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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Rifles
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Brithunter
.300 member


Reged: 17/03/10
Posts: 184
Loc: Lincolnshire, England
A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve
      #173080 - 14/12/10 11:23 AM

I have always had a facination with the .280 Ross but have never managed to acquire one and as really nice ones are scarce and expensive I finally decided that I would have to build a modern version and after some reading decided that the .280 Remington Ackley Improved would be just the ticket. So after some thought and more reading it was decided that a new 7x64 barrel could be re-chambered to the .280 AI and as I had a mid 1960's BSA 1st Pattern Monarch on hand in 270 win that had a fairly worn barrel that had cost me the princely sum of £25 about 7 years ago this would be the basis for the new project.

The BSA CF2 barrels had a heavier profile at the breech more in keeping with that found on the Ross M-10 sporting rifle so one was obtained new in the white from John Knibbs and the tenon altered to match the profile of the Monarchs barrels tenon. Until that point I didn't realise that the actions and tenons of the barrels were different........................ whoops. It was not a major problem but it was a surprise none the less.

After some trials and tribulations in getting the tools and bits and bobs required together in one palce at the same time, the post office lost the Go Gauge and the Remington importers took 3 months to send a box of 20 rounds of .280 remington tot eh local gunshop and then it was found that thsi box of ammo was over 12 years old the replacement box is only 6 years old!, the barrel was duely re-chambered to 0.004" short on the Go gauge so that factory ammunition is a slight crush fit in the chamber ready to be fire formed to the improved case. This is how she looked before go to proof:-







And the first case out of the new chamber:-



It will probably be after Christmas now before I get it back all proofed and blued then we need to decide on whether to replace that sadly heavily sanded stock with a new one again from John Knibbs or carry on with this one . The rifle will have a Lyman 57 SME receiver sight fitted and a Willaims matted ramp fore sight off a Parker-Hale will be up front. Optics will probably be a 6x42 scope and I am awaiting the arrival of a 6x42 Lisenfeld scope to see what it's like and if it's all good then that will be used. 100 pieces of new RP .280 brass will be arriving in the new year and initial work ups will be with the Hornady 139 GR BTSP, Sierra 150 Gr HP match and Remington 175 Gr Semi Spitzers. 4350, 4831 and Vhit N165 are suggested as good powders so we shall see what is available locally.

I doubt I'll ever get to hunt Africa but the rifle should be suitable for plains game with the right bullets...................... don't you think?

So wish me luck

--------------------
Don't let the bastards grind you down!

Edited by CptCurl (14/12/10 11:47 PM)

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FATBOY404
.400 member


Reged: 14/11/09
Posts: 1730
Loc: QLD
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: Brithunter]
      #173090 - 14/12/10 02:01 PM

Should be good Brithunter.
I too love the 280. I had one for about 8 years as my main rifle.

I was going to build a 280 AI but went with the 8x68s instead.
Will build one someday.

Nosler and Sierra have reloading data for the AI.

Cheers Neale.

--------------------
"WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"

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9.3x57
.450 member


Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5521
Loc: United States
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: Brithunter]
      #173091 - 14/12/10 02:04 PM

That has got to be one of the best all-round calibers ever made.

What CAN'T be taken with it?

Hard to find fault with any '06-capacity-type-case 7mm.

I kinda like the stock.

Refinish it and toss the white line spacers and you'll have a good handle I think.

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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FATBOY404
.400 member


Reged: 14/11/09
Posts: 1730
Loc: QLD
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: 9.3x57]
      #173116 - 14/12/10 09:50 PM

9.3x57.
I,like you think anything on an 06 case looks right.

--------------------
"WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"

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JabaliHunter
.400 member


Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: 9.3x57]
      #173117 - 14/12/10 10:00 PM

I like that cartridge a lot and am really torn between it or a 7mm Rem Mag for a long range rig. Let us know how you get on with it!

