Case forming question. .280 from .30-06 cast boolit fire forming load?

[Newtire]

I guess the title says it all. I have gone from forming .280's from .30-06 using a J-word bullet with a starting load of H4831 to using an H4895 range powder starting load with a cast boolit. While the midrange 4895-ish stuff works great to fireform, I would like to know if anyone has done this with a powder like Unique? It would sure be cheaper and the object is to get some .280 cases that are filled out without breaking the bank.

I am thinking 13 grains Unique with a 146 grain RCBS silhouette (which are the boolits I have from a mould that I borrowed from a fellow caster of our fold). I will load up a few and see if it works unless someone has a better idea.

Thanks in advance,
Newtire

[UBER7MM]

Newtire,

Two problems to over come with Fire forming 30'06 into 280 Rem:
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1) The shoulder length of the 280 Rem is 0.051" longer than the 30'06. That may not be an issue if fire formed properly.
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2) The 280 Rem is longer than the 30'06 by .006". The 280 Rem and 270 Win are actually derived from the 30'03 case, which is also 2.540". From the case length standpoint, you'd be better off reforming 270 Win brass. When, necking out 270 Win brass, you'd still have the shoulder length discrepancy to deal with because 270 and 30'06 have the same shoulder length.
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(Then you'd have the problem of 280 Rem cartridges with 270 Win case head stampings! Remington attempted to avoid mis-chamberings by moving the shoulder forward 0.051". Will it ever end?!!!!)
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You're right about 280 brass breaking the bank. They've got re-loaders over a barrel on that one. There are members that can inform you on using cast boolits or wax plugs, light pistol powder loads (like Unique) and Cream of Wheat (COW) fillers to fire form cartridges. I've yet to try it.
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I hope this helps,

[Newtire]

Hi Uber,
I already know the stuff about the cases being longer and shortening the neck by using the .30-06 VS the .270. As far as .270 brass, too bad I used that all for my 6.5 X 06!

I have some .280 formed from .30-06 already and it's OK. My main question is about what kind of Unique-type load will blow out the shoulder the same as the more expensive way of using H4895. Besides, I would like to hang on to the medium burning rate stuff that I've got. Thanks anyhow though. I appreciate the answer and the thought. I will post how it all turns out.

[UBER7MM]

Don't ya' hate using up your supplies of seconds only to find a better use for them later. How about the time I found two 7x64 Brennekes, and cut them down to 8x57... Oops!
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Understand about the powders. I looked up COW, but didn't get any hits from this site. I know there's members out there that have tried it. We'll have to wait for some other helpful members to chime in.

[nicholst55]

I prefer .280 Rem brass for forming .35 Whelen, myself; .270 Win work reasonably well, too, and is much easier to find. Not that any of this helps the Op with his problem...

[Newtire]

Thanks Uber,
I will go with the Unique load and let you know how it goes. Sometimes we are the ones who are the first to do something is what it is.

I think that if more people put "out there" the stuff that works and have actually used it, the easier it will be for us newbies to the subject to get somewhere with it. If you can search on Google and not have to wade thru 3 or 4 days worth of stuff to find what you are looking for, that is a big "plus".

[AlaskanGuy]

This is from the hand loaders manual of case conversions.... For reference... I have the entire book in PDF format so it is easy to take virtual pics and post them...

96973

The pics are not very good, hope they are legible... If you need me to post any of the measurements that you cant read, just say the word and pm me. Glad to help. It blesses me to give back in some small way.... I can do this for anybody that needs the info for just about any wildcat or case needed... Just pm me.

Hope this helps...

AG

[Skipper]

Check out this link over at GBO

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/280-fireforming-from-30-06-using-cast-boolits/

[UBER7MM]

NewTire,
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Fire forming 280 to 280 AI with light pistol powder loads and COW:
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3345206.0
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Fire forming 30'06 to 280 Rem:
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-557234.html
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This is a start. Let us know how it works out,

[UBER7MM]

NewTire,
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Here's a video of a guy that's Fire forming 257 Roberts to 257 AI (using Unique, COW, Toilet Paper and no bullets/boolits):
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqLOicOUOWI
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I hope this helps,

[Newtire]

I'm gonna try some Unique and a cast boolit and see for myself. I will be the test dummy!

[Newtire]

I'm gonna try some Unique and a cast boolit and see for myself. I will be the test dummy!
I used basically "the load" but in 7mm. 13 grains of Unique corked up with a Lee cast boolit and Presto-change-o. Nice clean looking cases. Loaded a few up with some full power loads after fireforming this way and they were decently accurate-rifle needs a little tweaking (as well as rifle operator).

[Larry Gibson]

I'm gonna try some Unique and a cast boolit and see for myself. I will be the test dummy!

Seat the cast bullet backwards so the GC seats hard against the leade along with the false shoulder (assuming you are forming one) that also holds the case back against the bolt solidly. A light coating of case lube on the cases will also help. Al 3 will alleviate case stretch at the web during fire forming. Many years ago I formed quite a few 280s using '06 cases with Unique but don't have the load. Then went to 270W cases which proved much more satisfactory.

Larry Gibson

[frkelly74]

I know where there is some 280 brass, or was I should say. I can check on it my next trip to the city. They will be $.25 to $.30 each if they are still available.