Where can I find odd ball calibre dies?

MilitaryCollectorMark

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So I'm intersted in buying a gun in a odd calibre.

25 Souper.

Anyone know where I'd be able to source the dies?

Looking around looks like RCBS makes special order dies. They're in the US though.

Anyone in Canada can source them?


Mark
 
This is dimesions from a sight.

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.25-08+.25+Souper.html

25%20Souper%20final.jpg


Note, the following dimensions are based on a .25-08 wildcat based on the .243 Winchester necked up to .257". Note that the max case length for this variant is slightly longer than a wildcat based directly on the .308 Winchester case (Max case 2.015" / 51.2mm).

Imperial Metric
A .473 12.01
B .470 11.94
C 20deg
D .455 11.56
E .290 7.37
F 1.460 39.62
G .240 6.40
H 2.045 51.94
Max Case 2.045 51.94
Trim length 2.035 51.64
 
How would you get the 243 neck up to 25 cal?

I would push a 243 Win brass up over a 25 caliber expander ball - so like found in a 25-06 or 257 Roberts die, with expander ball turned down lower than normal. I do not think there will be much drama to open a neck from .24x to .25x ... The elliptical shaped expander ball in Hornady Custom dies for 9.3x57 take an 8x57JS in one step - that is, from .32x to .36x. However, if that round does chamber and is fired, pretty much need a way to bring that neck down enough to hold next bullet - and sooner or later will need something to "bump" the shoulder - like a 25 Souper FL sizing die.

I am not sure that 25 Souper / 25-08 was ever "standardized" by SAAMI - so chambers / dies might have different dimensions - I would think to use whatever 25 Souper die that I had and size down 308 Win - incrementally - trying the fit into the rifle's chamber - maybe resulting in a "false shoulder" to allow the case to be fire-formed to that chamber. If that cartridge was not standardized by SAAMI, or if that rifle was built before such standardization - then have to think like a "wildcatter" would think, and use some of those techniques to re-size and to re-load ...
 
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Well - You've come to the OP's rescue once again. As you state, sooner or later a 25 Souper FL die would be needed. Oh wait - how about a 260 Remington FL die coupled with any old 25 cal neck sizing die.
 
cosmic - you are correct - most any 260 Rem, 7mm-08, 308 Win will size that case body - so long as you can find a 25 neck sizer that will have shoulder wide enough and correct angle - 257 Roberts and 25-06, even if shortened, will not.

FYI - OP and I live about 15 minutes apart - he has been in my work space numerous times - is not anonymous to me. I made decision to help him and his Dad get started with reloading, scope mounting, other "gun" stuff. Not sure why you feel need to challenge me about "to the rescue" again ... It would really help if you could point out errors in my posts - I might be able to learn something from that.
 
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Potash - I'm aware of your supportive efforts, the OP has mentioned this previously. It wasnt my intent to challenge you - kudos to you for helping some newbies get pointed in the right direction! Reloading is not a simple hobby, as you know. I told the OP in a previous post that he owes you a beverage of choice.;)
 
I would push a 243 Win brass up over a 25 caliber expander ball - so like found in a 25-06 or 257 Roberts die, with expander ball turned down lower than normal. I do not think there will be much drama to open a neck from .24x to .25x ... The elliptical shaped expander ball in Hornady Custom dies for 9.3x57 take an 8x57JS in one step - that is, from .32x to .36x. However, if that round does chamber and is fired, pretty much need a way to bring that neck down enough to hold next bullet - and sooner or later will need something to "bump" the shoulder - like a 25 Souper FL sizing die.

I am not sure that 25 Souper / 25-08 was ever "standardized" by SAAMI - so chambers / dies might have different dimensions - I would think to use whatever 25 Souper die that I had and size down 308 Win - incrementally - trying the fit into the rifle's chamber - maybe resulting in a "false shoulder" to allow the case to be fire-formed to that chamber. If that cartridge was not standardized by SAAMI, or if that rifle was built before such standardization - then have to think like a "wildcatter" would think, and use some of those techniques to re-size and to re-load ...

This. And yes, it is a wildcat, but generally, it was a 308 necked down to 25, with no other changes. I had one on a Rem 788 for a while. Very accurate rifle. - dan
 
Forster will make you dies..just send 3 fired case to them …check it out.
Less you are willing to pay full custom, this is as economical it will be..

RCBS used to offer the service. They also had most wildcat caliber made at one time or another.
Worth sending support an email.
 
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Neck up a .243 or neck down a .260? Either would be easy to do - but a .250 Souper die set would sure facilitate the process.
 
The problem right now is any odd die takes awhile to get I’ve been waiting 5 months for a set of 375 Whelen AI dies from Redding
 
Just an idea, ...would it work to hone out a 243 FL die to the 25 dimension and use a 25 cal expander ball or mandrel? I'm thinking that that would work too.
I'm pretty sure the 243 is based on the 308 as well.
 
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By the time you go through all the motions with alternatives such using FL dies and neck sizing dies, etc, you will have spent way more time and money compared to just buying the dies from the states. Yes - they will ship to Canada.
 
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