CountGlockulla
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Anyone here reloading the .280 rem and just necking down .30-06 cases? Do you find them to short or has it not been a problem?
280 Rem Question
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Ridgerunner665
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Why not use 270 brass? Should be just as easy to find and its longer (being that its based on the original 30-03 case)
CountGlockulla
Member
That was my second thought but first choice was .30-06 because Lapua makes it.
I did run into a guy who used .270 brass but he had his smith cut his .280 chamber 50 thousandths short to acommodate.
Ill look into it:
I did run into a guy who used .270 brass but he had his smith cut his .280 chamber 50 thousandths short to acommodate.
Ill look into it:
Ridgerunner665
Member
There is this...it seems to make sense...but I've never done it.
Run a .338 or .35 expander thru the '06 brass mouth, then size with the .280 rem die to create a "false shoulder" on the '06 brass. size the newly necked-up case in your .280 dies until it justs chambers in your rifle, then load and fireform using a suitable starter load for .280 rem...don't be afraid to lube the case mouth!
The step you created allows the brass to flow forward providing brass properly formed for your chamber.
Run a .338 or .35 expander thru the '06 brass mouth, then size with the .280 rem die to create a "false shoulder" on the '06 brass. size the newly necked-up case in your .280 dies until it justs chambers in your rifle, then load and fireform using a suitable starter load for .280 rem...don't be afraid to lube the case mouth!
The step you created allows the brass to flow forward providing brass properly formed for your chamber.
CountGlockulla
Member
Excellent explanation. Thank you.
My third thought was to go .280AI and buy the Norma brass off the shelf. The obvious disadvantage being that I am beholden to one manufacturer of brass if I didn't feel like taking all the necessary steps to fireform.
My third thought was to go .280AI and buy the Norma brass off the shelf. The obvious disadvantage being that I am beholden to one manufacturer of brass if I didn't feel like taking all the necessary steps to fireform.
jakk280rem
Member
Just wondering why off the shelf 280 brass doesn't work for you? midway shows norma and nosler in stock.
DM~
Member
I've made a pile of 280's out of 270 brass. (fireformed) I did it because the 270 brass held more powder that 280's...
I don't like the neck up/neck down method, because it works the brass a lot and you really need to aneal it soon after. Also you can get thick n thin necks... I much prefer fire forming brass...
These days, i'd just buy the "right" brass in the first place!
DM
I don't like the neck up/neck down method, because it works the brass a lot and you really need to aneal it soon after. Also you can get thick n thin necks... I much prefer fire forming brass...
These days, i'd just buy the "right" brass in the first place!
DM
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Coal Dragger
member
As DM~ suggested, just buy the right brass in the first place. It's easier, and ultimately once you factor in what your time is worth probably cheaper too.
I've made 280 out of 06 by fire-forming it; 06 is after all the parent cartridge! worked fine. I don't know anything about 270. I do however know that 280 brass is still available and reasonably priced since pop culture marketing hasn't realized how awesome the 280 is!
CountGlockulla
Member
Those of y'all shooting .280, have you been able to drive 160-170 gr bullets to 2800 fps?
Coal Dragger
member
CountGlockulla,
I can't speak directly to the .280 and driving 160-175gr bullets at 2800fps since I shoot a .280 Ackley Improved, however at least with 160gr bullets that should be possible. In fact according to the Nosler reloading manual 6th edition 2800fps is well within the normal range of many slower burning rifle powders like MagPro, RL19, IMR4350, and IMR4831.
For your own information if you ever decide you want your chamber reamed out to the .280 AI you can expect right around 3000fps for a 160gr bullet.
175gr bullets will end up just shy of a target velocity of 2800fps in the .280, and just over 2800 fps in the .280 AI. At least according to the nice folks at Nosler.
I can't speak directly to the .280 and driving 160-175gr bullets at 2800fps since I shoot a .280 Ackley Improved, however at least with 160gr bullets that should be possible. In fact according to the Nosler reloading manual 6th edition 2800fps is well within the normal range of many slower burning rifle powders like MagPro, RL19, IMR4350, and IMR4831.
For your own information if you ever decide you want your chamber reamed out to the .280 AI you can expect right around 3000fps for a 160gr bullet.
175gr bullets will end up just shy of a target velocity of 2800fps in the .280, and just over 2800 fps in the .280 AI. At least according to the nice folks at Nosler.
I have in the past used brass marked "7mm Rem Express", as it was an effort by Remington in the early '80's to revive the .280. I have seen only a couple of 700's so marked, but if you ever stumble upon some of those cases or loaded rounds they should chamber the same.
280shooter
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I tried using 270 brass for making 280.. my first shot had gas and spent primer back in my face,, I thought I blew up my Winchester.after that first shot, I pulled powder and bullet. and turned that 270 brass into 8 mm,,Now I did load the 270, like I would have loaded the 280 brass,,I guess I should have tried a better way to have fire formed the cases,, I would just buy 280 brass,, I have since traded for 280 once and new brass for a bunch of 30-06 brass..
DM~
Member
You have to use a spl. "fireform load", to make 280's out of 270's...
DM
DM
that is a lot of work to make one round. loading a muzzle loading flintlock is easier lol. is their a shortage of 280 brass?
Jim Watson
Member
You need to do either the "false shoulder" or a bullet seated into the rifling for fire forming.
.280 is .050" longer head to shoulder to keep you from cramming one into a .270.
It is not a 7mm '06 or .285 OKH.
Just neck .270 up or .30-06 down and you have .050" excess headspace. Not good
I remember the gunzine articles about intrepid hand loaders using WW .270 brass to make .280s with because it was thinner and harder so they could overload it more.
"Good as a 7mm Mag with bullets up to 154 grains." was a common claim.
Without pressure readings, of course.
.280 is .050" longer head to shoulder to keep you from cramming one into a .270.
It is not a 7mm '06 or .285 OKH.
Just neck .270 up or .30-06 down and you have .050" excess headspace. Not good
I remember the gunzine articles about intrepid hand loaders using WW .270 brass to make .280s with because it was thinner and harder so they could overload it more.
"Good as a 7mm Mag with bullets up to 154 grains." was a common claim.
Without pressure readings, of course.
CountGlockulla
Member
I should mention that this will be a a competition rifle. I fully plan on burning a barrel out in the first year. Ill need a good supply of easy obtained brass.
It's better to stick with 280 brass.Especially for competition,IMO.I have a very nice 280 that I had built many years ago,and it turns 3100 with 140's,and right at 3 with 150 gr SMK's.I know that almost all rifles are sub-MOA online,but this one prints 3 shot cloverleaf shaped holes any time I do my part.I had the chamber on the Shilen barrel kept tight and the throat is just a little longer than usual.If the 06 brass isn't fireformed just right,bad things will happen.As for 270's holding more powder,I can't answer that.I considered opening it up to an AI chambering,but it ain't broke,so why fix it.
CountGlockulla
Member
I think I'm going to go .284 win
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