Next Nosler - 280 AI

11 January 2006, 00:32

It appears that Nosler has choosen the 280 AI as the next chambering for their Custom gun line. An ad in the new SCI refers to this caliber being donated.

I find it somewhat interesting in their selection away from the mainstream cartridges. None of the major ammo manufacturers load the 280 AI.

It will be interesting to see if they ever come out with their own proprietary cartridge during this run of five guns.

Bombs away!

11 January 2006, 01:17

Savage99

I forgot about the Nosler rifle again. It's so forgetable.

11 January 2006, 03:16

dogcat

What does "Ackley Improved" really mean? I see it alot on various cartridges.

11 January 2006, 03:25

vapodog

I find it very surprising that anyone would bring out a wildcat cartridge in a gun.....the last time I can remember that happening is when H & R bought out the .17 in the little Sako action.....this was before the .17 Remington was developed.....

Weatherby bought out .338-06 ammo to go with their gun.....is Nosler bringing out AI loads?????

11 January 2006, 03:56

onefunzr2

Sako chambered their guns in 22-250 before Remington standardized it.

It's perfectly safe to fire regular 280 Rem ammo in an improved chamber.

Is Nosler still asking $3,500?

11 January 2006, 19:59

seafire/B17G

personally, I see all of this extra stuff that Nosler is migrating into, as a prelude to them setting up the company for a sale to a larger concern.....

Bob Nosler is probably getting to the age, sell the company, and take the money and run.....

All of these overpriced firearms, Nosler brass etc.. are just trying to position themselves as a diverse company in the elite of the firearms industry.. instead of just a premium bullet manufacturer.....

It is all just big business....Sadly they are trying to rest of their laurels...

I will continue to love their bullets and buy them in large quantities... but I have to admit, a Nosler rifle will not be residing in my gun cabinet.. and Nosler brass probably won't be seeing my handloads....

I am not out to try to impress someone with how much money I have or throw at my favorite pastime.... I guess that I am still just a burgeois peasant at heart....uffDa!

cheers
seafire

11 January 2006, 20:49

Peakebrook

Actually, I think it is one of Bob's sons who is in-charge of the Custom gun project. I think the kids are interesting in expansion.

11 January 2006, 20:55

mho

quote:
Originally posted by dogcat:
What does "Ackley Improved" really mean? I see it alot on various cartridges.

Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong...

P.O. Ackley was a celebrated firearms and wildcatting specialist in the 50'es and 60'es. He lent name to a procedure, in which the capacity of a given cartridge case is increased, by firing it in a chamber cut with a modified ("improved") reamer. Normally the Ackley improved cartridges steepen their shoulder angles to 40 degrees. Other fireforming techniques use more sloping shoulders than this. The purpose of it all, is to form a bigger case out of smaller. Even some factory cases have started out as "improved" - e.g. the .300 Wby is largely an "improved" .300 H&H - albeit with the typical Weatherby double radius shoulder.

So Ackley Improved means a case altered by fireforming in a wildcat chamber, altering the shoulder angle to 40 degrees, and thus increasing case capacity. One huge advantage of this modification, is that it is still possible to shoot factory loads in guns with an Ackley Improved chamber. The designs aims at a wildcat, which is comparatively easy to work with.

Understandable??

- mike

P.S. Link to Ackley book

11 January 2006, 22:29

Stonecreek

quote:
Originally posted by onefunzr2:
Sako chambered their guns in 22-250 before Remington standardized it.

It's perfectly safe to fire regular 280 Rem ammo in an improved chamber.

Actually, I think it was Browning, using a Sako action, that chambered the .22-250 prior to factory ammunition being available.

Other factory-chambered wildcats would include the .30-338 and 6x47 in the Remington 40X.

As popular as it is, I can't understand why someone doesn't do the K-Hornet, since it, like the AI line, can fire factory ammunition.

