25-06 ai?

[Kevin1990]

So I posted a few weeks ago on here about wanting a .25 cal, and was pretty set on the 25 CM. However I wasn't in love with the velocities. So I started looking into the magnums, like the 25 PRC. I then just stumbled upon a thread about a 25-06 AI and the velocities seemed really high. Like too high to be true.

Anyone here have a 25-06 AI? What velocities are you getting? Are the really comparable to a magnum, and how do you like cartridge?

 

[B23]

It'll depend on which magnum you're comparing it to. A 25-06 Ack Imp would have real close to the same case capacity as a 25 RSAUM and those are getting right around 3150 w/134 or 135 gr bullets in 24in barrels. The 25 WSM, 257 Wby, and 25-7PRC are a solid 100fps faster then the RSAUM.

I'm having a 25 SAUM built now to shoot those 130 class .257 bullets. I thought about doing a 25 WSM or 25-7PRC but I knew I wanted something in a short action and no more then 22in barrel. I looked at building a 25-6.5PRC and 25 WSM but I wanted a little more velocity then the 25-6.5PRC had and because I was keeping the barrel length a little on the shorter side at 22in the WSM case just seemed like a bit of a waste so for me the 25 SAUM was kind of the Goldilocks of the three, and, I already had four hundred pieces of new ADG 6.5 SAUM brass sitting on the shelf which helped make it an even easier decision.

In a standard bolt face action I'd go 25-284. Easy neck down from 6.5 and top quality brass.

 

[17VLD]

In a standard bolt face action I'd go 25-284. Easy neck down from 6.5 and top quality brass.

Don't get me wrong I really enjoy my 25-06 rifles and haven't made an Ackley version yet but something about the 284 case is magic to me and all those beautiful brass choices make it even better. Still deciding if I'm going magnum or std boltface for my 25 LR . Glad to see Sierra is now offering the 131 to the mix for those of us late to the party.

 

[std7mag]

I don't have one, yet ..

I don't think it would be a slouch.
If you look at the differences between 280 Rem, 280AI and 7mm Rem Mag you might get a decent picture of velocity changes.

 

[dk17hmr]

My 26" 25-06AI 1:10 twist will shoot a 100gr Barnes at 3550fps and an 75gr faster than the 3900fps my Labrador will pick up.

I had the barrel cut about 3 months before all the faster twist barrels and bullets started hitting the market.....poor timing on my part.

 

[ebb]

At one time you could get 30-06 Lapua ( before current shut downs) brass and that would also be true with the 284 case. So good brass is available for both. The only down side I can see is the AI dies are on the big $ list but that is basicly true for all the fun chamberings. My 25-06 is older than the hills and due to that doesn't have a twist fast enough for the new heavy bullets. Don't make that mistake, get a fast twist barrel and have all weights available.

 

[Kevin1990]

It'll depend on which magnum you're comparing it to. A 25-06 Ack Imp would have real close to the same case capacity as a 25 RSAUM and those are getting right around 3150 w/134 or 135 gr bullets in 24in barrels. The 25 WSM, 257 Wby, and 25-7PRC are a solid 100fps faster then the RSAUM.

I'm having a 25 SAUM built now to shoot those 130 class .257 bullets. I thought about doing a 25 WSM or 25-7PRC but I knew I wanted something in a short action and no more then 22in barrel. I looked at building a 25-6.5PRC and 25 WSM but I wanted a little more velocity then the 25-6.5PRC had and because I was keeping the barrel length a little on the shorter side at 22in the WSM case just seemed like a bit of a waste so for me the 25 SAUM was kind of the Goldilocks of the three, and, I already had four hundred pieces of new ADG 6.5 SAUM brass sitting on the shelf which helped make it an even easier decision.

In a standard bolt face action I'd go 25-284. Easy neck down from 6.5 and top quality brass.

I havent picked out an action yet for this build yet, so my options are wide open. Ive always wanted a SAUM cartridge, but im concerned about brass availability. What kidn of velocities would you expect from a 22in 25 SAUM? I also thought about a 25 PRC but it sounds like that would work best in a medium or long action.

 

[B23]

I havent picked out an action yet for this build yet, so my options are wide open. Ive always wanted a SAUM cartridge, but im concerned about brass availability. What kidn of velocities would you expect from a 22in 25 SAUM? I also thought about a 25 PRC but it sounds like that would work best in a medium or long action.

