Forming 280 Remington brass from 30 06

[oldglock]

Yes, I understand there is a .050 headspace problem which is actually a real serious problem.
My thought is necking down the case, then take a very light charge of fast burning powder, maybe even slow pistol powder and bust it off. The Mauser style claw extractor will hold the case against the bolt face allowing ignition.
My hope would be that the shoulder would move forward without being unduly weakened in the belt area. Might have to repeat a time of two to get a perfectly formed case.
Many years ago, I had a 300 super mag and proper dies built by an unknown gunsmith which was basically a .300 Weatherby mag with a square shoulder set around .040 deeper than the Weatherby chamber specs. As this case headspaced on the belt, supposedly 300 Weatherby ammo was used in it.
I did not feel good about the headspace issue so always fireformed using a light load of RE 7 packed with tissue paper behind a cheap light bullet and cases came out very nice. The fireformed cases were reloaded several time with no problem.
Anyway, I am apprehensive about the .280. Anyone care to share thoughts or experience?
Jim

 

[Ksmirk]

Far as I'm concerned if you could only own 1 rifle the 280 is about as good as you could get! 7mm bullets for the ballistics and enough powder to push them. I built a 284 Win on a long action just because well really I just wanted too so far it's been a hammer on deer and actually the deer around central Oklahoma it's WAY too much gun but when I built it I had access to a mess of land out West so it had it's place.

For forming I always used a load on the low end and seated the bullet just into the lands so the case would not have much back force and they seemed to form great! some of the loads shot really well to boot. Let's see some pics of the rifle, you mentioned Mauser and I have a soft spot for those old rifles! built a few on Mauser actions myself. Later,

Kirk

 

[oldglock]

View attachment 6806Kirk
Actually not a Mauser. This is a Jack Dever build on a Ruger MK I action, light Hart barrel, Peterson trigger, Brown Precision stock. 7lbs 4 oz with Vari X III 3.5X10.
Sub 3/4 3 shot groups with 150 ballistic tips and Re 19, About as good with 160 Accubonds.
This is my son's favorite rifle and I am trying to stock up a lifetime supply of ammo of various purposes before I kick off.
Have like 250 rounds loaded up, 120 BT's for varmints, 150 BTs for deer sized, 160 Sierras for hogs, 160 accubonds for Elk.
You, he, and I and lots of others agree that the .280 is a great caliber. Every shot fired in anger by this rifle has resulted in a dead animal and I/we had it built in the early 1980's.
Shame Remington screwed the pooch when setting pressure standards.or it would be a lot more popular.
If I'm lucky a pic will be attached.
Thanks for the long bullet info. Maybe the best way to go.
Jim

 

[Ksmirk]

I was going to build a 280 but when we were digging for the reamer we came across a 284 Win reamer, always liked the case and on the long action I get to seat the bullets out longer for a little more capacity. I'm loading the 162gr A-Max at a COL of 3.100" after a little reaming out the throat I must say I'm very impressed with the whole package, my rifle is a bit heavier than yours but I'm used to heavy barrel rifles so it's not too bad.

The long seated bullet is how I formed all my 25-06 brass, I didn't have one that had 25-06 stamped on it, it was either 30-06 or 270 just be sure and load on the light end as pressure can jump pretty quick! like a light charge giving you max load pressure so don't jam them more than about 10 thou as all you really want to do is keep the base against the boltface. A black sharpe marked on the bullet will help you know how far into the lands you are by the marks left. Good luck and let me know how it works out for you. Later,

Kirk