25-06 AI or 25x47 Lapua

[Philly]

Im looking to build a 25 to shoot the heavies. Any opinion with these two? I have brass for both. I don't have the reamer or rifle action yet. This place is a wealth of knowledge so looking forward to hearing from you all. Thanks.

 

[6BRA]

my choice would be hands down...the x47. Small primers/short action. On a 6.5 x 47 I was running 130's at 2950. Also x47 Lapua brass would be 1 less size down. You can only buy 30-06 Lapua and that would be only large primer.

 

[nakneker]

I have a 25x47L, I don’t shoot heavies out of it, the rifle gets fed BIB 110s and it’s lethal buts it’s not my go to for long range. Personally I think the standard 25-05 is hard to beat, an improved version would be nice for case life, the gains aren’t as much as other improved cartridges though.

 

[AckleymanII]

The heavies in the 25/06 or AI with R#25/Fed 215's would be a winner, but this is of course a long action type of affair. Most have drunk the short action Kool Aid, and will go with a 25/47 Lapua come hell or high water.

 

[nmkid]

I would truly love to own a 25-06AI to use with the 133 gr. bullets from Sierra. I would like to see the results with that bullet at around 3200 FPS with a G-1 of 0.613 and a G-7 of 0.315

 

[RGRobinett]

If your desire is velocity and decent (hunting precision), the 25/06AI would be awesome; similar performance to a 25/300WSM, via which I shoot 110 Gr. bullets at 3530FPS.

Per naknecker, the plane-jane 25/06 isn't shabby - should easily run 110 Gr. at 3330 FPS, which is what the .257ACk. Imp. barrels deliver. I have used the 25x47LAPUA for NBRSA Hunter Class competition with excellent results, but, for hunting, I go to the .257 Ack. Imp., or 25/300WSM. That said, the 25x47LAPUA should deliver .250/3000 Ack. Imp. velocity, as case capacity is very similar.

Of course, with heavier bullets, MVs will drop, but spectacular [hunting] performance should be the norm. Regrettably, I no longer make the 110BT - for several years now, suitable jackets have proven unobtainable. RG

 

[linebaugh]

If I needed more umph than .25x47 I would step up to a .25-.284. That said I would be very happy to go .25x47

 

[nakneker]

Regrettably, I no longer make the 110BT - for several years now, suitable jackets have proven unobtainable. RG

I like that bullet! Was lucky enough to get a stash of 700+ put away when learned it was no longer gonna be made.

25/300WSM, whoa!

 

[Bill Norris]

I like that bullet! Was lucky enough to get a stash of 700+ put away when learned it was no longer gonna be made.

25/300WSM, whoa!

I'm liking the 25 SAUM Zack told us about. He says it is an easy peasy build as far as dies and brass goes and a short action of course.

 

[Philly]

I would truly love to own a 25-06AI to use with the 133 gr. bullets from Sierra. I would like to see the results with that bullet at around 3200 FPS with a G-1 of 0.613 and a G-7 of 0.315

Yes! This is what I was thinking.

 

[alf]

Pick the bullet(s) you want to shoot, the velocity you want to shoot them at, then pick the case to do it....

 

[AckleymanII]

I would add that in a short freebore 257 Weatherby, 24" plus Gentry Muzzle break, we are shooting the 115g Berger vld hunting at 3590 fps, X caliber 9 Twist, and I believe the freebore is .020, accuracy with both the 110g Accubonds and the 115g Bergers are in the high 2's, in three shot groups. 700 action, Boyds laminate, #5 contour, 24", Gentry brake allows you to see the water vapor fly off the deer's hide, bullet impact behind the deer with suitable back ground. NO deer has ever taken a step...not one!

I could only guess how much velocity loss there would be with the 133's in the 257 Weatherby.

Another option for a wild catter would be a 25/7 Rem mag or 25/264 Win mag for those that have never had an issue with Belts, but the talking heads would scoff at the notion.



I had two 25/284's on a Rem 700 short action, my worst build decision of my life, should have went long action.

With the new Beltless Mania in full swing, a look at a 25/6.5 PRC is in order....perhaps Alf has got one already!

 

[RGRobinett]

I would add that in a short freebore 257 Weatherby, 24" plus Gentry Muzzle break, we are shooting the 115g Berger vld hunting at 3590 fps, X caliber 9 Twist, and I believe the freebore is .020, accuracy with both the 110g Accubonds and the 115g Bergers are in the high 2's, in three shot groups. 700 action, Boyds laminate, #5 contour, 24", Gentry brake allows you to see the water vapor fly off the deer's hide, bullet impact behind the deer with suitable back ground. NO deer has ever taken a step...not one!

I could only guess how much velocity loss there would be with the 133's in the 257 Weatherby.

Another option for a wild catter would be a 25/7 Rem mag or 25/264 Win mag for those that have never had an issue with Belts, but the talking heads would scoff at the notion.



