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.25 cal opions-chat

bobcat93

I have always enjoyed the 25-06 rem.
This evening I pulled up load data online for a velocity comparison.
I was looking at differences between the
257 weatherby
25-06 AI
25-06.
I've shoot out a barrel using 25-06 and Sierra 100gr mk
It was a stock ruger Hawkeye with a few mods and boy would it shoot 100grbullets really nice @ 200yds. lots of power and manageable recoil..
Now I assume every one is leaning to the 6.5 due to higher BC's ..
So what is happening can some one fill me in..should one consider a 6.5-06 AI. Making the .25 cal obsolete in 2024..
Velocity is probably faster then a 257 weatherby.
And I hate to be a snob but I've never in my life have ever fired one weatherby cartridge..there just so ugly..how can they shoot good..
And this leads me to the next question..
If one was to push the .25 cal or 6.5 @ 3200 would those cartridges develop the same issues as the 6.5 creedmoor hunter may have to consider. With poking holes and little bullet expansion ect..
Does any one have experience this this topic.
Thank you
 
bobcat93 said:
I have always enjoyed the 25-06 rem.
This evening I pulled up load data online for a velocity comparison.
I was looking at differences between the
257 weatherby
25-06 AI
25-06.
I've shoot out a barrel using 25-06 and Sierra 100gr mk
It was a stock ruger Hawkeye with a few mods and boy would it shoot 100grbullets really nice @ 200yds. lots of power and manageable recoil..
Now I assume every one is leaning to the 6.5 due to higher BC's ..
So what is happening can some one fill me in..should one consider a 6.5-06 AI. Making the .25 cal obsolete in 2024..
Velocity is probably faster then a 257 weatherby.
And I hate to be a snob but I've never in my life have ever fired one weatherby cartridge..there just so ugly..how can they shoot good..
And this leads me to the next question..
If one was to push the .25 cal or 6.5 @ 3200 would those cartridges develop the same issues as the 6.5 creedmoor hunter may have to consider. With poking holes and little bullet expansion ect..
Does any one have experience this this topic.
Thank you
Click to expand...
I don't have any experience with hole poking and expansion issues with either caliber. I own and shoot the 6.5-284, .260, 25-284 and just starting with a 6.5 Grendel soon. One of my best friends owns a 257 Wby. The 25-284 is equal to the 25-06 performance wise. I'm getting 3200 with the 131,133,135 grain bullets in mine. They expand very well (sometimes too well) in game animals. Same in my 6.5s. The heavier . 257 bullets have higher bcs than the heavier 6.5 bullets do at around 10-15 grains less weight allowing faster flatter trajectories. If pushing a magnum 6.5, that lower bc won't matter cause the velocities will make up for it. The 257 Wby will exceed velocities of the 25-06 by a couple hundred fps. Also know that the BC numbers really don't come into play until behind 500 yards if the bullets are fairly close in BC already. If they are largely different in number, after 300 yards you'll notice the difference. As far as the 257 becoming obsolete, I think that was maybe a slight concern before all the heavy . 25 caliber bullets have become available the last couple years. I think it's become born again and bigger than ever in many circles and forums. I'm not a fan of the Wby cartridge look either but looks do kill. Recoil is the downfall obviously of any cartridge that carries a big load of powder. My 284 parent case cartridges are relatively mild with mid 50s for powder loads. Barrels will die faster with the more powder you push behind the bullet. Especially in an under bore magnum cartridge. Hope that info helps. I'm no expert but this has been my experience.
 
I currently have 7 rifles in 25 caliber.
5 in 7mm.
With a 257 WBY Mag and a 7mm WBY Mag thrown into the mix.

And I'm not sure a 6.5-06 will beat the 257 WBY Mag, velocity wise.
I'm holding 74gr of Ramshot LRT with a 115gr Nosler Ballistic Tip.
Haven't run it over the chrono yet.

All my rifles in 25 caliber have a 1:10 twist barrel.
And i shoot from 75gr HP Varmint through 120gr Sierra HPBT GameKings throught them.

