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280 Rem Imp 40° Dies

gunsmithtalk.wordpress.com July 17 2012. Please check out this article. It shows that if the original Ackley chamber was done correctly, there is no difference. People have been believing internet rumor. It even states that the .014 measuremen is not done in the same place. I’m not trying to argue, just trying to help others.
That is not entirely accurate, My chamber cast has the exact dimensions as the original Ackley drawing and I blow primers. When I contact Nosler they tell me that, yes, using the Nosler cases out of the box, in traditional chambers creates too much headspace. Redding also stated that yes, there was a reason for the +.014 shell holder and yes, the early dies were different than the SAAMI dies. I have read a lot of articles by people stating there is no difference but that doesn't explain why, when Hornady, Nosler and now Federal factory loads are shot in traditional / early chambers, it causes primer / high pressure issues. There have been way too many instances of it to not believe there is a difference in the two chambers. If they were the same, why not use the traditional reamer still today for SAAMI chambers ? Your statement would imply that they would be the same reamers. It's not internet rumor when ammo manufacturers and die makers tell you, there is a difference.
 

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That is not entirely accurate, My chamber cast has the exact dimensions as the original Ackley drawing and I blow primers. When I contact Nosler they tell me that, yes, using the Nosler cases out of the box, in traditional chambers creates too much headspace. Redding also stated that yes, there was a reason for the +.014 shell holder and yes, the early dies were different than the SAAMI dies. I have read a lot of articles by people stating there is no difference but that doesn't explain why, when Hornady, Nosler and now Federal factory loads are shot in traditional / early chambers, it causes primer / high pressure issues. There have been way too many instances of it to not believe there is a difference in the two chambers. If they were the same, why not use the traditional reamer still today for SAAMI chambers ? Your statement would imply that they would be the same reamers. It's not internet rumor when ammo manufacturers and die makers tell you, there is a difference.
Do a search on here and youll see a thread that was about like a cleaning solvent one. Naysayers that never owned one and people saying their brass was .014 short, sorely disappointed that the shiny new correct headstamp brass didnt work. Nosler caught heat and started making 280rem brass that works in the old chambers fine. You even had the guy that grinds the reamers come on and say theyre different, pretty much what would you know about this- you are just a reamer maker, what would you know about the differences? And redding made 2 sets of dies for them for a while just to have different labels i guess
 
You guys who believe there's no difference are drinking the koolaid. Load both and put them in YOUR rifle and then tell me there's no difference.
 
You guys who believe there's no difference are drinking the koolaid. Load both and put them in YOUR rifle and then tell me there's no difference.
Hey i loaded up 11lbs of them and was so happy i could finally go thru customs with the correct headstamp that matches the barrel marking and was actually the right chamber. Had to hunt plains animals with a 375ruger
 
That is not entirely accurate, My chamber cast has the exact dimensions as the original Ackley drawing and I blow primers. When I contact Nosler they tell me that, yes, using the Nosler cases out of the box, in traditional chambers creates too much headspace. Redding also stated that yes, there was a reason for the +.014 shell holder and yes, the early dies were different than the SAAMI dies. I have read a lot of articles by people stating there is no difference but that doesn't explain why, when Hornady, Nosler and now Federal factory loads are shot in traditional / early chambers, it causes primer / high pressure issues. There have been way too many instances of it to not believe there is a difference in the two chambers. If they were the same, why not use the traditional reamer still today for SAAMI chambers ? Your statement would imply that they would be the same reamers. It's not internet rumor when ammo manufacturers and die makers tell you, there is a difference.


I

I own both and SAAMI spec 280AI case length is 2.525" same with non spec. That's it! For my none spec 280AI I use Redding #75428 and die is marked 280 IMP 40 and die I use for SAAMI spec is Redding body die # 75428 and die is marked 280AI Improved. I can not chamber Spec in non spec or non spec in Spec but I can fire new Nosler or Peterson case in both rifles and fire form 280 case in both.

