New Build

[adamsoa]

I'm exploring options for a new hunting rifle and would appreciate your advice on some rounds. My goal is to have a setup that works well with a 22-24" barrel and a suppressor while still having enough power for longer shots. I hunt whitetail in Idaho every year, often taking 300-700-yard shots across canyons. Recoil is a consideration, so I'm looking for something manageable (I have some friends with a 6.5 prc and haven't been impressed with their performance).

I've been considering a few rounds, but I'd love to hear your input:

• Sherman 6.5SS
• .25-06
• .257 Weatherby Magnum
• I've also looked into the .25 PRC and .25 Creedmoor, though I'm unsure about their performance, particularly with a 130+ grain high-BC round at longer ranges.

If anyone has experience with these rounds or other recommendations that might fit what I'm looking for, I'd really appreciate your input.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Andy

 

[Sealesniper]

I can't advise on velocity from shorter barrel with suppressor, as I currently don't shoot them, but I have shot many calibers from .22 up to .50 BMG and for recoil management and flat out killing a deer out to 800 yards, the 6.5x284 and 7-08 would be at the top of my list to look at.

 

[Bob Wright]

I would agree that 6.5-7mm will still be the sweet spot balistically. Now I would look at the speed you need to get the bullets best performance at your max distance. Then pick the cartridge needed to propel and maintain at distance.
After all that, build or buy that rifle in that chambering.

 

[med358-boise]

Consider the 284 Winchester. The most popular F Class Open Division Cartridge

 

[mecanic04]

Consider the 284 Winchester. The most popular F Class Open Division Cartridge

This what I shoot, both target and hunting. It's a fun cartridge. Very reliable and easy to tune.

 

[BrentM]

I'm exploring options for a new hunting rifle and would appreciate your advice on some rounds. My goal is to have a setup that works well with a 22-24" barrel and a suppressor while still having enough power for longer shots. I hunt whitetail in Idaho every year, often taking 300-700-yard shots across canyons. Recoil is a consideration, so I'm looking for something manageable (I have some friends with a 6.5 prc and haven't been impressed with their performance).

I've been considering a few rounds, but I'd love to hear your input:

• Sherman 6.5SS
• .25-06
• .257 Weatherby Magnum
• I've also looked into the .25 PRC and .25 Creedmoor, though I'm unsure about their performance, particularly with a 130+ grain high-BC round at longer ranges.

If anyone has experience with these rounds or other recommendations that might fit what I'm looking for, I'd really appreciate your input.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Andy

Not impressed with 6.5PRC? Makes me wonder what are your expectations for this cartridge? I have 18, 20, 22" barrel 6.5 PRC's and they work very well within their designed expectations. You mention a sherman SS and 25 PRC....... basically a PRC. Maybe look at a SAUM. SAUM, Sherman, PRC, all the same basic thing. For short barrel rifles I tend to lean on the short magnums for the best outcome. For example running 6.5-284's they performed better in a longer barrel then short. Might as well do a 260AI in comparison.

 

[Salmonhead]

Of the cartridges mentioned, the 6.5SS is a kissing cousin to the 6.5 prc. The 25 prc won't do anything the 6.5 can't do better. The 25 creedmoor is going backwards with reduced powder. The 257 wby will work, but unless you get a custom barrel twist, you're going to have a hard time stabilizing heavier bullets with higher BC. The SS cartridges are effective but add a level of expense and extra work to shoot them. In my eyes, the 6.5 prc is the easy button and is very effective at the ranges your mention. Readily available ammo and components if you roll your own. If you haven't been impressed with the performance, I would look to bullet choice for the job or the shooter. If you want more *** when the bullet gets there, look into a bigger 7mm, starting with prc, rem mag or 28 nosler. Just paying more for recoil, but they bring more payload.

 

[Plinker147]

Sticking with 25 cal, I think a fast twist 25SST would be the ticket if you don't mind the wildcat type cartridges.

A fast twist 25-06 would be an easier route, not sure what velocities you can hit with the 130, I think it would get you to 700 easily.

A fast twist 257WB shooting 133 would be interesting, but recoil would be more, and I just never liked WB but they are long range lasers with 110 already and would get you to 700

 

[sp6x6]

Love my 6.5 PRC, its my dedicated muley/wolf rifle,22'' Defianceantix,proof.6#. my main LR is my 338nm.Its a great packer

 

[Huntaddict]

Of the cartridges mentioned, the 6.5SS is a kissing cousin to the 6.5 prc. The 25 prc won't do anything the 6.5 can't do better. The 25 creedmoor is going backwards with reduced powder. The 257 wby will work, but unless you get a custom barrel twist, you're going to have a hard time stabilizing heavier bullets with higher BC. The SS cartridges are effective but add a level of expense and extra work to shoot them. In my eyes, the 6.5 prc is the easy button and is very effective at the ranges your mention. Readily available ammo and components if you roll your own. If you haven't been impressed with the performance, I would look to bullet choice for the job or the shooter. If you want more *** when the bullet gets there, look into a bigger 7mm, starting with prc, rem mag or 28 nosler. Just paying more for recoil, but they bring more payload.

Second this

Pretty broad spectrum of velocities and performance.

I have personal experience with 6.5 GAP that i have owned and shot for 10 years, which is the parent to the 6.5 PRC which is very similar to the Sherman.

Recently built a 25CM with a 24" barrel running hybrid 135s suppressed, that I absolutely love!

• If you are looking for ANY kind of barrel life and realistic availability of components - I would stick more to the high performance "standard" cartridges in this list
• Agree on the 257 Weath - great when it was released, not so much now due to the issues listed
• The performance of the PRC - CM in a 24" bbl is about as good as it gets for 90% of folks - 2950 without pushing it to the limit
• Wildcatting is a blast but also a pain...definitely not the "easy button"

As far as your question with use in hunting - using a 6.5 GAP at 3120 fps with a 140 berger, which has performance that is only about 5% higher than the PRC - I have killed multiple antelope and deer. Devastating with a few of them not even taking a step after being hit at distances from 285 to nearly 800 yards.

Haven't hunted with the 25CM - built it strictly for a long barrel life range rifle to practice with

First pic is an antelope that dropped from my 6.5 GAP at 515
Second is my 25CM range set up

 

[lancetkenyon]

I have:
22" 25PRC/SI 133 @ 3206fps
22" 6.5PRC 140 @ 2960
22" 6.5PRC/SI 156 @ 2965 or 140 @ 3101
20" 6.5SS 140 @ 3060
20" .260AI 140 @ 2914
22" 6.5SLR 130 @ 2922
22" 25MBK 131 @ 2989

6.5SS is same as a 6.5SAUM. Both will outrun a 6.5PRC by 100fps. All 3 are plenty for deer out to 800+ easily with the right bullet.

25PRC, 25SST, 25SS is another fantastic option.

Even less recoil, 260AI, 25CM etc. Should still get that 700 yard range.

Anyone discounting a .257 heavy (131 to 135) as being inferior to a 6.5mm 140 class at distance has not done their homework. You can push them faster in same capacity case, and BC is higher for retained velocity and energy downrange.

You would want about 2900-3000fps from any of the .257 heavies or 6.5mm 140s to get you that 700 yard requirement. Even a 6.5mm 130 will get you that distance at 2900+.

I could share a ton of photos of what a 6.5mm 130 OTM will do to deer/pronghorn from 140 to 771 when pushed at 2920fps.

My longest kill on big game personally was at 875 with a 25SST pushing a 135 LRHT @ 3200fps.