I make a dummie round at zero off the lands for each bullet I load. So, it's easy to set it into the rifling. Did this today. Cases all moved the shoulder forward .oo6. Length of case stayed the same.
-
If you are being asked to change your password, and unsure how to do it, follow these instructions. Click here
280AI with too much head space...options?
- Thread starter Hayudog
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
25WSM
Well-Known Member
That's one way to make it work. Now just be careful how far you push the shoulder back when sizing. So you can call it a 280AI+
Shep
Shep
Fire forming plus one reload, no further shoulder movement. I'll probably be extra attentive with my notes on this rifle.That's one way to make it work. Now just be careful how far you push the shoulder back when sizing. So you can call it a 280AI+
Shep
BTW. The original gunsmith was a shop with multiple smiths working in it. I spoke with the actual gunsmith that worked on my gun. He straight up said, " if your not happy, we'll redo it". It would involve shipping, so for the time being, I'm going to run it. I know what it is, and will be mindful.
Again thanks for all the support.
Doug
I hope you find the answer to your problem. I've created two mildcats, and am in the process of creating a third. I draw the cartridge, determine the measurements of the case and have the reamer and headspace gauges made by Dave Manson. I then have Ben Syring at Hornady design the forming and reloading dies from the case drawing. When you as the originator of a shell provide all the measurements, the only avenue for failure is in those who made the tools for you to form the cases and cut the chamber.
25WSM
Well-Known Member
There was no failure in the tools used. The failure was the smith who didn't understand how an Ackley needs to be chambered. Your tools can all be perfect. But someone still has to know how to use them. This rifle is not perfect but it seems to belong to a competent reloader who understands what he has now. I would check and see how much the chamber is too deep and mark the barrel somewhere with a +.006 or whatever the number is. Just in case it goes to a new owner they will know. I'm getting ready to build another 280ai for myself. It's a dang nice cartridge. It's just about the perfect cartridge. Plenty of power. Lots of high bc bullets. Not bad on recoil. Not bad on barrels either. Very accurate. I really can't say one bad thing about it.
Good luck with it Doug.
Shep
Good luck with it Doug.Shep
shortgrass
Well-Known Member
As easy and simple as the 'fix' is for this, I'd have it set back for proper head space. Any firearm, rifle, shotgun or handgun, that you have to jump through hoops to shoot has far less value than one you don't (have to jump through hoops to shoot). Working up loads for a particular rifle is one thing, having to 'make' the cases first is another,,,,, especially for a hunting rifle. Rifles (or handguns or shotguns) used in competitions are another...
Thanks. Good info on marking the gun. It's already in my note book that I keep on each gun. I can see another 280AI in my future.There was no failure in the tools used. The failure was the smith who didn't understand how an Ackley needs to be chambered. Your tools can all be perfect. But someone still has to know how to use them. This rifle is not perfect but it seems to belong to a competent reloader who understands what he has now. I would check and see how much the chamber is too deep and mark the barrel somewhere with a +.006 or whatever the number is. Just in case it goes to a new owner they will know. I'm getting ready to build another 280ai for myself. It's a dang nice cartridge. It's just about the perfect cartridge. Plenty of power. Lots of high bc bullets. Not bad on recoil. Not bad on barrels either. Very accurate. I really can't say one bad thing about it.
Shep
I don't disagree. And that may be the final outcome.
Troutslayer2
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 28, 2010
- Messages
- 787
The problem is that the shoulder of the case in not indexing against the beginning of the shoulder of the chamber. That's how Ackley designed it To work. Have you tried using regular 280 brass instead of Nosler 280AI brass? The Nosler brass does not index against the chamber, or maybe does if it's a minimum headspace chamber which you don't have.
The 280 Rem factory ammo is the ones I've had fail to fire. All of my fire form cases that I seat the bullet touching the rifling have fired and formed correctly. I've now shot new Nosler 280AI brass, and it measures the exact same shoulder datum as fired 280 Rem brass that I loaded. All new Nosler 280 AI shoulders have moved .oo6 forward upon initial firing. And now they are stable.
Troutslayer2
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 28, 2010
- Messages
- 787
Weird. My shoulders were moving .014 farther when shooting Nosler brass in an older format and excessive headspace chamber. I never had failure to fire but like I said earlier- the web was getting so thin from just that first firing that I could and did have case head separation on my 2nd firings. I too was getting great accuracy out of the brand new brass so I just said F it and bought new brass every time which was an expensive way to get there.
25WSM
Well-Known Member
.014 is nothing to fire form forward if done properly. Look how far the Dasher is blown forward and getting 10 to 15 firings afterward. Once you knew it was . 014 long you should have fireformed properly from that point on. .014 is getting into the territory of making a false shoulder and fireforming from that. Plus you should use some light oil and slightly reduced load when forming. The oil and lighter load let the case slip back to the bolt face before the front expands forward. This keeps your web area thick and prevents case head separation. People have shot Gibbs and Dasher rifles for yrs with no issues from head
separation.
Shep
separation.
Shep
