Rebarrel 25-06 to 30-06

xtp308

xtp308

Serious Threadkiller
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 18, 2016
Messages
2,506
Location
Dunn- Fayetteville
Rating - 100%
56   0   0
Just wanted to see if I’m thinking right.
Model 700
Long action to long action
30-06 is parent cartridge of 25-06 so bolt should be compatible. OAL is very close, rounds feed thru blind mag fine.
Just need to rebarrel and do chamber space for safety.
Am I missing something ? I’m prone to “missing the forest for the trees”.
Thanks !
 
I know, I'm not committed to this yet. I just have an old 700 sitting because powder and components are becoming a PITA. 25-06 factory ammo is stupid expensive for what it is. It just bugs me to have one sitting idle. 30-06 is just so much easier to find.
 
I don’t think you missed anything. Should be a fairly straight forward swap, like you said. But I’m in the camp of leave it alone and just buy a 30-06 instead.
 
I understand where you’re coming from. I do at least encourage you to hang on to the 25-06 barrel so you can swap it back later on. The 25 is just a great shooting cartridge.
 
I think the 700 action is a straightforward swap, this is one of the reasons that action found popularity with long range shooters.
All that said , 25-06 is a great round and personally would be my choice for anything in NC or surrounding states as far as hunting
 
I have 25-06 reloading components and tooling, it’s one of my “someday” calibers. If you want to sell please let me know, and if you want to reload for it please let me know and I’ll go take inventory.
 
25-06 is also one of those calibers that a precious few people are obsessed with. I bet if you sold it to the right person they would be very happy and you'd have more than enough money to buy just about any equivalent 30-06 you want.
 
Thanks for the comments, gents !!
I’ve reloaded for years; the issue is starting to be component availability. I already have several 30-06 also. I just don’t shoot the 25 as often these days. I like the round a lot, it’s just starting to get stupid trying to find powder and primers. Forget factory ammo for the 25, it’s much easier to find it for the 30 cals !!
 
If you already have several 30-06s, I think you would have no problem selling the 25-06 rifle out right on the forum.
 
You said that right!
 
Older 700...keep it. I understand the availability of components is driving the decision but..
you have others in 30.06. The bolt faces are basically the same, long actions the same.
If you don't need the funds keep it, or...have it barreled in the "Swede" yeah I know going
from 25.06 to the Swede makes no sense.

25.06 / 30.06 here both use IMR4064, CCI200, bullets may be the problem and brass but
run the 30.06 through the 25.06 sizer, ream brass, the mouth, if needed, reminds me of
the 25.06 Niedner.

-Snoopz
 
Last edited:
To answer the original question.... yes, a 25/06, 270, 280, and 30/06 can swap barrels pretty straight forward. You just have to set the correct head space. It would be a shame to take a 25/06 out of circulation. I'd hang on to it if you can afford to, or sell it if you can't. I have a nice condition S&W 1500 (Howa 1500) in 30/06 we can discuss via PM if you're interested.
 
xtp308 said:
Thanks, you guys have talked me out of the rebarrel thing. I’ll keep it original.
I had looked at resizing 30-06 brass, just haven’t tried it yet. It looks reasonable based on youtube vids.
Click to expand...
Glad your keeping it.. Brass is out there, some you can find reasonable priced.
Sizing down the brass is pretty straightforward, just gotta make sure the neck /
mouth is not to small. and use some decent lube, either Imperial or Corbin swaging
lube..the later is great it can be hard to remove, use it to size difficult 50 BMG cases...

-Snoopz
 
Last edited:
xtp308 said:
Thanks, you guys have talked me out of the rebarrel thing. I’ll keep it original.
I had looked at resizing 30-06 brass, just haven’t tried it yet. It looks reasonable based on youtube vids.
Click to expand...
After sizing down the .30cal to .25cal may require you to inside neck ream dependent on initial brass neck thickness. I ran into this when creating .260Rem cases from heavy walled 7.62Mil cases.

www.forsterproducts.com

Standard Neck Reamers

Select a product according to diameter (in inches).
www.forsterproducts.com www.forsterproducts.com

It's not currently available but for the $$ this is the brass I would want for making .25-06 brass:

 
Bunsen said:
After sizing down the .30cal to .25cal may require you to inside neck ream dependent on initial brass neck thickness. I ran into this when creating .260Rem cases from heavy walled 7.62Mil cases.

www.forsterproducts.com

Standard Neck Reamers

Select a product according to diameter (in inches).
www.forsterproducts.com www.forsterproducts.com

It's not currently available but for the $$ this is the brass I would want for making .25-06 brass:

Click to expand...
Yes Sir, run into that problem on some of the wildcats, 30 Herrett from 30-30
cases, 44 Automag cases out of 308 cases, using Mil cases ain't fun, but works
22 PPC / 6mm PPC out of 220 Russian Cases..etc.

-Snoopz
 
Last edited:
I say ditch the 25/06. Seems like old deer hunters love them but I really found nothing interesting about it. Hell I went from 25/06 to a long action fast twist 308 win and could not be happier. good bullets in 25 caliber are few and far between. Good luck finding ammo on a shelf. I would have gone 30/06 but I am a 308 guy and wanted to have a 308 I can load long and shoot heavy bullets with. The good thing with a rebarrel is you can always go back to the grandpa midwest bean field special caliber if you want.
 
Last edited:
DrDover said:
I say ditch the 25/06. Seems like old deer hunters love them but I really found nothing interesting about it. Hell I went from 25/06 to a long action fast twist 308 win and could not be happier. good bullets in 25 caliber are few and far between. Good luck finding ammo on a shelf. I would have gone 30/06 but I am a 308 guy and wanted to have a 308 I can load long and shoot heavy bullets with. The good thing with a rebarrel is you can always go back to the grandpa midwest bean field special caliber if you want.
Click to expand...
Guess I'm a 308 guy also, (maybe) load for a bunch of different rifles in 308. also the basics 5.56 / 7.62 / 30.06 / 50BMG
But...many other cartridges also acquired over the decades. That's a main reason I like the Contender Pistol
22 LR out to the JDJ rounds, even a 410/45 barrel. Save money thats funny though, guess I would if I'd stop
buying more equipment / tools

-Snoopz
 
Last edited:
Even if you find another barrel off an 700, please please please check headspace. As many barrels as I have spun and switched for people I have yet seen one headspace correctly. If you would like to talk about this just message me and I'll shoot you my number. I may have a 30 06 take odd barrel in the shop.
 
I once had 2 rifles in .25-06, a ruger #1V and a Sendero. Great rifles, loved them both but got out of hunting and they got sold. I do have some mildsurps in 30-06, a garand, 2 Springfields and a 1917. Have 4 Krags and a Swede too. The .25 is superior to the .30 imo for NC deer though I’m thinking that the 6.5 might be even better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom