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Should I build a 25BRA or 25 Dasher Varmint Rifle? (Decided on 25x45AI)

I have an 18 inch barreled AR15, "25/45 Sharps" and it shoots the Sierra 90grs it chrono's at 2791 fps. I've never tried the 70gr But they should be in the 3100 fps range.
Very Simple Reloading, take 223 Brass (Cheap) and One Pass thru Lee Pacesetter 25/45 FL Die ($37 for a 3 die set), then Load it, No Fireforming Needed. Easy.
Cheap Too!
 
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I'm shooting a 25-204 that I built back in 2005. 75gr(3150 fps) HP's and V-max are just brutal on coyotes but 100gr Partitions(2800+fps) are great on deer.

Don't over look the 250 Sav(250-3000) just because it is old, it is a very nice round, I've had a couple in bolt actions, a custom commercial Mauser, Savage 1920 and Savage 11 and a couple in Sav 99's.

One nice thing about the 25's you can buy bulk cast bullets for the 25-20 and load over a few grains of shotgun powder for a small game/plinking load. I buy 500 at a time from Meister bullets.

Go back to the main page for a picture of the bullet.

https://www.meisterbullets.com/AWSProducts/415-C-22-P-0/25-20-85GR-258-RNFP
 
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I have an 18 inch barreled AR15, "25/45 Sharps" and it shoots the Sierra 90grs it chrono's at 2791 fps. I've never tried the 70gr But they should be in the 3100 fps range.
Very Simple Reloading, take 223 Brass (Cheap) and One Pass thru Lee Pacesetter 25/45 FL Die ($37 for a 3 die set), then Load it, No Fireforming Needed. Easy.
Cheap Too!
Thanks! So a 25/45 sharps is just a neck up 223, the same as a 6x45. I like the idea, I had thought about a 25x45 but was wondering if the lack of a shoulder on the case can cause any issues. It’s getting pretty close to straight walled. How is your brass stability? Does it stretch much? I like the idea of having a 223AI, 6x45AI, and 25x45AI. Maybe having a 40 degree shoulder would help the case stability a bit and provide for a better headspacing. Definently worth exploring further. Those are some nice velocities for a 25 cal in a 223 case. I bet it hits hard. Thanks! Ryan
 
I'm shooting a 25-204 that I built back in 2005. 75gr(3150 fps) HP's and V-max are just brutal on coyotes but 100gr Partitions(2800+fps) are great on deer.

Don't over look the 250 Sav(250-3000) just because it is old, it is a very nice round, I've had a couple in bolt actions, a custom commercial Mauser, Savage 1920 and Savage 11 and a couple in Sav 99's.

One nice thing about the 25's you can buy bulk cast bullets for the 25-20 and load over a few grains of shotgun powder for a small game/plinking load. I buy 500 at a time from Meister bullets.

Go back to the main page for a picture of the bullet.

https://www.meisterbullets.com/AWSProducts/415-C-22-P-0/25-20-85GR-258-RNFP
25-06 use to be an interesting cartridge back in the day. Just too much recoil and it uses too much powder for varminting...at least for me. I really like the more “modern” straight walled 40 degree shouldered cases. I’ll take a look at the savage. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it isn’t better. Most people fall victim to the marketing. Thanks!
 
All, I’m looking for opinions on my next build. My last rifle was a 6x45AI and I absolutely love it. I did a lot of homework before I built it and I would like to do the same here.

I’m thinking of moving from 6mm to .25 cal. It seems to me like the larger diameter bullets are more explosive and have a greater initial impact than the smaller cals (just my observation). I’ve shot .17, .20. .22, and 6mm. I’m thinking of a 25BRA or a 25 Dasher. I have 6mm reamers for both so I can make it work by reaming out the neck diameter and purchasing a .25 cal throater.

What are the pros and cons of of each and what do you think of .25cal...looking at 70g SBKs. I’ve never had a .25 cal before so I don’t know it’s accuracy characteristics.

Small varmint gun capable of 600 yds or so is the goal. Accurate AND flat shooting with low recoil to spot shots...but doesn’t need to be a barrel burner. Huge fan of Ackley chamberings.

Your wisdom is appreciated.

