I picked up a pretty nice rem rb no. 2 this weekend and it is chambered in 25-20. I assumed it was a 25-20 wcf but after research it appears it is probably a 25-20 ss. Great bore and patina.
As far as I can tell 25-20ss does not have a parent cartridge to form brass from. Research also tells me to stay away from Bertram brass and use Jamison instead.
My questions are,
1- rcbs sells 25-20 case forming dies, would I be correct to assume they would use 222/223 brass? I thought perhaps someone has a set and would know.
2- die sets are stupid expensive! The only quarter bore dies I own are 25-06. Being a single shot action I am thinking I may be able to use the crimp/seat die to seat and crimp and not size the brass. Would this be feasible?
I have not cast the chamber yet as I just got it yesterday.
I just started loading bpcr cartridges for my 43 Spanish and 45-70 so my knowledge is fairly limited on bp rounds.
I see also that reaming to wcf is out due to the ss being a larger cartridge already.
3- Any other .257 cartridges that may be a good choice for the #2 action?
Bore is very nice so I don't want to re-chamber to a different cartridge. I just spent a pile of money getting bp and components for the 43 Spanish and really don't want to go through all that again.
Any help is appreciated.
Lab