Ok, this is my first go at loading for an Ackley Improved chambering. Yesterday I picked up some regular 280 Remington brass and a set of 280 AI dies thinking that I would load it up and fire form it. On my way home, It hit me that I might not be able to seat the bullets in the AI seating die. Is this possible or do I need the regular seating die for the first load before they get fireformed? Thanks!
Loading 280 Remington brass to fireform into 280 AI brass
- Thread starter 223kev
- Start date
450 Dakota
Member
I have 3 Ackley's. You can use the dies you have no problem. You want to seat the bullet long to just be into the rifling so it keeps the brass pushed back against the bolt. Pick a medium load and try a few. If they don't look like they are fully forming then bump your powder charge up a grain or two. I usually Fire form while I'm breaking in the barrel and that will give me enough to start shooting groups. Then I will shoot 2 to fire form every time I go out for foulers and shoot groups and then I will shoot 2-5 before I'm going to clean it again. Builds up brass pretty quick like that. Some guys will just fire form all at one time but I don't have the patience for that.
Trying to fire form with less than appropriate loads could possibly result in some real problems, like a stuck bullet. Most load manuals state not to load less than the recommended charge.
For any ackley, and I have a few, load rounds for the regular round like you would any starting load, you will not get ackley velocities, but your brass will be properly formed and you can use the rounds for anything you would use it for after they are fireformed.
The beauty of the Ackleys is that the round still headspaces off the shoulder of the non-fireformed round. While seating a bullet into the lands to hold the brass in place may work, it is theoretically not required. It may also give some high pressures if you stuff it in there too hard, or your load is on the hot side expecting a little bit of freebore.
Brass will be fully formed by any load listed as a starting load for the parent cartridge.
For any ackley, and I have a few, load rounds for the regular round like you would any starting load, you will not get ackley velocities, but your brass will be properly formed and you can use the rounds for anything you would use it for after they are fireformed.
The beauty of the Ackleys is that the round still headspaces off the shoulder of the non-fireformed round. While seating a bullet into the lands to hold the brass in place may work, it is theoretically not required. It may also give some high pressures if you stuff it in there too hard, or your load is on the hot side expecting a little bit of freebore.
Brass will be fully formed by any load listed as a starting load for the parent cartridge.
I hunted while fire forming, as the fire forming load was very accurate. I got the load out of an old Nosler manual #4.
280 load and AI fire forming load, not to be used in 7400 or 7600's
160g Sierra btsp, 160g Nosler accubond, and the 160g partition
58.5g of IMR 7828
Fed 210
2900 fps
Work up to the above load in your rifle.
the sierra btsp with this load is a very fine deer killing load, accuracy has been 1/2" or so.
I like the winchester brass, and federal is pure crap due to primer pocket loss.
NEVER use minimum loads for fire forming AI cases as this can promote massive case stretching.
280 load and AI fire forming load, not to be used in 7400 or 7600's
160g Sierra btsp, 160g Nosler accubond, and the 160g partition
58.5g of IMR 7828
Fed 210
2900 fps
Work up to the above load in your rifle.
the sierra btsp with this load is a very fine deer killing load, accuracy has been 1/2" or so.
I like the winchester brass, and federal is pure crap due to primer pocket loss.
NEVER use minimum loads for fire forming AI cases as this can promote massive case stretching.
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