Best 25 caliber to consider on a build.

[Mike Matteson]

I was in Africa a few years back. I don't think they really understand all that. I took in hand load twice. They were marked something else. I don't think they are building 308 NM brass much presently, and sizing 300WM case into 308 NM is very easy. The people in the USA checked my rifle several time going out and back. They never spotted the difference either. They won't even handle the rifle either. I had to open the action up for them to look. I kind of feel they don't know much about them.

 

[Hydra6]

Not to hijack…….anyone shooting a 25X47 Lapua?

I was just in the shop loading 25x47 for PRS competition. 134 ELDMs, H4350, 65x47 Lapua brass, CCI450s. How can I help? Lots of PRS shooters experimenting and competing with 25 bore now that 134ELDMs and Berger 135s available.

 

[Trappernewt]

I was just in the shop loading 25x47 for PRS competition. 134 ELDMs, H4350, 65x47 Lapua brass, CCI450s. How can I help? Lots of PRS shooters experimenting and competing with 25 bore now that 134ELDMs and Berger 135s available.

I’ll send ya a PM so we don’t derail.

 

[Gator 06]

25 cal….(my favorite)
If you’re killing things….94% of the available performance of 25 cal can be had with a 2506…cost effectively.

That additional 6% “performance” of the 257Wby,/ 25-300 and other Guicci cases comes at an extreme cost in powder, cases and barrel life….

Paper/steel target tapping at distance with the occasional medium sized game animal…then 25 Creedmoor w/fast twist barrel/highest BC bullets and for scope dialing…..

(note that the 1:8 barrel twist of a 25 Creedmoor is the exact number of turns in the manbuns worn by the guys that shoot em.)

 

[Gator 06]

Agree

 

[Far North Hunter]

My current 25 PRC has been easy to load a number of different brands of powders to get excellent accuracy. Case forming Peterson brass using a bushing f/l die was easy.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

My current 25 PRC has been easy to load a number of different brands of powders to get excellent accuracy. Case forming Peterson brass using a bushing f/l die was easy.

That’s the case length and shape I’m excited to get into, with an XM+

 

[FEENIX]

I have not read every response. Here is my take to the OP.

Go heavy for caliber bullets. This means a fast twist barrel. 1:7" to 1:7.75" would be my suggestion depending on velocity expected. Run a 133 Elite, 134 ELD-M, or 135 Hyb. There are a few others like the Chinchagas as well. But I have no experience with them.

What are the expectations for desired yardage you want to be able to shoot?
What is the intended purpose? Hunting, I assume. Deer-sized game and down? Do you plan to hunt anything much bigger? Like black bear, elk, etc.? If you plan on shooting 1000+ rounds in a couple years, that will help determine what would be a good fit too.

Do you need head stamped brass? Like if you go to Mexico, Canada, Africa? If so, that limits what you can go with.
.25-06 Rem, 25SST, 25CM, .250 Savage, .257 Roberts, .257 Wby.

If not, that opens up more viable options.
25PRC, 25 PRC/SI, .250AI, 25 Souper, 25 SLR, 25 MBK, 257 Roberts AI, 25SS, 25 Max, 25 SAUM, 25-.284 Win, .25-06AI, 25STW, 25 RUM, etc.

I agree! I have all the bullets you noted, including the 145 Black Hole (145 BH 67.5 MagPro .015" off the lands, 3090 FPS 5 shot average.) and 163 Chinchaga (2915 FPS - pressure testing). @Bghunter338 (thanks, Brother) interested me in these bullets, and we've been sharing load information and ideas.

(L = 145 BH, R = 163 Chinchaga)


163 Chinchaga pressure test with H1000 .015" off the lands.

62.0 =2866 FPS
62.5 =2879 FPS
63.0 =2904 FPS
63.5 =2915 FPS
64.0 =Did not fire

There are no pressure signs thus far. I have some loaded with Retumbo for the next opportunity.

Some people here do not understand, believe, or care about a heavy-for-caliber concept or my choice of bullets. Honestly, I do not care, as my intended purpose is not the same as theirs. My .257 WBY 22" 1:7" suppressed was specifically built to propel the heavies (130 and up). When Dale starts manufacturing the 180s, I will also explore that.

 

[Allen Kitts]

I am a huge 257 Weatherby fan. Exclusively hunted with one for about 10 years here in Montana and never had any issues with lost animal's. I used 100 Grain Barnes TTSX bullets at 3500 FPS and took a boat load of mule deer, antelope and about a half dozen Elk as well. I did not try any elk at long distance, out to about 450 yards was all but several of the deer and antelope were out in the 500-600 range. Its a hard caliber to beat in the 25 realm. In today's world I am sure some of the newer 25's are right up there as well but I have no experience with them. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[Leaf Litter]

25 Creed seems perfect to me. Efficient, fast, flat shooting.

 

[Gary in MD]

I am a huge 257 Weatherby fan. Exclusively hunted with one for about 10 years here in Montana and never had any issues with lost animal's. I used 100 Grain Barnes TTSX bullets at 3500 FPS and took a boat load of mule deer, antelope and about a half dozen Elk as well. I did not try any elk at long distance, out to about 450 yards was all but several of the deer and antelope were out in the 500-600 range. Its a hard caliber to beat in the 25 realm. In today's world I am sure some of the newer 25's are right up there as well but I have no experience with them. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

I’ve used the 100 TTSX in my 257 wby with great results on deer here also. I’ve got the 101 grain version loaded now, in about 30 days I’ll have it in South Africa.

 

[Allen Kitts]

I’ve used the 100 TTSX in my 257 wby with great results on deer here also. I’ve got the 101 grain version loaded now, in about 30 days I’ll have it in South Africa.

I would think it will kick *** on plains game. 257wby is just a great all around cartridge for medium sized game animals. Great bullet selection and packs a lot of punch. Good luck with your hunt in Africa and post pics please????

 

[DJ Morrison]

25 prc....I was looking at various .257 to make and decided on this one...I thought i really wanted a 25-06 AI, but way happier with 25 prc...Loading is easy!!! 135 at 3250 fps and .5 moa....5 shots...

 

[VinceMule]

Roy Weatherby killed a good number of elk with the 257 using 117g factory bullets which is an ornx bullet. A good friend used his 257 on elk. After killing 6 bulls, he had his 7th hunt booked and that guide told him that the 257 was not an elk round. So, he bought a 6.5/284, and he hated that round for elk, which I am talking hated!