AI die. It should leave a false shoulder along the neck that will allow proper headspacing. The ones I have tried this with worked perfectly.

[Darrell Davis]

Rugerfan.64,  Yep that should work.

However, it will just be a lot easier to take a standard 280 case, load it with with a good load, any 280 Remington load should do, and fire it.

In goes the 280, out comes a fire formed 280A.I. - no fuss, no bother, simple fast and clean.

Keep em coming

CDOC

[Brithunter]

Rugerfan.64,  Yep that should work.

However, it will just be a lot easier to take a standard 280 case, load it with with a good load, any 280 Remington load should do, and fire it.

In goes the 280, out comes a fire formed 280A.I. - no fuss, no bother, simple fast and clean.

Keep em coming

CDOC

Plus no chance of accidently getting it mixed up with the 270 brass  and as I have a few .270 chambered rifles that is always a risk. So I'll stick with buying some .280 marked brass and fire form it thank you.. Oh yes same goes of 30-06 brass as I have a 06 chambered rifle too.

[rugerfan.64]

To each his own. Was only offering a solution to a possible brass shortage. I also understand if you have other rifles chambered in similar cartridges. Anywhooo,hope you enjoy the AI version. It has to be at least as good as a 280,which in my opinion is far and away the better of the 270,280,30-06 threesome. Bet I hear it about that comment.

[Darrell Davis]

Yep, you may hear about that, but the "A.I" line is fun and way cool to look at in the very least, as are most other improved and wildcat cartridges!!!!!!

I had the 30 Gibbs, and would do it again if a bit younger and enough bucks.

I do have a "Flat Bolt" RUGER 77 in 243win., which has a bunch of rounds down the barrel.  Because of some special meaning tied to the rifle it would probably get rebarreled if I happen to out last that tube.

Maybe a wildcat would be the way to go if that happens!

243AI, 22/250AI, 250AI, WOW, that could be fun!

Keep em coming!

CDOC

[Brithunter]

To each his own. Was only offering a solution to a possible brass shortage. I also understand if you have other rifles chambered in similar cartridges. Anywhooo,hope you enjoy the AI version. It has to be at least as good as a 280,which in my opinion is far and away the better of the 270,280,30-06 threesome. Bet I hear it about that comment.

Well I got the 30-06 as I was trying to organise a visit to the US after Elk and although the .270 and 8x57 are both capable it kept beig suggested as a good and suitable cartridge so I acquired a Parker-Hale 1100 Deluxe so chambered. I cannot say it's my favorite cartridge ad in fact prefer the .308 however the cost of the trip proved to be too great and then things changed work wise to it remains a pipe dream. Atleast i will have a choice of suitable rifles if it ever comes up again  .

Now to .270 I do like  but one has to agree that there is more bullet choice in .28/7mm than in .270. Here in the UK it's 130, 140 or 150 grain. I did once pick up some Remington 100 Gr PSP's but never saw them offered again and the Remington importers here are pretty much a waste of space. In .28 cal 7mm well you can get the 175's 160's a50/a54's 140, 139 and even 120's that i have seen on the shelves.

The .280 will be interesting  I did breifly consider keeping it as a 7x64 but decided to follow my original plan for the .280AI.