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StevenHall
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25-25 brass
Oct 1st, 2014 at 11:06pm
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Going to be in need of some 25-25 Stevens brass. I know I can get it from both Rocky Mountain Cartridges and Bertram. I would like to hear your experiences with  these companies or if you know someone else who makes obsolete cartridge brass.

Thanks

Steven
  
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Bent_Ramrod
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #1 - Oct 1st, 2014 at 11:49pm
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I've used Bertram .25-25 brass.  It's better than nothing, I guess.  It comes in a number of different lengths, even in the same box, but  all of them are shorter than the design length.  The heads and rims are frequently smaller than specified as well, and the rims are not infrequently oval.  You may need to experiment with different shell holders.

They do, however, fit in my rifle, function and extract OK.  Accuracy is not as good as any of my .25-20's or my .25-21.  I don't think that is because my rifle is inaccurate or my reloading technique is bad, but what do I know? Lips Sealed.

I anneal the brass as far down as I can short of the head area to reduce case failures.  Even so, they not infrequentlly split after a few to a half dozen firings.  The splits are always far enough down the body to preclude trimming the cases and using them as .25-21's.  However, the splits have not leaked gas back or anything catastrophic.

I haven't tried Rocky Mountain's .25-25's. but I do use their .22-15 Single Shot cases, and their .25-25's probably behave in a like manner.  The RMC cases are very precisely turned from solid, so the dimensions are right.  However, if I reload them like regular shells, i.e., full length resizing, expanding, etc., the necks will split after a few firings.  It's best to use these as "Everlasting" cases:  never resize, seat bullet in case by hand and use black powder.
  
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.22-5-40
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #2 - Oct 2nd, 2014 at 12:59am
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I have tried both brands..and as far as I'm concerned..the Betram is worthless..bad dents in case mouths..uneven trim at mouth..various overall lengths..and different rim thickness.  The RCM brass is very uniform..and they will custom turn to your chamber dia. & length.  The only trouble I had with RCM brass was when I tried using COW as a filler in reduced B.P. loads..I was gettinjg case stretching to the tune of .050"!  and had one case seperation with 1/2" of neck stuck tight in throat.  I am using 3FG Swiss only on account of the rifle is an original Ballard No.3 cast action.  Have been using Puff-Lon filler with no trouble and very good 50 yd. acccuracy of around 3/8" to 1/2" using original Ideal 100gr. moulds, with the globe front & vernier mid-range tang sights.  Curious as to what action your rifle is..don't here of too many .25-25 Stevens users.  Good luck!
  
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StevenHall
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #3 - Oct 2nd, 2014 at 1:17am
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Thanks guys.

The action is a Stevens 44. From what I understand, the 25-25 was made specifically for the model 44 when the rifle was first introduced. It is the only one I have seen for sale in that caliber and I thought it would be interesting to to try out. I doubt there are many left out there, and even fewer that still get shot. It will be fun experimenting trying to find the right load. I will start with 25-21 powder specs because I hear it doesn't foul up the barrel as much as using 25 grains.
  
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.22-5-40
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #4 - Oct 2nd, 2014 at 1:49am
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I did try some du-plex loads..2.0-3.0grs smokeless next to primer..4759 didn't really do anything..then tried PB..this really cleaned up the bore..even grooves were clean..looked like a smokeless load had been used..However, for match accuracy, I still needed 1 patch thru after each shot..a dry one would work..for straight black..1 barely damp patch thru after each shot did the trick.  decided du-plexing wasn't worth the trouble and have gone back to straight black.  I haven't had time to try breech-seating, so far I have been using an Ideal No.3 .25-21/25 tong tool for bullet seating.
  
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Reg
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #5 - Oct 2nd, 2014 at 11:01am
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I too have one of the 44's in 25/25, a 44-45 with a perfect bore.  When I got it many years ago Bertram was all I could find for brass.  
I breech seat a 86 gn. bullet with a homemade seater and have never sized a case since the first firing.  I hold a 4.5 gn. load of Unique in with a thin cardboard wad and load at the bench using a Pope copy of a de/re capper.
Very pleasant for a afternoon shooting, accuracy is better than I can hold and I have yet to have even a single case failure.
Bertram might not be the best looking brass out there and for hotter loads it should be avoided.  The 25-20 SS Bertram in my 2R Lovell just doesn't stand up at all.   For the lighter loads ( and that is all you should use in that 44 anyway ) is seems to be a good source of hard to find brass.
  
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slumlord44
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #6 - Oct 2nd, 2014 at 8:30pm
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I also have a 44 45 in .25-25. Haven't had time to play with it much but just tried 5 rounds using the RCM brass with a full case of 100 year old Dupont 3F black powder and a cork wad under the bullet. Results at 25 yards were a very tight 3 shot group with two flyers that were operator error. Looks promising. The .25-25's are hard to find. Took me a long time to find a good one and cost me more than I had hoped. I love the odd ones. Fun cartridge.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #7 - Oct 2nd, 2014 at 9:50pm
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I learned my lesson using Bertram brass. I'd go with RMC brass, but be sure to anneal it prior to reloading.
  

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StevenHall
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #8 - Oct 4th, 2014 at 11:46pm
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For those of that reload 25-25 or 25-21, what do you use as a loading block (if you use one at all)? I am partial to the look and feel of wood blocks, but they don't make them specifically for these cartridges as far as I know. What is the closest modern caliber as far as case diameter?
  
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waterman
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #9 - Oct 5th, 2014 at 12:41am
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Loading blocks for the 223 / 222 / 5.56 mm US ought to work just fine.  Shell holder might also work.
  
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StevenHall
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #10 - Oct 5th, 2014 at 12:44am
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Thank you. That would be great since I am going to be reloading .223 as well.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: 25-25 brass
Reply #11 - Oct 5th, 2014 at 8:17am
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Yes, the .223 is a close fit, and I've heard some people make their brass from reformed .223 also. It involve turning the cases on a lathe, and sounded like too much work to me, so have never tried it.
  

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