To further the .25 Stevens Rimfire recapitulation project, I need a source for 65 grain .258 diameter bullets.   Which, it seems, I shall have to cast myself. (Not surprising.)  Anyone got a such a mould?  Recommend a source for a custom mould?   

Phil

I've had an order outstanding with Western Bullet, going on two weeks now.  No shipping notification, doesn't answer emails, doesn't answer the phone.  Haven't asked my CC provider yet whether they've charged my card, but I will do so come Monday, and if they have I'm reversing the charge for cause.  Last night I found a warning on another forum about this company. 

Forgot that WBC's are from an NOE mould.   Going to order one of those right now.

Looks like you're right, not in stock. Or at least the NOE site won't let me order.   Just sent an email inquiry.  

Phil

Added:  Looks like the minimum order to start an inventory run is five.  

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There's already an active thread for 260-62-WFN, which is a little different.  Has no crimp groove.  Not sure I'd want that, I expect to crimp my bullets in like the OEMs did. 

How the heck does he stay in business?  No repeat customers, I would assume.

There was an earlier thread on this, but I can't seem to locate it.  Basics are: Take a .17 WMR cartridge, pull the bullet, dump the powder.  Trim to about 1.145" OAL.  Now the tricky part.  Expand the neck to take a .258 bullet.  This brass is brittle, so it has to be done in small stages.  I'm using several Lee expanders, for their shallow taper, and machined off to the following diameters: First stage .195" ID.  Second stage .210 ID. Third stage .230 ID, Fourth stage .258 ID.    A Lee die set for the .25 ACP is handy for this.  The sizer is too small for the final stage, so you have to stick the spindle out and only screw the die into the press by a few threads.  But the seater is OK.  A .22 Hornet shellholder works just fine.  I bought two .22 and two .30 caliber expanders, and several collet nuts for the project from Lee. The expander spindles often slip, so once I have a setting I tack-weld them.  Final trim to 1.135" OAL.  Still have no bullets, so can't say a thing yet about loads.   

I lost a LOT of the cases to splitting before this sequence got worked out.  I still lose maybe 10%. That first trim to length is a key factor.  Obviously you can't anneal them without risk of setting the primer off.  

These cases have thicker metal in the rim.  It takes a solid blow to set one off.  My Stevens Marksman won't do it, but my Favorite will.

JLouis wrote on Jul 21^st, 2017 at 1:29pm:


They show a gas checked version and if I understand the order options correctly it could be done as a nose pour with a hollow base. That would probably duplicate the original very closely.
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Here's the original thread
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Looks like I need to repost some photos

I have a Lyman mold for a 65gr 258 (#257420) that casts a nice flat nosed gas checked  bullet. Midway has them listed as available. Midsouth if they have one would probably cost a little less.  I bought it for a plinking with the 25-20M.

WW