Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 25 gibbbs ???

ive got a 25-06sako and thinking of pounching it out to a25 gibbs. anybody ever done this? any insite on this would be appreciated. are there enough benefit over AI to justify the extra brass prep work? what kkinda of velocity did yall get out of the gibbs?
thanks

I can see going AI, I can't see going Gibbs as I've been there and done it and won't go back.

Dober

whats your reasoning for that? just curious? is a 24" barrell long enough for the extra powder

Dober - I'm interested as well.

I had a Model 70 264 win mag that I shot the barrel out. Would group 0.75" with 5 shoots using accubonds. Groups opened up to 3-4" so I decided to rebarrel to a 300 win mag. Problem is now I have a ton of .264 bullets sitting on the bench and no 6.5mm rifles. I was bored so I looked into other 6.5mm cartridges and came across the 6.5-06, then the 6.5 Gibbs. Got myself wondering if the Gibbs is worth the extra work.

Ai case is easy to form, and while recall the exact formula for forming the Gibbs I do recall that when forming the 30 Gibbs cases I found it to be a pia.

Dober

Well some folks actually like forming cases. You know, learing the methodology and experimenting along the way. That's what being a loony is all about Mark.

If it were me, I'd start with .270 Win cases. Run thru the .25 Gibbs FL sizer to establish a crush fit and fireform away. All of ONE EXTRA reloading step.

Why would you start with the 270 case instead of just the 25-06

The Gibbs will give you less than 20 fps over the AI at similar pressures, with more expensive dies and the extra forming issues.

the more i read the more im considering the AI. does anyone have any before and after velocity for a 25-06 when punching it out to a AI? i know this is bouncing around but i want to be as well informed as possible before i start drilling on a dang good shooting gun

One less step in the forming process. If you start with .25 cal, then I would neck up the case 1 or 2 calibers. This allows you to establish a secondary shoulder with which to control headspace on.

See the following pix:



The fireforming loads in the pic above where too low to blow out the case to final dimensions, but you get the picture.






I'd say +50-100 fps for the AI over the parent

And +75-150 for the Gibbs over the parent

My buddy bought a Cooper in 25-06 AI,then took a moose at 300 yards with it and 115gr Partitions.Found each bullet with classic expansion in the hind on the off side.

Ok. Thanks for the info. I really want to stick to the 110 accubond. Would this have any pros or cons in Gibbs or ab

My .25/06 was my favorite for many years prior to being stolen.

In the intervening years I have Loaded for two .25 Gibbs and 3 .25/06's....
all for friends.

I would keep your .25/06 as is. It really does not need any improvement in my experience, especially with all of the great bullets and powders that are available today.

Not worth doing on a factory barrel, in my experience. Keep it a standard 25-06. When you shoot it out and decide on a new barrel, go AI. I've had factory barrels set back in rechambered to AI in both 25-06 and 280, and neither one made a bit of difference in the field.