25 CM or something else?

[Kevin1990]

Dreaming of my next firearm, and I realized I don't really have a dedicated deer rifle. I usually grab an AR in 6.5G, 6ARC, 243win etc, and I've been really wanting a .25 cal for next year.

I'm really considering the . 25creedmoor for a couple of reasons. Short action, brass availability, SRP, not a ton of powder consumption etc.

I'd probably be shooting bullets in the 110-120 grain range. And would like to get close to 3000 FPS out of a 24 inch barrel. All shots would be 500 yards and in and that 500 yard shot is hopefully very rare.

Questions:

Would this be a good choice?
Is there a better quarter bore cartridge that you'd prefer for this task? Or better yet, what is your favorite .25 cartridge, and I can research more!


Thanks fellas!

 

[357Mag]

Dreaming of my next firearm, and I realized I don't really have a dedicated deer rifle. I usually grab an AR in 6.5G, 6ARC, 243win etc, and I've been really wanting a .25 cal for next year.

I'm really considering the . 25creedmoor for a couple of reasons. Short action, brass availability, SRP, not a ton of powder consumption etc.

I'd probably be shooting bullets in the 110-120 grain range. And would like to get close to 3000 FPS out of a 24 inch barrel. All shots would be 500 yards and in and that 500 yard shot is hopefully very rare.

Questions:

Would this be a good choice?
Is there a better quarter bore cartridge that you'd prefer for this task? Or better yet, what is your favorite .25 cartridge, and I can research more!


Thanks fellas!

Kevin 1990 -

Howdy !

The .250 -3000 comes immediately to mind, for a proven deer cartridge.

Brass can be made by necking-up .22-250 cases to .257" cal. The would be LR primed, unless you sourced some SR primed Lapua. It does not sound like you are talking about doing a large amount of shooting with the gun, so you'd be ok going w/ LR primed brass.

Don'r over-extend on range.

With regards,
357Mag

 

[Beruisis]

I have owned all the 25 caliber rifles & sold then all except the 25-20 & two 25 Creedmoors.
I used the 250-3000 pretty much exclusively for many years. One of my 25 CM is a 10T & the other 7T.

 

[nakneker]

I think a 25 creed makes sense, certainly is the easy button. Tons of brass and die options. I had a 25x47 built 5-6 years ago and shoot BIB 110s out of it, it’s been a great rifle and has filled a few tags. It’s basically the same thing ballistically speaking as a 25 creed. I also had a 25 Saum improved built which certainly eats more powder, brass is harder to find but is a lot of fun too, fast. 25 creed would be a very practical and a solid choice imo.

 

[Preacher]

I dearly love all my 25-284's, but I'm about finished with a new 25 Creedmore build...
Using a Joel Russo Apollo single shot action and a 28" Brux 7.5 twist barrel...
Only plan on using the 133 Elite Hunters in it for deer this year...

 

[Tim a]

the only reason I built a 257 Roberts instead of a 25 creed is because i had a good amount of brass for the 257 Roberts. otherwise, i would have built the 25 creed and i may still build one

 

[Lance21]

I've got some of the newly released Sierra 131 gr smk coming. Going to build a 25 prc. Defiance Rebel xm+ action, Manners LRH stock, triggertech, proof carbon 1-7.5. Probably 22 inch barrel for hunting suppressed. Looking for 3100+.

 

[std7mag]

I'm kinda torn here...

On the one hand, a 25 CM would get you the velocity goals that you have.

On the other, there are a lot of other cartridges that will get get you there and then some.

I hunt with 7 different 25 caliber cartridges.

For getting accurate hits at 500 yards, your short action and small primer requirements aren't "required" in a 25 caliber.

Until you get to cartridges like 257 Weatherby Magnum in a 6lb rifle you don't need to worry about recoil. Especially in a hunting position.

For me, the "easy button" would be 25-06.

 

[Kevin Taylor]

<—————- I just don’t shoot enough to reload any more, so I buy factory 257 Roberts. A box lasts a couple 3 years for deer hunts.

 

[std7mag]

<—————- I just don’t shoot enough to reload any more, so I buy factory 257 Roberts. A box lasts a couple 3 years for deer hunts.

Too bad....

257 Roberts is really lack luster in factory offerings.

Loaded to +P levels with Hybrid 100V, really brings the Roberts alive!
115gr NBT from a 22" Ruger 77 MKII running 3,100fps puts the stop on deer.

 

[Tommie]

A 25 Creed makes tons of sense for a deer gun. Basically a 250-3000 with a little more soup.

 

[Kevin1990]

I have owned all the 25 caliber rifles & sold then all except the 25-20 & two 25 Creedmoors.
I used the 250-3000 pretty much exclusively for many years. One of my 25 CM is a 10T & the other 7T.

If you don't mind me asking what barrel length, and what kind of velocity are you getting?

 

[std7mag]

A 25 Creed makes tons of sense for a deer gun. Basically a 250-3000 with a little more soup.

To me, that's not a glowing recommendation.

Is the 250 Savage adequate for deer, yes.
But it has limitations.

The 2 deer I took with mine ran for quite a ways before succumbing.

