Necking Down............Where do I start?

[Savage Fanatic]

Seems that no one has any anticipations in producing a high quality brass for a well known predator, and mid size game cartridge. Nosler nor Lapua has plans on their books for this year to produce 25-06 rem..

And since the Winchester brass I got a hold of is worth more to the metal recyclers than a reloader. I would try to neck down and fire forming some .30-06 brass from either Nosler, or Lapua.

 

[YoteSmoker]

Why not use 270 brass? I'd think this would be a lot easier, then trim.

 

[clearwater]

I start with 270 brass, just fullsize and trim. Less chance of thick necks.

Otherwise with 30-06 it is a good idea to do it in two steps, first with a
270 die and then the 25-06 die and trim.

 

[Savage Fanatic]

Why not use 270 brass? I'd think this would be a lot easier, then trim.

True....that thought never crossed my pass. I use to have a copy of The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions. Until I made the mistake of loaning it to my brother whom claims I never did so. :x

I start with 270 brass, just fullsize and trim. Less chance of thick necks.

Otherwise with 30-06 it is a good idea to do it in two steps, first with a
270 die and then the 25-06 die and trim.

If I go with Nosler products, I have the option of either .270 or .30-06. Of the two options here my choice would be the .270 since I am able to eliminate a step in the sizing process. The only down fall is that rumors have told me, Nosler doesn't anneal the necks as Lapua does.

Though using Lapua products the only option I have is .30-06. Which would mean I would have to take this in two steps, or more and still have the chance of thick necks. Only gain would be they are annealed. :?



Who's die(s) do you feel are suited for such as task? I use to use Hornady dies, until I came across a rough spot in the road in their customer service.

And ever since I have been using Redding's Comp Bushing Neck Dies. with Ti Bushings.

 

[rick smith]

Lapua doesn't acid wash their brass after annealing. That is why you see the annealing colors. Win did the same thing with their 458 brass. I would think Norma brass is annealed but the color is removed.
If you use 30/06 brass, first run it into a standard seating die for the 25/06. This will bring it very close to what you need. Then a FL in the 25/06 die. You may not need to turn the necks. Measure the OD of the neck of a fired round. Then measure the OD of the neck of a case you sized down with a bullet seated. Compare the two.Rick.

 

[Savage Fanatic]

After learning that doing such a task wasn't all that some have dramatized it was

I headed out the the nearest retailer to pick up some brass for both .270 and .30-06. To see what the results would be per choice. I used only two pieces of each caliber to see what the finish results would be

By using .30-06 brass: The length of the case is 2.5005 on one, and 2.499 on the other. The neck diameter is .282-.281 for both. The neck wall thickness for one was with in the .014 range, while the other range from the upper .013's to lower .015's.

Using .270 brass: The length of the case is 2.542 for both. The neck diameter is .2815 consistent for both. Both were with in the mid .013's to .014's for wall thickness.