Fire forming

[bigdumboy]

Ok these are some examples of the brass maybe just to worried about getting it right the first time. Comments would be helpful sometimes I over think things

 

[lancetkenyon]

I have had (and loaded for) a few Ackleys, and a bunch of other rifles with improved chambers in wildcats that emulate Ackleys.
.22-250AI
.243AI
.250AI
.25-06AI
6.5SLR
.260AI (and building another now)
6.5SS (×3 with 800+ rounds of fire forming)
6.5-.280AI
6.5-06AI
7SS
.280AI
.30-06AI
.300NMI

I seat jammed to lands .003". Moderate to top charge weight for the parent case in most instances unless they don't have a parent case. I usually get 95% or more formed cases. Enough that 2nd firing doesn't make hardly any changes.

 

[Pauleye]

Just my opinion, but I was going to form 280 AI, but looked at brass and realized it's easier and cheaper to buy the brass and not go through primers, powder and bullets.

 

[jdyoung]

Given the current "here today, gone tomorrow" situation of retailer component stocks, I wouldn't "waste" bullets by "Jam fireforming."
I would create a false shoulder and then use the COW method to fireform the cases . When you go to the range you can get down to business developing that accurate load.
Don't forget to anneal.

 

[del2les]

Lots of good info already posted, but I will throw in my experiences.

I've formed several AI's and other in my life, and I have used most every method posted. The COW and false shoulder with fast pistol powder saves components and throat wear, but also, I have used bullets jammed, lead and jacketed, with a proper load of pistol powder to reach the correct pressures (Lyman cast bullet manual helps). Also, I have loaded with hunting/target bullets and a top end load of rifle powder and used those loads to practice at the range, varmint shoot, etc, etc. Many times, they are very accurate even in the forming stages, so I did not feel I had wasted the components.

With today's component shortage/costs and if one does not have a fair stockpile on hand, I would lean more toward the COW-pistol powder method for initial forming. YMMV

 

[Chas1]

I fire my 338 AX a second time for perfect fit to my chamber.

 

[bigdumboy]

Just my opinion, but I was going to form 280 AI, but looked at brass and realized it's easier and cheaper to buy the brass and not go through primers, powder and bullets.

No one makes 25-06 ai brass just one company that I found but not at $5.50 per case

 

[DeadmansPoint]

Can someone post a step by step for the COW method? I'm forming for a 300 Norma Mag Improved and I get a lil' squirrelly filling that case up with a fast powder.

 

[FEENIX]

Ackley's design concept is to able to shoot factory loads. In my .270 AI rifle, I have accuracy load for .270 Win and AI. Why complicate it unnecessarily?

I establish a false shoulder and use the COW method only if it is too big of a jump, i.e., from .35 Whelen to .30 Gibbs.

From L-R:
1. .35 Whelen virgin brass
2. Established false shoulder with .30 Gibbs sizing die prior to COW method.

(11g of WSF, COW to the shoulder area, and stuffed with a cotton ball).




3. After the COW method.
4. Fire-formed off the chamber with a full load.

 

[bigdumboy]

I fire my 338 AX a second time for perfect fit to my chamber.

Do you just neck size it or full length?

 

[bengineer]

I use around 20% case volume of pistol powder below a lee dipper of CoW. Then a measured piece (1/9th for 25-26 calibers)of tp as a wad to hold things together. DO NOT shoot through a brake!!

Fill a case completely with your fast powder of choice. Weigh the powder. Use a fraction of that, working up until you get good fill out. You can also play with the CoW volume and the tp size, both depend on case volume and bore diameter.

 

[Mike Matteson]

Ackley chambers are designed a bit short in head spacing for a slight interference, just for fire forming.
On firing the body-shoulder junction moves forward to increase shoulder angle. When it does this, it pulls the neck-shoulder junction back a bit, for near perfect form.
You shouldn't need to jam bullets for this.

Depending on how the chamber was set up. A 280AI case to the shoulder is a little longer than most. I am having a 6mm/280AI rifle being built presently. We see how that works. I have been thinking about rechambering my 25/06's to that 280AI size case length, and getting a reamer built for that. I have 500 280AI cases on order from Peterson. When that going to filled, is anybody guess. I have new Lapua and Peterson case new in either 270 and 30/06 on hand. Nosler builds 280AI case, but they want $2. per case, which I feel is out of line.

 

[Gibbshooter43]

No one makes 25-06 ai brass just one company that I found but not at $5.50 per case

One company that dies make the brass already formed is Quality Cartrdge. Give Pete a call at 301-373-3719.

 

[BigDon]

Depending on how the chamber was set up. A 280AI case to the shoulder is a little longer than most. I am having a 6mm/280AI rifle being built presently. We see how that works. I have been thinking about rechambering my 25/06's to that 280AI size case length, and getting a reamer built for that. I have 500 280AI cases on order from Peterson. When that going to filled, is anybody guess. I have new Lapua and Peterson case new in either 270 and 30/06 on hand. Nosler builds 280AI case, but they want $2. per case, which I feel is out of line.

Why go to all that trouble and expense? Just go with a 25 Sherman and get exactly what you just described!