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Brithunter
.300 member


Reged: 17/03/10
Posts: 184
Loc: Lincolnshire, England
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: 9.3x57]
      #173118 - 14/12/10 10:06 PM

Thank you for the kind comments and information. I was aware of the Nosler data and it will provide a starting point as Nosler use the SAMMI version of the .280 AI sadly SAMMI in their wisdom altered Ackley's design and a true Ackley Improved will not chamber in the SAMMI chamber it seems. The moved the shoulder back to 1.990" the shoulder on Ackleys version is at 2.090" and the PTG reamer I brought is made to Ackley's specs. I used a normal .280 Rem Go Gauge and not the Ackley Improved gauge as the AI go gauge is probably to the new SAMMI spec. Whay they had to mess with a proven design God only knows but it's going to cause a heck of a lot of problems.

Now a little background to the rifle. The stock is off a Majestic Featherweight. Here is the donor Monarch in it's original stock:-





It's a bit beaten about and needs some repairs as the sling loops have been ripped out. Currently it's got the Majestic Featherweight metal work sitting in it. The reason for the stock swop is that some "enlightened" owner decided to free float the barrel of the Majestic Featherweight and had not got a clue what they were doing and totally messed it up. I brought this .270 Majestic Featherweight the other month with the idea of fitting a sound moderator for stalking and am not prepared to ruin the 59 vintage Majestic Featherweight Deluxe I already have:-








That one has a Lisenfeld Jaguar 3-9x42 scope on it and makes a nice light stalking rifle.

So as the CF2 7mm barrel has a heavier breech section it was possible to clean up the mess made by the previous owner and make the stock presentable and usable or so I thought. At that time I did not realise just how much wood they had removed from the forestock is sanding off the chequering. It really is slim and probably too thin.


That is the new CF2 barrel fitted


That's the Monarchs profile. Oh that's not the same Monarch even though it's a .270

Unlike some I don't find the white line spacers upsetting and I am not sure that they can be removed without damage so they can remain. Now having made enquireis it seems a brand new walnut stock of either style can be had from John Knibbs for about £120 and I do like the look and feel of the slim schnable tipped stock so in the new year one of those might be brought and fitted.

The .280 Ross original ballistics were a 140 grain bullet at 3100fps of there abouts and I believe the .280 Rem AI is capable of exceeding that. A bit like a super .270 with more bullet weight choice.

--------------------
Don't let the bastards grind you down!

Edited by CptCurl (14/12/10 11:48 PM)

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FATBOY404
.400 member


Reged: 14/11/09
Posts: 1730
Loc: QLD
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: Brithunter]
      #173120 - 14/12/10 10:43 PM

It will be a real killer.
I ran 140 grain Hornady's @ 2950 fps and it always out killed my mates 30-06.
Like you say its a 270 with an extra 15 grains of bullet weight.

--------------------
"WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27006
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: FATBOY404]
      #173133 - 15/12/10 03:11 AM

Hmmm - I used 140gr. Noslers in both my 7x57's at 2,940/2.950fps. I would think the .280 Improved should do about 3,150fps with a top-end load with a 24" bl.- maybe better depending on the rifle. Heck of a good plains game ctg. I've never liked the .270 - maybe Jack was the reason - but I've always liked the 7mm's - except for the Rem Mag. Had a couple of those - NIX.

Googling .280 should get some good data for load development. I'd merely start with the slower powders and max loads for the standard .280 and go from there. Max loads for the smaller case are the place to start, not below that when using slow powders.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Brithunter
.300 member


Reged: 17/03/10
Posts: 184
Loc: Lincolnshire, England
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: DarylS]
      #173135 - 15/12/10 04:34 AM

Thanks, I do happen to like the .270 Winchester and have 4 of them. As for the loads we will see how it turns out once it gets back. The barrel on this one is 23". BSA's like this normally have a 22" barrel so I cut this one as long as I could. Oh I forgot to mention that I also cut a 1/2" unf thread at the muzzle so it can take a sound Moderator or even a muzzle brake. Thought it was worth doing whilst it was in the lathe. Sound Moderators are used a lot here in Deer Stalking now and some ranges are starting to specify their use too.



So if I even need to use either it's ready of course with putting on iron sights it means a muzzle can rather than the reflex type than is very popular.

--------------------
Don't let the bastards grind you down!

Edited by CptCurl (16/12/10 12:20 PM)

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FATBOY404
.400 member


Reged: 14/11/09
Posts: 1730
Loc: QLD
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: Brithunter]
      #173140 - 15/12/10 05:59 AM

Daryl S
I only had the 280 rem.
It is funny how I used this rifle for years and was happy with it but when I did chrony it at the end of its life I was a little supprised as to the velosity.
The way it killed I thought it was going better than 2950 fps.

