NorthCoastBigBore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Northwest BC (Rural) 103-I-##
Lots of Stevens threads this week. By pure coincidence, I got my .25 running this week. I converted this to centerfire earlier in the year and then ran out of time to make ammo. Note that this is a chambering intended to replicate the original rimfire ballistics in something you can shoot; these are weak actions not to be hotrodded.
Dimensionally, .25 ACP is virtually identical to the .25 Stevens Short. It does fire .25 ACP cases (I strongly recommend against firing factory .25 ACP; the pressures actually run pretty high and that translates into more bolt thrust than this action was designed for.) but the thin rim made repeated strikes necessary. The .25 Longs are actually significantly longer than the shorts as well. As a side note, the centerfire .25 Stevens Long is also known as the .25-10 or .25 Halstad.
.22 Hornet cases offer a really simple, straightforward case conversion. And .25 ACP dies, being straightwalled (I don't detect a taper in the dies or on the cases I have) go straight through, meaning you can size any length you want.
I turned an expander plug and installed that in place of the decapper pin. One pass and the case was essentially blown out. Didn't lose any in that process (I screwed up a few here and there but always my own fault).
Factory:
Expanded:
Next, just run the sizing die down the whole length (I found I had to remove the expander plug or it would ruin my cases); you end up with a short belt above the rim:
Make a mandrel for chucking this bad boy in the mini lathe:
Turn off the belt:
Then, just trim to length on a proper case trimmer - that's IT, load:
And Shoot!
I ran 50 successful shots through it; however now is when I discovered that I should have slugged my bore before I bought bullets and a mold (bangin my head "emoji" as the kids say). I am shooting .251" and from a quick glance I should have got .257". On the bright side, it's easier to source .257". Not a problem! Despite the tumbling (the bore is beautiful, doubt it was shot much) I had an absolute "blast" with it (too punny, right?) shooting steel today. It hit everything I was aiming at, and with these light loads they are QUIET.
Anyway, a very enjoyable little rifle. They have their design limitations and safety is paramount with these, but I get a real kick out of shooting these tiny little reloadable cartridges. Keep yer powder dry and have a great weekend folks.
Dimensionally, .25 ACP is virtually identical to the .25 Stevens Short. It does fire .25 ACP cases (I strongly recommend against firing factory .25 ACP; the pressures actually run pretty high and that translates into more bolt thrust than this action was designed for.) but the thin rim made repeated strikes necessary. The .25 Longs are actually significantly longer than the shorts as well. As a side note, the centerfire .25 Stevens Long is also known as the .25-10 or .25 Halstad.
.22 Hornet cases offer a really simple, straightforward case conversion. And .25 ACP dies, being straightwalled (I don't detect a taper in the dies or on the cases I have) go straight through, meaning you can size any length you want.
I turned an expander plug and installed that in place of the decapper pin. One pass and the case was essentially blown out. Didn't lose any in that process (I screwed up a few here and there but always my own fault).
Factory:
Expanded:
Next, just run the sizing die down the whole length (I found I had to remove the expander plug or it would ruin my cases); you end up with a short belt above the rim:
Make a mandrel for chucking this bad boy in the mini lathe:
Turn off the belt:
Then, just trim to length on a proper case trimmer - that's IT, load:
And Shoot!
I ran 50 successful shots through it; however now is when I discovered that I should have slugged my bore before I bought bullets and a mold (bangin my head "emoji" as the kids say). I am shooting .251" and from a quick glance I should have got .257". On the bright side, it's easier to source .257". Not a problem! Despite the tumbling (the bore is beautiful, doubt it was shot much) I had an absolute "blast" with it (too punny, right?) shooting steel today. It hit everything I was aiming at, and with these light loads they are QUIET.
Anyway, a very enjoyable little rifle. They have their design limitations and safety is paramount with these, but I get a real kick out of shooting these tiny little reloadable cartridges. Keep yer powder dry and have a great weekend folks.
