Reloading .25-06 brass question

[EVOC ONE]

I'm preparing .25-06 cases for reloading.

The cases I'm using are once fired Rem., Win., and Fed.  While measuring case length after sizing, I've notice most are very near, at or over the max length of 2.494.  The Remington's are coming in at or around 2.490-92, the Winchesters right around 2.493-95 and the Federals are all at 2.498-2.500.

Max case length is listed at 2.494.  Trim length 2.484.

I'm new to loading for this caliber, but have been loading since the '70's.  I cannot recall ever seeing cases stretch this much after one firing. 

Each brand began as a standard factory ammo:

Remington - 100 Grain Core Loct
Winchester Super X - 90 grain Positive Expanding Tip
Federal Power Shok - 117 grain Speer Hot Core SP

Other than length, the cases appear fine and sized well.

I know these are once fired cases.  The were fired in a Savage 111.  The rifle is not mine, but I know it's history.  It was obtained new by the current owner. 

My question:  Is this amount of stretching normal for the .25-06?

[Kurt L]

Do you have any that are still loaded to check the length on?
then compare to fired length.
may be some brands are long new.sorry I don't have any 25-06 rounds
to check.

[EVOC ONE]

Yea, was thinking the same thing after posting.  I'll get a few new pieces from the gun owner for measurement.

Thanks much.   

[PA-Joe]

This is very normal. Remingtons always seem short and the Federals are always longer.

Get a Lee trimmer and you can cut them all to the same length!

[SHOOTALL]

been loading for the 2506 for over 20 years and have to trim cases every loading . Couldn't say why they stretch more than some others but they do . have used win , rem ,fed, lake city and other brass all did it . ( yes i make 3006 and 270 cases into 2506 cases , can't just let them go to waste when friends let them fall to the ground with out saving them ).

[nodlenor]

I just measured some of my 25-06 cases. The loaded ones measured 2.4885 the fired ones measured 2.4925. These were averages. I don't know how much the average case stretches but I thought I would let you know what mine had done. Mine were fired in a NEF Ultra, 56gr IMR4831, 90gr Sierra HP, WLR primer, R-P cases. Hope the comparison helps you.

[SHOOTALL]

nodlenor , i shoot 54 gr same powder with a100 gr bt and br primers . the br primers reall got the group tight

[EVOC ONE]

Ok.  If this is the norm with the .25-06, at least I know what to expect.

nodlenor:  I appreciate the measurement and info. I've not had the opportunity to measure any .25-06 yet, but did measure a few unfired factory .270, .280, and .30-06 ammo and received similar results.

PA Joe:  Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm way ahead of you.  I picked up a Lyman manual trimmer back around 1977.       And, all 60 cases have been trimmed the recommended length. 

Many thanks for the replies and suggestions, fellas.

 

[Luckyducker]

I have been loading for my 25/06 (tang safety M77 Ruger) for several years and I don't recall the brass "growing" any more than some other calibers I load for.  Maybe a neck sizer die would eliminate some of this trimming, because I wonder if the chamber of your rifle may be a little generous.  I have only used a neck die on my 264Win and that because I was setting the shoulders back too far with the F/L sizer.  I blamed the problem on the belted case because the headspace is set on the belt whereas the headspace on a non-blelted cartridge is set on the shoulder radius.  I believe if you would necksize your brass after fire forming to your chamber they would stop growing so much. FWIW

[EVOC ONE]

I have been loading for my 25/06 (tang safety M77 Ruger) for several years and I don't recall the brass "growing" any more than some other calibers I load for.  Maybe a neck sizer die would eliminate some of this trimming, because I wonder if the chamber of your rifle may be a little generous.  I have only used a neck die on my 264Win and that because I was setting the shoulders back too far with the F/L sizer.  I blamed the problem on the belted case because the headspace is set on the belt whereas the headspace on a non-blelted cartridge is set on the shoulder radius.  I believe if you would necksize your brass after fire forming to your chamber they would stop growing so much. FWIW

I was able to get to my Buddy's tonight and measure some factory rounds.  They came in at around 2.485-86.  The cases were fired in his rifle, the Savage 111.  He doesn't reload and gives me his empties.  I have a new .25-06 waiting at the shop. I began preparing the cases for the new rifle.  I intend to shoot some factory rounds first in the new gun and will take measurements of those cases. I will certainly keep neck sizing as an option should the cases stretch in the new rifle. 

With the .280's and .30-06's I usually can get 2-3 loadings before I have to trim. 

 

[LaOtto222]

In bottle necked cases, most of the case length growth comes in the case, just above the web. The growth is determined by head space. The more head space you have the more growth you get. When a case is fired in a chamber, the first thing that happens is the case is shoved forward by the firing pin. Then the powder ignites the cases grab the walls of the chamber. The case will grow to fill the distance between the shoulder and bolt face. The only place for the case to grow or stretch is just above the web. This is normal for all bottle necked cases. How much head space you have determines how much the cases stretches. You can circumvent this a little by neck sizing only. Once a case stretches to fill the head space, it grows little after that unless you full length resize again. Remember not all resizing dies are exactly alike either. Some resize more than others. If you are using once fired cases from another rifle it is good practice to full length resize your cases before firing in your gun. Chambers are not all alike either. When you full length resize you shove the shoulder back ( but not the OAL) and start the process over again. Small head space means less stretch, but too small of head space will not let you chamber a round. To much head space and you get excessive stretch, too much stretch and you get head separations. Head separations can happen to any case if it has reached the life of the case. The life of the case is determined by how much it stretches during firing and how much it is resized along with how heavy your loads are. Heavy loads cause more case stretch. I hope I have explained what happens to a case in the firing process. Minimal head space along with neck sizing and mild loads will make your cases last the longest. There is "growth" in all cases, if you keep it under control, it will keep it to a minimum and reduce case stretch.

[EVOC ONE]

Laotto222:  Thanks for the explanation, Sir.   Very informative and helpful.