Best 25 caliber to consider on a build.

I am a big quarter bore fan myself. I had a .250AI (.250-3000 Savage Ackley Imp 40*) for 10 years and a .25-06AI for 11 years. Back before any heavies were available. Both had a 1:10" twist.

The 23" .250AI shot a 100SMK, 100 NBT, or 100 TSX @ 3200. Or a 115 VLD @ 3050.
The 28" .25-06AI would run a 100 TTSX @ 3600, or a 115 VLD @ 3600. Deer zapper.

I rebarreled the .250AI to 6.5SLR when my younger daughter started shooting.
I rebarreled the .25-06AI @ 800 rounds to .280AI after that barrel was toast.

Then the fast twist/heavy for caliber 131 BJ came out...and I was hooked again on the .257s.
Now, I have a few more .25s again.

26" 1:7.5" 25SST was my first. 133 @ 3240fps 11.5# scoped and suppressed.
26" 1:7" 25CM Hunter, 133 @ 3001fps now that it has sped up (the 400MODBB barrel took about 350 rounds to finally speed up) About 10lbs
26" 1:7.5" 25CM Target, 135 @ 2986fps, 14.75# scoped and suppressed.
22" 1:7.75" 25PRC/SI. 135 @ 3150-3200+ (still fire forming brass and just started load development with formed brass) This will be a dedicated shorter/lightweight deer/pronghorn rifle once I get a load worked up, for ranges out to about 1200 (capable, but probably not stretched that far out). Right at 9 lbs scoped and suppressed.

Coming soon:
22" 1:7.5" 25MBK. This reamer just came in this week, and all the parts are down at Axisworks for the build. Dropping off the reamer this morning to get it built. I am hoping for the 133s to be around 3000 from the 22" barrel. I think it should be possible. This will be a lightweight short hunter for deer-sized game at medium range (out to 900-1000ish?). Should be about 9-9.25lbs scoped and suppressed.

Monster Buck Killer?

.7mm. said:

Getting good brass or any brass at all? I found some winchester brass in stock but its probably not quality stuff

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Yes that's about all I can find for our two. Not bad priced so I bought 5-600 so I wouldn't run out lol. My kids both shoot one. My daughter's custom I had built for her shoots a 117gr bullet around 3100.

Phil Rizzo said:

Monster Buck Killer?

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I hope so...but you know that is not it!

.7mm. said:

Getting good brass or any brass at all? I found some winchester brass in stock but its probably not quality stuff

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Here's the link.

Coyote Shadow Tracker said:

Just a 25 Souper. If faster go with a 25X284.
Now if you want a SA with more speed -then a 25 Souper AI???
Still intrigued with a 25 WSSM. We helped out a few LRH members years ago with the 25WSSM and they had some really very good shooters!

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25 WSSM is a neat little round, basically a short action 25/06 which is a darn good world to be playing in

lancetkenyon said:

I am a big quarter bore fan myself. I had a .250AI (.250-3000 Savage Ackley Imp 40*) for 10 years and a .25-06AI for 11 years. Back before any heavies were available. Both had a 1:10" twist.

The 23" .250AI shot a 100SMK, 100 NBT, or 100 TSX @ 3200. Or a 115 VLD @ 3050.
The 28" .25-06AI would run a 100 TTSX @ 3600, or a 115 VLD @ 3600. Deer zapper.

I rebarreled the .250AI to 6.5SLR when my younger daughter started shooting.
I rebarreled the .25-06AI @ 800 rounds to .280AI after that barrel was toast.

Then the fast twist/heavy for caliber 131 BJ came out...and I was hooked again on the .257s.
Now, I have a few more .25s again.

26" 1:7.5" 25SST was my first. 133 @ 3240fps 11.5# scoped and suppressed.
26" 1:7" 25CM Hunter, 133 @ 3001fps now that it has sped up (the 400MODBB barrel took about 350 rounds to finally speed up) About 10lbs
26" 1:7.5" 25CM Target, 135 @ 2986fps, 14.75# scoped and suppressed.
22" 1:7.75" 25PRC/SI. 135 @ 3150-3200+ (still fire forming brass and just started load development with formed brass) This will be a dedicated shorter/lightweight deer/pronghorn rifle once I get a load worked up, for ranges out to about 1200 (capable, but probably not stretched that far out). Right at 9 lbs scoped and suppressed.

