Author Topic: rechamber question (Read 1208 times)

superdown · « **on:** September 29, 2009, 02:58:52 PM »

I would like to take a Ruger left hand 25-06 and rechamber it to 257wby. Is that possible without to much trouble. would i just have to rent a reamer and get a different bolt face ?

Cowpox · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2009, 06:07:46 PM »

The case head size of the .257 Weatherby is .058 larger than the .25/06, so the bolt would need to be altered or probably replaced.

The other problem would be the 1 in 10 twist rate of the existing .25/06 barrel. The .257 Weatherby is usually a slower 1 in 12 twist.

I am sure it would be far cheaper to trade the 25/06 off on a new rifle chambered for the .257.

trotterlg · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2009, 06:59:37 PM »

I doubt it would be a big deal, opening the bolt face by .060 should be doable, the extractor may even work as is. If the magazine can hold the new cartridge you are set, the higher twist will not hurt you any. I really don't think you will gain much on the 25-06 however, you could probably do a little creative reloading and get within a couple of percent of the Weatherby, and the Speed Goat will never know what hit him anyway. Larry

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2009, 11:43:40 PM »

I'd think the single biggest issue would be making the magazine feed the belted round as magazine geometry can be tricky when switching like that but nothing a decent gunsmith shouldn't be able to work out.

yooper77 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2009, 02:12:41 AM »

Doable, but not worth it in my opinion. The 25-06 Remington vs. the 257 Weatherby Magnum, is nothing more or less than 100 – 200 FPS difference, which doesn’t change things much as for hunting game. Plus, you could possibly ruin a good left hand rifle.

The 257 Weatherby Magnum brass and/or ammo are very expensive.

Are you a gunsmith? Since the custom chamber won’t have the Weatherby free bore and you use factory ammo, you will most likely get very high pressures. Reloading is really the only choice.

yooper77

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2009, 02:19:12 AM »

Closer to 300 fps extra really. Still perhaps not a big deal but the .257 Whby is the only belted magnum that has interested me enough to own one.

skyhigh_seller · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2009, 02:34:40 AM »

I think the Wby needs the 26" bbl to get all its published velocity. If you have a 24" bbl don't waste the time or $. You could always go 25-06AI if you need a bit more power.

yooper77 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2009, 04:04:42 AM »

Yep I just checked myself you are right 300 FPS, but still nothing any game will notice.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
25-06 Remington 120 grain bullet approx 3000 FPS
257 Weatherby Magnum 120 grain bullets approx 3300 FPS
Both are good long range deer/antelope or similar game cartridges.

The wiser choice would be to go Ackley Improved, but that doesn’t give much velocity increase, but it does keep your case from growing.

Either way you go the barrel will need to come off, and re-chambered and have the head spacing set. Also opening the bolt face if you want to go magnum. This work should be done by a qualified gunsmith.

yooper77

CGPAUL · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2009, 04:50:00 AM »

Thats interesting, as I just converted my Mod 700 in .270 to a 7Wby Mag. I had the bolt face opened, didn`t need to do any alterations to the mag, feeds very well. I also had the barrel for the Rem from another project rifle. The cost to do the conversion was $216.00.
The Ruger is a CRF if I`m not mistaken, so some work would need to be done here. Also, was the Ruger ever chambered in the Wby? If so, you could purchase a barrel to screw on.
Best thing to do would be contacting a good smith, and ask the question, as well as an expected price. Go from there.

superdown · « **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2009, 05:57:31 AM »

well i don't actually have a rifle yet i was just trying to find a way to get a left hand 257 wby the cheapest way . without having to save my pennies so long because the other option is to save up for the lefty ultralight that weatherby offers. 300fps sounds like a pretty solid jump in performance over the 25-06 .

yooper77 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:44:24 AM »

Quote from: superdown on September 30, 2009, 05:57:31 AM

well i don't actually have a rifle yet i was just trying to find a way to get a left hand 257 wby the cheapest way . without having to save my pennies so long because the other option is to save up for the lefty ultralight that weatherby offers. 300fps sounds like a pretty solid jump in performance over the 25-06 .

It’s the same story of standard over magnum cartridge choices, but the animals cannot tell the difference. Yes 300 FPS is faster, but that doesn’t mean its better by any means.

Find a left hand rifle in 7mm Remington Magnum and have it re-barreled to 257 Weatherby Magnum that way you have the proper bolt face and magazine size. Then resell the 7mm Remington Magnum barrel.

yooper77

superdown · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2009, 07:01:06 AM »

Quote

It’s the same story of standard over magnum cartridge choices, but the animals cannot tell the difference. Yes 300 FPS is faster, but that doesn’t mean its better by any means.

