Need help with "250 Ace" RCBS die

[strangwn]

I have an RCBS sizer/decap/exp die factory marked "250 Ace", but without a date mark. The case is obviously a .25 cal bottleneck, but shorter than a .25-06. I have not been able to find dimensions or history. Any ideas?

[scrapcan]

If RCBS made the die, they may have some info. Also what is stamped on the top of the die? Does the die have a date on it, not sure when the date thing on RCBS dies started. Others will most likely be able to look in the donnely book before I get home. I will try to watch the thread and have a look tonight if no one does it sooner.

[Johnch]

I had a referance of 250 Donaldson Ace

So I looked it up online
Pacific Tool lists a chamber reamer

For some reason I thought the parent cart. was the 30/30
But that may be CRS talking

John

[jameslovesjammie]

The .219 Donaldson Wasp's parent case was the 30-30 (or 25-35 or .219 Zipper). There is no reference to the 250 Ace in "Cartridges of the World, 11th Edition". Looks like we're gonna need to do more research.

[NVcurmudgeon]

RCBS dies from 1950 on are stamped with a letter on top. 1950 is A, etc. I believe in the 1960s they changed over to two digit year codes. An E-mail to RCBS will get you an answer to date your die.

[StarMetal]

I

Several "250 Don Ace" cartridge
Base to shoulder: 1.400 in.
Base to neck: 1.550 in.
Case length: 1.874 in. (though my father notes it should be 1.9125)
All lengths measured from end of cartridge, not inside of rim.

Rim diameter: .540 in.
Base diameter: .462 in.
Shoulder diameter: .446 in.
Neck diameter: .291 in.
Cartridge head stamp: Super Speed 30-40 Krag (Winchester)

As noted formed from the 30-40 Krag

Joe

[Firebricker]

My guess was a .256 Newton but "250 Don Ace" sounds like it. I've read his articles in some early Handloader magazines he was an interesting man. FB

[strangwn]

NVcurmudgeon,
The sizer die also has a "B" stamped on top. So I assume it was made in 1951?

All,
Thanks for all the great responses.

[Pepe Ray]

Questioning the engraving/stamping.
Could the "E" be a "K"?
Pepe Ray

[strangwn]

The "B" is pretty clear. I will take some pics and post here hopefully tomorrow.

[strangwn]

Here's a picture of the markings on the head of the die.

[NVcurmudgeon]

NVcurmudgeon,
The sizer die also has a "B" stamped on top. So I assume it was made in 1951?

All,
Thanks for all the great responses.

B=51, or maybe 1978 if it looks like current style. I don't have a complete chart, just asked about three dies. I made up my own chart based on what they told me in a short, Email but there are some unresolved glitches. Remember there are not too many current RCBS employees who were making dies in 1950. But the A marked die definitely looks like an antique style that I have never seen, and I have been loading since 1959.

[Firebird]

Ken Howell's book lists a 250 Donaldson Ace as being an improved 250 Savage, with the 250 Donaldson being an improved 257 Roberts. Looks like Donaldson wildcatted a lot of cases in 25 caliber, maybe use some of that chamber casting stuff to make a casting of the sizing die to figure out which version you have.