Loading .25-06 AI

I've got a new rifle coming, .25-06AI, 26" Mullerworks barrel, Curtis action, Grayboe Terrain stock, Timney trigger. Even though I've been reloading for many years this will be my first foray into fireforming. I'm looking for some input on loads. I intend to use the 120 grain Nosler Partition. Any advice on the best way to form cases would also be appreciated.

I run a light load ~45 grains of RL19 behind a Hornady 117 Interlock (cheap) that is seated tightly into the lands and against the bolt face (slight pressure when closing the bolt on a loaded round).

Step 1) For fire-forming brass prep, I recommend using Nosler .270 Win brass, and necking them down to .257 using the FL sizing die for your .25-06 AI. Setup your dies just like any other die, with slight cam-over at the top. I also recommend using Imperial Sizing Wax for sizing your brass. Don't use too much, just a very thin "film-like" layer. Be sure to wipe excess off each brass after sizing.

Step 2) After necking down your brass to .25 caliber, you will need to trim the brass to 2.514". This is because when the brass forms to your chamber the necks will shrink about .020", and if you leave them long, the brass (after forming) will be right at the perfect OAL of 2.494". After trimming, be sure to chamfer and deburr your case mouths.

Step 3) Using a Hornady 117 Interlock and a Hornady COAL gauge (standard Hornady 25-06 case gauge) and a comparator, measure your distance pressed into the lands. Be sure and write down this measurement. It will be important for Step 4. Also, every bullet brand, model, & weight you use is different, therefore will produce a different measurement, so you will need to re-measure this distance with each different bullet you plan to use in the future.

Step 4) Prime your brass, charge with a starting load for standard 25-06 using a 117 Interlock (Hornady 9th says around 45-46 grains), and then seat your bullets to whatever depth you determined in Step 3.

Step 5) The fun part. Go out and shoot 5 shots, let the barrel cool. Repeat till you get about 50 pieces of formed brass.

Step 6) After recapping and cleaning your newly formed cases, use your calipers to ensure they are forming between 2.490 to 2.494". If they are, all is well, and you can begin load workup using whatever bullets you prefer. I like Berger 115 VLD's in mine.

*** If you need any length to any of these specific tools that you might not already have, feel free to PM me, and I will send you links to them.

I fireform without bullets, don't see the point in running bullets 150-200fps slower than what the 'improved' chamber is capable of.
Anyway, I use a fast pistol/shotgun powder, Clays is real good, about 1/3 of what a maximum charge would be with a normal powder, cream of wheat over the powder and a twist of toilet paper over the COW. I poke the TP in with a pencil, not overly tight. Shoot and gather up my formed cases. I don't allow the barrel to get overly hot, as the gases will erode the chamber regardless of whether a bullet is being used.
Hope this helps.

Cheers.

I hydro form for two rifles due to their barrel life and I hunt with the hydro formed brass 100% loads, no shooting required. I just did some 440 yard shooting with one last Saturday and it shot well under MOA on the hydro formed brass. I used the hydro form die first and the case is usually around .005 long then I bump to -.002 of the chamber and let it rip. The far left is a factory case and middle left is after hydro forming, the middle right is loaded and the far right is after firing. The marks on the fired case in the middle of the shoulder is where i was measuring with my datum length gauge

Anybody have any favorite loads? I'm leaning toward the 120gr Nosler Partition.

PFields said:

Anybody have any favorite loads? I'm leaning toward the 120gr Nosler Partition.

Click to expand...

Berger 115 VLD seated .015" off the lands, IMR 7828 SSC, Win .270 brass (fire-formed & trimmed, of course), and Fed 210M primers.

You'll need to work up to find the best load (powder charge) in your rifle, each rifle will be different.

Anybody else?

115 Berger vld touching the lands
Lapua 30-06 brass
Fed 210 match
Reloader 25 59.5gr
3250fps

Oh yes!!

115 Cutting Edge MTH
Imr 4831
3375. And dime sized groups

Nosler .270 brass (after fire forming and trimming)
CCI250
58.0 RL23
115 Berger HVLD touching lands
3460fps from a 28" 1:10" Shilen (pressure @ 3550fps)
.4" groups.