Did a search, but only brought up older threads before the recent resurgence of the 25 cal. Anyone out there currently running a 25BR (or improved)? For what Use? What load(s) are you running? Expecting barrel life to be measurably better than its 6mm counterpart, or just still within that range of "depends how you shoot it"?
I've been shooting one for 10 years now, and have no complaints about it whatsoever! If I shot 100 and 200 yard competition, I believe I could win with this gun. My 25 B-R is built on a Remington 700 short action, set up as a single shot. The only bullet I have ever shot through it is Sierra's 90 gr. B.T. - H.P. Game King. Deer and varmints. I don't shoot hard and fast, and never let my barrels get too hot. I believe the life expectancy of this barrel, a Shilen Select Match in #7 contour, will probably last a little longer than my 6mm B-R rifles. Norma brass, Remington 7 1/2 primers and a modest dose of H-322 powder.
If you like to try new thing, go for it. If you shoot competition and want to be competitive my advice is observe what wins and use that as your guideline.
Probably don't have a good selection of bullets, especially match grade. You will be shooting mass produced bullets which may be OK.
I built a 6.8 SPC on a Savage action. Shot pretty good. That got me thinking. If the 30 BR was such a hot item, why not a 6.8 BR? Built one. Deadly accurate. Ordered a Custom reamer and was told "That was a FIRST for the reamer maker". 6 BR Forster bushing dies with the proper bushing. The "detractors" said not much of a selection of bullets available for the 6.8 ?? Got a chart that shows about 25 + different bullets to choose from. 25 BR? Go for it. Enjoy the ride.
And, what works for one person may not work for the next person SO, it's a learning experience and you're NEVER to old to learn something new. Let us know how to make out.
There's no reason it won't shoot well like the rest of its BR cased brethren. It's more a matter of bullet selection and finding a niche for it that makes sense unless it's just a matter of doing something different which in this hobby is reason enough but not enough for large numbers of shooters to flock to it. I've had a number of 7BR's and it's a similar situation. A great round for handgun silhouette but outside of that there's not a whole lot of reason for one other than just because. Shooters may already be doing this now, I haven't followed the sport closely enough to know, but I've often thought a 25 BR with high BC bullets could find a niche in HP rifle silhouette shooting. A little less recoil (an important consideration in that game) than a 6.5BR with a little more energy down range for rams than 6mm's. Just need the bullets to exploit it.
Check with Jef Fowler in Gastonia, SC. He made the first 25 caliber true match grade bullets for me (and others) 20+ years ago. I heard his son is now making bullets, since Jef passed away a few years ago. Rich