The thing with the 25 caliber is how they seem to effectively kill above what the cartridge and bullet would dictate.

I think the velocity attained has a lot to do with it.

My daughter and I have taken 8 deer combined with my Ruger 77 MKII in 257 Roberts with both the 115gr Nosler Ballistic Tip and the 115gr Berger VLD both being pushed about 3,000 fps.

The 257 Roberts AI is an effective killer also, with 115gr through 120gr bullets.

I think if i build the 25 Souper i will get a barrel with the 1:7.5 twist.

Until then, i ordered some 120gr ULD bullets from Black Hole Bullets to try.

I don't have a 6mm, or 6.5mm. and i don't really want, or feel the need for one.
 
Last edited:
284winner said:
I don't have any experience with hole poking and expansion issues with either caliber. I own and shoot the 6.5-284, .260, 25-284 and just starting with a 6.5 Grendel soon. One of my best friends owns a 257 Wby. The 25-284 is equal to the 25-06 performance wise. I'm getting 3200 with the 131,133,135 grain bullets in mine. They expand very well (sometimes too well) in game animals. Same in my 6.5s. The heavier . 257 bullets have higher bcs than the heavier 6.5 bullets do at around 10-15 grains less weight allowing faster flatter trajectories. If pushing a magnum 6.5, that lower bc won't matter cause the velocities will make up for it. The 257 Wby will exceed velocities of the 25-06 by a couple hundred fps. Also know that the BC numbers really don't come into play until behind 500 yards if the bullets are fairly close in BC already. If they are largely different in number, after 300 yards you'll notice the difference. As far as the 257 becoming obsolete, I think that was maybe a slight concern before all the heavy . 25 caliber bullets have become available the last couple years. I think it's become born again and bigger than ever in many circles and forums. I'm not a fan of the Wby cartridge look either but looks do kill. Recoil is the downfall obviously of any cartridge that carries a big load of powder. My 284 parent case cartridges are relatively mild with mid 50s for powder loads. Barrels will die faster with the more powder you push behind the bullet. Especially in an under bore magnum cartridge. Hope that info helps. I'm no expert but this has been my experience.
Click to expand...
Woo that was a mouthful..thank you so much..
This is the meat and potatoes I'm looking for
.alot of times I post my frustrated thoughts because my perspective and experience is limited..even my comprehension of ballistics tables is pretty lame its embarrassing to mention but the truth..
Good thing I have the rest of my life to work on it..haha
There are so many cartridge and combinations it can make a man's head spin..
Like trying to pick out a beautiful woman..so many choices..
What if I pick out a brunette..but next year blonds are better...same issue with sexy little rifle cartridges..

The pain is real..hahaha
 

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If I was looking at a 25 cal Alex's 25PRC is were I would be out of all the PRC's this is the only one that interests me. Ive never owned a 25 cal but I might.
That 133 Berger its set up for is bada$$
 
The 6.5 ‘06 has been around for decades, I doubt very much if it’s going to make “anything” obsolete in 2024, improved or otherwise. The .264” caliber’s claim to fame is the high BC bullets that have been around for a while. Recent bullet developments in 25 caliber have closed the gap some in the last few years.The 257 Weatherby has been dropping stuff in its tracks since the 1950s. A 100 grain bullet started at 3600 fps gets out there PDQ! It’s tough to beat for killing out to normal ranges, when the ranges get long is where the high BC bullets take over in wind drift and retaining velocity.
 
L.Sherm said:
If I was looking at a 25 cal Alex's 25PRC is were I would be out of all the PRC's this is the only one that interests me. Ive never owned a 25 cal but I might.
That 133 Berger its set up for is bada$$
Click to expand...
Based on the one Alex built and posted here you certainly can't deny the results they were getting because it was pretty impressive.

I've always been a MUCH bigger fan of all things 6.5 then anything 25 cal but with these new 133/134/135gr 25 cal bullets a .650 G1 BC and the ability to launch them 3200 they make a compelling argument as a real contender.

