.280AI

1

17ahjoe

Member
Hello, I’m after some advice/guidance. I l have a 280AI, that I reload for, for over a year I have had issues with Nosler brass,
I have emailed them over in the US, and I have also had a box of brass replaced here by the Australian importer.
I have read many posts on forums where Nosler brass, in 280 AI gets a bad rap!
My main issue is blown primers from loads that are far from max, actually closer to the minimums as per the Nosler and Lee manuals.
Also the bras is hard to work thru the FL size die, even after cleaning. I have had the chamber checked with go n no go gauges, and it is the Sami spec chamber. ( I have reloaded for CF rifles, many calibres and Wildcats for over 35 years)
Never had issues like this before!
I am thinking of going over to Petersen brass, very expensive over here??!
Or my other option is buy 280 REM. Brass and fire form that, from what I have read in other forums it fireforms and works well.
My question is, do I have to put the 280 rem brass thru 280 rem dies first then shoot them in my 280AI to fire form them?
If that is the case I will also need to buy a set of 280 REM die set.. I reckon that will be cheaper than buying x100 Peterson cases!
Thanks in advance for any guidance opinions.
Tx. Jay
 
You don't need to run it through a standard 280 FL die first. You might want to run it through your 280AI FL die first to round out the necks.

I see the headspace is correct but you might want to check base diameter before and after firing to see if the chamber is oversized. I have an oversized chamber on a 222 Rem to the point the FL die scrapes brass on the base.

When you have the blown primers, do you get hard extraction also?

Are you jamming the bullets into the lands, that will cause pressure spikes.
 
Blowing primers at about the 2750 - 2850 fps.
From when I started reloading for this rifle I reckon a total of about 10 blown primers. Over 12 months.
Powders used are AR2213SC (H4831SC) R19 and R22.
Base is ok.
Yes hard extraction, sometime it’s been very tight!
Bullets are about 020” off the lands. Each powder load is individually done on balance beam scale (Oahus scales).
* Also the ones yesterday (x2) were new Nosler brass (first time firing) only been thru FL die, to spec to all intents and purposes!
Primers felt tight to insert when I reloaded them, after FL size I run them thru rifle (Model 70 with firing pin Asm.. Removed)
and I also then run them All thru again after loaded, and there is a soft, minimal resistance bolt drop.!?
** I shot about 20 rounds yesterday, shot a group 1/2” at 100 yds., so the loads are good, accurate and consistent but there
are these random blown primers!?
 
Check your scale for debris under the knives. It really sounds like a over pressure problem if your getting stiff extraction along with the blown primers. What do the primers that don't blow look like? I'd look at your firing pin protrusion and make sure there isn't a chip or deformation of the pin tip.

How does it shoot with factory ammo.
 
Checked scales, ok.
Primers look more to the flat, but Not excessive.
Tip of firing pin looks ok also.
*** other thought I had was it may be “slow barrel”, of which I have heard of, ie. shows pressure signs early in the lower recommended powder weight range.
Fireforming .280 REM brass to AI is an option that I might need to try, as a lot of Forums that I have viewed, the reviews on Nosler brass in .280AI is never good!
It is a 1:9 twist barrel, which is the most common for this calibre.
Is anyone had any experience or ideas about the “slow barrel” idea!?
Thanks for all the feedback so far.
Jay
 
I'm running Nosler 280ai brass. 140 gr bullets @3140 fps with no issues .
Friend forms 280 Rem factory ammo too AI. I loaded him some 162 gr @ 2900+ with no issues either.
 
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