25-06 AI

[harry.hacking@kiewit.com]

I am building a rifle with a M48 mauser action magazine box length is 3.185. I was looking at shorter cartridges to chamber it for until I grabbed some 30 06 ammo and saw that it fits in the mag. This got the gears turning, I have always wanted a 25-06 AI, could this possibly work. What would be my min COL for 25-06AI with 100 gr bullets, 120 gr bullets,and 117 gr bullets. I have found the 120gr tend to be shorter 3.150, while the 100 gr tend to be longer 3.250. Is this correct? Why is this? Would it even be feasible to chamber this action in 25-06AI.

thanks,

 

[2506]

There is no different COAL between the 25-06AI and the standard 25-06. The cases are the same length but the AI just has the shoulder blown out to a sharper profile so it holds a little more powder. It has been my experience with the 25-06 that many bullets like the Sierra like to jump a ways to the lands for best accuracy. I load in the regular 25-06 the 117 Sierra Pro Hunter and the 87 gr Sierra SP to a COAL of 3.150 . This is where they shoot the best in the custom Shilen barrel Rem 700 I now have. This is also the same COAL that shot best in a Factory Rem 700 SS I once had.

Here is another caliber to think about if you don't think the 25-06AI will work in that action and you want to stay with the 25 cal. The 257 Roberts Ackley Improved. If you get a 26" barrel you can for all intense and purposes duplicate the standard 25-06 which ain't nothing to sneeze at.

 

[1000yardstare]

I have a Rem 700 stainless SPS in .25-06. One sweet rifle. My honest opinion is to just stay with the standard .25-06 for resale value and ease of getting reloading dies. Barrel life is another factor but if you are shooting a hot .25 then you can`t be too worried about that.

As an aside my local gun dealer keeps .25-06 and .257 Weatherby rifles and ammo in stock. He says the Mohawks on the nearby Reserve love those hot .25s. They must have a lot of long shots at coyotes over bean fields. Don`t know. I am just a white eyes that minds my own business.

 

[JLDavid]

Mine loves H4350 and 100 grain Ballistic Tips. This combination shoots bughole groups at 3500fps. I had to go to magnum primers to get ES and SD down in the single digits. You will love the performance. You could always send a dummy round loaded to the maximum that will function through the magazine and either order a reamer or have your gunsmith lengthen the throat so everything works. All kinds of options available. Using that action is feasible, in my opinion.