PDA

View Full Version : 6.35x28.6mmSR Stewart, a Viable Modern Cartridge conversion for .25 Stevens Firearms.



Chev. William
11-26-2015, 06:01 PM
The "6.35x28.6mmSR Stewart", or '6.35x28.6mmSR', or '.25ALS' is a Modern Conversion Cartridge based upon reforming 5.7x26mm Cases to .276"-278" Body diameter and Trimming to nominal 1.125" length, leaving the Rim and Extractor clearance grove about the same as the parent Cartridge case.

This Is proposed as:
- A Modern way to get The Firearms Chambered in ".25 Stevens" or ".25-10-67" as Winchester, Marlin and others termed it 'Speaking Again' since the Original cartridge is 'Obsolete', no longer commercially loaded, and examples are 'Collectible" and Priced Accordingly.
- A case that is far Stronger than the original RF cases, as the Parent is rated for use at 50,000psi Maximum Average Pressure by CIP.
- A new Cartridge to use in Small frame Revolvers but with more Potential than the .22WMR.
- A New Cartridge that can be used in Strong Rifle actions to its Full 50,000psi MAP potential with a wider Range of Bullets and OAL lengths.

This Cartridge is published as cartridge number 958 in the "Ammoguide International" 'Cartridge Master Data Base'. It is Similar in dimensions to the Previously Published "6.35x32mmSR" (published as number 950 in the Same Data Base) and to the "25-10 Halsted" (a Wildcat designed for .257" Bullets).

It is Easier to form, but requires more tooling, than similar designs made from .22 Hornet Parent Cases.
The Yield from Forming is better than that experienced from Forming from .22 Hornet to the Same End Body diameter. (My experience is about 5% loss when forming .22 Hornet to .276 body Diameter and ZERO Loss when forming 5.7x28mm to .276 body diameter.)

Forming Cases to these diameters is discussed in other Threads on this Forum so the details will not be repeated here unless Requested.

For Revolvers, bullets should be loaded to limit Overall Cartridge Length to fit the Cylinder, or 1.400" maximum and about 1.395" is a slightly better 'target length'. A range of bullets commercially available can be extended by Resizing bullets down from .257" diameter to .250"-.252" diameters, depending upon bullet type and construction.

Best Regards,
Chev. William:swagemine:(Cartridge cases That is.)

Nobade
11-27-2015, 11:54 PM
Any chance you could post some closeup pictures of the formed cases? I am trying to envision what that would end up looking like. I just happened across you thread about building the Single Six to take this and the 25 ACP, and you certainly have my interest!

-Nobade

Chev. William
11-28-2015, 02:13 PM
Here are some Photos of the Precursors of the 6.35x28.6mmSR Stewart Cartridge:

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz316/chevwilliam/6%2035%20and%206%2052%20Variants%20on%205%207x28mm %20Brass%20Cases/47c260fa-88e2-4aa4-ab0f-b9a452446d5b_zpsr5gpk8vh.png
First Loaded 6.35x32mmSR Stewart Cartridge.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz316/chevwilliam/6%2035%20and%206%2052%20Variants%20on%205%207x28mm %20Brass%20Cases/688b8f0d-fdc7-418f-a825-e69878c8e419_zpsb7of6r1e.jpg
Photo of Tools and Cases in Forming steps: left Front is parent 5.7x28mm case, Right front is formed 6.35x32mmSR Stewart Case.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz316/chevwilliam/6%2035%20and%206%2052%20Variants%20on%205%207x28mm %20Brass%20Cases/b5dc62d1-c363-4262-870f-73874bc8609d_zpsyi2wus1a.jpg
Various Dummy cartridges with bullets seated to about the Same Depth to check Overall lengths.

The "Neck" and "Shoulder" of the Once Fired 5.7x28 parent Cases leave a Discolored area on the reformed Cases, which are 'Straight Walled' instead of "Bottle Necked". The Base of the Cartridges shows a 'clean Brass' surface which is an artifact of the Forming Process used. as a thin 'ring' of coating and Brass is Sheared off in the Last forming step. This may or may not happen when I form some with a slightly smaller intermediate forming die I have on order.

