The .257 -WHICH CARTRIDGE???

[Philward]

Definitely the Bee with the heavy bullets. Or neck down the 7mmprc and create a new cartridge, 257 coyote.

 

[DUCKMAN11]

I'm leaning towards a 25 Sherman on my next one. 25-06AI gets a nodd as does the 257wby. All of them with a 7.5tw.

Maybe a 25x7prc

25creed is the easy button and everyone I know that has them says that they are easy to load for and boring to shoot out to 1k. 25sst would be a good one also.

I like to have at least 3200fps in a 25cal hunting cartridge because that's what I'm used to.

 

[VLD Pilot]

I sure like my 25-284 , but something tells me the 25 cal neck down 6.5 PRC would be a screamer. Same 6.5 bushings dies with no other changes ,but bushings , med or long action.

I like the thought of a short action cartridge that can do that the 25-284 can do. I mean a true short action cartridge.

 

[VLD Pilot]

I'm a 6.5 and 284 guy I have all the variants in those cal . I built a 25-284 1-8 twist last year , and am really impressed . I didn't even buy any dies , I used my 6.5-284 bushing dies with the proper bushing necking down 6.5-284 brass and my competition 284 win seat die too seat the bullets . I was surprised too get 3874 fps max and a average of 3860 with the 90 gr Hammer I have a old Speer reloading manual that has data for the 25-284 . I was comparing vel versus powder charge too the 25sst and I'm right with the sst pretty close . I also have several 6.5 prcs and have kicked around the idea of the 25 prc . All that's necessary is changing bushings , no other changes . Lapua Brass for both and your good too go . It seems the 25 PRC with the prc case design would be great , but if you where going for the heavies in that cal the med length action would be best . I built my 25-284 on a med action . I also have the 25-06 great cartridge but the AI would definitely be better . Regardless of the OPS decision they all are great cartridges and a lot of fun too try and get full potential out of them, my biggest problem is trying too pick what cartridge and rifle too hunt with every year , they all are great . Good luck on your 25 cal build.

I was real surprised to get great accuracy from my 25-284 with a 24" barrel and 133 Berger's at over 3200 fps with zero pressure signs. I'll admit 3170 gave me the place I liked the best but .3s at over 3200 with a 24" barrel is incredible IMO.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I've have to vote 257 PRC first, followed by 25-284 and third, 25-06AI. I like the oddballs, I guess i'm just weird like that but .

You should have started a poll! lol I'm pretty sure 25-06AI & 257Bee are the clear front runners.



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[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Well I just went to the mailbox and had a package of 700+ .257 Berger ELITE HUNTER 133gr Bullets that RidgeRebel sold us.
What a SEXY BULLET!!!
Now we have to start putting together components to build a 25 Something???
Need to be careful and do my homework. Want to build the RIFLE to complement the bullet and something that every hunter would want!

 

[Philward]

Under 6lbs not counting scope.

 

[del2les]

Fast twist in a 25-06AI or 257wby. If you are feeling extra playful, the 25 Gibbs -

 

[CaptDru]

I am rebarreling my 25-06 with a 1-7 shilen barrel. I decided to keep it an 06, since I already had everything to reload for it. Planning on trying retumbo, rl26, rl23 h1000 and 7977. I bought a couple of boxes of 133's last month. Here it is next to a 92 hammer hunter.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

View attachment 407019

I am rebarreling my 25-06 with a 1-7 shilen barrel. I decided to keep it an 06, since I already had everything to reload for it. Planning on trying retumbo, rl26, rl23 h1000 and 7977. I bought a couple of boxes of 133's last month. Here it is next to a 92 hammer hunter.

I already have competition bushing dies for 6.5X284 and a lot of Lapua brass so would only need a Custom Reamer and already have .257 Throater so can go longer than a SAMMI Reamer for 25X284. Probably go LA (worry about cartridge length in Mag).
There are so many other cartridges/calibers out there. We have everything from .204 to .338. Want to make one for us and then more for Hunters looking for this caliber. This 25 with a 133 gr would be great for Mule, White Tail, Prong Horn at LR. Rethinking about a Mountain Rifle for size & weight. This would be built for more Western open areas.
LA with a heavier 24"-26" barrel 1:7 that is Spiral Fluted and a good Brake. Manners Adjustable Stock, ARC rail to use with a Tripod (standing/sitting) or Bipod for Prone. Weight not that much a problem since we have Gun Bearers, but would want to keep the weight down for Sale to a serious hunter.

 

[Hard rock]

I was real surprised to get great accuracy from my 25-284 with a 24" barrel and 133 Berger's at over 3200 fps with zero pressure signs. I'll admit 3170 gave me the place I liked the best but .3s at over 3200 with a 24" barrel is incredible IMO.

Until you have loaded for the 6.5prc you won't realize how strong and efficient that case design is . I have loaded some hot loads with Hornady brass the last few years in 2 different rifles of mine and haven't lost a primer pocket yet , that tells me it would be a awesome case for the 25 cal . I use too load for my 6.5-06 that I rebarreled too 6.5-284 and I was always smoking primer pockets , in my experience the 284 case and the 6.5 prc case are really strong in the webbing area of the case . 25 PRC would be awesome in my opinion.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

257 Saum

 

[Muley Madness]

I love my 25 saum with 133gr Bergers. They hit hard and with low recoil, a great combo everyone can shoot

 

[Salmonhead]

25 saum, 25 wssm, 25 wsm, 257 wby, 25-06 would all be pretty great rounds.