25 PRC project and load data

[Alex Wheeler]

This was a fun project I did with @GlennK . Another friend had been shooting the new Berger 133 and 135 in a 25-284. It shot so well I wanted to try a .25 cal. So we decided on the 6.5 PRC case, just a simple bushing change in a 6.5 prc die and you can even use the 6.5 seater as is. Glenn wanted to do the stock work so I chambered up a Bartlien 2b gain twist and cut it at 24". We went with a Mesa Summit action and McMillan hunter stock. I think overall it under up 7.5 pounds. Glenn came by and I gave him the run down on bedding the stock and it turned out perfect on his first shot. He will have to post up his load data and some groups, but I have built a few of these and they tune up easily and honestly I prefer them to the 6.5. In fact they shoot so good we will be trying that 133 in BR.

 

[GlennK]

This was a fun build. I have watched many times from the sideline but never actually tried to bed something. The rifle shot well with a random load we picked. I only had 2 bushings to try so we shot seating depths with both bushings at 300 yds. We ended up taking it to 600yds and did a one shot powder ladder with each bushing at 60 off.

 

[GlennK]

The 600yd bushing powder ladder showed a clear preference for the heaviest neck tension. It sucked the vertical out of it and the same 3 bottom charges showed overlap with both bushings.

 

[GlennK]

We shot primer charge ladder next with 215, 250, and 210m at 300yds. The 250s looked the best but the 215 was showing it would work too. I picked the middle of powder and revisited seating but this time at a grand in deep creek after one of the matches. I had been shooting 60 off for the testing at 600 and in, but 20 off was the seating it preferred at a grand.

 

[GlennK]

Revisited powder and measured the lands movement. It has only moved 2 thou in 140 ish rounds so I was pleased with that. It did speed up and I had to pull powder out to get it happy again. Here is the last target at 600yds....it is running right around 3140fps with 56.7 of 7828ssc.

 

[L.Sherm]

Glen what did your OAL end up being.
Curious to know if the 25PRC would work in a short action or need a med or LA.

 

[Browning442]

I've had two 25 PRCs, they are an excellent cartridge. First one lasted about 700 rounds but was shooting NRL matches with it, as an RO (so no cool-down time between stages).

Both mine ran well right around 3200 fps with the 135 bergers. H1000 and RL26 work great.

The only thing i was having was some clickers... i have an older 25 PRC reamer, we opened up the chamber from .200 line back in the chamber and it helped the issue. I'm sure Alex's reamer is done right and that would not be needed.

@L.Sherm my reamer is set up to fit in a short action.... it doesn't eat up case capacity very much at all and i still get 3200+ fps. medium action might allow for a little more room for slower powders / slightly better velocity, but not necessary by any means.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Glen what did your OAL end up being.
Curious to know if the 25PRC would work in a short action or need a med or LA.

It just over 3". I wanted to keep the bullet away from the donut. With the Hawkins hunter DBM the short magnums feed great in a long action.

 

[Browning442]

@Alex Wheeler is your reamer set up for no-turn neck? Any preferred mfg of brass? I was running hornady in my first one (all i could find at the time) and lapua in my second one.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Yes its a no turn. Lapua is always the first choice if they offer it.

 

[Jud96]

Very cool build. I have been thinking of chambering myself up a 25 PRC for the 133 or 135 Bergers and run it on a long action. What twist is the barrel?

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

This was a fun build. I have watched many times from the sideline but never actually tried to bed something. The rifle shot well with a random load we picked. I only had 2 bushings to try so we shot seating depths with both bushings at 300 yds. We ended up taking it to 600yds and did a one shot powder ladder with each bushing at 60 off.

Nice job doing the Bedding and extending it, to "support",.. the Bbl's "Shank" portion !
That Method, has proven BEST for Me, too,.. over the Years !
Congrats on a great Looking and Fine shooting Rifle !

 

[B23]

Nice work and great information! Is there any chance you'll give some of the new Hornady 134 ELD-M's a try in this 25PRC build?