Find a left hand rifle in 7mm Remington Magnum and have it re-barreled to 257 Weatherby Magnum that way you have the proper bolt face and magazine size. Then resell the 7mm Remington Magnum barrel.

yooper77

that's a great suggestion . but what allways comes to mind is if it didnt work better wouldn't the 25-35 still be a front runner in the 25 cal hunting market . I just start to wonder about backward stair stepping of rounds when someone says the 308 will do everything the 06 will and the 30-30 will do everything the 308 will do ,so on so forth

yooper77 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2009, 10:01:32 AM »

Quote from: superdown on September 30, 2009, 07:01:06 AM

Quote
It’s the same story of standard over magnum cartridge choices, but the animals cannot tell the difference. Yes 300 FPS is faster, but that doesn’t mean its better by any means.

Find a left hand rifle in 7mm Remington Magnum and have it re-barreled to 257 Weatherby Magnum that way you have the proper bolt face and magazine size. Then resell the 7mm Remington Magnum barrel.

yooper77
that's a great suggestion . but what allways comes to mind is if it didnt work better wouldn't the 25-35 still be a front runner in the 25 cal hunting market . I just start to wonder about backward stair stepping of rounds when someone says the 308 will do everything the 06 will and the 30-30 will do everything the 308 will do ,so on so forth

Define: Better?

Its funny you said 25-35, because I have taken deer under 100 yards with my Winchester model 94 in 25-35 Winchester using IMR-3031 and 117 grain Hornady round nose bullets, and it works fine. It was a broadside one shot one kill complete pass through. Now would I shoot beyond 100 yards, nope not with the 25-35 Winchester?

25-35 Winchester, 250-3000 Savage, 257 Roberts & 25-06 Remington with the correct bullet and load are all good deer choices if the game animal and range is ethically considered. All I meant is faster isn’t automatically better, it’s a selling hype.

Are you planning on reloading for the 257 Weatherby Magnum? The 257 Weatherby is an excellent cartridge, I reload it for my friend he has it chambered in a Weatherby Vanguard. I load IMR-7828 and 120 grain Nosler Partitions.

yooper77

superdown · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2009, 10:36:13 AM »

well i think i may have meant more versitile rather then better . but one of the reasons i want a 257wby is i have a 325wsm that i have taken a whitetail , mule deer and a black bear with. i think it would be interesting to see the effects of different types of performence on game also i don't have small bore right now. so the easiest way to go would be to find a 7mm/300/338 mag of some sort and just have it rebarreld ? does anyone know the what the average price of having that done is commonly?

yooper77 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 30, 2009, 11:09:11 AM »

Quote from: superdown on September 30, 2009, 10:36:13 AM

well i think i may have meant more versitile rather then better . but one of the reasons i want a 257wby is i have a 325wsm that i have taken a whitetail , mule deer and a black bear with. i think it would be interesting to see the effects of different types of performence on game also i don't have small bore right now. so the easiest way to go would be to find a 7mm/300/338 mag of some sort and just have it rebarreld ? does anyone know the what the average price of having that done is commonly?

I understand. Well I was looking for a re-barrel or re-bore job for a Ruger M77 MKII in 270 Winchester or Weatherby Mark V Synthetic in 30-06 Springfield to 338-06 and I found re-bores to be around $350 to $400 and re-barrels to be from $450 to $800.

I instead bought a Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight in 338-06 and sold the Weatherby Mark V Synthetic in 30-06 Springfield and kept the Ruger M77 MKII in 270 Winchester.

You might look for a 264 Winchester Magnum unless you are hung up on the 257 Weatherby Magnum.

yooper77

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 30, 2009, 04:21:13 PM »

you should be able to get a rifle rebarreled for 350-500 dollars depending where you go.

superdown · « **Reply #16 on:** September 30, 2009, 05:21:15 PM »

the more i reasearch this idea the 7mm-08 or 25-06 becomes more atractive . what i am really looking for is something that is a much smaller bore than the 325. with less recoil so i can put more rounds down range my 325 has a leupold 2.5-8x36 vxIII so what i am after is something on the other end of the spectrum larger scope smaller bore kinda thing . the last deer i shot was at 310 lazered yards with the 325.

yooper77 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 30, 2009, 05:46:57 PM »

Quote from: superdown on September 30, 2009, 05:21:15 PM

the more i reasearch this idea the 7mm-08 or 25-06 becomes more atractive . what i am really looking for is something that is a much smaller bore than the 325. with less recoil so i can put more rounds down range my 325 has a leupold 2.5-8x36 vxIII so what i am after is something on the other end of the spectrum larger scope smaller bore kinda thing . the last deer i shot was at 310 lazered yards with the 325.

270 Winchester is a great choice for a smaller bore and tons of rifles available.
If you reload, you can shoot 90 - 160 grain bullets for anything from coyote to elk. If not ammo is everywhere.