I own 35 WhelenAI,243AI and 222AI and all three case length is same as parent case and that what Dave Manson was posting about.

They should of never change from old to new as Sierra and Nolser had loading data for 280 IMP 40 dies.
 
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I am new to the site and got on for information on reloading for my new Cooper in 280ai(saami). I ordered a set of Lee Pacesetter dies that were advertised as 280 Ackley Improved. It didn't say anything about 40* shoulder on the ad, but inside the set it specifically says not for saami chambers but for the original 28AI. Do I need to get a different die set or is there a way to use this set? I've read a lot of the discussions over the chambers being the same or not. Don't want to take a chance on messing up.
 
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I am new to the site and got on for information on reloading for my new Cooper in 280ai(saami). I ordered a set of Lee Pacesetter dies that were advertised as 280 Ackley Improved. It didn't say anything about 40* shoulder on the ad, but inside the set it specifically says not for saami chambers but for the original 28AI. Do I need to get a different die set or is there a way to use this set? I've read a lot of the discussions over the chambers being the same or not. Don't want to take a chance on messing up.
Contact Cooper and ask what dies work with their chamber.

The 280 Ackley is a great round. The die situation, while confusing at first, makes sense once you understand the chamber differences.

Good shootin'. :) -Al
 
Im new here but reading this I can’t help breath a sigh...been there unfortunately...I asked the very same question and got a whole load of different answers regarding the die I have...
 

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Thanks for the info. I guess I just needed some confirmation on what I was believing out the differing opinions.
 
Dusty, I went through this with a pal's 280 Ackley.....Ive traveled this road before. ;)
What Nosler and Redding did on SAMMI-ing this case was actually the best move, given all the earlier versions.
Good shootin'. -Al
I agree, I finally made one for myself now that's is standardized. The beef seems to be that pre SAAMI can't use Factory Ammo or Brass. No one complained about fire forming back then so what's the problem now? The reduction in case volume?

Hater's gonna hate.
 
Will the "old" size dies work on the "new" SAAMI chambers? It seems like it would just need to be backed off a bit but I am sure I am missing something.
 
There is a 280 Improved with a 30 degree shoulder and I have one and a set of dies, also I have a 280 Ackley and trust me they are NOT the same, there is also a 7mm Gibbs, which I think once in a while has been called 280 Gibbs a whole other animal
 
Another option for a fix would be to set the barrel back and rechamber with the SAAMI spec version and use dies you can find. Probably wouldn't be much more if any than a custom set of dies. Lee and Hornady make a .280 Ackley die set you can buy for under $50 bucks.
 
Get you some Rl23 and it will be more like 200FPS easy.
That 200fps extra with the 280 AI and Re23 is assuming if you go by the anemic 280 loads in most manuals. If loaded to the same pressures, the result will usually be less than 100fps. I've seen more variance between barrels chambered for the same cartridge.
 
Do a search on these forums. There was a very long thread arguing about the differences. Dave Kiff showed that there wasn’t really a difference. He said the datum was just measured differently. I don’t recall how many years ago, but approximately 6-8. I think the reason people got confused was in the max to minimum tolerance.
If there wasn't a difference, Redding wouldn't have two different sizing dies or provide a different shell holder so people could use the newer SAMMI spec brass with the original 280 Improved 40 dies. I have a set of both. Those sized with the traditional dies, will not chamber in my SAAMI chamber. I can't use Nosler or Peterson 280 Ackley brass in my traditional chambers unless I either open cases to 30 cal then resize with my traditional dies, or seat my bullets out for a tight jam into the rifling.
 
280 Ackley is Jarrett Rifles most popular chambering next to 300 Jarrett. l think they have both type 280 Ackley dies also in stock. Ask for Brian @ Jarretts for ALL your 280 Ackley needs
 
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Will the "old" size dies work on the "new" SAAMI chambers? It seems like it would just need to be backed off a bit but I am sure I am missing something.
Yes, you can use a feeler gauge and set your dies with a .014 gap between your shell holder and die. It will get you close enough to work.
 

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