The "6.35x28.6mmSR Stewart" case is a trimmed version of the "6.35x32mmSR Stewart" case. Trim length is 1.125" and Loaded OAL is supposed to be 1.400" for the Revolver application.

I hope this Helps you.
Best Regards,
Chev. William

Nobade
11-29-2015, 10:13 AM
Nice! Thank you for sharing the pics - I was wondering how you were able to produce a rim to make it work in a revolver. How are you able to swage the head down all the way to the rim and still get the case out of the form die? Is that middle shell holder thin enough to allow this to happen?

I think you are on to something very useful here. I have mourned the passing of the 22 CCM and the folks at Cooper say they will never make any more of those. What you have here is sort of the same thing but better, with easily available inexpensive cases to start with. Many interesting firearms could be built to use these and they would be a nice replacement for 22LR and other small, quiet rounds that can't be obtained any more.

Did you make the dies yourself, or contract somewhere to build them? Are they and the reamers available for purchase anywhere?

Thanks!
-Nobade

Chev. William
11-29-2015, 05:12 PM
Nice! Thank you for sharing the pics - I was wondering how you were able to produce a rim to make it work in a revolver. How are you able to swage the head down all the way to the rim and still get the case out of the form die? Is that middle shell holder thin enough to allow this to happen?

I think you are on to something very useful here. I have mourned the passing of the 22 CCM and the folks at Cooper say they will never make any more of those. What you have here is sort of the same thing but better, with easily available inexpensive cases to start with. Many interesting firearms could be built to use these and they would be a nice replacement for 22LR and other small, quiet rounds that can't be obtained any more.

Did you make the dies yourself, or contract somewhere to build them? Are they and the reamers available for purchase anywhere?

Thanks!
-Nobade

Noblade:
1. I use a "Shade Tree Mechanic" solution: I use a 6" roll Pin Punch machined to taper the Working end from a Flat end of .175" diameter to about 3/16" diameter for its parallel length then the Body is turned down for a distance to fit into the top of the Lee Dies. This is 'Wacked' with a 16 oz. Hammer to drive the case out the bottom of the die.

2. I bought all my other 'tooling' from RCBS, Redding, or Lee, either Directly (Lee special orders) or through my Local Reloading Store. The Sizing dies I use are Lee Carbide ring .25ACP sizing dies with the Intermediate diameter ones Custom "opened" by Lee. the basic die is about $28 and the fee to "open" the diameter is $30 so each intermediate die is about $60 with shipping
I use a Lee "Universal Decapping Die to remove the Primers from the 'once fired' cases.
I use a Tapered piece of .2500" Drill Rod as an Expander punch in my Bench drill Press.
I use a RCBS "Primer Pocket Swaging Kit" Small Pocket punch, Stripping Cup, and a 3.16 Id Fender washer (as a Spacer between top of stripper cup and case) in my used RCBS "RC" reloading press fitted with a replacement RCBS "Ammomaster II" ball ended longer Handle to Force the Case into the die.

This combination, along with the three step size Reduction, yields a force requirement that is comfortable for a sitting one armed Forming cycle.
I developed this combination from a single step process reforming .22 Hornet Cases down to .276 diameter, which takes two Arms and Partial Standing to preform.

No "shell holder", by their needed design, will allow a case to be 'sized all the way to the top of the rim. The combination using the Primer cup punch and etc. supports the Primer cup through the Base Web swaging but you will need to Drill and deburr the Flash hole after final forming Step.
I use a 5/64" drill to open the Swaged down Flash Hole along with a 4" long double ended Center drill to deburr the inside and outside hole edges.

Luckily the 5.7x28 parent cases are coated and do not require additional case lube in the forming Process. They also "grow" in length as they are Reduced in diameter.
So far raw formed cases are measuring between 1.215" and 1.253" long with the Majority coming out about 1.230" long (275 cases measured so far).