I'm having a 25 SAUM built to shoot those mid 130's bullets and if it turns out as well as the 25 PRC Alex built I'll be a happy camper.
 
Regarding the 257 Wby and it's comparison to much smaller case capacity cartridges. My 25-284 holds phenomenal groups at 3200 fps in a 24" barrel. My buddy struggled getting got accuracy with his 257 Wby beyond 3300 fps with the same weight bullets with numerous powders. I've heard this before from many 257Bee owners. Doesn't take away from the top velocity issue being much better in the Wby but does point out that accuracy trumps velocity in most cases. The 257 Wby uses 15 more grains of powder to get 100-180 fps more "accurate" velocity in that 3300-3380 accuracy band it seems to like best. I never tried for more velocity than 3200 in my 25-284 because accuracy was good. It hit a lower node that was one hole accuracy even better than clover leaf hole accuracy. The 3180-3240 node is . 3" and plenty for a hunting rifle.
 
B23 said:
Based on the one Alex built and posted here you certainly can't deny the results they were getting because it was pretty impressive.

I've always been a MUCH bigger fan of all things 6.5 then anything 25 cal but with these new 133/134/135gr 25 cal bullets a .650 G1 BC and the ability to launch them 3200 they make a compelling argument as a real contender.

I'm having a 25 SAUM built to shoot those mid 130's bullets and if it turns out as well as the 25 PRC Alex built I'll be a happy camper.
Click to expand...
I'd certainly research and consider Alex's chamber offering. Research is a bit of an insult actually but no offense to him. He's definitely the definition of knowledge in this area. Let's say I WOULD build a 25 PRC of his no doubt if I needed more than what the 25-284 offered. Certainly would take it over the 257 Bee. Not a belted magnum fan these days.
 
If I was looking for more speed in a 25 cal then what the 25 SAUM will do I'd go with a necked down 7 PRC and make a 25-7 PRC. Case capacity would be essentially the same as the 257 Bee but with better brass and IMO a better case design not to mention no belted case which in modern times serves no purpose.

But, as 284winner alluded to, I think just about all bullets have a velocity sweet spot they prefer to run at so even though a 25-7PRC could launch them well over 3300, they most likely will shoot their best in that 3100-3200 range. If I can get my 25 SAUM to shoot really well with those new 134 ELD-M's at close to 3200 from a 22in pipe it will be all smiles for me.
 
B23 said:
If I was looking for more speed in a 25 cal then what the 25 SAUM will do I'd go with a necked down 7 PRC and make a 25-7 PRC. Case capacity would be essentially the same as the 257 Bee but with better brass and IMO a better case design not to mention no belted case which in modern times serves no purpose.

But, as 284winner alluded to, I think just about all bullets have a velocity sweet spot they prefer to run at so even though a 25-7PRC could launch them well over 3300, they most likely will shoot their best in that 3100-3200 range. If I can get my 25 SAUM to shoot really well with those new 134 ELD-M's at close to 3200 from a 22in pipe it will be all smiles for me.
Click to expand...
I haven't shot those yet but have several hundred ready to load. Maybe this spring I'll get around to it. Anything 3000+ and I'm happy if they can shoot. If they make it to 3200 with equal accuracy as the Bergers and blackjacks, even better
 
284winner said:
RL26
Click to expand...
Of course it's very difficult to find so you better have some before you head down that road but RL26 has proven to be one of those magical powders that tends to produce some of, if not, best velocities as well as it generally does pretty good in the grouping department too. I probably use more RL26 then all other powders combined.
 
B23 said:
Of course it's very difficult to find so you better have some before you head down that road but RL26 has proven to be one of those magical powders that tends to produce some of, if not, best velocities as well as it generally does pretty good in the grouping department too. I probably use more RL26 then all other powders combined.
Click to expand...
H4831sc and RL26 are my 284 parent case powder choice. RL17 in my 284 short action rifle. H4831sc is surely the universal choice
 
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