Making .25-06 cases from .270 Winchester cases.

Adam Helmer · #1 05-22-2012, 05:44 PM

I read recently that a guy can easily make .25-06 cases from .270 Winchester cases by running the .270s into the .25-06 resizing die. Bottom Line: It works. Since I had lots of 270 cases on hand, I ran a batch through the .25-06 resizer. The 270 case is about 1.5MM longer than the .25-06 case, so some case trimming is needed. I had a new, sharp, cutter on my case trimmer and trimmed 50 cases in about 15 minutes.

After champfer and deburr, I reloaded the lot with my favorite .25-06 load for "Tora Bora." Today, I tested 15 rounds on the hayfield range and the groups were on par for Tora Bora.

I have reformed cases for years beginning with using plentiful 30-06 cases to make 7.65X53MM loads. Again, case trimming is required for the "New" 7.65 cases.

Adam

skeet · #2 05-22-2012, 08:09 PM

Adam..like you I used a bunch of 270 cases for 25-06 many years ago.. Using 30-06 I had to usually ream the necks..but with the 270..no such problem. Just trim to min case length and you are good to go. I happen to have 2 right now..my Kimber and a Rem 700 BDL I just found..for a fair price..the 700 is new unfired..When I first used the 25-06..it was a good while from being a factory round.

Adam Helmer · #3 05-23-2012, 08:42 AM

skeet,

My .25-06 is a Savage Tactical heavy barrel in a Choate stock with bipod. It weighs 15 pounds and wears a 4X-12X scope. The 87 grain Hornady zeroed +2" at 100 yards rings the 400 yard gong consistently.

Adam

skeet · #4 05-23-2012, 09:25 AM

Well Adam..my go to 25-06 is a Kimber Sporter in a French Walnut stock weighs 8 1/2 lbs with the same power scope and a bipod...and it will consistantly ring a prairie dogs gong at 350 yds..farther if I weeble and wobble altogether at the same time LOL..I also shoot 87 gr Sierra BTs for the little critters.. I use 100 or 115 gr Noslers for the bigger stuff. I would seriously use it for elk with the 115 gr Nosler Partition or even a 100 Gr Barnes. I have tried the 75 gr bullets..and while very accurate they re affected by the wind too much at longer distances...over 250 yds or so..but we do have a little wind out here..at times. The 100s are more reliable at the really long ranges. For some odd reason the Kimber will not shoot really well with the 120 gr bullets..but will with the 117 HPBT?? Haven't got that one figured out yet..twist and speed I guess

skeet · #5 05-23-2012, 09:40 AM

Meant to add..I bought 4 boxes of the older style Nosler 100 gr partitions at a gun show for 10 bucks a box and for some reason they really shoot well... under 3/4 inch even for me with my bad eyesight.....but even at 350 yds they go right on through a coyote. The 25-06 is what I call a right sudden rifle.. Not quite as flat shooting as the 257 Weatherby(the antelope lazer)...but close 'nuff for gummit work

Larryjk · #6 05-23-2012, 12:59 PM

Skeet, You have run into the "25-06 Miracle". The 120 grain bullets generally do not shoot as well as the 100 gr. However, the 117 gr. is the magic bullet in the 25-06. It will usually shoot better than any of the heavier bullets in that caliber.

Jack · #7 05-23-2012, 09:28 PM

Don't overlook Nosler's new 110 Accubond bullet- that one performs very well in my 25-06, and a friends.

Larryjk · #8 05-24-2012, 04:11 PM

Jack, You are certainly right. The 110 gr. Nosler Accubond is simply a great bullet. I am just an old guy who only thinks about the bullets I use regularly. My son thinks the 110 gr. is the answer in the .257 Weatherby. I have been trying the 100 gr. bullets in the 25-06 Ackley since I read that Mr. Weatherby was very fond of the 110 gr. bullet in the .257 Weatherby. All good, just different strokes for different folks, bullets also. I still have a brick of 120 gr. solid base Noslers in .25 caliber stashed away.

skeet · #9 05-24-2012, 07:40 PM

I forgot about the 120 gr Nosler SB..I had a box and a half of them and shot some up in the 257 Weatherby..They shot pretty good in it..but it is a bit faster than the 25-06. The heaviest bullet I could get to shoot in the 257 AI was the 115 gr Nosler Partition. I have way too many 25 cal rifles.. I just sold a Ruger 77 in 250-3000. I only had it a couple of weeks..and never shot it..Maybe should have kept it I think

Rapier · #10 05-29-2012, 12:07 PM

Adam,
I found the exact same good to go situation with my 6.5x06 guns and the 270 cases. The 06 always left a case that was just a tad short upon conversion and required a bit of "growth" before it could be properly squared to length.

The 270 does not suffer from that problem, one stroke, cut to proper length and steam ahead at full speed if you wish. Now I do add a step for my brass, I run the base through a CH trimmer which allows the base to be squared first, before it is FL sized. All of my actions are squared and the locking lugs tuned to 100% contact, before I set the custom barrels, so a square cartridge base fits nicely in the process.
Ed

skeet · #11 05-29-2012, 12:42 PM

Isn't it amazing how out of square most cases are. I have also found a few cases with no flash hole..out of center flash holes and oversize ones. It makes a bit of difference with the varmint rounds...for my hunting rounds.. I usually don't worry with benchrest case prep..I necksize many but for the most part I won't shoot a deer or elk at more than 400 yds so most of the ultra case prep is for me wasted...but if ya do it once..usually don't have to worry over it again. The one thing I do use for belted cases is one of the Innovative Technolgy case sizing dies. It sizes the belted cases correctly which is very hard to do in a regular reloading die...if not truly impossible. The die is not inexpensive but worth it for me. The only belted cases I reload any more are the 7MM Rem mag the 300 Win Mag and the 338 Win mag..