brass for 280AI

[Big Bob]

I am having a 280AI built and I would like to get some help on what would be the best brass to buy ?

Thanks for any help.

 

[flatlander]

I started out fireforming some old R-P 7mm Express - because that's what I had on hand. Got some new R-P 280, and have had good results while fireforming it. Bought a 50ct box of Nosler Custom 280 to fireform, and got excellent accuracy out of S140 Game Kings with that brass - hope it's got tough enough caseheads to keep primer pockets tight for extended use, especially if it shoots as good fully formed as it did while FF'ing. RWS made 280 brass - I bought several 20ct boxes of it, after a friend who shoots 1000yd BR told me how good that stuff is. Don't know if they're still making or importing it, but that's another brand worth looking at.

Can't give any details on how long-lived any of these brands will turn out to be - most of the shooting I've done to date with my 280 AI has been fireforming.

 

[lhead71]

+1 on fire forming. I fire form mine from RP brass as well and I have a few cases with over 8 loadings on them, and i just began to anneal those.

 

[Big Bob]

Nosler makes 280AI brass has anyone tried those ?

 

[jonbearman]

Why not stop the presses and have the reamer spec'ed out for fireformed lapua 30-06 which will require a slightly shorter neck.It has been discussed many times before and expiper is the one who taught me about the concept.Dave Kiff will fill you in or expiper.

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi Big Bob,hi all

Bob why can't you,or won't you (???)try factory 280 Norma cartridges if you can find some(I reckon 4 boxes would go a long way)shoot them in your 280 AI and fireform them,and then reload them plain and simple?Is your 280 AI chamber going to prevent you from going that route or is there something else?That's what I would do.Hope it helps,good shooting to all and please stay safe....If you can't find Norma but come accross Sellier/Bellot 280 rounds,get them,they're good and quite cheap!!!!

 

[Big Bob]

Clod-NC,

That's a great idea, if I can only find the Norma 280 ammo.

Although it's really expensive, what do you think of Nosler 280AI brass ?

Many thanks,
Bob

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi Bob,hi all

Thanks Bob,my pleasure mate. Sorry but I have no idea how good the Nosler brass are.Supposed to be quite good from what I read,allegedly made by Hornady in fact,though I'm not too sure of this info...Sellier/Bellot brass is good,that's what I shoot in my 7x64(euro elder sister caliber to 280),they're really fine and affordable,of course you would still have to fireform them but then you'd be all set. Check Cabelas and the likes,you might find some there.They also(S/B I mean)sell empty brass in 20ct bags,see if you can find some....Good luck and good shooting.

 

[germanlongbow]

Bob: Let me know if you can't find any. I have several boxes of Nosler 280AI. So far brass if working out great. I anneal mine every other load but no problems after 4 loads. Scott

 

[Big Bob]

Many thanks.

 

[Big Bob]

DEAR Clod-NC,

I finally ordered, 100, Norma brass cases.
I also ordered 100 Sierra 140 gr bullets for case fireforming.
I have been told that Norma brass is too soft, but that has not been true in the case of my 300WSM.

Anyway that's what I ordered and is what I'm fixin to do.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi Bob,hi all

Well,mate,I see you got a nice solution to your problem...Great!I reckon you must have paid quite dear for them but then you put your hands on allegedly the best available so why regret it?if you plan to turn necks you will have to do it twice,one before the first firing and one after the second firing,go slow,and be patient,don't blow it;If you need good advice as to what to do to fireform properly,check with Catshooter on this forum,he sure knows what he's talking about. Good luck and stay safe.My last suggestion if you still haven't decided on what brand of neck turner you will get(if you ever plan to),check both PMA and 21st Century.Always get you cutter with an angle bigger than your case shoulder,in your case should be 45°,and don't let your cutter go too deep into the shoulder on the 1st cut,just hardly touch it will be OK.Hope it helps.If in doubt just ask....

 

[kev77]

Hello,Bob

I have and shoot 280Ai in f-class. I bought a thousand pieces of Nosler brass when i built my rifle,brass quality is very good. I get 7-8 firings as a minimum shooting 180gr bullets at 2950-3000 fps on a 32" barrel.I have tried fire forming 280 brass to 208AI but not as good as the nosler stuff.
If I were to do it again I would get a reamer built to use 30-06 Lapua brass, why? because it might handle pressure a little better, maybe.

 

[wwbrown]

Why not stop the presses and have the reamer spec'ed out for fireformed lapua 30-06 which will require a slightly shorter neck.It has been discussed many times before and expiper is the one who taught me about the concept.Dave Kiff will fill you in or expiper.

This is the route I went for my 280 AI so I could use Lapua brass. Maybe I am superstitious but I do not like building a competition gun that does not use Lapua brass.

I can't tell you what the results are as I have not reamed and installed the barrel yet, but I intend to shoot this as my LR F-Open gun for the upcoming season.

wade

 

[kev77]

WWBROWN,

Do you have a reamer print or spec in mind.Will it be based on the sammi or the true ackly chamber 14th longer at sholder when the lapua brass is fire formed. Any thoughts?