I have a rem 700 classic 250 AI an would like to get more information on the "jam method" of fireforming.

I also have several factory loaded 100gr Win. and Rem. rounds to use also.

Will the brass fully form or be close with out the "jam method" for the factory rounds or will it take subsequent firings to achive this.

If your chamber was done correctly. Using factory ammo or brass you should feel a "crush fit" as you close the bolt. FAcotry ammo should fully form.

As to reloads I normally use a med heavy load (parent) of a medium to fast powder. If you shoulder is no sharp increase the powder charge. I've also found that forming loads can be just as accurate as the AI version. They can be used for something other than simply forming the case.

If you are talking about jamming the bullet into the lands then you would need to pull the factory bullet and reseat to jam into the lands. As to reloads set the bullet out long enough to allow you to feel a crush fit as you close the bolt. This would be the bullet jamming into the lands.

When I was fire forming cases for my .257 Imp., I followed the instructions in the Nosler reloading manual. It was the same info that ramrod-340 described. Never had a problem.
Bear in Fairbanks

I was taught and have always used a rather light charge of the fastest recommended powder with the bullet far enough out of the case to firmly engage the rifling. This pushes the bolt face against the bolt and insures that the shoulder is blown forward. This keeps the case from straetching in two directions which can cause reduced case life.

Just to be clear use powder, charge and bullet weights from the manual. Use lighter bullets and faster powder. If there are no Improved loads in the manual, you can use the parent data.

In my 250sav ai all I do is load with the top load for the 250 sav that is in the book.I have not had any problems fireforming brass,even when useing brass that has been fired a lot of times.
And these loads are used for the same purpose as the formed brass.

For my 280 Ackley Imp I used new factory brass which has a shoulder a bit forward of the Ackley case & so it is a crush fit in the chamber.

I used a relatively fast powder IMR 3031 for fire forming. My normal powders are H 4350, Re 19, N160 & MRP.

The "crush" method as outlined by Nosler's latest manual is rather confusing to new AI owners.

Seating the bullet into the lands is neither needed or how the AI chamber is set up to function correctly, the junction of neck and shoulder is where the headspace is taken from when fireforming brass for it. It's negative .010" normally.

There should be .010" "crush" built into every AI chamber when a factory round is chambered, this forces the case head back against the bolt face eliminating any "stretch" that may occur if it wasn't there.
Although a factory round can be used to fireform your brass, I prefer the method of using a fast shotgun powder and "cream of wheat" with a twist of "dacron" in the neck.
This is the gentlest of all methods on the brass, starting with about 5gr's and you increase the powder charge by 1gr increments until you get a sharply defined shoulder.

This way I do not waste any components other than a few grains of powder and a primer.
It gives me a fully fireformed case that is suited to my chamber without an expansion ring just above the web, all case expansion has taken place from the shoulder and neck area.
I then just neck size the brass and load up with my favourite powder/bullet and go shooting!

Cheers.

add another opinion on the crush method.

As previously stated, an Ackley, when headspaced correctly, will allow for a crush fit on regular for calibre brass when chambering a round, be it factory loads or reloads using new brass.

I plan to do all my fireforming for my 6mm AI with near to full loads with 6mm Rem brass and 87 gr bullets on gophers, targets, crows, or any other target of opportunity as fireforming loads in most Ackleys are as accurate as loads using fireforomed brass.

quote:

Originally posted by CoyoteKiller82:
add another opinion on the crush method.

As previously stated, an Ackley, when headspaced correctly, will allow for a crush fit on regular for calibre brass when chambering a round, be it factory loads or reloades using new brass.

I plan to do all my fireforming for my 6mm AI with near to full loads with 6mm Rem brass and 87 gr bullets on gophers, targets, crows, or any other target of opportunity as fireforming loads in most Ackleys are as accurate as loads using fireforomed brass.

+1
Stepchild

I have several different Ackley calibers. And in my load book I work up a accuracy load with virgin brass, and after it is all shot, then I work up a new load for accuracy with the improved cases. Keep track of both loads so you are able to enjoy shooting your rifle, even if you are fire forming. I've shot prairie dogs, coyote, white tail, and antelope all while fire forming.

Got er' done. Fired off 40 rds of Herters 100gr SP in front of 37.5 gr W-760 with good accracy. Thanks every one for all the great replies.....Hutt