I have a 25 SAUM build in the works, smith is just waiting on JGS for the reamer, and this is very inspiring. My build is using a BAT Igniter SA with a 3.00 box and a Bartlein 8tw 3b. I don't think the short action will be much of a limiting factory and I'm guessing it'll probably run around the same velocity, maybe, slightly more only time will tell. Haven't decided on length but 24 plus a three port brake looks really nice. Lapua doesn't make SAUM brass but I have a bunch of new ADG 6.5 SAUM brass I'll be using.

I've always been a big 6.5 fan and never much of a .257 fan but these new high BC heavy for caliber 25 cal. bullets Berger and Hornady have come out with are starting to change peoples mind about 25 cals.

Since y'all shoot lots of both I'm curious was there any noticeable difference in recoil with this 25 PRC shooting those 133's versus say a 6.5 PRC shooting the 140's or 156's??

 

[L.Sherm]

It just over 3". I wanted to keep the bullet away from the donut. With the Hawkins hunter DBM the short magnums feed great in a long action.

Thanks Alex

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Nice job doing the Bedding and extending it, to "support",.. the Bbl's "Shank" portion !
That Method, has proven BEST for Me, too,.. over the Years !
Congrats on a great Looking and Fine shooting Rifle !

That picture was right after popping the action out of the stock. When we clean it up in the mill that bedding in front of the recoil lug is removed.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Very cool build. I have been thinking of chambering myself up a 25 PRC for the 133 or 135 Bergers and run it on a long action. What twist is the barrel?

8-7.75 gain 5r.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Nice work and great information! Is there any chance you'll give some of the new Hornady 134 ELD-M's a try in this 25PRC build?

I have a 25 SAUM build in the works, smith is just waiting on JGS for the reamer, and this is very inspiring. My build is using a BAT Igniter SA with a 3.00 box and a Bartlein 8tw 3b. I don't think the short action will be much of a limiting factory and I'm guessing it'll probably run around the same velocity, maybe, slightly more only time will tell. Haven't decided on length but 24 plus a three port brake looks really nice. Lapua doesn't make SAUM brass but I have a bunch of new ADG 6.5 SAUM brass I'll be using.

I've always been a big 6.5 fan and never much of a .257 fan but these new high BC heavy for caliber 25 cal. bullets Berger and Hornady have come out with are starting to change peoples mind about 25 cals.

Since y'all shoot lots of both I'm curious was there any noticeable difference in recoil with this 25 PRC shooting those 133's versus say a 6.5 PRC shooting the 140's or 156's??

We have had such good luck with Berger that I doubt he will try the Hornady. Adg brass is top notch, I run it in my wsm. Its right there with Lapua in my opinion. I personally have had ZERO interest in .25 calibers until I saw the 133/135 Bergers accuracy. They shot so good, thats why we went down this road. I think they really have a good bullet, especially the 133. Just sent Glenn a 6.5 prc he will start tuning soon with the new SKLTN action. So he will be able to answer the recoil question soon. But the 25 hardly moves with the terminator brake.

 

[L.Sherm]

I've tried Horny bullets enough times to know that day in day out Bergers will shoot better and just Kill stuff

 

[Browning442]

I've had great results with the 135 bergers in 3 rifles so far... all were extremely easy to tune. The ballistics are impressive with the fast 25's, I'm doing a 25 creed right now and will eventually have another 25 PRC.

 

[nakneker]

We have had such good luck with Berger that I doubt he will try the Hornady. Adg brass is top notch, I run it in my wsm. Its right there with Lapua in my opinion. I personally have had ZERO interest in .25 calibers until I saw the 133/135 Bergers accuracy. They shot so good, thats why we went down this road. I think they really have a good bullet, especially the 133. Just sent Glenn a 6.5 prc he will start tuning soon with the new SKLTN action. So he will be able to answer the recoil question soon. But the 25 hardly moves with the terminator brake.

Watching with with interest. Curious what Terminator brake was used?