Is it possible to open up a plain Jane 25-06 to 25-06 ackley improved ?
I really don't want to set the barrel back so I was curious,..would a reamer clean up the old chamber ?
I have a Ruger #1 that I may do this to if it is possible

There's no nice way to say this, so . . .

NO!

Not if you want it done right. Some smiths may do it for you and then tell you to fire-form your brass to fit and everything will be OK. Well it may be OK for you but what about the next guy who owns that rifle and doesn't know that he's risking case head seperations. Maybe that next guy will be your grandson.

If you're going to go this route, at least do not mark the barrel as 25-06 Ackley Improved. That's not what it will be.

JMHO

Ray

quote:

Originally posted by white eagle:
Is it possible to open up a plain Jane 25-06 to 25-06 ackley improved ?

Yes

quote:

I really don't want to set the barrel back so I was curious,..would a reamer clean up the old chamber?

Ray is correct. Most gunsmiths, me included, wouldn't do this without setting the barrel back.

Where you are not wanting to set the barrel back, you will want to pour a chamber cast and measure it against the reamer you will use. The area you are wanting to compare is the distance to the current chambers neck/shoulder junction. Since this is where the case will sit during the fireforming process, you need to make sure the case will still headspace safely once the reaming is complete.

White Eagle - I think that if your just wanting to have an improved .25-06 and not set the barrel back, you could go with the .25 Gibbs. I haven't a clue who might havew the reamer or if you would have to buy a reamer. Here's a website that has some info on the cartridge;

http://www.customriflesandcart...m/25Gibbsarticle.htm

quote:

I haven't a clue who might havew the reamer or if you would have to buy a reamer. Here's a website that has some info on the cartridge

I didn't find one in my normal looking a while back. Didn't check with White Rock.

Based on my own wildcat which is a touch bigger than a gibbs. I wouldn't bother unless my barrel was 26" or longer.

thanks for the replies fellas
I would be doing the chamber work myself
I was curious as to the process
I do not have a aversion to set the barrel back I would if I had to but it seems as though the gain would be min and the effort more than its worth
I am doing smithing on my own rifles and thought that the outcome would be as it is but I wanted to ask around
once again thanks

quote:

Originally posted by white eagle:
I do not have a aversion to set the barrel back I would if I had to but it seems as though the gain would be min and the effort more than its worth

If you ever plan on working on other peoples stuff, you will want to get things right. You don't want to be picking up bad habits by short cutting a job. Even if it's your own. Good luck!

white eagle
It does not take a lot of effort to set a barrel back. On a No1 the only thing you need to remember is to shorten the rear of the Q rib. Setting the barrel back is the only correct way to do this job. If you are going to do it, do it right. You will be better off for it.

I do believe in doing thing the correct way first I am not a cobbler
that's why I asked

quote:

Originally posted by white eagle:
I do believe in doing thing the correct way first I am not a cobbler
that's why I asked

Good to hear. Remember, besides trimming the rib, you will need to redo the extractor cut as well. Good luck.

I had a gunsmith friend with great patience go over this with me very carefully and since I am not a machinist... well... I will babble...

IF... IF you have a very, VERY minimum chamber then you can go Ackley Improved without barrel setback but it is sloppy and a fool can get into trouble easily--case separations... thus the advice to not mark it Ackley Imp... Good advice. Not recommended. If chamber not minimum, then you almost guarantee trouble...

b). You don't have to set the barrel back 1 full turn UNLESS you have sights. Then, with sights, you turn it one FULL turn to have the sights back on top... Ghee who would think. Now if you don't have sights, you can set the barrel back 1/2 turn? 1/4 turn? 1/8 turn? Not much. This will get you the minimum chamber you need to Ackley Improve safely... And it is so easy. Much easier... And many high powers don't have sights... scope on receiver... SO...

Can you? Yes. Should you? Probably not. No sights, turn it back 1/16 or more and end of discussion. Rechamber and go... ENJOY. Luck.

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Now if you don't have sights

Don't forget to add extractor groove in the mix.