Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Just to see what what reloading involves, not a detailed tutorial, check out Hickok45's U-tube video's

http://www.youtube.com/user/hickok45#p/ ... -OYW8dWJN0

I can haz chicken ??

Well now I am even confused.
Yes, 280AI might be more hassle than one would want for initial set up. But here it is... It produces near 7mm Mag ballistics, with less powder and less recoil. One can shoot either factory 280 Rem or 280AI and by firing factory ammo you fire form brass to 280AI specs. It is now a factory loaded cartridge by Nosler and "Factory 280AI Brass" is now available, so you don't even have to fire form 280 Rem brass.

For my application I will buy new 280AI brass from Nosler and pass on the fire forming.

Ok, now I know what you are talking about. Is there that much diffrence between a 280 Remington and a 280Al, a 280 Remington is only a 30-06 necked down to a 280 calibre. Is there that much increase in speed or ability to shoot flatter then a normal 280 Remington.
Bill

IMHO, any of the "improved" cartridges are too much work for anything other than benchrest. I had my 300 Varminter done with a no turn neck for exactly that reason. Any field gun should just work IMO.

That being said, 280AI changes the body taper, shoulder angle and I think blows out the shoulder a bit, but I don't have a book in front of my at the moment. If you are going to form brass, fireforming Norma .280Rem Brass (Product #27050) would probably be best. I've heard you can fire regular loads when fireforming to the AI version, but I would be very careful. I would probably just buy Nosler 280AI brass.

The AI allows for 100-200fps over the base cartridge, but anything other than benchrest, is it really worth it? There is some data that all of the 40 degree (give or take) improved cartridges improve the ignition/powder burn rate consistancy, which reduces extreme velocity spread. Also, the shoulder angle is suppose to grow less. Downside is with a reduced body taper and a 40 degree shoulder, it shouldn't magizine feed too well.

The gun is already built in 280AI. So it's worth it to me to at least take advantage of what I have. The question is not "Should I build a wildcat and reload for it?" The question is where can I go to learn to reload or will one of you folks teach me? I have many guns of many calibers and I would like to load for them all. I just figured this would be a good place to ask for guidence.

Come to the shoot and meet and there will be plenty of people here to talk to and I have a reloading room that you can take a look at in my garage.
Bill

Bill, I appreciate the invite. I will let you know as we get a little closer.