Gunsmithing custom dies - 280 AI necked down to 6.5mm

[ranger1183]

I have decided to try the Nosler brass in 280 Ackley Improved neck down to 6.5mm for my next rifle. So I'm talking about a custom 6.5-280 Ackley Improved <span style="font-weight: bold">NOT</span> the very common 6.5x284. I can get a reamer made by necking down and loading the nosler brass with my bullet of choice. What I haven't found yet is who can take that reamer and reamer prints and make a full length sizing die and a "micrometer" type seating die.

Any suggestions?

 

[colchester]

Re: custom dies - 280 AI necked down to 6.5mm

Would this be significantly different than a 6.5-06 ackley improved. I have a rifle chambered in this cal dies are available

 

[skog]

Re: custom dies - 280 AI necked down to 6.5mm

yes it is different. the 280 shoulder is bumped forward .080" IIRC vs 30-06. The reason was so you could not put 280 in a 270. When you get a chambering reamer made you can also get a FL sizing reamer and have the smith ream and heat treat the die blank. As far as the seating die a standard 6.5-06 die will work.

skog

 

[Kells81]

Re: custom dies - 280 AI necked down to 6.5mm

The guy that built my last 280 Ackley also does dies. I would bet any smith worth their salt can do this for you.

For your micrometer seating die I would also bet a smith can make a redding die for you or have redding make it themselves. Another option is the Hornady die with micrometer top. You would just need the 6.5 seater and micro upgrade. This would work on any 6.5 caliber reload. I.E. I used my Hornady 223 die to seat for a 22-250 for a while.

PT&G Could help you with the reamer and prints I would think.

 

[bohem]

Re: custom dies - 280 AI necked down to 6.5mm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">yes it is different. the 280 shoulder is bumped forward .080" IIRC vs 30-06. The reason was so you could not put 280 in a 270. When you get a chambering reamer made you can also get a FL sizing reamer and have the smith ream and heat treat the die blank. As far as the seating die a standard 6.5-06 die will work.

skog </div></div>

0.052" forward, not 0.080"

Is there a reason you don't just make the 6.5-06 AI? I have a straight 6.5-06 and the 140 Bergers are going 3150+ from a 28" tube. Bear in mind that these very overbore cases need a long barrel to reap the best results, a 24" tube on the rifle will be a waste IME.

If you're set on the 6.5-280AI then your cheapest/easiset bet is probably to get S-bushing 280 AI dies and swap for the 6.5 bushing.

Or you can get a set of 6.5-06 dies off the shelf and ask the 'smith to open them up for you with a die reamer.

 

[wadebrown]

Re: custom dies - 280 AI necked down to 6.5mm

I have used Redding Type S dies to do just that. The furthest I have taken the neck down is from 6.5 mm to 5.56 mm for my 22 x 47 Lapua. I have heard people tell me that method does not work, but the 22 x 47 L did not hear that as it shoots like a laser. I did the same for my 338 Edge, taking 338 RUM dies opening them to .375 and then having bushings installed so I had the option of using 338 or 375 RUM brass as the parent.

Hope this helps,

wade