Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 280 Ackley Improved Brass

After hunting season I'm ditching the current batch of brass and starting fresh as I work up a load with a new bullet. I've historically used Nosler with favorable results. I see some new head stamps on the market since I was shopping last. Any reason to move on from Nosler in this application?

If it's available you won't find better Ackley brass than Peterson. It's Lapua quality and made in the US to exacting standards. It's cheaper and better quality than Nosler too.

That being said I have Hornady, Remington 280 that I fireformed, and both have been fine.

I've been eying Peterson as an alternative, just not sure on how it stacks up against the competition. Thanks for the info.

Lapua hands down !

Lapua needs forming from 30-06 brass. Yes, it is possible, and not too difficult. But, there are disadvantages.
powder, primer, and bullets needed for fireforming
shots down bore for fireforming
incorrect headstamp on loaded rounds

Best thing to do is just get a set of primer pocket gauges. Use Nosler and keep an eye on primer pockets. If you are running really hot, they will open up. If not, you can get several firings out of them.

Or, try Peterson.

Peterson 280 AI is excellent. I highly recommend it.

And when it works no better than another brand than what ? I’ve taken the advice in the past and wasted money for fools like you !!

Peterson was available when I started loading the 280AI so it's what I've used. I don't have any complaints.

Peterson for me, somehow I acquired two 280ai rifles,
I've been very satisfied with it....no complaints.

I’ve been fireforming from 280 Norma brass. Just started getting the first split necks after 8 firings.

How often did you anneal?

2x during the life of the brass.

Doesn't that make you the fool in this scenario? Calm down Francis.

In my 2 .280AI, I have used fire-formed Remington and Winchester brass. I have used Nosler, Hornady, and Peterson .280AI brass. I will never again use fire-formed brass. There is no need to. Why burn hard to get primers? I have been pleased with the high-quality Peterson brass.

I’d argue that looking at what brass is available and comparing costs, you could easily recoup the cost of the primers.
My fire forming load is a 150 grain Sierra TGK at 2550 fps. Light recoil, low muzzle blast and MOA groups. The really cool thing is that it prints about 2” lower than my elk load at 100 yards, which is pretty dang convenient because I sight in for MPBR. As a result, I have a great deer load and a good big game load that I can should simultaneously without adjusting my scope. What’s not to like?

As a side note on the primers… I am using some recalled WLR primers in my fire forming loads. I also use them in other reduced recoil and cast bullet loads that are generating relatively low pressure. I have never had a problem with gas getting by the primer of loose primer pockets as a result of doing this. I HAVE experienced those issues with these primers when loading close to maximum loads. I have since stopped using them for such loads, but that leaves me about 3k of the defective WLRs that I need to get rid of. They work like a charm for the tasks I use them for.

Been fooled once my fault, been fooled twice your fault ain’t gonna be a third time.

I bought some 280ai three weeks ago from midsouth. Paid about $1.10 each primed. They don’t say what brand it is on the sight, but it was Hornady. I read on another forum that’s what they carry, so I pulled the trigger. I know ther is better brass out there, but I’m on the cheap side and 100 will last my lifetime. Alan. P.S. they were on sale

I started with Peterson 280 AI brass like it is heavier than most brass so charges may have to be reduced for same velocity in other brass.

Been really happy with my peterson brass so far. Also have nosler and hornady. The peterson has required nothing more than cleaning and loading