280 AI Reamer Question

[wwbrown]

I have a 280 AI reamer that I had spec'ed for the original version rather than the SAAMI version. I bought the reamer to chamber one of my F-class guns and wanted to be able to use Lapua 30-06 as the parent brass, the combination has worked fantastic. I bought a matching headspace gauge and had custom dies made.

I am building a hunting rifle and I will take it out of the country and I want the headstamp on the brass to match the cartridge designation on the barrel in case a border officer looks. Currently the brass says 30-06, yes I could label the barrel 30-06 as some have recommended I would rather not do that since in this case there is a workaround.

As I understand it the shoulder on SAAMI round is 0.014" shorter than the traditional 280 AI, I understand that there is no standard on the original so the 0.014" will not be that case on all rifles. I would like to use the reamer I have instead of purchasing another, I only barrel my own rifles so don't want to buy or rent another reamer if I can use the one I have.

Can I use the original 280 AI reamer and keep the depth of the cut to 0.014 shorter than I would if I cut an original chamber?

Thanks
wade

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have a 280 AI reamer that I had spec'ed for the original version rather than the SAAMI version. I bought the reamer to chamber one of my F-class guns and wanted to be able to use Lapua 30-06 as the parent brass, the combination has worked fantastic. I bought a matching headspace gauge and had custom dies made.

I am building a hunting rifle and I will take it out of the country and I want the headstamp on the brass to match the cartridge designation on the barrel in case a border officer looks. Currently the brass says 30-06, yes I could label the barrel 30-06 as some have recommended I would rather not do that since in this case there is a workaround.

As I understand it the shoulder on SAAMI round is 0.014" shorter than the traditional 280 AI, I understand that there is no standard on the original so the 0.014" will not be that case on all rifles. I would like to use the reamer I have instead of purchasing another, I only barrel my own rifles so don't want to buy or rent another reamer if I can use the one I have.

Can I use the original 280 AI reamer and keep the depth of the cut to 0.014 shorter than I would if I cut an original chamber?

Thanks
wade

No it will throw off the taper and base measurements. If you get a custom die done you can

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I have a 280 AI reamer that I had spec'ed for the original version rather than the SAAMI version. I bought the reamer to chamber one of my F-class guns and wanted to be able to use Lapua 30-06 as the parent brass, the combination has worked fantastic. I bought a matching headspace gauge and had custom dies made.

I am building a hunting rifle and I will take it out of the country and I want the headstamp on the brass to match the cartridge designation on the barrel in case a border officer looks. Currently the brass says 30-06, yes I could label the barrel 30-06 as some have recommended I would rather not do that since in this case there is a workaround.

As I understand it the shoulder on SAAMI round is 0.014" shorter than the traditional 280 AI, I understand that there is no standard on the original so the 0.014" will not be that case on all rifles. I would like to use the reamer I have instead of purchasing another, I only barrel my own rifles so don't want to buy or rent another reamer if I can use the one I have.

Can I use the original 280 AI reamer and keep the depth of the cut to 0.014 shorter than I would if I cut an original chamber?

Thanks
wade

I've debated this on here in the past and not gonna do it again but I will just leave this here for you to read. It's an article by Fred Zeglin, owner of 4d reamers.
https://gunsmithtalk.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/280-ackley-improved-emperical-headspace-test/

 

[wwbrown]

Thanks for the replies!

Fred's article was interesting, it is great that I can come here and get advice from people who have more experience in this field than I could gain in two more lifetimes.

wade

 

[Clark]

I bought from PTG

65e36c75 557493 P5672295

[.]280 Ackley Improved (SAAMI) Chamber Reamer - Choose Pilot Type : Solid Pilot, Choose Reamer Type : Finisher

$105.00​

I bought Nosler 280AI brass:

.280 Rem Ackley Imp. (Remington Ackley Improved) Brass

In-stock best prices for 280 Rem Ackley Imp. (Remington Ackley Improved) Brass | Cheap 280 Rem Ackley Imp. (Remington Ackley Improved) Brass - AmmoSeek.com

ammoseek.com

I shot deer and antelope with my 280AIs.

I built 280AI rifles on:

1) 1949 win M70
2) 1982 Sav 110

I bought a 2018 factory rifle:
1) 2018 Kimber 84L 280AI


The cost of the reamer and the cost of brass are down in the noise in the cost of building those rifles.