NOTE: My use of these .276" body diameter cases trimmed to 1.125"+/-.003" and Loaded to 1.400"+0.0/-.007" in the Project revolver and limiting the MAP to the Range of the .22WMR and .25ACP cartridges 'should' leave nearly the Same Safety Margin as Ruger designed into their Revolvers. My chosen barrel length of 10-5/8" (forcing cone to Muzzle) plus the Cylinder length of 1.415" should give an equivalent of about 12" Breech to Muzzle length for estimating charges, MV, MAP, and MEP for starting loads.

As a concise answer to your last question:
I have Purchased Lee dies, and their Custom Services, to obtain the Dies used in this Project.

I did find that RCBS .25ACP Sizing die will form a Shoulder and reduced neck on any case longer than about .75" run into it as RCBS did not bore the full length of the die to clear the Sized case diameter (unnecessary with .25ACP standard length cases).

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Nobade
11-29-2015, 05:56 PM
Thanks! I love it - an interesting project that doesn't take a ton of money to achieve, or a full machine shop! Keep us posted, and I'll let you know if I ever build one of these. I have a couple unloved Rem 580's that would be good to convert into centerfire and this cartridge. Already built one up into a 9mm, but this is more interesting.

-Nobade

Chev. William
11-29-2015, 06:54 PM
I also used 'Pacific Tool and Gauge' (PTG) to make my initial reamer, a Finishing custom that is labeled ".250ALRM", then later a Roughing one in the same cartridge name, a Finishing .25ACP, a Finishing .32 Long Colt, they also built my .22 Long rifle Freeland reamer (purchased from Midway supply Catalog at the time), and some Pilot Bushings.

The "250ALRM" is designed to cut the chamber for a 1.250" long Cartridge of .25ACP diameters I made from resized, and Turned down rims, .22 Hornet cases as a "Lengthened .25ACP" but is usable for cutting a Chamber for these 6.35x28.6mm and x32mm Cass if the Rim rebate is enlarged in diameter.
I found, on Ebay, a Piloted Counterbore with a #8 Screw sized Pilot and a .348" outer diameter. This pilot can be "sleeved' to pilot in the Chamber; to open the Rim Rebate to similar diameter to that used by J. Stevens in his .25 Stevens Barrels.

"McMaster-Carr" or "Granger" may also be sources for such Counterbores or Spotfacers.

My suggestion is to start Gathering the Tools needed to form cases to fit your Existing Reloading setups before starting your Firearm conversion. PTG especially needs time to make the Reamers.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Nobade
11-29-2015, 10:21 PM
Yes, always want to make sure you have all the tools before you start the job!

I am wondering if you even need a chamber reamer. If this is a completely straight cartridge, you should be able to chamber it with a decimal size chucking reamer and then go in with a 25 cal. throater to throat it to what you want. I did that with my 270 Hornet and a 357 Maximum. Worked well and is a whole lot cheaper than a chamber reamer. Of course you'd have to single point the rim cut or use a piloted counterbore like you did.

Eventually I'll get one of these up and running!

-Nobade

Chev. William
11-29-2015, 11:15 PM
Gunsmith shops are More comfortable with a Chamber Reamer on a Customer Project.
"Work around"s for Personal projects are an alternative but i Did Spec a slight Taper to the ".250ALRM" Chamber to match the .250ACP chamber arrangement.
I will consider revising my thoughts for the "6.35x28.6mmSR" chamber before turning over the Cylinder for Reaming.

Possible method:
A. A Straight Cylinder .250" reamer first through.
B. Followed by a .277" or .278" straight reamer for the Basic Chamber shape.
C. Followed by the .25ACP reamer for the base taper, and Start of the rim rebate.
D. Finished up with a Piloted Spot Face Cutter to finish the rim rebates.
Might make a tighter Chamber overall.

But Do I want a 'Tight' chamber in this firearm to start with???
Something to think about for a while.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

PS: I checked PT&G Web site Monday Night and they Now List Reamers for Both the ".25 Stevens" (I presume this is the "Short") AND the ".25 Stevens Long Rifle". Since I received my Second 'Three day Paycheck" I ordered one Finishing ".25 Stevens Long Rifle" Reamer to see what it is like. Chev. William

PPS 20160220: The PT&G chamber reamer arrived Friday evening via UPS and upon opening I discovered they sent a ".25-25 Stevens FIN" reamer instead of the ordered one!!! Now I have to wait until Monday to cal and Ask "What Happened?" More Delays it seems. Chev. William

Chev. William
12-11-2015, 11:18 AM
As of December 8th, my Project Used Ruger Revolver and Two 'Replacement Reproduction 8-shot Cylinders' are in the Hands of my Gunsmith for the Rework needed to convert to CF, Fit and Time the cylinders, and fit a Custom replacement 10-5/8 inch long ".25ACP/6.35 Browning" Barrel (from a 'Lothar Walther' C-M Barrel Blank).

