25-06 AI Redding Type S Bushings

[mghoodlum]

I've been lurking and learning for a few months and now I have a question that I haven't been able to find the answer to. I am having a 25-06 AI being built by West Texas Ordinance and plan on purchasing a set of redding dies including the Type S bushing die. I was hoping to get everything ordered prior to the gun being finished in April but i was not certain what size bushings to order. I have read how to size the bushings but as I do not have any brass yet so I cannot measure the case neck thickness. I was also considering necking down Lapua '06 brass for use but do not want to turn necks so will probably just go with either Remington or Winchester and prep them. I forgot to mention the chamber will be a no turn, but a tighter neck than most factory rifles. My questions are:

1. If I were to use Lapua Brass was bushing sizes would you recommend?
2. Do you think I would have to turn or ream the necks of Lapua Brass?
3. Does anyone know the average neck thickness of Winchester or Remington Brass?
4. If choosing between Winchester or Remington Brass which one would you recommend.

 

[gr8whyt]

3. Does anyone know the average neck thickness of Winchester or Remington Brass?

I've been turning Winchester brass for a 25-06AI so I can neck size with Redding bushing dies. The necks vary in thickness from about .015-.016 to about .013. I had to turn to .013 to get them cleaned up all uniform. I would think it will be tough to figure out which bushing will be best unless you load some and measure those or turn the necks so you know where your at. What I have done is buy a sizing rod for the .25 caliber and thread it into my .270 die. Then I just pass the expander ball in and out of the new case necks (lube first). Then the cases can hold a bullet. I can then seat a bullet and then measure the neck diameter and subtract .002-.003 for the sizing bushing I need. But unless necks are turned to uniform thickness, I wouldn't use bushing dies.

I could have chosen Win or Rem brass. I've had just a little better luck with Win over the years, but not by much. So for this 25-06AI project I decided to just go with Win brass. Just my 2 cents.

-- gr8whyt

 

[BillR]

Biggest question is this. Is this a tight neck chamber or just a standard neck chamber. Tight neck chambers are .282 and a PITA. Its also the reason for needing the bushing dies or otherwise you could get buy with a standard .25-06AI die and just clean up the necks.
I have the tight neck chamber of .282 and I trim all my necks down to .011 and this adds up to a total of .022 then add in the .257 bullet diameter and you have .279 diameter. I do not want anything more than .0015 clearance so if you add that together you have .003 which comes up to .282 total. Now I want about .003 neck tension so I take the .279 and subtract the .003 and I have a bushing of .276 Just make sure your annealing the cases or you will get spring back and the bullet will just fall into the case.

 

[mghoodlum]

Biggest question is this. Is this a tight neck chamber or just a standard neck chamber.

I'll have to ask my smith. It's supposed to be a "no turn" chamber. I assume that's probably SAMMI min. Not sure what that is since there are no SAMMI specs for the AI! I guess I can buy 50 pieces of Lapua brass and find out unless someone wants to send me a few test pieces . Went ahead and order the Redding 3 die set. Just need to get some bushings. The die set is supposed to be in about the same time as the rifle. Also the due date of my first child. Maybe I'll still have time!