As some background, I already own a .25-06 and love it for deer sized game. I have tried downloading using 75 gr HP's for coyotes and smaller, but it just makes too much of mess of targets. Hence, I'm looking for a 'little brother' for smaller game shooting. I want to stay with the .257" for the bore size and have done some research on many of the .25's. This has led me to a .25/223 concept with the following questions...

I've been doing a little research and think I'd like to build up a .257" rifle using a .223 CASE. This was an original concept using a .222 case and called the .25/222 Copperhead.

What I'm wondering if anybody here has any experience with this type of 'conversion?'

Does anybody know of any rifles out there now in this caliber?

How tough would it be to find a reamer out there to convert a .257" blank and have it fitted on a bolt action?

Which bolt action would you recommend?

Maybe I should consider a single shot??

Any and all idea welcome and appreciated!

Thanks!

I too am a .257 fan, also a TC fan. I have a 25 Bullberry (necked down 30-30) out of a 15" barrel and I estimate about 2800 fps with 75 gr HP. It is much more accurate than I am. I can get 3/4 inch groups easily, but am not very consistant with my loads. I also have an Encore with a .256 Super mag (necked down .357 Max)in a 16.5" Virgin Valley barrel, and with 75 gr HP it is juat scary. Very little recoil. I like it so much I just bought a Van Horn barrel for my Contender in the same caliber, 10". I magazine article I have shows 2700 fps with 60 gr bullets out of the 10 incher. What you are talking about is basically a .257 TCU, Very close to the Super Mag. I believe "Buckwheat" over on the single shot pistol page just got one from VVCG. You might post over there for some info or call VVCG, I believe they have the reamer and also rounded up the dies. Several years ago I wrote TC Arms for load data on the 257 TCU which they supplied. Unfortunately I can't find it since I have moved. Hope this helps some.

http://www.ch4d.com/ch4d/Catalog/Page19c.htm

Here's a source for reloading dies. Sounds like a fun little round.

MM

Thanks guys!

MM: That's quite a list of .25's that I've never seen before. That link will now lead me to some more investigating before coming to a final conclusion!

List of .25 dies they had available...
25-20 Winchester Repeating
25-21 Stevens
25-221 Remington
25-221 Remington Improved 30o
25-222 Copperhead
25-222 Remington Improved 30o
25-222 Remington Improved 40o
25-222 Remington Magnum
25-222 Remington Magnum Improved 30o
25-222 Remington Magnum Improved 40o
25-223 Remington
25-223 Remington Improved 30o
25-223 Remington Improved 40o
25-240 Weatherby
25-243 Winchester (25-08)
25-243 Winchester Improved 40o
25-25 Stevens
25-284 Winchester
25-303 British
25-308 Winchester
25-35 Winchester
25-35 Winchester Improved 40o
25-350 Remington Magnum
25-357 Magnum 23o
25-357 Magnum 30o
25-357 Magnum 40o
25-357 Maximum 23o
25-357 Maximum 30o
25-357 Maximum 40o
25-36 Marlin
250 Cobra
250 Donaldson
250 Savage
250 Savage Improved 40o
250 Souper
255 Rook Rifle
256 Newton
256 QT
256 Winchester Magnum
25 x 50 R
257 Ackley Improved Roberts
257 Roberts
257 Roberts Improved 24o
257 Roberts Improved 28o
257 Roberts Improved 30o
257 Roberts Improved 40o
257 Weatherby Magnum

http://www.pac-nor.com/wildcat/

Pac-Nor can chamber a .257 TCU. I believe that is a .223 necked up.

I think it would be a real sweetheart on a Rem Model 7.

MM

Montana
I had wanted to do the same cartidge in a mini Mauser Interarmco imported a number of years ago. My idea was to use cast bullets in the rifle for various critters. Using a 120 grain hard cast lead alloy bullet would be just about right for dropping varmits with distroying the pelt.
Jim

MM: Thanks for yet another list of .25's... I never realized how many 'wildcats' have been created.

25 Ackley Krag
25 BR Spencer
25 Gibbs
25 IHMSA
25 Krag
25 MRC
25 STW
25 WSM
25 x 25.7
250-3000 Ackley
25-06 Ackley
25-06 Mashburn Improved
25-270
25-270 ICL
25-275 Hoffman
25-284 Winchester
25-6.5 Remington Magnum
257 Ackley .284 neck
257 Banshee
257 Brotherton
257 Roberts Ackley Improved
257 Roberts Ackley
257 Roberts Ackley .284 neck
257 TCU
6.35 x 59mm

If you want to keep your reloading logistics simple, a .250 Savage might be a good way to go. Same bullets, same primers, and many powders with good use for your 25-06. The .250 Savage would make a nice "little brother" and a very capable medium big game rifle as well. The .250 Sav could easily be loaded down below 2000 fps, and brass dies, reamers, are plenty common.

MM

[ 09-15-2002, 06:10: Message edited by: MontanaMarine ]

Plainsman, I have a .257 TCU that started life as a Remington 788 in .223 and was rebarrelled. If I quoted the velocities achieved with 75 gr bullets, many would think I was loco but I've used the cased 10X each and they're still good. It is one fun little round but I only know of one or two others that have them. Great little rifle round for varmints and not half bad on deer with 87 grain Hornadys. Ed

I've settled on a .257TCU! Now I just need to find some more info! Thanks for all the help guys!!