280 ack imp 40 degrees vs Nosler brass

[rharfo]

According to several sites Nosler went with a different head space on their SAAMI approved brass over the "standard" 280 Rem Ack Imp 40 degrees. Has anyone safely fired and reloaded the Nosler brass in their 40 degree chamber?
Thanks

 

[cowboy]

Yes - we are using strictly Nosler brass in 2 different 280ai's. No problem, in fact we prefer Nosler brass way more than fire forming. The problem with the Nosler SAAMI spec versus the AI dimentions is not in the brass - so make sure you have the correct sizing die that matches your barrel - that is where the rubber meets the road.

 

[rharfo]

Thanks Cowboy,
I sent off a email to Dakota Arms ref my new 97 Hunter and Red Hawk Rifles who is building my son a 280 AI. Both of them advised they chamber for the 40 degrees version which is what my Redding dies are for. So it sounds like I can get away with using the Nosler brass I already have? If so thats good news. Thanks

 

[midnightmalloy]

Yes worked fine in mine but its soft and loosened the primer pockets fairly quick.

 

[TOM H]

I use Nosler brass in my 280AI haven't had any problems yet and been using Fed 215M primers.

 

[eddybo]

I have used it in a half dozen or more 280s with the old chamber and a few with the saami spec chamber. Never had a problem until recently. I bought some new brass recently and it is shorter than the older lots I have had by at least .006.

 

[woods]

I have an older 280AI done by Hart and before all the hoopla about the new SAAMI specs came out, I tried the Nosler 280AI brass. It resulted in severely flattened primers

This was with a known medium pressure load. No other harm done although there was probably extra thinning at the pressure ring which can be controlled by minimum shoulder setback when sizing fired cases

 

[TOM H]

Woods, this is the post about what your talking about

280 Ackley Improved Alert | GunsmithTalk


This is new post from gunsmithtalk

280 Ackley Improved Emperical Headspace Test | GunsmithTalk

 

[varmintH8R]

Tom,

I'm not sure if you are the one who originally sent me link #2, but it was eye-opening and makes sense. Fire forming is a PITA, and I'd like to avoid it in the future (was hesitant due to headspace/SAAMI spec concerns). I'd like to run an experiment and post my results, but I'll need a LRH friend to help out:

I have a Cooper M52 in 280AI that Cooper swears was chambered to the "original"P.O. Ackley dimensions. I fireformed a bunch of Norma brass and that is what I am using to load. If someone is willing to send me one or two pieces of virgin Nosler 280AI brass, I will measure them side by side with my fireformed brass and post the results here. I will, of course, send your brass back (unfired, for all of you who are scam sensitive). If you are interested shoot me a PM and we'll make arrangements.

 

[TOM H]

Tom,

I'm not sure if you are the one who originally sent me link #2, but it was eye-opening and makes sense. Fire forming is a PITA, and I'd like to avoid it in the future (was hesitant due to headspace/SAAMI spec concerns). I'd like to run an experiment and post my results, but I'll need a LRH friend to help out:

I have a Cooper M52 in 280AI that Cooper swears was chambered to the "original"P.O. Ackley dimensions. I fireformed a bunch of Norma brass and that is what I am using to load. If someone is willing to send me one or two pieces of virgin Nosler 280AI brass, I will measure them side by side with my fireformed brass and post the results here. I will, of course, send your brass back (unfired, for all of you who are scam sensitive). If you are interested shoot me a PM and we'll make arrangements.

No, it wasn't me that send you that. If you have a Nosler manual they have diagram of their 280AI.

you have PM on the Nosler brass.

 

[yawn]

I might be able to save you the trouble as Iv been using nosler brass in a M52 cooper 280ai for a few years now and head space is fine. New brass vs fired shows no increase in length. I have some brass here that's over 12 x fired.

 

[TOM H]

I might be able to save you the trouble as Iv been using nosler brass in a M52 cooper 280ai for a few years now and head space is fine. New brass vs fired shows no increase in length. I have some brass here that's over 12 x fired.

Thanks

 

[eddybo]

I might be able to save you the trouble as Iv been using nosler brass in a M52 cooper 280ai for a few years now and head space is fine. New brass vs fired shows no increase in length. I have some brass here that's over 12 x fired.

I agree with you on the older nosler brass. The shoulders were kinda rounded allowing it to be used in either chamber. I bought some out of what I think is the most recent lot and it is shorter than any I have measured in the past by at least .006. It is not like most factory ammo is not at least that roomy, but I have not yet so I am not going to recommend anyone use it until I do.

 

[TOM H]

I have used it in a half dozen or more 280s with the old chamber and a few with the saami spec chamber. Never had a problem until recently. I bought some new brass recently and it is shorter than the older lots I have had by at least .006.

I seen your last post and pictures. I've got some of the older 280AI in it will vary in case length and I think some of that is case is not really formed at the shoulders. You can mike the dia at the shoulders and find that will vary also.

If you think the cases are off call Nosler give them the run # or send cases back to them.`