280 question

Ingalls

July 23, 2012 13:40

My local shop has a Cooper Jackson Game Rifle in 280AI that I have my eye on. I dont reload(yet), but I understand you can fireform 280Rem to Ackley. My question is should this be done in a high end rifle like a Cooper, and until I am competent in reloading, can I buy factory 280Rem ammo and shoot it accurately?

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  22hipower

  July 23, 2012 14:13

  Yes and Yes. You can shoot 280 Rem in the 280AI you just won't get the benefits of the extra case capacity of the AI. As far as accuracy is concerned it should be good but you won't know until you try it. I have a 257 Roberts AI and accuracy with 257 Roberts loads is about the same as with the AI loads. I'm sure nononsense or another of the experts will be along to comment further. Sure like my Cooper in 7mm-08 and would love to have one in 280AI.

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  tsr1965

  July 23, 2012 14:47

  Yes, you can fireform factory rounds in the chamber on your Cooper. By the way...congratulations on a fine rifle. They don't get much better than that, in the semi custom/semi production arena. That is the way cases for the AI chamber's are formed.
  
  The accuracy of the standard cased round in the improved chamber will be on a case by case basis. Sometimes you get astounding accuracy, as the bullet is still in close proximity to the lands, and has little freebore. Sometimes the accuracy is not quite as good as the improved chambered round.
  
  I am sure Nononsense, and Sandwarrior will be along to give you some extra information.
  
  Best

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  nononsense

  July 23, 2012 15:40

  Ingalls,
  
  Again, yes and yes.
  
  That is the beauty of the Ackley cartridges, the parent cased ammunition will fireform perfectly in the Ackley chamber. You can buy standard .280 Rem. cartridges and fireform or you can try some of Nosler's offerings. They offer two loads for the .280 Ackley Improved cartridge, 140 gr. AB or the 160 gr. PT. Here is an example:
  
  http://www.huntingsuppliesoutfitter.com/hunting-gear/nosler/280-remington-ack-imp-trophy-ammunition-280rem-ai-140gr-ab-per-20--GS-52597.html
  
  Brass as a component for reloading is available also.
  
  Accuracy will depend on several variables, none of which we can assume in any case. Given the reputation of the Cooper rifles we might guess that the accuracy will be fine. Only testing will tell for sure.
  
  Best.

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  Hawkshaw

  July 24, 2012 13:09

  Don't over-look NOSLER. I believe that they make both brass, and ammo for this puppy. They will be more expensive then others, but they are already formed to the ack imp chamber, which means fewer rounds down the Bbl., just to form cases. Great round!!!

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  tsr1965

  July 24, 2012 14:56

  quote:Originally posted by Hawkshaw
  Don't over-look NOSLER. I believe that they make both brass, and ammo for this puppy. They will be more expensive then others, but they are already formed to the ack imp chamber, which means fewer rounds down the Bbl., just to form cases. Great round!!!
  
  
  A case is not fully formed to any chamber, untill it is fireformed. Most long distance, and bench rest shooter's especially, use cases that are, at least, once fired in the chamber of the barrel they are using. Then the neck is bushing sized to match the neck of the chamber.
  
  Best

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