The third Cylinder is on Order from "Numerich Arms" with an estimated Delivery December 11th, Today, and the PTG ".25 Stevens Long Rifle" Reamer is on Order (confirmed) with no Estimated delivery date yet.

At Least I have Developed some 'patience' over the Years so I will be doing other Things in the Meantime.

Chuckling,
Chev. William

jaysouth
12-16-2015, 11:30 PM
Lordy, I can just see all the .30 Badger owners lining up to stampede on this one. In a year .30 badgers will be selling for scrap prices. wonder what the follow on to this one is?

Chev. William
12-17-2015, 04:53 PM
Jaysouth,
I am unfamiliar with the ".30 Badger" so would you please Expand on your Post?
Chev. William

jonp
12-17-2015, 07:41 PM
That's funny. I was reading about the .30 Badger on a different forum today. I got there by reading about different barrels for an AR which led to 300BLK and ended up at the 30 Badger somehow through the offshoots of the 223 parent case.

Nobade
12-17-2015, 09:40 PM
I have two guns I built for 30 Badger - a Ruger #1 and a Contender pistol. It is quite a delightful cartridge to work with, and produces quite useful ballistics for playing around, short range hunting, and big bore handgun silhouette. Essentially the same effect as a 30 carbine.

It's just a 38 spl. case run into a 7.62x25 Tokerev die. So, a long necked rimmed Tok round. Dave Manson makes the reamer, and you load it with off the shelf dies.

-Nobade

Ballistics in Scotland
12-18-2015, 04:59 AM
Judged purely as what you see and what you use, the 6.35x28.6mm seems like a very useful cartridge. But the principle firearm which is its reason for existence is very vulnerable to legislation or to changing fashion in its almost entirely institutional sales. Institutions don't usually load their own either. I doubt if future availability of ammunition and especially of cases can be guaranteed. Now for something like the .270REN, which is simply a straight-walled .22 Hornet, or cartridges based on the .25-20 and .30 Carbine families, cases will be around as long as there are guns.

Chev. William
12-18-2015, 11:36 AM
Judged purely as what you see and what you use, the 6.35x28.6mm seems like a very useful cartridge. But the principle firearm which is its reason for existence is very vulnerable to legislation or to changing fashion in its almost entirely institutional sales. Institutions don't usually load their own either. I doubt if future availability of ammunition and especially of cases can be guaranteed. Now for something like the .270REN, which is simply a straight-walled .22 Hornet, or cartridges based on the .25-20 and .30 Carbine families, cases will be around as long as there are guns.

I presume you are talking of the parent donor cartridge, the 5.7x28mm, and if I am correct, that will make many users very Unhappy here in the USA.

If you are talking of something else, please expand your Post to explain what.

I already have a Process to employ in resizing .22 Hornet cases to .25ACP/.25Stevens Diameters but this 5.7 resizing is much "easier" to do; although it takes more Tooling to accomplish smoothly.

The resizing of .22 Hornet May be done in fewer Steps but completing the hornet to work requires Lathe turning of the 'roll of displaced brass from the 'top' of the Rim and Thinning the Rim thickness down to .050" of the .25 Stevens desired result. There is also the necessity to trim the Case length from about 1.380" to 1.125", a tedious task with a Hand trimming Tool like a Forster or Lyman unit. It is even 'frustrating' with a portable drill driven Lyman trimming tool as the Adjustment is not designed for power use and 'slips' in operation.
Yes it Can be Done, and I have done about 400 Hornet cases so far; but in less time I have also done about 600 of the 5.7 resizing and my Success Rate is much Better with the 5.7 process.

