Forming 280 Remington brass

[DRM7997]

So I just dropped of a 98 byf mauser action to be rebarreled to 280 Remington.

I've stared looking for dies and other reloading components. I'm having trouble finding brass or factory ammo. Already have bullets and powder since I load for 7mm mauser.

So what I'm wondering is how difficult it would be to form 280 out of 30-06. I've reformed 30-06 brass to 35 whelen and 9.3x57 mauser before. I know the shoulder is further forward on 280 but was thinking of reforming to 35 whelen 1st and then to 280 creating a false shoulder. At this point loading and fire forming the rest of the way. Not sure if I should use cream of wheat method or just load some live ammo?

Any suggestions, advice, and more info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[LoonWulf]

The.30-06 is shorter than the .280 by a bit. It might work fine just have a kinda short neck.
If you want to form from another case in the family id use the .270.....BUT Im remembering the shoulder of the .270 being a bit farther back than the .280 meaning youd have to go to 30 cal or so and neck back down to heaspace the cases for fire forming, or load your bullets out into the lands for the first shot.

I have a pretty good supply of federal .280 brass I've fired in my 280AI. Id be happy to send you some, but youd probably want to anneal them before returning them to standard 280 dimensions.

 

[DRM7997]

I appreciate the offer but I'll pass for now. I'm going to continue to look for some factory ammo to use for my barrel break in and see if I can find some new brass. I'm going to continue to search for more info on the possibility of reforming 30-06.

Thanks for your reply, offer, and the info.

 

[Flycaster1977]

I have a bag of new winchester nickle plated in 280. Pm if your interested. I also have a fl die set.

 

[stringnut]

If forming from another case you are going to be working your brass a lot no matter how you do it. Not sure if you could blow the shoulder that much with the cream of wheat method no matter what you use as your base case.

Another issue is some that is neck now will end up being shoulder. That is a huge difference in diameter. May end up with the brass being quite thin.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I think I have a bag of 280 somewhere, let me know if you want it. I don’t have a 280 yet

 

[Legionnaire]

30-06 will work, but as @LoonWulf pointed out, your necks will be short. That will contribute to throat erosion, especially with close to max loads.

 

[Shaggy357]

Piece of cake. Make sure sizer die sizes brass so firm bolt throw on first firing.
Note the false shoulder on the brass. Moderate load has killed a deer and forms the shoulder nicely.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Piece of cake. Make sure sizer die sizes brass so firm bolt throw on first firing. View attachment 1013699View attachment 1013700
Note the false shoulder on the brass. Moderate load has killed a deer and forms the shoulder nicely.

kill a deer and form a brass at the same time! WIN WIN

anybody ever try to smoke a deer? like hog?

 

[Shaggy357]

Smoked jerky, smoked pepperoni are the only deer. Elk we also did summer sausage.

 

[JFrank]

The.30-06 is shorter than the .280 by a bit. It might work fine just have a kinda short neck.
If you want to form from another case in the family id use the .270.....BUT Im remembering the shoulder of the .270 being a bit farther back than the .280 meaning youd have to go to 30 cal or so and neck back down to heaspace the cases for fire forming, or load your bullets out into the lands for the first shot.

I have a pretty good supply of federal .280 brass I've fired in my 280AI. Id be happy to send you some, but youd probably want to anneal them before returning them to standard 280 dimensions.

OR have it chambered to the 280 Ackley and dont look back.

 

[DRM7997]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their responses. What I'm gathering is its doable but may not be the best route to go. Not sure if I'm going to attempt it or not. If I do I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes.

Thanks again

 

[Jerry M]

IMHO there is no need to open up a 30-06 further than it is. When you get your rifle, set the sizing did so that just enough neck is sized to (slight crush fit) into the chamber. Load some cheap bullets to fireform the cases. Once you have the required number of cases formed, reset your die to the chamber. A chamber gauge would be very helpful in this exercise.