Ryan

Several good and interesting options have been proffered. Based upon your having both BRA and DASHER reamers, I'll push hard for the 25BRA, or, heaven forbid, if you own a 22, or, 6BR reamer, a plane-Jane 25BR. Precision enough to kill vermin while using virgin brass . . . and following that, crazy good.:eek: Difficult to argue against the readily available Peterson, or Lapua brass. Via the BR based 25s, I keep the bullet weight @ 88gr - even up to 100gr, the BR case will provide surprising velocity.

Especially with bullets of 100gr & <, the 250/3000 Savage capacity is very good, as is the 250/3000 Imp (250/3000 brass may be difficult to find, so, for these, more forming may be in order): the 25/47 LAPUA, is about equal to the 250/3000AI, but with no real fire-forming. The latter pair hold enough fuel to preform well with bullets of up to 110gr. Both Peterson and Lapua make excellent 6/6.5x47 brass - again simple and precise enough for initial firing & rodent/coyote control. I have used the 25x47 only for NBRSA Hunter Class competition, and have used the 110 BT exclusively.

I am pretty opinionated regarding the 1/4 step up to the Creedmoor capacity - no appreciable performance increase. If you opt to go larger than 25x47Lapua capacity, go BIG(ger) - at least up to a 25x300WSM/257Wby area . . . but then, you can kiss barrel life good bye (what's wrong with THAT?:eek::D)! I never pass up an excuse to try something new!:eek::D

Now, just to roil the stream - never overlook the 257 Roberts, or, more especially, the Ackley Improved version: my 257AI barrels, @ 24", and a healthy dose of RL-17 run 110gr BT [over the old Oehler] at a nifty 3330fps. With these larger capacity cartridges, I stick [mostly] to 110gr > bullet weights, as they are used primarily for pronghorn, mule deer, or coyotes - low volume shootin'.

As usual, I'm beginning to ramble. I like your desire to try something different, and your original thought regarding the BR based cartridge . . . the BRA is appealing, and very unlikely to disappoint.:)RG
 
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Several good and interesting options have been proffered. Based upon your having both BRA and DASHER reamers, I'll push hard for the 25BRA, or, heaven forbid, if you own a 22, or, 6BR reamer, a plane-Jane 25BR. Precision enough to kill vermin while using virgin brass . . . and following that, crazy good.:eek: Difficult to argue against the readily available Peterson, or Lapua brass. Via the BR based 25s, I keep the bullet weight @ 88gr - even up to 100gr, the BR case will provide surprising velocity.

Especially with bullets of 100gr & <, the 250/3000 Savage capacity is very good, as is the 250/3000 Imp (250/3000 brass may be difficult to find, so, for these, more forming may be in order): the 25/47 LAPUA, is about equal to the 250/3000AI, but with no real fire-forming. The latter pair hold enough fuel to preform well with bullets of up to 110gr. Both Peterson and Lapua make excellent 6/6.5x47 brass - again simple and precise enough for initial
firing rodent/coyote control. I have used the 25x47 only for NBRSA Hunter Class competition, and have used the 110 BT exclusively.

I am pretty opinionated regarding the 1/4 step up to the Creedmoor capacity - no appreciable performance increase. If you opt to go larger than 25x47Lapua capacity, go BIG(ger) - at least up to a 25x300WSM/257Wby area . . . but then, you can kiss barrel life good bye more often (waht's wrong with THAT?:eek::D)! I never pass up an excuse to try something new!:eek::D Now, just to roil the stream - never overlook the 257 Roberts, or, more especially, the Ackley Improved version: my 257AI barrels, @ 24", and a healthy dose of RL-17 run 110gr BT [over the old Oehler] at a nifty 3330fps. With these larger capacity cartridges, I stick [mostly] to 110gr > bullet weights, as they are used primarily for pronghorn, mule deer, or coyotes - low volume shootin'.

As usual, I'm beginning to ramble. I like your desire to try something different, and your original thought regarding the BR based cartridge . . . the BRA is appealing, and very unlikely to disappoint.:)RG
I really appreciate the wisdom. Sounds like we are cut from the same cloth. A repeating 25BRA really fits the bill and I’m sure it will shoot lights out while fireforming as well. Efficient, flat shooting, soft recoiling, and different...check. Now if I only had a source of good bullets ;).

