Does anyone have any experience with a .338-.280 in either standard or improved versions? I noticed that Hart lists a .338-.280 Improved among the calibers they will chamber for.
It is my understanding that the .280 Rem. case has the shoulder pushed forward to prevent it from being chambered in a .270 Win. Would this be similar to the shoulder on a .30 Gibbs? If so does this give it any advantage over the .338-06 chambering?

HB,
if i buffed off the headstamp and handed you a 270 and then took that away from you, and handed you a 280, i doubt you could tell the difference.. most times i couldnt....

the 270/280/30-06 are all the same case.. and you can just as esily make 338-06 from 280 as from 270...

jeffe

I don't think there would be any difference once its AI. I could and often am wrong though.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
HB,

the 270/280/30-06 are all the same case..
jeffe

If they are the same, why do they use different head space gauges?

Yes I have my own version. Started with a 280 shortened the neck to .28 reduced body taper even more than the AI. 40 deg shoulder. I then built wildcats using that reamer from 6mm-416.

The 270, 25-06, 338-06, 35 Whelen all have the same headspace. The 280 shoulder is moved slighty forward. It has just a "touch" more capacity. Even after AI it will still be different. AI will square the taper up and make a 40 deg shoulder. Factory ammo is a crush fit in both.

The gibbs moves the shoulder forward, reduces the taper and has a 35 deg shoulder he used 06 brass. From base to shoulder the gibbs is .035" longer than the AI. 270 or 280 brass in the gibbs would have more capacity than the 06 bases cases due to the longer neck. Only way to gain it is to be able to set the bullet further out. Since the gibbs moved the shoulder farther forward his case depending on caliber would add up to twice the capacity of the AI. Trade off is factory ammo can't be use.

Check on http://www.clymertool.com you can see their reamer dimsensions.

Hope this makes some sense because I haven't had coffee yet.

In my view the 25-06, 270, 280, 30-06, 6.5-06, 338-06 etc were all built on the same parent case. Yes some dimensions change. Just like the 458, 338WM the 7Remmag etc are the same basic case. When you start trying to tell a real world difference between a 338-06 and 338-280 you are wasting time.

I have used 280 brass for my wildcats for 25 years. If I changed to 270 nothing would really change. If I used 06 the neck would be shorter but long enough in hold the bullet. With the same length magazine I would have the same net capacity for powder.

While I can tell a 270 or 280 from an 06 or 25-06 I have to have them next together to tell the 270 and 280 apart. That is why Rem moved the shoulder forward to keep someone from forcing a 280 into a 270.

Terry,
in this context, they are all the same... the 270, 25-06 and 30-06 all use the same headspace ga, iirc.. the 280/7rem express was made during a mor litigeous time, and has a RCH forward shoulder.. but the case capacity is also within an RCH

speaking of splitting RCH....

jeffe

Hey Jeffe,

Which is finer a RCH or a BCH??

BCH is finer.. nearly on a metric scale!!

rch is generally a little coarser, and will wear the hide off you quicker!!

oh, i am SO in trouble

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
BCH is finer.. jeffe

Is that blond or black? roger

I was married once upon a time to a young Irish lass named Mary who had real RCH and she was able to rub me just fine!!!..for awhile.