280 AI FL Die Donut

[slas]

Just got a Cooper 280 AI, and a nice Redding Deluxe Die Set (40 degree shoulder) and a new box of Nosler brass. So decided to make a modified case as part of my reloading prep. All went well but I deformed the case a bit tightening the jig, wouldn't chamber, so set up my new full length sizing die, added some lube to the case and ran it through. Afterwards had a completely unusable case with the dreaded donut. Not just a bit, but looked like the die shoved the neck down hard and there was no shoulder at all. The only time that's ever happened to me was when I ran the wrong case into the wrong die. Not sure what to think now. Didn't want to run another case through, being a bit stingy with those expensive cases, so I heated up the donut case and pulled the neck out with needle nose pliers while heating it with a small torch. After making it look like a half way normal again I cleaned and lubed a tad and ran it through again, after making sure I had followed all proper die set up instruction. Same thing, smashed neck down into case and created a donut.

Any advise?

 

[26Reload]

Wow...
if the brass IS 280ai and the dies ARE 280ai..fl touching the shell holder it obviously shouldn't crush the case.....
Other than cleaning the case did you clean out the die really well...breakfluid or alcohol works good...I can't remember if my Redding dies have portholes to allow air to escape...
How about putting a case into the shell holder and screwing it down until you make good contact wih the case...if the neck was bent out of shape that might have caused a lot of friction pressing down...
Guess I been fairly lucky...i usually get the first or second stuck in a new resizer and have to cut it out....when I screw up I do it well....
At least yours comes out......lol

 

[slas]

This was what it looked like after the second attempt. The die set appears brand new as the owner said he'd used it only about 10 cases. I only used a light spray on the lube, as I've previously done.

 

[slas]

Does anyone see anything wrong with this set?

 

[slas]

Another thing strange. If I take a new cartridge of another caliber and put it into the die and push a bit, you can feel it wedging up into it. With this die and the new 280 AI cartridge it's like the neck is stopped cold. By examining I can see why the neck is smashed down, it's like it never makes it into the neck channel. I've reloaded for years now and have yet to have a similar issue.

 

[26Reload]

Wow..that isn't a donut so much as it is a FUBAR...
but yes I have seen that before too...but not with a brand new case...and as $$$ as they are that is a BAD..FUBAR...
Definitely resized too much...if you have any spent cases thru the rifle I would measure them compared to the new..new should be shorter being unfired...but you have to work each piece to chamber size...
I fireformed some remington before I bought Nosler...was able to readjust the resizer accordingly....I definitely don't think it it because of lack of lube....

Just caught the mention of the neck....
Remove the neck sizing ball and and see if it runs in clear....
Shine your light and look for the obstruction....unless previous owner put a wrong resizing ball inside......

 

[lancetkenyon]

I had the same issue with my .280AI and new Redding die set. It wound up being the case neck was hitting at the end of the die when trying to size it. I trimmed length back to minimum trim length. Then, I backed out the die, and then adjusted it down about .002" at a time until I bumped the shoulder exact where I wanted it.

I called the new case design the 7mm Foreskin. You owe me royalties now for duplicating my case design.

 

[26Reload]

I had the same issue with my .280AI and new Redding die set. It wound up being the case neck was hitting at the end of the die when trying to size it. I trimmed length back to minimum trim length. Then, I backed out the die, and then adjusted it down about .002" at a time until I bumped the shoulder exact where I wanted it.

I called the new case design the 7mm Foreskin. You owe me royalties now for duplicating my case design.

Foreskin...that would be a interesting name for a rifle....
Maybe a .28FORESKIN

 

[slas]

I had the same issue with my .280AI and new Redding die set. It wound up being the case neck was hitting at the end of the die when trying to size it. I trimmed length back to minimum trim length. Then, I backed out the die, and then adjusted it down about .002" at a time until I bumped the shoulder exact where I wanted it.

I called the new case design the 7mm Foreskin. You owe me royalties now for duplicating my case design.

Yep, looks exactly the same. I know a lot of folks who preach doing a FL resize on all their new brass. Seems strange having to trim back to be able to do so, but will follow your lead. Thanks for the much needed info. I feel better knowing I'm not the only one who had the issue.....

 

[lancetkenyon]

Do you know how much ruining 2 case out of 200 drives me insane? Having 198 rounds and 2 empty spots in my plastic boxes brings out my inner OCD...

 

[Mikecr]

If you reamed a chamber for the 'Foreskin' design, you would never have to bump shoulders again. I like it.

 

[26Reload]

Do you know how much ruining 2 case out of 200 drives me insane? Having 198 rounds and 2 empty spots in my plastic boxes brings out my inner OCD...

CWD...waste of brass and money..and time ....and effort.......and.......

 

[J E Custom]

Buy a box of 280 remington and fire a few in your rifle. then set your dies up using the fireformed cases. only size enough to let your new brass chamber.

The 40o shoulders are sometimes bad about collapsing if over sized or to much neck tension is applied. Also check trim length of the fired cases buy inserting a bullet in it to guarantee the chamber is not to short.
The fired formed cases will tell you exactly what you chamber needs.

Also be sure you lube to necks before sizing.

J E CUSTOM

 

[longbowelk]

Buy a box of 280 remington and fire a few in your rifle. then set your dies up using the fireformed cases. only size enough to let your new brass chamber.

The 40o shoulders are sometimes bad about collapsing if over sized or to much neck tension is applied. Also check trim length of the fired cases buy inserting a bullet in it to guarantee the chamber is not to short.
The fired formed cases will tell you exactly what you chamber needs.

Also be sure you lube to necks before sizing.

J E CUSTOM
[/QUOTE In lubing the necks, are you saying lube inside the neck? Occasionally, when resizing my 280AI the sizer plunger gets stuck on the up strike. Have not run into this on regular caliber cases. I did take a brush with the sizer lube and run in the neck and it runs smooth if its coated good. Is it possible that there may be donuts formed inside that I'm not aware of? I'm using 280 Hornady brass that are on 2nd or 3rd firing. First being fire formed.