Preparing Brass for AIs

[andrews1958]

I recently purchased an older 280AI. This is my first AI so these are beginner questions that I hope someone can help me with.

Can I make AI brass by just taking Remington or Norma 280 brass and resize it with 280AI dies or do you have to fire form them by shooting them through your rifle first?

Would 280AI improved brass shot through someone else’s rifle, reloaded and then shot by mine work?

I have heard Nosler 280AI brass will not work well or not at all with regular/older 280AI as the chambering is different? Is this true?

Can you resize Nosler 280AI brass to work in older model AIs?

Do Norma still make 280AI brass? Everywhere I have looked the supplier has it on backorder or they do not sell it.

Thanks for looking and thanks for your help.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Preparing Brass for AIs

Good questions, and unfortunately, no simple answer.

Hopefully the mods will move this to the reloading section, as more people can likely answer over there.

It all depends how your chamber was cut and headspaced. PO Ackley advised using the parent cases NOGO gage for AI chambers. Newer AIs often use standard HS gage, which will yield ~.004" discrepancy in HS.

Do you have ANY brass fired in your chamber?

If so, you should buy the tools required to measure the HS length of brass, measure yours and go from there.

If not, well... The right thing to do would be to take a chamber casting, or have gunsmith do it.

Honestly though, any NEW 280 (either AI or not) cartridge that chambers will have a 99.9% chance of being safe, even if it is .004" too short for the chamber. Even .010" excessive HS won't cause a CHS on NEW brass.

Of course, measure HS on brass before/after firing to learn what you've got.

 

[IES]

Re: Preparing Brass for AIs

You may get a better response by posting this in the reloading section. There are plenty of guys there that reload for AI.



Go with the Nosler brass if you can for a 280AI. It's so much easier not having to fireform if you have limited time or access to a range. 7+ firings and my Nosler primer pockets are still tight.

If not buying 280AI brass I would fireform 280 brass. I don't think you should even consider trying to resize/expand 280 to 280AI, just fireform or buy the Nosler. If you are unsure what's going on here wait for a few of the more accomplished reloaders to respond or call up a company like Redding and tell them what you have and what you want to do.

I am only aware of Nosler ever having sold 280AI brass...it may have actually been made by Norma for Nosler.

Who/what company/reamer chambered your 280AI?



I'm getting ~3000fps for 162AMAX from a 24" Rock without pressure signs using Nosler 280AI brass. Fireformed Federal brass gave me very similar velocity. I won't be fireforming Fed brass again, I will choose different brass if I ever fireform again, which is doubtful.