SOLD/EXPIRED 280 Remington vs 280 Remington 280AI

[longbowelk]

I am interested in acquiring a 280 Remington. A lot of people are saying go on up to the AI which is of interest. One question is,if I went plain 280, if you go AI later can you also shoot regular 280? Is this a common thing? I see this is a method of getting the AI brass.

Also, is this rechambering to AI something most gunsmith's do or is it only done by a specialist?

Finally, I do reload so would you recommend using standard 280AI dies or send the fired brass off for a custom die?

 

[howco]

Pm sent

 

[J E Custom]

There is a lot of discussion about the 280 AI and many different opinions. I will give you mine.

First, The AI version increases the case capacity slightly, It also improves the case life because of the body taper and the shoulder angle.

There are several versions because this is a very old cartridge and different wildcat versions.

If you want to use all brands of factory ammo to fire form to the AI chamber I recommend using a 280 head space gauge and chamber so the 280 head space gauge has .004 crush (It should be shorter than the gauge by .004) so the standard 280 Rem will be slightly compressed.

This assures that the case is held in place and fire forms perfectly. It also makes the 280 ammo shoot extremely well while fire forming. You can get hunting accuracy while fire forming and save one step.

If you go with a standard 280 Rem the same head space gauge is used but the head space is set at
+ .001 to .003.

The new 280 SAMME spec. 280 AI is slightly different and I recommend using only the Nosler brand Ammo in it.

There is nothing wrong with the standard 280 Remington, but if you can reload, the 280 AI can bring more to the table.

Just my opinion

J E CUSTOM

 

[pmh-usa]

The only possible thing I could add to JE Custom's great post, is that IMHO the AI really comes into its own when opting for heavier bullets especially in the 280 and 30-06 AI versions, when you allow enough throat to seat heavier bullets out. Case life is VERY much improve over standard.