25 CM/131 Blackjacks

JTB

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AZ
I have recently received a couple of PMs wondering how the 131 BJ performs on game based on prior experience so I thought I would share a few pictures from this mornings hunt. Just got back from my coues hunt and I used an improved 25 CM with 131 Blackjacks. We had previously taken deer with the 131 but at closer range. This time I took the shot at 860 yards and hit a high double lung shot. 1/4" entrance and about a 2 1/2" exit with the animal dropping on the spot. Clipped the top of both lungs and disrupted the spinal cord. Couldn't ask for better performance at both close and longer ranges. The MV was 3030 fps/1:7twist; I do not open the tip to enhance expansion. I also included an image of the improved CM brass fire formed from a 260 rem next to a standard length CM. Not sure it is worth the trouble over the standard length CM but just had to give it a try.
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Thanks for sharing. I was going to open the tips on my 131's, but won't after seeing your results. 25-284 running 3150 FPS.
 
Good advice doc. I always check the tips on my Berger's. plugged tips are used for targets.
 
pics of the whole Deer? Always nice to see


So why do you call it a 25 cm improved if you make it from a 260 Rem case? Is there a better wildcat name like 25/260 Rem Imp?

Also is the 131 BJ too long to just make a 243/260 variant and still fit a Short Action 2.82" OAL?
 
pics of the whole Deer? Always nice to see


So why do you call it a 25 cm improved if you make it from a 260 Rem case? Is there a better wildcat name like 25/260 Rem Imp?

Also is the 131 BJ too long to just make a 243/260 variant and still fit a Short Action 2.82" OAL?
I called it improved for lack of a better term. I simply ran a 25 CM reamer in an extra .100 and since a 260 is about .100 longer than a CM it fire-formed perfectly. It is more like a 260 AI but i can use my 25 CM dies.
I included a pic of the deer. Only scored 96" but we have other hunts to get to and conditions were perfect for a longer shot. I am running it in a 700 LA so OAL was not a concern.
Wish you all best of luck
 

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Little hard to tell by the picture but not much difference on the neck length. It consistently groups very well. The picture was after the first firing. I turned all the necks after that and they are close to the standard CM in length. I fire formed them using the 260 neck touching the end of the throat.
 
All you guys who have tried this bullet have anyone had it not shoot good. I hate to invest in a barrel and reamer and dies and only have one bullet to choose from.
Shep
 
I hope more options come out soon. I've hunted and killed more deer with a 257wby than all the rest combined. Always wondered why you can have a . 600 bc in a 6mm and an almost . 700 bc in 6.5 but the 25s got no love.
Shep

I agree. I love my 257 Wby for whitetail and similar size game, the killing speed is nothing short of spectacular. I currently run 115 Bergers at 3600 in a 26" Krieger tube. I won't share load data because it's well above book but it's safe in my gun. It also blows through 3/8" AR500 like butter at 200 yards. I digress.

This gun shoots genuine 5 shot groups in the .2s so I'm hesitant to change anything but I really want to spin up a fast twist barrel and run the higher BC Blackjack bullets. I just hate to mess with it since it shoots so well.
 
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