The buck was broadside at about 30 yards. Bullet hit a twig and entered the buck high and back.
We didn't find it till the next morning. He went about 300 yards.
Bullet entered and exited sideways.

Doe was about 50 yards. She stood up from a thicket while we were looking for another deer my friends grandfather shot.
Perfect lung, heart, lung shot.
She ran in 3 big circles totaling to about 80 yards.

Both were shot with a 100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip.

My 250 Savage is now my designated coyote rifle. It is lethal on coyotes with 75gr & 90gr bullets out to 400 yards, my furthest coyote shot with that rifle to date.
I don't take it deer hunting anymore.
If you keep your shots within 100 yards or so, yeah, it works for deer.

But if you jump up to 257 Roberts and up cartridges, they are much more effective. Especially when you can drive a 115gr bullet much faster than the 250 Savage with a 100gr bullet.

 

[CjC73]

I've got some of the newly released Sierra 131 gr smk coming. Going to build a 25 prc. Defiance Rebel xm+ action, Manners LRH stock, triggertech, proof carbon 1-7.5. Probably 22 inch barrel for hunting suppressed. Looking for 3100+.

I have a 25 PRC/SI in the works, just waiting on a barrel. Should be in the 3200 range with a 134/135.



As far as the OP, I have a 250 Savage AI I've been toying with selling. Bought off here a couple years ago. It's on a Sako AII action, hart barrel, mcmillan stock. Bob Jourdan chambered it. Have dies and brass as well. It's a 12 twist but shoots the 115s accurately.

 

[std7mag]

I have a 25 PRC/SI in the works, just waiting on a barrel. Should be in the 3200 range with a 134/135.



As far as the OP, I have a 250 Savage AI I've been toying with selling. Bought off here a couple years ago. It's on a Sako AII action, hart barrel, mcmillan stock. Bob Jourdan chambered it. Have dies and brass as well. It's a 12 twist but should shoot the 110s easily.
View attachment 1587056View attachment 1587057

I'll tell ya, it it wasn't a 1:12 twist, I would be interested.

 

[358WCF]

Dreaming of my next firearm, and I realized I don't really have a dedicated deer rifle. I usually grab an AR in 6.5G, 6ARC, 243win etc, and I've been really wanting a .25 cal for next year.

I'm really considering the . 25creedmoor for a couple of reasons. Short action, brass availability, SRP, not a ton of powder consumption etc.

I'd probably be shooting bullets in the 110-120 grain range. And would like to get close to 3000 FPS out of a 24 inch barrel. All shots would be 500 yards and in and that 500 yard shot is hopefully very rare.

Thinking that your spec of 3000fps with the Creed-more case is a bit optimistic with 110-120s with a reasonable hunting length barrel. A slightly bigger case should give you a bit more horsepower. The bullet weight/velocity you're seeking is doable comfortably with a 257 Roberts Improved, but finding new brass has become a problem for the x57 series of cartridges & they aren't optimal for a short action. If I ever build another 25 thinking it might be a 25 Souper (25/308).

If memory hasn't short-circuited, I believe Redding made a 25/308 improved (30*?) in the late 80s or early 90s which might also do what you're looking for without working at the bleeding edge of pressure. There's also a 25 Souper Improved (40*) listed in Ken Howell's cartridge conversion book. Quality 260 Rem. brass SRP or LRP is/has been available & should neck down .007" easily.

 

[Kevin1990]

Thinking that your spec of 3000fps with the Creed-more case is a bit optimistic with 110-120s with a reasonable hunting length barrel. A slightly bigger case should give you a bit more horsepower. The bullet weight/velocity you're seeking is doable comfortably with a 257 Roberts Improved, but finding new brass has become a problem for the x57 series of cartridges & they aren't optimal for a short action. If I ever build another 25 thinking it might be a 25 Souper (25/308).

If memory hasn't short-circuited, I believe Redding made a 25/308 improved (30*?) in the late 80s or early 90s which might also do what you're looking for without working at the bleeding edge of pressure. There's also a 25 Souper Improved (40*) listed in Ken Howell's cartridge conversion book. Quality 260 Rem. brass SRP or LRP is/has been available & should neck down .007" easily.

I was also think about the the velocity might be a problem. Would the 25 souper have more velocity? that cartridge has also interested me from my research.

 

[CjC73]

I'll tell ya, it it wasn't a 1:12 twist, I would be interested.

Yeah, it still shoots the 115s really well.

 

[358WCF]

I was also think about the the velocity might be a problem. Would the 25 souper have more velocity? that cartridge has also interested me from my research.

I have no experience with the Souper & data is slim to nonexistent, but more case capacity should equal higher velocity if loaded to equal pressures. The 308 case is next up in a meaningful incremental size from the creedmoor.

Now I'm getting itchy for another new barrel...

 

[wyshadow]

I use a 25 CM for NRL Hunter and the cartridge has become my favorite center fire. This is saying a lot for me because I also love shooting my 6xc. I used a borrowed 6.5 CM last year and I didn't like the bullet. To me the 6.5 bullet seem too slow for the cartridge and I knew it would shine with a lighter bullet. I ordered a McGowen 25 barrel and installed it on my Zermatt action.