.280 rechamber suggestions

[Justin M]

Im thinking about having my .280 rechambered, i dont have the capacity to reload, so im stuck with calibers i can get factory ammo for. I basically want to take this and turn a rig into something for long range  bench shooting/ groundhogs. This is  26" contour barrel. Was thinking about the 7mm STW but dunno if i could justify it over the 7mm mag.  What would you guys suggest?

[jeepmann1948]

The Handi SB2 frame will not take the pressure of the belted mag cases. Since you do not reload your best option is to leave it 280 and enjoy. It is a great round not that far behind the belted cases of 7mm fame.

[petemi]

I've gotta agree with jeepman, you've already got a great, long shooting rifle,  why mess with it.  Save your money and put it in reloading supplies and equipment,.  The .280 will do squirrels or bears....it's up to you.  Just make the ammo for what you want.

It aint rocket science.  I started reloading at 69 and am doing fine.  Shoulda started 50 years ago.

Pete

[quickdtoo]

What they said, there are some non-mag chamberings that are suitable for the SB2 frame, but they all require handloading and fire forming. Nosler offers 280 Ackley ammo, but to get a fixed barrel to work with it would require some barrel fitting to get there, it's not just a matter of rechambering the barrel, the barrel would have to have the chamber refaced effectively shortening the chamber, then shimmed to fit the frame, then rechambered. I've done it by hand on a 270 win, but barrel fitting to begin with isn't for everyone, but a good gunsmith could do it if you really want one. My 280 "Improved-Improved" Ultra was rechambered without the barrel set back, so the chamber is a bit bigger than a standard 280 Improved, it holds 3gr more water IIRC, you can see the difference between my chamber and Nosler 280 Ackley below, there's way too much headspace to use the Nosler ammo in my chamber, I doubt it would even fire.  I get an average of 3175fps with the Barnes 140gr TTSX in the 26" barrel. You're looking at ammo that's costs in the neighborhood of $50 a box too if you don't handload.

Tim

http://www.nosler.com/Ammunition/Trophy-Grade.aspx

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/178

[dpe.ahoy]

Tim, How long is the neck on your improved, improved case?  DP

[quickdtoo]

.302"

[Justin M]

a guy i wet to school with is a licensed gunsmith, I have nooo desire to mess with that stuff myself. Im going to take the rifle down to him and see what he thinks he can do with it. Come to think of it, he could probably work me some loads up as well.
Ill let yall know how this turns out. Anyone have any experience in converting a .17hmr to .17 fireball? If the .280 project falls thru, ive always wanted a fireball.

[quickdtoo]

Seems to me someone has done a 17 FB from a 17hmr, there have been some others done too, 17 Rem for sure, but be aware the rimfire barrels are 1137 mild steel compared to 4140 alloy of centerfire rifle barrels, throat life could be questionable in the rechambered rimfire barrels, I don't recollect anyone reporting a problem yet other than Larry's vertical stringing issue with the 17 Rem.

Tim

[gcrank1]

Having had a couple of soft RF barrels that were 'shot out' when converted to CF (though not in the caliber or brand here mentioned) I would advise against it. It will work for a while, then cause you 'wailing and gnashing of teeth' when it goes away.
If you are 'stuck' with factory ammo, stay with your original chambering, BUT,
You gotta start reloading,.....you just gotta; spend the money you are thinking about for this barrel project and just do it!
(you can thank us later)

[Dinny]

I did originally say 35 Whelen, but realized you only want to rechamber. Not much else to suggest that hasn't been already.


Thanks, Dinny

[Justin M]

somewhere tucked away at my dads place is an old press, maybe ill dig it out. Problem is ive got too many dang calibers and if i start i know ill have to have dies for all of them.  Oh well whats another addiction i mean hobby.

[billy_56081]

7MM Gibbs is about the max you can get out of that case.

[diddlyv]

Used to shoot high power with a guy that had a reminton 280 he shot 1000 yard matches.  Shot it one day threw a 9 at nine oclock.  Made the correction and the next round hit the X in the x ring.  Only tell the story to let you know the round will work at 1000 yards.