You also can’t go wrong with the 7mm-08 Remington, 280 Remington or 25-06 Remington. All are proven deer cartridges.

yooper77

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2009, 04:07:54 AM »

$:-\$ After reading your post and the answers, you started out wanting a .257 wea. and ended by mentioning a 7mm-08.... $:-\$ I am not sure were you are in Washington, but if you are looking for a long range varmit/light big game rifle, I would go with the .25-06 or .25/06 improved. I have had several .257 wea.'s while I liked them, they did seem more difficult to load for than the std. 25-06. I get just at 3400 with a 100 grain bullet in the .25-06. I believe I got 3600+ with the 257, but the throat wore very fast and the accuracy was not up to the 25-06. It wasn't bad just not as good as the '06. When I consider brass, powder, bullets, barrel life, etc. I would still stick with the 25-06 or the IMP if you are a reloader. Honestly these are often mentioned as long range deer/antelope rifles, and while they are easy to hit with, I feel they lack bullet wt. to be sure killers on deer at long range.

If on the other hand you are looking at an additonal rifle to complement your .325 for mostly light big game then I would look at a custom barreled 7mm Wea. My rifle will kick a 140 grain Nosler along at 3500fps with little trouble and a 160 at 3250 fps. A great open country rifle. One of the smaller 7's would be fine if you are hunting country where 250 yards is a long shot... As for the little 7mm-08, it would make a nice rifle for the closer hunting, but why settle for that when one can get a .280. I live in open country and honestly don't know of a single 7mm08 in the country. I bought one here ,and had to go to the brush country of the east coast to sell it. It would make a nice rifle in something like a 20 inch barreled carbine.

CGPAUL · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2009, 06:29:33 AM »

Wyo. Coyote Hunter...don`t mean to side-track this thread, but tell me more about your 7 Wby mag. Barrel length, and powder and charge weight please for the 140s and in particular the 160s.
Been working with JLK 168s which shoot very well, and right now at 2950 with 7828 in a 24 inch tube.
Suggestions?
Thanks
Clayton
PS where from in Wy.? Hope to be out there again next year for deer and antilope...maybe some rockchucks too.

superdown · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2009, 06:32:03 AM »

Quote

Insert Quote
After reading your post and the answers, you started out wanting a .257 wea. and ended by mentioning a 7mm-08.... I am not sure were you are in Washington, but if you are looking for a long range varmit/light big game rifle, I would go with the .25-06 or .25/06 improved. I have had several .257 wea.'s while I liked them, they did seem more difficult to load for than the std. 25-06. I get just at 3400 with a 100 grain bullet in the .25-06. I believe I got 3600+ with the 257, but the throat wore very fast and the accuracy was not up to the 25-06. It wasn't bad just not as good as the '06. When I consider brass, powder, bullets, barrel life, etc. I would still stick with the 25-06 or the IMP if you are a reloader. Honestly these are often mentioned as long range deer/antelope rifles, and while they are easy to hit with, I feel they lack bullet wt. to be sure killers on deer at long range. If on the other hand you are looking at an additonal rifle to complement your .325 for mostly light big game then I would look at a custom barreled 7mm Wea. My rifle will kick a 140 grain Nosler along at 3500fps with little trouble and a 160 at 3250 fps. A great open country rifle. One of the smaller 7's would be fine if you are hunting country where 250 yards is a long shot... As for the little 7mm-08, it would make a nice rifle for the closer hunting, but why settle for that when one can get a .280. I live in open country and honestly don't know of a single 7mm08 in the country. I bought one here ,and had to go to the brush country of the east coast to sell it. It would make a nice rifle in something like a 20 inch barreled carbine.

the reason i mention the the 7mm-08 is because severeal people around me have suggested it but i am still pretty set on a 25cal of some sort most likley the 25-06 it just makes to much sense regarding cost and availability of ammo and components .

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2009, 08:26:03 AM »

;)Super, I think you will like the .25-06. Years ago when I first came into this country, the local predator hunter said the 3 best rifles for the west are, a .22-250, a 25-06, and a 300 mag. After nearly 50 years, of playing with rifles, I am convinced he had it right. there are some special circumstances that could cause some differences, but for most of the west he hit the nail on the head.

CGPaul, you ask about my 7mm Wea. it is a custom barreled job, with a 26.5 or 27 inch tube. The barrel is by Lilja. It is on a 700 action, and I think this is one of the keys. The few Wea. rifles I looked over had the magazine blocked so the bullet had to be seated according to the Wea. specks. With the long 700 action, I can seat the 140's and 160's out quite a bit. I think the 160's are seated so the base of the bullet is flush with the bottom of the neck. I really haven't shot many 140's. I built the rifle as a coyote rifle for windy days. My first project was to shoot 120's which it does, but it's so good with the heavier bullets I am switching to those. I use Re. 19 wt the 120's, Re22 with the 140's and IMR 7828 with the 160's. My brass is WW 7mm Rem. brass and mag. primers. this little rifle is a real shooter. I seldom use it these days as it has a fine custom stock on it. I have largely switch to the .30 caliber rifles when I leave the 25. cal. range. This little 7mm has seen quite a bit of use over the years. The last good rockchuck shoot I was in I used it. Mostly it has been used on mule deer, whitetails, antelope, elk, moose, and my favorite the old coyote.

You ask ed where I lived it is Southern Wy. on the Platte River in Saratoga.