Coming soon:
22" 1:7.5" 25MBK. This reamer just came in this week, and all the parts are down at Axisworks for the build. Dropping off the reamer this morning to get it built. I am hoping for the 133s to be around 3000 from the 22" barrel. I think it should be possible. This will be a lightweight short hunter for deer-sized game at medium range (out to 900-1000ish?). Should be about 9-9.25lbs scoped and suppressed.
View attachment 585647

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What is the 25MBK? Like what case is based on and such?

Bghunter338 said:

Here's the link.

WINCHESTER .25 WINCHESTER SUPER SHORT MAGNUM 50 BRASS CASES - WSC25WSSU

PRODUCT DETAILS DETAILS Manufacturer: WinchesterProduct Line: Winchester ComponentsCaliber: .25 WSSMCasing Material: BrassQuantity: 50 FEATURES Shell cases for handguns and rifles are engineered to precise tolerances to ensure smooth-feeding and positive chambering. Winchester carries...

www.bereli.com

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Hows that winchester brass working for you?
Is there any other options besides the win brass?? I've never really used winchester brass but if its anything like hornady, I don't want anything to do with it

I guess you could say I have a thing for the quarter bores

.7mm. said:

Hows that winchester brass working for you?
Is there any other options besides the win brass?? I've never really used winchester brass but if its anything like hornady, I don't want anything to do with it

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It really isn't bad for this price. Once in a while you'll get one with a bad neck but I just toss them. Federal also made brass for it to but all I have was from factory loads.

.7mm. said:

I guess you could say I have a thing for the quarter bores View attachment 585805

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Which bullet do you like the best and what cartridge(s) are you using with what powder(s)?
Thanks much!!!

The bug has bit me… I think I want to build a 25 SST now. 110gr Hammer Hunters going rápido

Coyote Shadow Tracker said:

Which bullet do you like the best and what cartridge(s) are you using with what powder(s)?
Thanks much!!!

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25 creedmoor (Blackjack reamer throated for 133 berger at 2.850 coal)
7 twist 23 inch bartlein barrel
Kelbly Nanook short action

133 berger elite hunter 2830 fps H4350
134 hornady Eld-m 2790 fps VV N555
145 Black hole Uld 2710 fps fps H4350 (want to rework this load with N555 and see what happens)

That is my order of preference. The 133 shoots the best and doesn't pressure out at fast as the others so I'm able to get more velocity.

The black hole would be better if I had a really long freebore, if I remember correctly the bearing surface is around .100 longer than both the others. So they sit way past the shoulder/neck junction and into the powder column. I think they best suited for a long action 25 cal, and would not base a short action chamber around them because you would be stuck jumping extremely far for the other heavy for caliber 257's

The 25 cal magnum wildcat im working on is not finished, so I do not have load data yet. But it will be throated to run the 133 at 2.950 coal and the 134 at 2.980. I'm expecting well over 3000 fps out of the 22 inch barrel and hopefully 2900 plus out of the 17.75" finish length i have on order from benchmark

Picked up my 25 PRC/SI from AxisWorks on Friday. Shoutout to Lance Kenyon for use of his reamer, thank you very much!!

- Defiance AntiX Short Action
- Manner's Pro Hunter
- Proof Sendero CF 22", 1:7.5tw
- AxisWorks Three Port Muzzle Brake
- Hawkins Hunter DBM Bottom Metal
- Hawkins Scope Rings
- Trigger Tech Special Set @ 2lbs
- Zeiss V6 3-18x50 Ballistic Reticle 94 ZMOA-2

I will be starting out with necked down Lapua 6.5 PRC brass, Berger 133 EOL and 135 LRHT, let the fun begin!!

Liddy