I had two 25/284's on a Rem 700 short action, my worst build decision of my life, should have went long action.

With the new Beltless Mania in full swing, a look at a 25/6.5 PRC is in order....perhaps Alf has got one already!

If one wants, "a repeater", the key, as I see it, per AckleymanII's [highlighted] comment: short actions are undesirable: seating a long [for caliber] high BC bullet uses up too much powder capacity!
This has never bothered me, as even - ESPECIALLY - when mule deer hunting, I never carry a loaded rifle, thus "throat" the barrels & seat the bullets accordingly.
Performance wise, our 25/300WSM "pet load" (110Gr. BT @ 3550 FPS vis 24" barrels), is essentially a belt-less .257 Wby. , but to get all it offers, calls for either single-loading, or, a long action. This is true for most of the [so called] short action cartridges - the concept is largely flawed.
If you use a long action, it's difficult to argue against a 25/06, or the Ackley version. RG

 

[wwbrown]

Depends upon what your intended use is. If you are huntung animals up to say whitetail within 500 yards I would go with the 25x47, beyond that range or for a bigger animal I would go with the 25-06. Target shooting up 600 or 700 yards go with the 25x47 beyond that the 25-06.

My decision is arbitrary I did not look at the ballistic tables.

 

[Philly]

Does anyone have reamers for either of these ? Maybe that's my best option to make a decision.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

I've got a 25x47L reamer. Just chambered a 25 SAUM for myself. Haven't chrono'd it yet.

 

[Philly]

I've got a 25x47L reamer. Just chambered a 25 SAUM for myself. Haven't chrono'd it yet.

What do you want for it?

 

[Gary in MD]

I would add that in a short freebore 257 Weatherby, 24" plus Gentry Muzzle break, we are shooting the 115g Berger vld hunting at 3590 fps, X caliber 9 Twist, and I believe the freebore is .020, accuracy with both the 110g Accubonds and the 115g Bergers are in the high 2's, in three shot groups. 700 action, Boyds laminate, #5 contour, 24", Gentry brake allows you to see the water vapor fly off the deer's hide, bullet impact behind the deer with suitable back ground. NO deer has ever taken a step...not one!

I could only guess how much velocity loss there would be with the 133's in the 257 Weatherby.

Another option for a wild catter would be a 25/7 Rem mag or 25/264 Win mag for those that have never had an issue with Belts, but the talking heads would scoff at the notion.



I had two 25/284's on a Rem 700 short action, my worst build decision of my life, should have went long action.

With the new Beltless Mania in full swing, a look at a 25/6.5 PRC is in order....perhaps Alf has got one already!

What powder are you using to get 3590 with the 115 Berger?
Gary

 

[L1986]

I’m planning a 25-284 build myself. If you want the extra velocity I think I would go this route over the 25-06. Much better brass option and availability with lapua and easily necked down from 6.5-284. Redding makes dies or just use bushing dies. Definitely a long action cartridge though unless you want to bury the bullet into the case.

Dummy rounds with Barns 101g LRX, Hornady 110g ELDX, and Berger 115g VLD

 

[AckleymanII]

If one wants, "a repeater", the key, as I see it, per AckleymanII's [highlighted] comment: short actions are undesirable: seating a long [for caliber] high BC bullet uses up too much powder capacity!
This has never bothered me, as even - ESPECIALLY - when mule deer hunting, I never carry a loaded rifle, thus "throat" the barrels & seat the bullets accordingly.
Performance wise, our 25/300WSM "pet load" (110Gr. BT @ 3550 FPS vis 24" barrels), is essentially a belt-less .257 Wby. , but to get all it offers, calls for either single-loading, or, a long action. This is true for most of the [so called] short action cartridges - the concept is largely flawed.
If you use a long action, it's difficult to argue against a 25/06, or the Ackley version. RG

Son, you are going to get impeached talking like that! DANG, not having a 10 round magazine on your hunting rifle, you got to be kidding me! You have to be ready for those Indians to attack!

I even notched the ejection port on the Rem 700 like they do on Weatherby actions to allow the loaded rounds on the 25/284 to be ejected without removing the bolt.

Gary, We have been shooting R#22 in the custom and factory 257 Weatherby's since 1990 with fed 215's with really small groups with Custom 25-26" 10T running the 100's at 3850 and 115's at 3600. The Berger 133's are going to be a game changer but will need a 8T. I am a tad bit worried about the bullet as I hate to put all my eggs in one basket, but hornady has come out with it's version. Get ready for a "Gold Rush" to the heavy 25 caliber chamberings. What ever case you roll with, a 133 at 3150 will get'er done!

To my way of doing things, a 250 Savage AI, 25-6/47 Lapua, 25 XC may work on a Rem 700 short action, and I would surely add a Wyatt's mag box extending the OAL ~.125. All others would go on a long action.

Mr Robinett's advise to use the action as a single shot for long range shooters will be missed by most.