I can only hope FN continues to make Ammunition for the Foreseeable Future, or at least the Rest of My Natural Life.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
12-24-2015, 02:51 AM
Today, Wednesday December 23rd, I received my Lee custom Case Sizing Die (.284" Dia.) and my Lee custom Seating Die for the "6.35x32mmSR" cartridge with a Bullet Seating 'Punch' to seat Spire Soft Point bullets. This is a 'Deeper Than Normal' for ".25ACP" Seating Die and does NOT have Crimp provisions.

The die is needed to allow Seating Bullets aligned with the case mouth better, as trying to do this in a stock .25ACP seating die was very error prone: However, it may be Too Deep to work with the "6.35x28.6mmSR" cartridges.

I hope to Try out the New dies after Christmas if we get a 'warm spell' between rains.

Merry Christmas to all,
Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
01-24-2016, 06:37 PM
I tried out the .284" case sizing die, and it leaves the Cases at .288" diameter, about .004" diameter 'spring back' which I anticipated. ran 15 cases through the .284 die then the .276 diameter .25ACP sizer. With MUCH Less 'displaced brass' and a lowered average effort. Then I Tried Length Trimming and found that my Lyman trimmer has worn loose in the Bearing area so 'wobbles too much under power to cut a True Case length. I guess another trimmer base will be needed.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
02-07-2016, 12:52 PM
Lee Precision, Inc. sent me an email stating they are "out of Stock" of the .25ACP Carbide Ring Sizing Die and do not expect to make more for about Seven Months! They Also informed me that my Order for a replacement/Repair to my Broken .288" Opened Sizing die is Canceled due to the 'out of Stock' condition.

OUCH!

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Nobade
02-07-2016, 10:50 PM
Well that is a pain. One thing that might help - I have found I can make sizing dies out of 12L14 and have H&M do their black nitride finish to it. They come back plenty hard to form and resize brass, and that leaded steel is so easy to machine and get a nice finish on.

-Nobade

Antietamgw
02-11-2016, 09:14 AM
Well that is a pain. One thing that might help - I have found I can make sizing dies out of 12L14 and have H&M do their black nitride finish to it. They come back plenty hard to form and resize brass, and that leaded steel is so easy to machine and get a nice finish on.

-Nobade
Who is H&M? I've got a little work for them...

Nobade
02-11-2016, 09:18 PM
Who is H&M? I've got a little work for them...

These guys...
http://www.blacknitride.com/


-Nobade

Antietamgw
02-13-2016, 09:57 PM
Thank you!

Paul5388
02-15-2016, 11:56 PM
I'm trying to figure how the rim works with it being smaller than the original .25 Stevens. My converted 1915 .25 Stevens won't extract a .25 acp, but it does fire it.

Chev. William
02-16-2016, 01:16 PM
Paul5388,
I believe Your "Extraction Problem" is due to the Original Extractor fitted to your .25 Stevens Rifle.
It was originally cut to fit the Rim Fire Round and then use over the Years has eroded the Tip shorter.
An Extractor may be Purchased as a Blank from "Wisner's" then cut and filed to properly extract the Semi-rimmed .25ACP cartridge. It will need careful fitting to the Cartridge and Chamber to:
1. Not "push" the Cartridge Head hard against the opposite Wall of the Chamber.
2. Catch the Rim up near the smaller diameter Clearance Groove in the Cartridge Head.
3. Be contoured so it does not 'cam' the rim out of Engagement with the Extractor tip during the Extraction process.
4. Be Hardened and Tempered so as to provide long Service life after Shaping.

