.25 cal varmint rifle

[vern.284]

Does anyone use a 25 anything for their varminter rifle. If so what is your favorite. I acquired a bunch of Sierra 70 gr and curious about putting them to use. I'm an opportunist when it comes to varmint hunting so not targeting anything specific. Thanks

 

[BigNate]

I have used several 25 cal and still do.

My first was/is a .257 Roberts shooting 75gr Hornady hp over IMR4064. Mostly coyotes, but a couple bobcat as well. I also tried the 60gr for the .25-20 out of it, as well as heavier ballistic tips. The 75gr Hornady was the go to for me. Shot Rockchucks by the truckload.

Out of the .25-06, I've used the same Hornady bullets, but also tried some Nosler BTs. Much the same as the .257R.

Also have a. 25 WSSM that was my father's, that I haven't really done much with. It's a Win Stealth II, so it's heavy, great over bags, and would be great for prairie dogs, but I'm not close to that kind of ground any more.

 

[WV Hitman]

I don't own any rifles, BUT I have a XP-100 handgun in .250 Sav. AI. I've taken 300+ groundhogs with it out to 510 yd. with Nos. 85 gr. BTs. Great bullet, great killer. The 70 gr. should work fine.
Works great on deer, too. Done several at 400+ yds. with 110 AB, 100 TSX.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Big quarter bore fan here.

I have/had a bunch over the last 20+ years.

Before the fast twist and heavy for caliber bullets came out: (both these have been rebarreled since)
.250AI
25-06AI

After the resurgence of the 25s when the heavies came out and fast twist barrels arrived: (still have all these)
25SST
25CM
25CM

I also have all the parts for two more. Just waitingbon a couple reamers. One reamer is ordered, one is in design:
25PRC/SI
25MBK (secret for now)

 

[dk17hmr]

I have a 25-223 and a 25-06AI currently. The 25-223 has killed lots and lots of pdogs. 25-06AI is more of a big game rifle but has cut several jackrabbits in half and blown some big holes in coyotes.

Look into the 25-223 it performs well brass is cheap, primers are available and would push those 70s to 3200+. I'm currently shooting 87gr Speer tnts at 2950ish.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

And… there is another interesting .257 reamer on order.
The one piece I'm lacking also.

 

[vern.284]

Big quarter bore fan here.

I have/had a bunch over the last 20+ years.

Before the fast twist and heavy for caliber bullets came out: (both these have been rebarreled since)
.250AI
25-06AI

After the resurgence of the 25s when the heavies came out and fast twist barrels arrived: (still have all these)
25SST
25CM
25CM

I also have all the parts for two more. Just waitingbon a couple reamers. One reamer is ordered, one is in design:
25PRC/SI
25MBK (secret for now)

 

[vern.284]

25-223 sounds intriguing. I definitely have plenty of brass for that

 

[dk17hmr]

I have shot 110gr accubonds at 2700fps with it also. Makes nice antelope killer.

 

[sable tireur]

.25/222 Copperhead or .257 Kimber

Originally designed by John Wooters, this petite cartridge was build on the small Sako action and used for both varmint shooting and deer hunting.

I just finished a 25 PRC just for fun, it probably won't last long as I have other projects needing the action.

 

[Gary in MD]

I'm only using it for deer hunting these days but back in the 1990s I was using my 257 Weatherby for some of my ground hog and fox shooting. I was launching the 87 grain Sierra at 3870 fps and it shot well. Large ground hogs and foxes would decorate the landscape when hit! Good times

 

[del2les]

Does anyone use a 25 anything for their varminter rifle. If so what is your favorite. I acquired a bunch of Sierra 70 gr and curious about putting them to use. I'm an opportunist when it comes to varmint hunting so not targeting anything specific. Thanks

For some of those longer shots, I've used a 25-06 for decades, and even after all that time and several various calibers/cartridges I own for varmints, it still holds my longest kills - 1,031yd coyote and about 1,008yd P-dogs. Back in the 90's and using a load of MRP and the 85gr Nosler BTip fired through one of my 26" tubes, it took quite a few varmints and even some game. Since then, the 25-06's still see some usage on various varmints, but now, I mostly use them for game rifles. However, an old crow or coyote best not come in range while hunting.

 

[lancetkenyon]

25PRC/SI (6.5PRC necked down to .257", then improved 40°)

22" 1:7.5" Benchmark CF Sendero Light
Kelbly Atlas Lite w. Picatinny rail
Manners LRH (custom paint Multican Arid inspired)
Hawkins Hunter DBM w. Hawkins Hunter mag
BixN Andy Tac Sport Pro X
ARC M-Brace 30mm low rings
Tangent Theta TT315M Gen 3XR
Vortex Lo-pro 30mm level
TBAC CB (TBAC Ultra 7 6.5mm or Dominus probably)

Goal is 133s or 135s near 3200fps.

It should scream a 70gr out about...3600-3700?

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Following
Once owned a 25WSSM and really liked it.
We can build a 25 Souper, 25X284. Have all the components except Reamers.
Have a .257 Bob Reamer but nothing else.
Always wanted a 1/4 Bore, but have more rifles than we can shoot right now.
Maybe a .25 sometime in the future. Will wait for everyone to experiment.