Jumping in - 25sst

wapitiaddict

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Well, I decided to jump in and do my first wildcat - 25sst. My order for brass and dies from Rich just got in! I will be building this on a Tikka T3x action, with a Bartlein 3b barrel that I ordered from BlackJack Bullets (hopefully here by the end of the week).

Many thanks to couesaddict, lancetkenyon, and of course, elkaholic(Rich) for allowing me to pick their brains and providing lots of good info and feedback on the 25sst.
I'll post more updates as I get farther along.

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I have a 22" carbon Bartlein being built right now on a Defiance AnTi action... whenever all the parts get in. I'll be sure to post my results when I get it!
 
Headed to the FFL to pick up my 25 sst right now. My bolt isn't there as it had poor factory coating from terminus so I can't shoot it unfortunately. Gunsmith told me 59.7gr H1000 was running 3200fps w/ half moa accuracy and es of 18 on virgin brass. Hopefully the 26" proof runs faster than that. Has about 80 rounds on it from testing by the smith. @elkaholic do you see any advantages of the Hornady bushing dies vs the forster FL non bushing dies I purchased from you in January?
 
Headed to the FFL to pick up my 25 sst right now. My bolt isn't there as it had poor factory coating from terminus so I can't shoot it unfortunately. Gunsmith told me 59.7gr H1000 was running 3200fps w/ half moa accuracy and es of 18 on virgin brass. Hopefully the 26" proof runs faster than that. Has about 80 rounds on it from testing by the smith. @elkaholic do you see any advantages of the Hornady bushing dies vs the forster FL non bushing dies I purchased from you in January?
The Forsters were set up for my brass but of course the Hornady Bushing dies give you tension options.
Forster will custom hone the neck for $16 though if you want less tension.
 
The Forsters were set up for my brass but of course the Hornady Bushing dies give you tension options.
Forster will custom hone the neck for $16 though if you want less tension.
I have 256 and 255 expanders. So I should be able to get tension right. I've heard a few guys claiming better accuracy with light tension, I've just always wanted 2-3k tension for peace of mind. I'll have to get some measurements on everything when I start sizing and loading cases.
 
I got my Bartlein contoured barrel blank in from BlackJack. Very quick delivery. Ordered on Friday, here on tuesday.

Quick question...The barrel has some very small nicks and scratches in it like maybe you'd get from it rolling across sand or grit. It's not a large amount though. I first though it was grit stuck to the barrel, because I could feel it as I rubbed my hand along it (not smooth). But they are small little nicks that you can feel. This is my very first custom blank that I've purchased so I just didnt know what to expect. My guess is that maybe this is normal stuff from the manufacturing and handling process and they expect any small imperfections to be cleaned up during the chambering/gunsmithing process. Or do they usually come pretty perfect?

I'm not at all trying to make a big deal about this. I just have never had a blank before. If I was buying this as a factory rifle that was all finished then I would pick a different one. But again, I'm guessing on a blank you need to clean it up from tooling marks and handling anyhow.

Educate me, pls. Haha
 
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It's a piece of steel, outside appearance is far less than important to the inside. Your smith can clean everything up with some emery cloth once he chucks it into the lathe.
 
I got my Bartlein contoured barrel blank in from BlackJack. Very quick delivery. Ordered on Friday, here on tuesday.

Quick question...The barrel has some very small nicks and scratches in it like maybe you'd get from it rolling across sand or grit. It's not a large amount though. I first though it was grit stuck to the barrel, because I could feel it as I rubbed my hand along it (not smooth). But they are small little nicks that you can feel. This is my very first custom blank that I've purchased so I just didnt know what to expect. My guess is that maybe this is normal stuff from the manufacturing and handling process and they expect any small imperfections to be cleaned up during the chambering/gunsmithing process. Or do they usually come pretty perfect?

I'm not at all trying to make a big deal about this. I just have never had a blank before. If I was buying this as a factory rifle that was all finished then I would pick a different one. But again, I'm guessing on a blank you need to clean it up from tooling marks and handling anyhow.

Educate me, pls. Haha

The smith that chambers it can spin it on the lathe and finish it with some sandpaper or abrasive. Many smiths do this to get a uniform appearance on their rifles. Takes a few minutes.
 
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