In my Estimation, the face of The Extractor against the Rim should be Square and Perpendicular to the Cartridge Rim when it is seated in the Chamber. The Face of the Extractor tip facing the Muzzle should be tapered so as it pivots in the Extraction process it does NOT push upward on the Extractor Clearance Groove wall and thereby push the .25ACP case head up and out of contact with the Extractor tip corners 'pulling' on the rim.
Remember the Stevens Extractor is a Pivoted Lever and the Tip moves on a Radius, Describing a Curved Path.
I find that most original Stevens .25 Stevens RF chambers, being mostly over 100 Years old and used with Corrosive Cartridges then mostly not Cleaned properly after use, have eroded considerably leaving plenty of movement space to the Case Head.
It Is Possible to fit the Extractor to extract .25ACP out of Such a chamber IF the person is Aware of the potential problems.
The 1915 Favorite was fitted with a combination Extractor and Ejector which has a Spring Loaded plunger built into it so it may be better to use one of the 1894 style to get the dimensions for the Lip correct It is FAR easier to put in and take out of the Action in the fitting Process.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Paul5388
02-17-2016, 10:31 PM
I ordered a new extractor from Wisners, along with some new screws.

Now I'm having difficulties with shell holders. The Lee #15 doesn't fit my brass, so I tried a #7 with no success. I think I'll order some .25-10 brass from Rocky Mountain Cartridge LLC.

Chev. William
02-18-2016, 05:17 PM
If you are using Lee #15 Shell Holder for 6.35x28.6mmSR 'once fired' cartridges you may need to "Clean Up" the rims slightly on the Cases as FN Extractor and Ejector are "Rough" on the rims and leave Burrs on Once Fired Brass. Usually you can Feel the Burrs if you spin the Brass between Your fingers.
Redding #34 seems to be cut a "skoche" looser and may accept the burred Rims more often.
Lee #15 is listed as Fitting both the .25ACP And the 5.7x28mm rims but machining tolerances may make it a Tight fit on the 5.7x28mm rim on a NEW UNFIRED case rim, let alone a burred Once Fired one.
Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
02-20-2016, 11:39 PM
February 20th, Frustrated with what PT&G sent me in lieu of what I thought I ordered.
The Received ".25-25 Stevens FIN" chamber reamer is both larger in diameter and longer in Chamber Length than is useful to me and my Experiments.
I had desired a ".25 Stevens (Long) Rim Fire size Match Grade Chamber Finish Reamer" and tried to order it over the Telephone with PT&G.
The Desired Cartridge is .276" Body Diameter and 1.125" nominal Case Length (measured Chambers seem to be about 1.150" to 1.160" length, diameters are too worn to be measured reliably.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Paul5388
02-24-2016, 12:45 PM
I just ordered a box of .25-10 from Rocky Mountain Cartridge LLC. At this point, it just seems like the best option.

Chev. William
02-24-2016, 04:23 PM
Paul5388,
Please post your experience with the Rocky Mountain Cartridge 25-10 cases.
Being CNC machined from Brass Bar Stock according RMC web site, they sound intriguing, although the Price per box of 20 seems out of my
Budget Range.

General Interest:
I have been Conversing via Telephone with PT&G's Dave Kitt on working up a Chamber Reamer Drawing to make a Finish Chamber reamer for "6.35x28.6mmSR Stewart" to replace the ".25-25 Stevens" reamer they sent in error. I presume they will also send a RMA form so I can return this 'incorrect for my use or order' Reamer.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Paul5388
02-25-2016, 04:44 PM
Here's the response I got on the .25-10 order and it seems that they don't have them in stock quite yet.

Thank you - received it fine. Will charge out your order when we begin
production.

Tom, Cheri & Kody Outland

Rocky Mountain Cartridge LLC
1195 Lane 10
Worland WY 82401
Phone: 307.347.4547 | Fax: 307.347.4261
www.rockymountaincartridge.com (http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com)

Chev. William
02-25-2016, 05:50 PM
Patience is a Required Virtue for Old Firearms users it seems.

Chuckling,
Chev. William

Chev. William
02-27-2016, 11:04 PM
Talked to my gunsmith today and received the News that the Barrel is machined and fitted and will be going out for Bluing as par to a batch of work soon.
I did drop off The Third Cylinder so he can start on it's conversion to .25 Caliber from .22 caliber.
Also, he said my Model 44 rifle is getting Closer, he is finishing the fitting of a CF firing Pin to it.
Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
03-11-2016, 12:29 AM
The Revolver Barrel is going out as part of a Batch Lot of items for Bluing next Week so the Revolver is getting Close to Delivery.

My gunsmith still needs to finish fitting the CF Firing Pin in my Modified Stevens Model 44 Breech block, then we can Test fire it.

