I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

[JWV]

So I have been reading and there are several methods to go about making 260 brass from 308 brass. Then fire forming it to 260AI brass. My question is, could I get the 260 AI FL die and run the 308 brass to that to get the 260 neck I want? I know the die obviously won't blow the shoulder out to 40 degrees. But I don't want to buy the expensive AI dies and then have to get standard 260 dies to neck down.

Or I could get standard 260 FL die for necking down, get a 260AI body die and lee 260 standard die for neck sizing (it will work with the AI)

What do you guys think?

 

[MALLARD]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JWV</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> My question is, could I get the 260 AI FL die and run the 308 brass to that to get the 260 neck I want? I know the die obviously won't blow the shoulder out to 40 degrees. But I don't want to buy the expensive AI dies and then have to get standard 260 dies to neck down.

Or I could get standard 260 FL die for necking down, get a 260AI body die and lee 260 standard die for neck sizing (it will work with the AI)

What do you guys think? </div></div>

you mean go from an OD around .325 down to .290 ? you do plan on necked down .005-.010 at a time right ? becuase if you tried to jump from 325 to 290 , i think you'd sink your case necks into the shoulder.

body die seems like a good way to go.

 

[JWV]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

Should I get a 7-08 die to step it down?

 

[Charlie Papa]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

I would think you could skip the .260 FL die, but I've never loaded for the AI. I considered that cartridge before I went with the .260 Rem, but it had too many detractors being more uncommon. You've bought/built a weapon in what is essentially a wildcat caliber--no way to be cheap with it now!

If you're going to get a Lee die for anything, consider an intermediate step between .308 and .264, like maybe 7mm-08 (if it has the correct length between head and shoulder, can't remember off the top of my head).

 

[MALLARD]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

when i size down from .325 brass to .290 i go down in .010 increments using a bushing neck die and redding diameter specific bushings.I tried making big jumps around .020-.015 , it would ruin the cases.

7mm is around 308 OD right ? , i think you go could from an OD of 325 to 308 , but down to 290 from 308 is a big jump that might hurt the cases. I think you'd see your case necks sink in.

I can go give it a shot if you want me to , you want me to go from .325 to .308 then to .290 ? see what happens ?

 

[MontanaMarine]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

I'd keep it simple and buy some 260 brass, load it, and fireform it.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

Here's a good place to start:

260 Ackley case forming

 

[DocB]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

JWV,

After having necked down several hundred .308 cases to .243 Win, I'd recommend selling the .308 brass, then buying Lapua .260 brass with the proceeds. You can do it, it will work, but not worth the effort.

HTH,
DocB

 

[former naval person]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

I know you wish to save money...since you have the .308 brass. But...by the time you get the dies, expanders, etc., you could get new brass in 7-08 and neck down and fire form with Cream of Wheat and be money ahead. Besides which, you'll have to turn the necks quite a bit. They thicken as you reduce them. JMHO

 

[Boogyman]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

By the time you buy all the dies,should have just used 260 brass and fire formed them....Just buy a AI full lenght die...use standard 260 for the rest. Midway has them as singles.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

Buy Win 7-08 FL size it with a 260 die and fire form it to AI, simple easy and cheap, oh and way better than Rem 260 brass.

 

[JWV]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

Thanks for the advice guys. Will a standard 260 bullet seating die work in the AI? And will a lee collet die work for sizing down brass. I.E. 7-08 Win brass. I just really like the Lee collet die.

 

[former naval person]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

Not having one, and just figgurating, I'd say NO and NO. A seating die supports the brass while seating the bullet. An AI chamber is different in dimensions and you'd probably not get the concentricity you desire. When you go from 7-08 down, you need support for the case. Buy the AI FL sizing die to use when you initially convert...and then use the collet in between until you will eventually need to full length size again. I really don't think you need the AI...but then, horses are horses. If you are looking for more speed...think 6.5-.284. If you are looking for case life...balance that against labor and die costs. JMHO

 

[JWV]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

So I can use the AI FL die to form the original 7-08 brass down to 260. Alright, thanks for clearing that up. Then I will use the collet to neck size until the shoulder needs a bump back.

 

[JWV]

Re: I have 308 brass and need 260AI brass. Advice

I was originally going with 6.5x55. Got a barrel that had a defect. I have been waiting forever for the replacement. Found this one in stock and just cancelled the other. I just wanted to get shooting as I started this build 1 and a half years ago.