fireforming

[shaleetoo]

what is the correct way to fireform 6mm-06 a i brass from 25-06 in a encore barrel. this is nickel plated brass by rem.

[Rocky Raab]

First, a warm welcome to HuntChat.

I'll leave aside the issue of nickel cases (which I do not like), fireforming is nothing more than shooting normal loads in the chamber.

If the chamber was cut correctly and your cases are sized properly, your new 6.5-06 rounds should chamber with just a whsiper of "feel" when you close the bolt.

The load you choose should use normal bullet weights, and a "Start" level charge. You might want to pick a powder that's slightly on the fast side for that cartridge so you get a sharp but not excessive pressure peak. If a normal powder for that round is 4350 (for example), you might want to select a fireform load using 4895, 4064, Varget or similar.

[skb2706]

Lube your 25-06 brass and run them into your 6mm-06 size die, go a little at a time, just to the point of chambering in your 6mm -06 rifle. Check case length the confirm it is proper length. ...trim if needed.
I would then find some cheap 'heavy for caliber bullets'...maybe some 100 gr. RN and faster powders and use starting loads. Several other methods will work. Thats just the way I do it.

There is a very good chance that going from 25-06 to 6mm-06 that just sizing and loading up normal will get you very accurate loads at that point.

[Rocky Raab]

I just re-read the original post. (I thought I read 6.5-06 the first time.)

Is that a 6mm-06 Ackley Improved?

Good golly, man! If it is, they don't MAKE powder slow enough to fuel that thing - unless it comes in a bag marked Kingsford.

Okay, that's an exaggeration. Powders like Reloader 25, Retumbo, H50BMG and the new H869 are slow enough. But it's a severely overbore round. Find a suitable load quickly - you won't have much barrel life. I'd bet that you won't get 1,000 rounds through it before it's toast.

[skb2706]

rock - its times like this that will make you want to drag out the glasses and accept the fact you/I need them....lol

You're right ..........for a 6mm -06 don't bother fireforming. Size 25-06 brass and shoot.

[Rocky Raab]

I do wear glasses to read and work on the 'pooter.

I just misread the caliber and skipped right over the lower case "a i" completely.

Maybe I just don't get this recent trend towards shorthand typing, as in text messaging. Or else they don't teach English and spelling any more. Or something.

There's another board where one member writes everything in that gibberish. Worse, he can't spell when he tries to, hasn't a clue about the difference between to, too and two; your and you're or its and it's. I can't even decipher his questions, much less answer them.

[skb2706]

I know Rocky...my son sends my text messages everyday. Its like reading a new language...........

[shaleetoo]

hi rocky tried it your way and had case seperation also tied it with a filler and and fast 2400 powder and had split shoulders ive been reloading for 40 yrs. first time . now have some 6mm-06 brass from quality cartridge co. so will try that. no more nickel brass for me tks for your input . lee

[skb2706]

may try annealing if you continue to have problems.

[Rocky Raab]

Well, that's what I expected - that's just one of the reasons I don't like nickel cases.

You'll have much better luck if you start with virgin brass cases. Regular .25-06 brass should be fine. Try a bag of those and see.

[Catfish]

I would recomand that you forget the nickel brass and get some new .25-06 brass. The nickel brass is to hard to form properly without alot of headaches.

[shaleetoo]

had to anneal brass cases to make them form to chamber , now will try some with bullets in them. i used 270 win. brass necked down, trimmed , w ith a false shoulder .