A side note: got my two dogs Bathed, Haircuts, toenails trimmed and they are now ready for warm Spring and early Summer. I still Need to take them to the Vet. for annual Checkup and Shots before paying the Annual License Fees.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
04-03-2016, 01:47 PM
Got My two dogs to the Vet and they are in good shape with their shots current.
Then got a "Work Call" from my Union Dispatcher that started at 1500 Thursday March 24th and "Wrapped" at 2200 April 1st. over 90 hours of Paid work will help with my Bills as they are rising and my 'retirement pensions' are not.

The Revolver barrel is still out for the Bluing process and the rifle firing pin is still being 'fitted'.
I still need to package and mail the .25-25 Stevens reamer back to PTG so they can give me credit for the replacement chamber reamer.

I spent Saturday Sleeping and resting to recover from the Intense Long Work Hours on a Movie Project that ended April 1st. I am GLAD fro the Work and Pay but Tired and Sore from getting it done.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
08-07-2016, 01:21 PM
I have not been Able to do much further work on developing this Cartridge due to loss of one of my Sizing Stage Dies and Lee Precision saying a replacement will not be made until after November of this year or longer.

My completed Revolver Frame assembly and two of four Cylinders are back in my hands but I don't have the "Discretionary funds" to go Shoot it now (Boo Hiss on the Economy and my Fixed Income Retirements).

This Loss has also Curtailed my other 5.7x28 Resizing efforts as the process Requires at least Three roughly equal steps in the Swaging Process for Good Yield results. So my Experiments with all Three 6.35 . . . Case designs is Impacted by the delay in getting a Replacement die made.

Additionally the Last two Utility Billings Have Been Very High due to Adverse Weather here (Hot And Drought) curtailing my "Discretionary Spending Funds" for the time being.

Please accept my apologies for the delay in further News of Progress.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
08-27-2016, 11:16 PM
Pacific Tool and Gauge has a Chamber Reamer Print on file for this cartridge:
It is "6.35 x 28.6mm SR Stewart fin 43962 William Stewart".

Also there is a revised version:
It is "6.35 x 32mm SR Stewart Fin Rev B 43962 William Stewart".

Chev. William

Chev. William
09-07-2016, 03:04 PM
It seems it will be "a few more weeks' until my reamer is ready to ship from PT&G.

In the mean time, i took a Solid Pilot 'rechamber' reamer i received earlier along with a Piloted counterbore and one of my Replacement ".22-Mag" 8 shot Cylinders to my gunsmith to chamber for ".25ALS / 6,35x28.6mmSR and set up to allow use of reformed Hornet Brass (.348" diameter rim) with the Rim thinned to .050" thick.
The Two reamer pilots are both .250" diameter so he will first need to bore the cylinder out to that dimension, then counter bore for the rim and finally ream the chambers.
The .350" nominal Counterbore will leave a margin between rim rebates in the finished cylinder so all rims will still be enclosed with Alloy Steel.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
09-30-2016, 07:53 PM
The ordered "6.35x28.6mmSR Stewart Reamer turned out to be a Resizing Type that cuts undersize to prepare for a Finish Reamer.
Later I Tried To order a finish 6.35x28.6mmSR reamer and got a ".25 Magnum Auto (same dimensions as a 6.35x26mmSR cartridge) Finish Reamer, oh well, It is one I wanted anyway.

The New PTG ".25 Magnum Auto. FIN" Reamer does cut a usable Chamber, i made a "dummy chamber" in a Blank die body i had on hand.
The Reamer, along with a Rim counterbore Tool to fit the .22 Hornet Parent Rim diameter, my Dummy chamber, and a Replacement 8-Shot Ruger .22-MAG Cylinder for Rework went to My gunsmith and are in his line to get done.

In the same Batch, I took a .32 LC Finish chamber reamer and a Used .22LR Ruger 6-Shot to be re-cut in .32 LC I am talking the OLD Colt Cartridge of .318" body diameter. this will be reviewed to see if I like the Chambers then if Acceptable be Reworked to fit a .32 H&R Magnum Ruger Single Six I recently Acquired as A Used Revolver Purchase.

