• If you are being asked to change your password, and unsure how to do it, follow these instructions. Click here

Which .25 for next build?

I'm leaning towards a 25x280AI right now. 25-06AI would be my 2nd choice. I have a good little 25-06rem that does well with 115vld's.

After this 25x280AI is done I'm going to do a 25grendel on a mini action with the 115vld's maybe try some lighter varmint type bullets as well.

@lancetkenyon I'm with you on blackjack! FBJB lol
 
I built my .257 WBY specifically to propel the heavies like the 131s, 133s/135s, and now the 145s.

View attachment 379240
View attachment 379241
View attachment 379242

Good luck with your project build.
I took some measurements with the 145s; as seen below, CBTO touching the lands is 2.848" (average of 5) and COAL of 3.441"; I plan on starting at .020" off the lands as the baseline. I have plenty of magazine clearance.

1658576339337.png
 
I run a couple quarter bores.
25 Creedmoor pushing a 135 LR Hyb @ 2976fps
25 SST pushing a 133 Elite at 3200 (easy load, up to 3350 during testing with H1000)

Let me say this...do NOT count on 131 Blackjacks. I have had 2k paid for and on eternal backorder since Dec 2020. No response to a plethora of emails, texts to the owner, FB Messenger, etc. Which sucks, because until 8 months ago, I was still a Blackjack fan. Now, they can suck it, even if they ever make good on backorders.
Thanks for sharing that. Glad there are other options. The Black Hole bullets Feenix posted look like a solid option as do the Berger's. The 25 Creed is temping due the the ease of gathering components and still has good number. Just thinking I may want more.
 
@FEENIX
I haven't heard of those Black Hole bullets until this thread. How are they for availability?
He is a one-person shop, and I think he turns them as soon as an order is placed, a just-in-time concept. IIRC, it took him ~ 2 weeks for 2 boxes of 145s and a box of 168s as soon as he got going. You might want to ping him if he has some on the shelf already; I did not mind the wait as I am not in a hurry.
 
I am starting to think the .257RPM might be an attractive option, but nothing can replace the 257WBY in my mind as the perfect 1/4.
Define perfect 1/4, I had 257 wby mag, 25-06 and 257 Robert's. I still have .257 Robert's out of the 3. Recently acquired 250ai but no first hand experience in it except fireforming on paper.
 
Define perfect 1/4, I had 257 wby mag, 25-06 and 257 Robert's. I still have .257 Robert's out of the 3. Recently acquired 250ai but no first hand experience in it except fireforming on paper.
To me the 25 is a deer/antelope caliber maybe throw in predators and black bears. The Bee will take light bullets and give amazing PBR and if you want to chuck the new long heavies from a fast twist it has the capacity to be a very impressive long range option. Perfect is of course, quite subjective.
 
I don't want to feed another magnum but if I did I'd like to tinker with a 25x7prc. Ideally id set that chamber up to use a 7prc bushing die to do a "straight" neck down to 257. The 25-06 and it's relatives like the 25-06AI and 25x280AI do everything that I need currently especially paired with a fast twist barrel for the heavies.

I'm in no way knocking the 257wby or cases of similar volume.... I just don't want to use magnum primers and powder in a 257" that I could use in my 300prc.
 
Top