Best 25 caliber to consider on a build.

Actually I would partially disagree (on ammo availability) on the 257 Wby as I am kind of surprised how easy it is to find 257 Wby ammo these days. The cartridge has really seemed to take off again. And... as much as it almost pains me to say it... the Hornady 115 gr ELD-x factory ammo has performed shockingly well out of my custom barreled model 70. So well that I haven't even opened the dies that I have for it. But in terms of the cartridge... I love it.

With regard to somebodies comment on 257 Roberts brass... I kept hearing that so I kept buying... 5 bags here... another 5 bags here... it was like I was running into it everywhere. I wound up with over 20 bags... so I sold off about 15-16 bags to guys i know. But I'm the only 1 running a 257 AI. Harder part at the moment is finding primers so I can fireform (either COW or a bunch of 117 gr Rem Corelocks that I have).

The plan is the 257 AI and 25-06 AI's will be the mule deer guns this year. The 25-06 and 6.5 Rem Mag are the whitetail guns and a 7 RM will be the moose gun. All because that's what I purchased lately that can be used this year. Bought others too... Maybe the wife is right... I do have a problem??? Lol

I have used a 25/06 for year for deer and antlope hunting. AI chambering would be better. It shouldn't a big problem in sizing and fireforming 06 cases into 25/06AI case.

Mike Matteson said:

I have used a 25/06 for year for deer and antlope hunting. AI chambering would be better. It shouldn't a big problem in sizing and fireforming 06 cases into 25/06AI case.

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Mike were you able to get the 25/280AI up and going yet?

Bdog35 said:

I have a problem with deciding on which particular 25 caliber to go with. A lot of in decision running through my head. I have a 25wssm that I'm getting rid of but can't decide what to settle on. Do I go with something like a 25/06 Ackley improved or something like a 25 SST or a 25 creedmoor. What are the components like dies and brass , are they readily available? any help to calm me down , so I can decide what to build and move forward, any help would be appreciated. More reach is the ultimate goal, but I'm wanting a little more knock down and range to the caliber. Thanks in advance
Bdog 35 in Utah

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If you roll your own, I'd give a strong look at the 25-284.
Deadly accurate and speedy fast.
Easy to reload for, good bullet selection and lots of powders it likes.

Gary in MD said:

The 257 Weatherby was fast before being fast was cool!

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Yes it was from the 1949 era I think

Depends -

RYEWSKY25284 said:

If you roll your own, I'd give a strong look at the 25-284.
Deadly accurate and speedy fast.
Easy to reload for, good bullet selection and lots of powders it likes.

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Depends on if you're using SA or LA. You can squeeze a 25-284 into a SA. But should you? OTH - if LA - take a hard look at 25 Sherman LA. Loving the results of mine.

DLJ6 said:

I grew up behind a Roberts, am flirting with a 257Weatherby now but am tempted by the 25 SAUM and PRC

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My suggestion is use something with available factory brass and ammunition! Remember it's usually easier to load it down from maximum than it to load it up to maximum. I have (2) 257 weatherbies and I started out buying the grey box factory 100 grain ammo used it to shoot all kinds of critters. This gave me fire formed norms brass cases that could then be loaded to my liking with whatever I might choose. I bought the ammo for around $45.00 that my LGS ordered for me! Something to consider ?

Carey Farmer said:

A 7" twist 25-06 is pretty hard to beat. Kinda cool to shoot a 75-year-old cartridge that performs so well.

25-06 and .264 Win Mag (85 years old!) are two of my favorites.

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Yes funny you mentioned that I have all the components for 25/06 7.5 twist and a.264 win mag 8 twist at my gunsmiths now ! Just waiting. Christmas will be a little late for me this year hopefully one will be ready by January. Plan to run some hammers

I had two barrels in 25/284 I shot out with 85g Ballistic tips at screaming velocities on Chucks, P. dogs, and jack rabbits. The barrels did not last long.

Never in Hades would I ever put one of these 25/284s on a short action again. I even put a radius in the Rem 700 ejection port on the ejection port, similar to what you see on Weatherby mags to aid in extracting loaded rounds. A Wyatt's mag box would help today, but why shoot yourself in the foot to save 6 oz of weight?

Another issue is 284 Brass.

What's the capacity on 284 brass?

I don't know Phil, consult a Nosler manual, it should provide the number. I shot out two 6/284s on coyotes/chucks in the late 80's, also. I had those barrels on a Parker Hale Mauser Varmint, prior 6 Rem that had been shot out. I am upset that I sold that action and stock, accuracy were fantastic, to say the least, but those 6/284s with IMR 4831, 85g Sierra bthp were completely toast by 800 rounds. The Parker Hale Long action was a perfect marriage for the 6/284. As a guy who shot registered Bench rest, we were led to believe that the Mauser actions were not capable of shooting tiny groups. Well, that turned out to be a complete falsehood! I shot out 6 custom barrels on that Parker Hale action plus the original 6 Rem.

BigDon said:

Depends -

Depends on if you're using SA or LA. You can squeeze a 25-284 into a SA. But should you? OTH - if LA - take a hard look at 25 Sherman LA. Loving the results of mine.

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I have a SA. I don't shot any bullet over 100gr.
I prefer light bullets and high speed over heavy bullets.
It hits light a bolt of lightning.

25x284win is nearly identical in capacity to 25-06rem and the 25-06 usually runs faster.

DUCKMAN11 said:

25x284win is nearly identical in capacity to 25-06rem and the 25-06 usually runs faster.

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ballistically they are twins. I like the 25-284 for the SA option.