new to 25-06 and ruger #1, seeking preemptive advice

[nagantguy]

The new proud half owner of a ruger #1 in afformentioned 25-06, new to both but have more question on the cartridge. Is forming cases from 06 as easy as they say? After case is formed can 30-06 dies be used to seat bullet or boolit. Is it a good caliber for cast boolits? What is a powder you've had good luck with? How much should I reduce powder charge if I use military brass to forum cases from? Anyone got dies they would like to trade something for or sell outright ? The rifle has a heavy barrel but I think for stand hunting up north looking down the fire breaks it would be great for my daughter. A bit heavy for walking around . I do like the shorter over all length of it and it does have some real pretty wood. Thanks in advance.

[country gent]

If you form 25-06 from 30-06 be sure and check loaded neck dia as necks thicken when sized down. It can be done size and set sholder back just enough to chamber easily but not to where they chamber to deep. If you have some fire formed cases the sholder dimension can be checked against the reformed also. Reforming you may want to anneal either before or after sizing down. Sizing down brass will get thicker and longer so also check overall length of the cases. If you have a 270 sizing die or 7 MM they might do good as an intermediate step between 308 and 257 but probably wont be needed. Also sometimes lightly squaring and deburring the case mouth helps with reforming. If available un primed brass may be easier.

[Mk42gunner]

The factories have been making properly headstamped brass for the .25-06 for something like 46 years now. I wouldn't mess around with forming brass that is available.

I also wouldn't try to use .30-06 dies to seat bullets, 0.051" is a lot of windage when you want things to align properly.

I have used powders from 3031 and slower with good effect, all with jacketed bullets. I never tried cast from a .25-06, and probably won't. It is a superb long range caliber for deer on down, although I do know some people that use it for elk it always seemed a bit light for them to me.

Robert

[EDG]

1. Cases are easy to form but buy new cases if you can. If you form cases besure to anneal the necks after forming.

2. You need 25-06 dies to load the round. Sure you can cobble up something that works but a good used set of RCBS dies will run about $20 to $25 on ebay.
I take it you have never done any reloading or you would not have asked that question.

3. I would find a different round to use for cast bullets.

4. Work up your loads - weigh your brass and consult reloading manuals for any charge data reduction.

5. Check ebay for dies - Either RCBS or Forster/Bonanza with the benchrest seater. Redding are also very good. Cheap dies will cause you to waste more money in components than the different in cost between cheap and quality dies.

[nagantguy]

Thanks guys, I've done plenty of reloading but was just asking all the questions that popped into my head. A bag of 100 new RP cases are on the way. I'll scrounge some dies and see what she can do. Never loaded anything in .257 before no dies no molds no gas checks but securing kit is half the fun

[country gent]

with the number 1 in most modern calibers full length or very close to it is recomended. The only real force for chambering a round is your thumb. a very few thousandths can be chambered with the block but its hard on the lever. A dummy round ade up can be a big plus to have.

[edctexas]

I have a Rem 700 in 25-06 and love it. With light bullets it is vicious on varmints and with heavier like 120 gr it is a good deer round. I haven't found a powder that I like since I ran out of N205. Slower powders work well. I probably would not try cast unless you have had success at HV in larger calibers.

Ed C

[Potsy]

I've had a Browning A-Bolt for about 20 years in .25-06. It's awesome.
Currently running 100 grain Partitions with RL-22 and 85 grain Ballistic Tips with IMR-4831.
I have, on occasion, had both loads make one cloverleaf hole with 3 rounds. .5
"-.75" 3 round groups are the norm.
I've not tried cast. Not that it couldn't be done, I've just no need for it for what I do with that rifle.

[nagantguy]

Cast for this girl will be a while down the road, I'm still in the big heavy and slow phase, like my 340 gr ml. REAL'S and 320 .44s. Haven't gone to fast yet, just pushing 2000 in 30 cal. Landed half a box of horndy 85 gr ballistic tips tonight we will start with that and a box of 120 gr RP corlokts.

[tygar]

I used to make 25-06 from 30-06 back in the 60s/70s & outside neck trimming was almost a given. Factory 25-06 brass stopped that krap quick! Up until I started with LR Benchrest & tactical guns my 25-06 was the most accurate rifle I had & out to 600yds. Off the top of my head 117 or 120s w/54.2 gr H4831 worked for me but caution ** the new books say around 52 is max.

[Potsy]

I did once neck a batch of .270 brass down to .25-06. They shot as well as anything but needed quite a bit trimmed off the end. A non-reloading buddy gave them to me and I used them (don't have a .270).
If they hadn't been free, I'd have just bought .25-06 brass.
A #1 in .25-06.....hmmmm....ain't no way that won't be fun!

[nagantguy]

How we came to "co-own" such a beast; helped a very dear friend help a friend to some remodeling, a buddy project, any compensation would be slight and that was undestood by all, the #1 was shown to us, my buddy fell in love, when job was done it was given to him. And I was offered Co ownership, I'll end up with it one day I hope, and can use it for hunting as my pal doesn't go to MI rifle zone for deer anylonger. A WY antalope trip has been in the talking stage for a bit, can't think of a better rig for it.

[rockrat]

From what I have heard, it is THE antelope gun here in Western Colorado

[Idaho Mule]

You will love the 25-06 if you play with it. I've had my M77 in 25-06 for over 30 yrs now and wouldn't trade it for anything. Try both H and IMR 4831's, 4350, RL 19 and 22, and others if needed. Mine likes the IMR4831 but I load mostly 117 gr. of either Hornady or Sierra. I have also used the Nosler 100 gr. Partition with very good results on deer. In the #1 it will be a wonderful rifle, enjoy. JW

[Gofaaast]

H4831SC is what my savage likes. My Remington prefers RL19. I only load 75-100 grain bullets though. A 75 grain vmax over 58 grains of H4831SC has shot <1" in the half dozen 25-06 rifles I have tried it in.

[EDG]

The 25-06 is really what the .243 was advertised to be.
It shoots way flatter if you take them to the range and shoot out to longer ranges you will find the .243 is a kids gun by comparison.

I use the middle load of 4350 with a 100 grain Sierra flat base. These bullets have a pretty tough jacket and have always penetrated and exited a deer.

[dave22250]

I have had a No. 1 in 25-06 for almost 30 years, it likes 4350 for everything 100 grns and up, and 4064 under 100 grns allsome deer and groundhog gun. the 75 grn hornady was a good performer for varmints and the 100 grn was ex. for deer......