ADG makes really good brass and their 6.5 SAUM brass has been pretty available. Buy a few hundred pieces and you'll be set for the life of a couple barrels.

The 25 SAUM's shooting the 133/135 Berger or 134 ELD-M in a 22in barrel have been getting 3100-3150 depending on the powder used and how hard they're pushing them. I've talked to a couple guys getting 3200+ but they are standing on the gas pretty hard with theirs too.

The 25-6.5PRC is only about 100 fps slower with the same bullet/barrel length as the SAUM and both work in a short action with 3.00 extended mag box or better yet a 3.100 Baney box. Most custom short actions are being cut to allow for the longer Baney mag box. The easy button if you want to use a factory action is a Tikka.

For my 25 SAUM build I'm using a BAT short action with UM's detachable mag setup and their "Short XL Mag" which allows up to 3.150 OAL.

 

[Kevin1990]

Super good info! Thanks brother. That's pretty impressive velocities. If I could break 3000 fps with a 130 class bullet that would be plenty for me. I was planning on going with a 24in barrel to get a little extra velocity, but if its possible to get 3000fps or over with a 22in then id definitely do that! I was thinking about an Kelbly atlas lite action. This would be mainly used for hunting. Would you consider your load for your 25 SAUM hot?

 

[B23]

Would you consider your load for your 25 SAUM hot?

Mine is at the smiths getting built I won't have it in hand for a few more weeks but I'd imagine anything 3100 will be starting to get near max pressure and 3150-3150+ will likely be a pretty warm load and that's with a 22in tube if you're running a 24 it wouldn't surprise me if you were near or at 3200 before you were at redline.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Super good info! Thanks brother. That's pretty impressive velocities. If I could break 3000 fps with a 130 class bullet that would be plenty for me. I was planning on going with a 24in barrel to get a little extra velocity, but if its possible to get 3000fps or over with a 22in then id definitely do that! I was thinking about an Kelbly atlas lite action. This would be mainly used for hunting. Would you consider your load for your 25 SAUM hot?

Are u planning to use a suppressor? If not, personally I would go with the 24" barrel

 

[Kevin1990]

I'm currently imprisoned in NY so no suppressor for me. I probably will, Id like it light as possible. I cant imagine an extra 2 inches will add much weight.

 

[Kevin1990]

Mine is at the smiths getting built I won't have it in hand for a few more weeks but I'd imagine anything 3100 will be starting to get near max pressure and 3150-3150+ will likely be a pretty warm load and that's with a 22in tube if you're running a 24 it wouldn't surprise me if you were near or at 3200 before you were at redline.

would you mind if I bothered you for information when you get it? Im still a ways off from doing anything. Still in the research stage. I keep coming back to a 25 SAUM or PRC but then I learn about something cool like a 25-06ai and I start doubting myself.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I seem to remember from way back that the 25-06 isn't a "good" AI-ie- the gains aren't so great. Some say the 6.5mm version is better, with 140g+ pills. Sure the brass will last a bit longer, if you don't lose it! If you wish to use heavier pills - the 10 tw of the 25-06 will not be suitable. Now - the 257 Roberts AI is a fabulous hunting round.
I admit to using mine with lighter bullets for small game, rather than large deer, with a load of H4895 and Nosler 75g, but it is well capable of using bullets over 140g, in it's 8 twist barrel.

 

[B23]

would you mind if I bothered you for information when you get it? Im still a ways off from doing anything. Still in the research stage. I keep coming back to a 25 SAUM or PRC but then I learn about something cool like a 25-06ai and I start doubting myself.

Won't be any bother at all.

If I were to build a long action 25 cal it would be the 25-7PRC. I think one of those with the 130 class bullets and a powder like N570 or RL33 3300 from a 26in pipe would be a reasonable thought. A 25-7PRC would be basically a ballistic twin to the 257 Wby.

Run the numbers of a 134 ELD-M or 135 Berger at 3300 through a ballistics app and it gets impressive real quick and with relatively low recoil too.

 

[johnmyers]

I have a 25-06ai on Pierce Shadow action with 7.5 twist Benchmark carbon 24”. Shooting Hammer 127HHT at 3275fps and Berger 133 Elite at 3160 fps both really well. Maybe my favorite