Today I placed Orders with PT&G to get a "6.35x28.6mmSR Stewart" Replaceable Pilot Finish Chamber Reamer, Two .25 Cal. Pilot Drilled Blank Die Bodies, Two .30 Cal. Pilot Drilled Blank die bodies. and sets of Bushings for .25 Ca. and .30 Cal to use in reaming the Die Bodies.

Now I Wait. Patiently I Hope.

Best Results,
Chev. William

Chev. William
01-01-2017, 08:42 PM
The "6.35x28.6mmST Stewart Premium Finish Chamber Reamer" Came and is now at my gunsmith to have an 8-Shot cylinder Re-cut with it.
it is joined by My ".6.35x26mmST Finish Chamber Reamer" and a second 8-shot cylinder to get Re-cut with it.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
07-14-2017, 08:05 AM
Still awaiting my gunsmith to get to this Project again.
He is currently out on Vacation/Medical recovery from his second Joint replacement surgery.

Chev. William

woodbutcher
07-14-2017, 05:06 PM
:smile: This looks like a fun build and thread.I`ll saddle up and ride along.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

Chev. William
08-17-2017, 03:57 PM
I bought a New Lee Universal Expander Die and Set About Modifing It for a Dedicated Expander die for my 5.7x28mm case reforming process.

Just Tried out my New Lee "Universal Expander" Die with the Small Cartridge Expander stem Turned To .250" diameter. Outstanding results! The Die / Stem expands the Neck/Shoulder of 5.7x28 Cases Enough so the Swaging Process Removes the Felt evidence of The Prior Neck and Shoulder Junctions. My Prior Expander was a .2500" Drill Blank machined With a tapered end and Chucked in my Bench Drill Press for Use. It left a Slight Felt difference in diameters in the Area of the Neck and Shoulder Joints in my Swaged cases.

Very Happy with this new Modified Expander and Die!

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Chev. William
04-17-2018, 05:21 PM
Time for an Update to this thread:

The "6.35x26mmSR Stewart" or, as a 'short hand label', ".25ALS" is a .278" body diameter Case derived from a 5.7x28mm Fn case by multiple step swaging / sizing down form the original diameter of ~.314". The Short 'name is derived from the two cartridges that inspired its development: the .25 Automatic Colt Pistol and the .25 Stevens (Long) Rim Fire.

It is published on "Ammoguide International" as their cartridge number 958:
http://ammoguide.com/gfx/ctgs/diag/sae/958.gif
SPECIFICATIONS:
Bullet Diameter: .250 in.
Max Overall Length: 1.400 in.
Rifling Twist: 1-in-9.4 in.
Rifling Lands: 6
Case Capacity (est): 12.2 gr. water
Primer Size: .175 in.
NOMINAL PERFORMANCE
Bullet Weight: 65 gr
Muzzle Velocity: 1,000 fps
Muzzle Energy: 144 ft-lbs

Note That the Nominal performance is at Reduced Pressures to the limits of a 1894 Stevens "Favorite" action so the MV shown is low transonic. The cartridge design is capable of higher Pressures, and performance, as the Parent 5.7x28mmSR is rated at 50,000psi Pmax MAP.
The Above listed Twist is an older Lothar Walther stated value for their, now 1 turn in 9.8 inch, 6,35 Browning Cr-Mo Alloy Barrel Blanks. the other current source for suitable new production barrel dimensions is "TJ Liners" with their .25ACP liner listed as 1 turn in 14 inches.

Chev. William

Chev. William
05-28-2018, 01:38 PM
Friday, may 25th, I received my New JGS Precision 'cylinder' Finish chamber reamer of .2795" body diameter titled the ".25ALS WS #4".
This is a Straight Wall 'Cylinder' Chamber to mitigate 'bulging' of the fired cases in 'Tapered' Chambers cut with my original PT&G Finish Chamber Reamer.

Now I will Need to take it, and another 8-shot replacement aftermarket Ruger cylinder, to my Gunsmith to have the cylinder's .22MAG Chambers reamed out to .251" through then chambered with the JGS Reamer.

Chev. William