Best 25 caliber to consider on a build.

[Phil Rizzo]

I'm very ready to get this wild looking 25 SS in operation.
My 'smith said he wants it completed "pretty soon", not sure if he's curious or maybe another customer is.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

We have a .257 Bob Reamer with one cut on it. Might take a while to get #2 on it with components for a .25 Souper & 25x284 sitting on the shelf.
BTW
We just received our Custom Whidden Hydro Form Dies for our .338LMAI LS so we can get our Lapua Brass Close to our Custom Chamber Formed and then run through our Whidden Custom FL Bushing Die. We also received our Whidden Pointing Die System with the Pointing Die Sleeves and Inserts for Bullets .224 to .375. Now just need to start reloading and shooting. Was at the range yesterday to do some maintenance and the Mirage was unbelievable - Weather was 95 degrees and 96% humidify its 99 degrees and 98% humidity today!

 

[Phil Rizzo]

Dangerous!

 

[DUCKMAN11]

I'm doing a 25max. "Waiting" on the reamer to be hand delivered from Mississippi. Going to use 134eldm for barrel brake in and n570.
Will run 135gr berger's and possibly a 90gr hammer load

26" 7.5tw 5r PBB barrel
Tikka t3x action
Stocky's carbon fiber stock

 

[Slaw]

I own two both semi customs (700 actions) 257 Bob and a 25-06. The Bob is amazing and shoots same hole. The 25-06 is close, 115 grain bullet at 3260fps and I stopped bc it shoots so good there. That said, I have normal twist rates in my guns, shortly after the blackjack came out and I wish I had a faster twist rate. So 25/06AI. Excellent! 25cm! I debated on building one, just think about the bullet you want and intended use. I'm a big quarter bore fan.

 

[Willys]

We have a .257 Bob Reamer with one cut on it. Might take a while to get #2 on it with components for a .25 Souper & 25x284 sitting on the shelf.
BTW
We just received our Custom Whidden Hydro Form Dies for our .338LMAI LS so we can get our Lapua Brass Close to our Custom Chamber Formed and then run through our Whidden Custom FL Bushing Die. We also received our Whidden Pointing Die System with the Pointing Die Sleeves and Inserts for Bullets .224 to .375. Now just need to start reloading and shooting. Was at the range yesterday to do some maintenance and the Mirage was unbelievable - Weather was 95 degrees and 96% humidify its 99 degrees and 98% humidity today!

On my Lapua the custom thin Whidden dies ( original and replacement) weren't able to size the base without cracking - hopefully your die matches your chamber better.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

On my Lapua the custom thin Whidden dies ( original and replacement) weren't able to size the base without cracking - hopefully your die matches your chamber better.

Hopefully you let John Whidden know about the issue with the dies. We never had any issues with any Whidden product. Their Customer Service is OUTSTANDING!

 

[Elkbuster]

I'm in the process of having a 25 PRC built. Carbon 6 barrel on a Evo Bros action. I already have a 6.5 PRC so I have all the brass and dies, so for me it was an easy decision

 

[JiggyIi]

257 Weatherby ️

 

[newmexkid]

257 WBY with 95 gr. Hammer Hunters Tipped. Oh my!

 

[dwsitz]

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

25/06 ackley,I've had mine to 3400 fps with the 135 Bergers,I run it slower at 3050,but it's nice knowing what it will do without pressure signs. Efficient round.

 

[Playtimefun]

I am leaning towards the 25-06 AI myself at the moment. Not quite as fast as the 257 WBY and faster then the 257 Roberts AI and of course the normal 25-06. Not much recoil although I'm shooting lighter weights at the moment. I just sold 5 guns (still crying a little) so I'm thinking about doing up a titanium action, carbon fiber barreled ultra lightweight for Whitetail and mule deer out to 500-600 yards kind of thing.

The issue I'm having/contemplating is a good 115-120 gr bullet. I've used the 117 Eld-X and it was all right, but it doesn't give me warm and fuzzies like my Barnes TTSX do. I'm thinking about trying the Hammers but would have to order into Canada which is a pain.

 

[dwsitz]

25/06 AI,with 135 bergers I've achieved 3400 fps without pressure. I actually run them at 3050,no need killing a new barrel quite yet.its very efficient.

 

[dwsitz]

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

How's the mod 40bb holding out? That's what I have,I'm about 400 rounds into it,they're saying they're not living up to the hype