11 January 2006, 23:13

HunterJim

The Ackley Improved chamber design also features the same headspace datum line as the factory cartridge, making the factory cartridge safe to fire in the improved chamber.

You get an AI cartridge after you fire an original cartridge in the AI chamber. The AI cartridge holds more powder, and will generate a higher muzzle velocity.

The .280 AI has been a very popular custom rifle chambering for years. IT is cool for a factory to standardize a good wildcat like this because it has had so much field testing with great results.

jim

12 January 2006, 07:46

onefunzr2

quote:
Actually, I think it was Browning, using a Sako action, that chambered the .22-250 prior to factory ammunition being available.

Upon reflection, I believe you are correct.

Changing to a steeper shoulder angle is the most visible aspect of an AI case but the modified reamer also removes most of the case body taper. Both mods add up to increased powder capacity, usually~5%.

IIRC, the SAAMI pressure limit for the 280Rem is less than the 270Win. which is 65Kpsi. If Nosler starts chambering guns maybe they will also submit the 280AI version to SAAMI who might then list it at 65Kpsi as they did with the 338-06. No reason the 280 and 30-06 should not operate at the same pressure limit as the 270. But I doubt the '06 will ever be revised.

12 January 2006, 13:08

wildcat junkie

quote:
Originally posted by mho:
quote:
Originally posted by dogcat:
What does "Ackley Improved" really mean? I see it alot on various cartridges.

Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong...

P.O. Ackley was a celebrated firearms and wildcatting specialist in the 50'es and 60'es. He lent name to a procedure, in which the capacity of a given cartridge case is increased, by firing it in a chamber cut with a modified ("improved") reamer. Normally the Ackley improved cartridges steepen their shoulder angles to 40 degrees. Other fireforming techniques use more sloping shoulders than this. The purpose of it all, is to form a bigger case out of smaller. Even some factory cases have started out as "improved" - e.g. the .300 Wby is largely an "improved" .300 H&H - albeit with the typical Weatherby double radius shoulder.

So Ackley Improved means a case altered by fireforming in a wildcat chamber, altering the shoulder angle to 40 degrees, and thus increasing case capacity. One huge advantage of this modification, is that it is still possible to shoot factory loads in guns with an Ackley Improved chamber. The designs aims at a wildcat, which is comparatively easy to work with.

Understandable??

- mike

P.S. Link to Ackley book

I believe the intension was also to decrease bolt thrust with the added benifit of reduced brass stretch leading to better brass longevity and the ability to (safely) load to higher pressure because of these factors.

12 January 2006, 18:47

Bwana1

Where did you see that the Nosler rifle will be chambered in 280AI??I looked on their web site and the only thing that I saw was that .280 (not 280AI)ammo will be available soon THANKS

12 January 2006, 19:30

Thomas Jones

I will believe that nosler puts out its next rifle in the 280 improved when I see it. I don't know if i would by such a rifle in any chambering, but I sure don't think the price is unreasonable, these rifles come with a 900,00 dollar scope, and a fancy hardcase. Having never seen one in the flesh, I can't say it's a great deal either, I also don't think nosler is up for sale, I have met a couple of the sons at the portland outdoorsmans show and one kid was no more than 19 or 20 and he was running a booth more or less by himself. Seems tthey are planning to keep it in the family, but who knows ? ...tj3006

12 January 2006, 22:14

Peakebrook

You will not see any "official" announcement until the SHOT show. But the 280 AI is next per my conversations.

12 January 2006, 22:40

JudgeSharpe

Why would anyone want to "improve" the 280 Remington? I aquired a 280 with aome tripulation last year, being a 30-06. The price was right and I knew I could get my money out of it.
It is my go to rifle now. I can honestly say if I had only one rife the 280 would be it. It is aone shot deer killer. The recoil is less than a 270 or 30-06, it groups better, and is easy to reload. It has the ballistics to rival the 7mm mag, at least at reasonable ranges. Whats to improve?
Just my old fart opinion.
Judge Sharpe