Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Forming .280AI cartridge from .30-06 cartridge

I need to reform some .30-06 into .280 Improved brass and I was hoping someone here on the "24" would guide me in getting this done correctly. Thanks for any help I might receive. Forks

Not exactly what you asked but I did form some .270 brass into .280 RCBS improved. I did one step that you will not have to do because I first necked the .270 up to .30 caliber, before doing a partial neck size to .280. I set my .280 RCBS die so that it would would create a false shoulder that would chamber with a feel to it as you closed the bolt. Then loaded and shot them. Made good brass. I did not, but wish that I had annealed them first. Of course I was doing a step that you will not be doing. miles

I did go ahead and anneal the .30-06 brass but am not positive as to whether I should just size that brass to snug fit the .280 improved chamber or?

I have done it. All my AI brass is formed '06 brass. I started by trying to set a snug fit using an RCBS die and was not happy with the result so used a standard .280 Rem FLS die backed off to create a false shoulder and snug fit.
By using up surplus unwanted 7mm bullets and powder I formed 130 cases in one afternoon losing none.
I then anealed the necks and have great success with them.
John

Ok, first I am making a couple of assumptions. Since there are a couple of different dimensions for the .280 improved from what I have read, but the neck-shoulder junction should be the same length as the parent cartridge which is .280 Remington. Then neck-shoulder junction for the .280 Remington is 0.0917 longer than the 30-06 Springfield. This is why a false shoulder should produce a better end product. I have done the cream of wheat method in my 7mm08 with good results but I think I like the false shoulder method better. miles

Thanks, I knew some of you knowledgeable fellows would get me started on the right foot. Thanks again! Forks

One of the many great uses for 30-06 brass!

The ultimate use of .30/06 brass is for the .30/06 cartridge. The more I learn, the more it impresses me. I used to think it was boring.
John

I make my 280 AI brass the same way, sizing 30-06 brass to leave a shoulder with my 280 AI die. I also feel the rifle would have been just fine as a 30-06!

there are two 280AI reamers.........old & new

the new Nosler reamer is different than the old reamer specs

which do you have ??

https://gunsmithtalk.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/280-ackley-improved-alert/