--------------------
"WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"

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Homer
.416 member


Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: FATBOY404]
      #173225 - 16/12/10 05:05 PM

G'Day Fella's,

Brit Hunter, thank you for sharing this project with us!
I'm a bit of a BSA centerfire rifle fan and have two of the older short action Royal Featherweights.
Unfortunately, there were never many of the long action BSA's in OZ. More long action Beeza's in NZ but them Kiwi's and their environment, are hard on their equipment!!!

FYI, Nosler Custom now make .280Rem AI brass! Yes that's correct, already formed for the Improved chamber!!!

Hope this helps

Doh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"

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Brithunter
.300 member


Reged: 17/03/10
Posts: 184
Loc: Lincolnshire, England
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: Homer]
      #173271 - 17/12/10 08:22 AM

Ok 2nd attempt at a reply.

Homer thank you but I am aware of the Nosler brass and am also aware of the price here in the UK....................... £128.92 per 100 pieces and that's at Midway.UK I will not be buying any.

Plus I made an error on the SAMMI shoulder position dimension, teach me to check the drawings before posting , the SAMMIfied .280 Rem AI has the shoulder pushed forwards and not back like I said. It's longer so the Nosler brass will not chamber in my rifle. The shoulder is positioned at 2.090" in mine and at 2.0966" according to the SAMMI drawing I have here. Now that might make a 0.010" crush fit which is a trifle tight I am thinking so I'll stick to fire forming std 280 Rem brass for now unless I win the lottery that is

Now I got some sad news. As I had not heard from the smith I phoned him this afternoon and he is not going to Birmingham on Friday and is not sure when he will be going next. He has done no work this week due to an injury. Not sure if you know but the UK has been in the freezing grip of ice and snow for a while. It just thawed and it's again dropped below freezing and has been snowing again here. Malcom it seems slipped on the ice and fell heavily. In doing so he has chipped a bone in his elbow so cannot do much and certainly not my polishing in preparation for the bluing. He cannot drive much either. So I think I will phone him again tomorrow and get him to get the proof house to post my rifle back to him. I can at least get it entered onto my licence and then get on with the bedding of the stock and fitting the sights. I doubt Malcom will be fit to do the polishing and bluing before the end of January now. Might have to spray paint it for now to protect it whilst I get on with the rest of it.

SIGH ................................................. it would appear that either me of the project is jinxed with all that has happened and gone missing. Oh Hum.

--------------------
Don't let the bastards grind you down!

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simonsaorsa
.300 member


Reged: 11/05/06
Posts: 172
Loc: UK
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: Brithunter]
      #173273 - 17/12/10 09:00 AM

Love it. Keep up the good work. But who is John Knibbs? You have I think mentioned him before and he sounds a useful source.

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JabaliHunter
.400 member


Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: simonsaorsa]
      #173276 - 17/12/10 10:33 AM

Brithunter - if it is of any use, I have a good number of once fired federal and norma .270 brass which you may be able to neck up and fire-form if its of any use. I have more than enough brass for my own reloading purposes. Someone else will have to advise on on the technicalities with regard to moving the shoulder - I don't for instance know if you would need to create a false shoulder first, etc.

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Brithunter
.300 member


Reged: 17/03/10
Posts: 184
Loc: Lincolnshire, England
Re: A light calibre and intersting cartridge .280 Ackley Improve [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #173311 - 18/12/10 04:24 AM

Quote:

Love it. Keep up the good work. But who is John Knibbs? You have I think mentioned him before and he sounds a useful source.




John Knibbs was one of BSA's sales team and brought a lot of the stock and has other stuff made. I believe he started with the air guns but he has a lot of the stuff for the rifles too. I have brought a new trigger for a Sportsman Five from him as well as fore sight blades a .303 Barrel for the BSA Model C sporting rifle and the 7x64 CF2 barrel came through him. He has a stock of the BSA stock for the Majestics and Monarchs.

JabaliHunter,

Thank you for the offer but I will not use reformed 270 or 30-06 as I also ahve rifles chambered for both cartridges already. I have quite a stock of both .270 Win and 30-06 brass. I think you will understand.

--------------------
Don't let the bastards grind you down!

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