Any barrel advice, they seem to be a bit hard to come by.
Ryan
 
25-204 isn't a 25-06, more on the order 25-222 Rem Mag Improved(not AI'd as the shoulder is moved forward). It is a clone of the 257 Kimber with no fire forming. It has slightly more capacity than a 25-223 AI(25-45AI/25 TCU/25 Ugalde) with a 30 degree shoulder it feeds well.
 
AllthingsAI, I am all for blowing up small creatures.

Recoil goes up with bullet weight, tread lightly or you will not see the blow up...things start to change when you are shooting 85-87g bullets.

You seem to be fixed on a br size case or variant. Have at it. Many of the medium powders burn real hot, slightly larger case capacity with slightly slower powders often yields a more harmonious results from lower Heat Index powders.

I would defer to AWS recommendation on the 25/204, as he is not a BS'r and is a bonefide hunter with factual field experience with plenty of pictures to back him up.

If I want more power than a 25/204, then I would opt for a 25 creed or variant with 25/47 having much better oal/magazine constraints on a rem 700 short action.

Hunting means leaving brass in the weeds, and new winchester 204 brass is running me around $24 per hundred...good stuff so far in the 22/204 running 60g at 3460 and 69g at 3360 with zero feeding issues...bug holes abound.

Wild cats are fun, eh?
 
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ALL THINGSAI wrote:
"I’m thinking of moving from 6mm to .25 cal. It seems to me like the larger diameter bullets are more explosive and have a greater initial impact than the smaller cals (just my observation)." OK where do I start ? I read thru this thread. Lots of good "ideas" . Let me say this, I've shots thousands of eastern ground hogs. I've used every thing I could shoot at the varmints. The 22-250 is my old school fav. Out to 400 yds the standard 55 grain load is just fine. In the 6 mm size, the 243Win chambering is just awe inspiring. It has everything, Speed Power accuracy, Short barrel life just blows. I've used the pee wee 6 mm's The 6mmBr leaves me underwhelmed. Yeah it hits em,but power is not there. You can up the powder charge [wildcats dasher/BRX] & improve things But it is still small on power factor. NOW, You really want larger diameter .257 bullets using those size cases & expect to really whomp them at 600 yards ?? It is just not going to happen. I have one of those 25/45 Sharps in a bolt gun. My barrel just blows, too long a story. But I can tell you this 350 yards w an 87grain soft point & you are topped out. PM me if you want more details. I like the small 25 cals. but you need to dial back your expectations of what that size case & caliber can do for you. Respectfully, Uncle MikeinCT
 
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No dies yet, no barrel. Either is pretty straight forward since I have the base 6mm reamers. That said, how do you create dasher brass? I get the BRA fireforming path, but not sure about dasher
For this application I'd look at Alpha or Norma Dasher brass. But finding it in stock could be tricky.

Of course you're purposely choosing .25 caliber so availability is not a big factor.
 
I would not recommend a 25 because of limited bullet selection. And a I am a committed 25-06 user since 1972.
I’m focused on the 25 cal 70g Sierra Blitzking so bullet selection is not an issue...25/06 is just too much for my application. Small, efficient, accurate varmint rifle that is different. Just a fun project
 
I’m focused on the 25 cal 70g Sierra Blitzking so bullet selection is not an issue...25/06 is just too much for my application. Small, efficient, accurate varmint rifle that is different. Just a fun project

The small cases, based upon the .222Rem Mag (.204Ruger)/.223, etc., would be very efficient, probably stunningly "accurate" (precise) . . . and, a LOT of fun! :eek:;) If you're interested, I may still have a 25PPC reamer hidden in the reamer stash - if it's there, I could be persuaded to part with it - let me know and I'll check. RG
 
Allthings -

I think a repeater on a Mini Mauser of an older Sako would be cool beans !

In original 6mm, the popular benchrest bullet wt used to be 68 gr.
Going to a 70 gr bullet in larger .25” calibre would give you a slightly lower
pressure round.


With regards,
357Mag
 
It's amazing how close the 250AI and 25 Creedmore are when you look at the dimensions. Both are hitting the easy button on 25 caliber wildcats and are an adequate case capacity to make use of heavy for caliber 257 bullets. If quality brass is a concern, you can make either out of good 6.5 CM brass.
 

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