Thread: 257R Experiences

Originally Posted by tetawa

Still having fireform problems, can I buy 6 unfired 257R cases off someone to check measurements, gunsmith recons he put the correct "crush" for the standard 257R to chamber. All my brass is 6mm or 8x57 which I have resized.

I would help but only have reformed cases too. Mine miss fire if I oversize them. Mine need to be firm on closing to get reliable ignition.

Originally Posted by Tahr

I would help but only have reformed cases too. Mine miss fire if I oversize them. Mine need to be firm on closing to get reliable ignition.

I run them thru a 6.5 neck die then resize 2/3rds of neck to 257, still get unreliable ignition, have zero problem when they have been fire-formed to 257 Ackley.

Originally Posted by tetawa

I run them thru a 6.5 neck die then resize 2/3rds of neck to 257, still get unreliable ignition, have zero problem when they have been fire-formed to 257 Ackley.

Oh. OK. Didn't realise yours is an Ackley.
I just go straight from 6mm rem/7mm Mauser to .257 in one go.

Originally Posted by tetawa

I run them thru a 6.5 neck die then resize 2/3rds of neck to 257, still get unreliable ignition, have zero problem when they have been fire-formed to 257 Ackley.

Like you I would have thought that crushing down on a whole 1/3rd of the neck would have been sufficient to hold things in place. Do you recall I initially had problems back in 2021 in the final 6.5—to—.257 improved step when I had annealed prior. The brass was too soft in combination with only 0.007" or so of false shoulder. Options were to use a larger diameter shoulder or defer the annealing, and fortunately the latter worked. Maybe you'll need to go the other route and use a larger diameter if the neck is already a bit soft?

Originally Posted by Puffin

Like you I would have thought that crushing down on a whole 1/3rd of the neck would have been sufficient to hold things in place. Do you recall I initially had problems back in 2021 in the final 6.5—to—.257 improved step when I had annealed prior. The brass was too soft in combination with only 0.007" or so of false shoulder. Options were to use a larger diameter shoulder or defer the annealing, and fortunately the latter worked. Maybe you'll need to go the other route and use a larger diameter if the neck is already a bit soft?

Yes, I had them annealed before resizing, think the problem was there before as I tried some cases which hadn't been annealed. The more neck that is left oversize doesn't help with neck tension on the projectile to jam into the landes

I have never found a jammed bullet to be of any use whatsoever regardless of neck tension, though most reports on fireforming always list it as an option. With soft brass a larger diameter false shoulder on which to crush might be the only way forward, perhaps a significantly larger diameter?

Anyone using the 115 partition? Seems to be the best of all worlds, cup and core but controlled expansion, reasonable BC, just a bit spendy if you're shooting paper but great for game, looks like Foster here on the forum has swung a deal and got the Winchester on the forum here for me. I had one previously in a VZ33 action I gifted to a mate when I left N.Z but the itch never went away so have something to use when I come home.

Norwest, have you carried cases or projectiles back to NZ with you?


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Originally Posted by nor-west

Anyone using the 115 partition? Seems to be the best of all worlds, cup and core but controlled expansion, reasonable BC, just a bit spendy if you're shooting paper but great for game, looks like Foster here on the forum has swung a deal and got the Winchester on the forum here for me. I had one previously in a VZ33 action I gifted to a mate when I left N.Z but the itch never went away so have something to use when I come home.

It would be neat to try it with Partitions, they are the ultimate in killing reliability but don't work accuracy wize in every rifle, for some reason only about 25% of rifles seem to "like them", I've had at least two rifles over the years that shot patterns with them. Ya don't know unless you try though!

Oh and you do realize that I'm going to rack it next to the pre 64 M70 7x57 in the hope that they'll breed, logically the progeny would be a 6.5x57!

Originally Posted by Dicko

Norwest, have you carried cases or projectiles back to NZ with you?


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You should have no issues from NSW, one of our forum members got his brother to bring in some 7x33 brass from NSW and he didn't have a firearms licence

All good now, no questions asked, how do I know? After hunting in South Canterbury I made sure to check all the pockets in my pack for ammo and being all empty I boarded a flight to Melbourne and then home to hog central, as I emptied my pack I managed to find four 223 bullets rattling around in one of the many holes that came with the pack. I ferried some empty cases for one of the boys in welly and had them checked individually at akld airport.

Originally Posted by Tentman

Oh and you do realize that I'm going to rack it next to the pre 64 M70 7x57 in the hope that they'll breed, logically the progeny would be a 6.5x57!

I still have all the data from the 6.5x57AI Turk

Originally Posted by nor-west

I still have all the data from the 6.5x57AI Turk

You have my interest, what does that cartridge look like compared to say a regular 7x57?

Skinnier neck I would guess lol