Gunsmithing Need help with barreling a 280 RCBS

[CJC73]

Have a barrel chambered in 280 RCBS, shouldered and not a Remage set up. Can't find head space gages to check it though. Loosely screwed onto the action, the lettering engraved is just above the stock line (see picture). If torqued down, I'm sure it would line up but not going off that to tell me it is headspaced correctly. I do have some fired brass from this barrel.

Can someone either lead me to some gages or a smith for some advice. I asked a couple local smiths and they don't have gages either.

I thought I could use 280 Rem gages since I was told you could shoot factory 280 Rem from this barrel, but want to be sure.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Supersubes]

So this is a random barrel you bought and screwed into your action?

 

[CJC73]

i purchased it off a forum yes. the previous owner had it on his receiver.

 

[Johndeere1]

You definitely would benefit having a smith screw on and headspace that barrel!
Just because the engraving lines up properly doesn't mean it'll headspace properly.
I had the same issue and my smith had to cut down the shank and touch up the chamber with reamer to set it correctly and have engraving sitting in the proper factory position.

 

[Johndeere1]

Your smith may also be able to headspace with properly resized brass of that caliber.

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

Are you going to reload the ammo? I'm headed to the shop I'll look at some information I have on wildcats. I suspect it's an improved case similar to the Ackley version which would require fire forming brass and reloading the ammo. For some reason a 30' degree shoulder comes to mind. A good smith could determine if it's safe to fire 280 factory ammo by using a standard 280 gage.

 

[CJC73]

yes, i plan on reloading it, i have dies for it.

Here's a picture of the 3 rounds (L to R). 280 Rem; 280 RCBS; 280 AI

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

280 RCBS has a 30 degree shoulder. Fire form 280 Rem ammo. The question is whether you have to jamb the bullet into the lands to fire form or will factory 280 ammo work.
That barrel finish looks familiar. I might know the smith that chambered that barrel. He passed away several years ago. His shop burned down 20 years ago.

 

[CJC73]

I was told by previous owner 280 rem could be shot to fire form. but would like confirmation. and to get this thing installed correctly.

I might know the smith that chambered that barrel.

Dan Dowling?

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

You must be as old as I am. Dan's one that used that finish. Ken Rhyne in NC did also and I think he built a few of those. I used it for a couple of years until I got a blast cabinet. My guess is Dan did it.

 

[CJC73]

guy i bought it from said Dan did it.

Let me know what you find out on this or how i can get it installed.

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

You know what I know. It's made to accept factory ammo. Screw it on tight and check HS with a 280 gage. Using a standard gage the HS can vary depending on neck diameter but you'll know whether it's safe. If the bolt closes on the go gage check for end play. .004"-.006" even .010" wouldn't bother me. Jamb the bullets into the rifle for fire forming then adjust your FL die to match the chamber. That's how just about every wildcat out there is formed.

 

[CJC73]

what torque should i take it to? and how you check for end play?

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

I use 70-80 ft/lbs
Strip the bolt down. No firing pin or ejector. Take a 280 Rem go gage, put it in the chamber and see if the bolt closes. If it does there maybe be some front to back movement in the bolt when closed. That's end play. At that point using no go gage( longer than a go gage) or a field gage(longer than the no go gage) may tell you what you need to know . If the bolt closes on the no go then you need profession help to determine if it's safe. Dan's one of the best so I don't question any of his work.

 

[MOAxp]

I will check my reamer and gage sets. I should have a set (reamer and go gage) from Manson. Built a couple back in 1999-2001

 

[Average guy]

You must be as old as I am. Dan's one that used that finish. Ken Rhyne in NC did also and I think he built a few of those. I used it for a couple of years until I got a blast cabinet. My guess is Dan did it.

My guess was Dan Dowling also

 

[BadAccountant]

Have a barrel chambered in 280 RCBS, shouldered and not a Remage set up. Can't find head space gages to check it though. Loosely screwed onto the action, the lettering engraved is just above the stock line (see picture). If torqued down, I'm sure it would line up but not going off that to tell me it is headspaced correctly. I do have some fired brass from this barrel.

Can someone either lead me to some gages or a smith for some advice. I asked a couple local smiths and they don't have gages either.

I thought I could use 280 Rem gages since I was told you could shoot factory 280 Rem from this barrel, but want to be sure.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

View attachment 7419961

Why not run a 280 AI reamer into it? Finding headspace gauges, brass, and dies is going to be a whole lot easier.

 

[CJC73]

Why not run a 280 AI reamer into it? Finding headspace gauges, brass, and dies is going to be a whole lot easier.

brass should be able to be fireformed from factory 280 and i have dies already.