Which .25?

[DesertBoy]

Super interested in the question how much more speed does the 25-06 AI gain over the 25-06. I recently purchased a 25-06 with a 22" barrel with a 1:10 twist. Was thinking about putting a new 26" with a 1:7.5 for the 133 or 135 Bergers. Seems if I could get them around 3000fps or a tad higher, they have around 1000ft # and 1800fps @ 1000yds.
3000ft Altitude

 

[TX Badger]

Super interested in the question how much more speed does the 25-06 AI gain over the 25-06. I recently purchased a 25-06 with a 22" barrel with a 1:10 twist. Was thinking about putting a new 26" with a 1:7.5 for the 133 or 135 Bergers. Seems if I could get them around 3000fps or a tad higher, they have around 1000ft # and 1800fps @ 1000yds.
3000ft Altitude

You'll get 3100 without any trouble and will probably go over 3200 with the right powder in a 26" barrel.

 

[DesertBoy]

I was going to try H1000 or RL 26. Should be fun. Pretty amazing what a .257 caliber can do with these high B.C bullets.

 

[TX Badger]

Yep, that's why I believe it's the best caliber for deer size game. You get higher BCs and more energy than you do with a 6mm. And in order to match the ballistics the 6.5mms have much more recoil and are really stepping up into elk size cartridges. I think it's the sweet spot.

Just like 7mm is for elk sized animals, but that is a whole other conversation.

 

[FEENIX]

Super interested in the question how much more speed does the 25-06 AI gain over the 25-06.

Depending in source, ~4g of H20 gain.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Total weight hunt ready, i.e., under 8 lbs. Below is my factory Kimber 84L Hunter in .30-06 re-chambered to .30 Gibbs.

View attachment 373292
View attachment 373290

Is that the USO TS-12X?
How do you like it? Looks like a toy, but at 18oz and 10", that would make a wicked short-barreled rifle scope.

 

[BEEMAN]

Is that the USO TS-12X?
How do you like it? Looks like a toy, but at 18oz and 10", that would make a wicked short-barreled rifle scope.

I was curious about that too.

 

[Wolf76]

You can get a 257 weatherby vanguard for 800 or less and it weighs 7.5#.
Easy decision IMO.

 

[Just a hunter]

You can get a 257 weatherby vanguard for 800 or less and it weighs 7.5#.
Easy decision IMO.

I'll check it out. Will the twist rate be fast enough to stabilize the heavier bullets?

 

[arizonahunter]

This is what I found FYI

 

[FEENIX]

Is that the USO TS-12X?
How do you like it? Looks like a toy, but at 18oz and 10", that would make a wicked short-barreled rifle scope.

I was curious about that too.

Yes, it is. The optical clarity is surprisingly good for these old eyes. I have not done a tracking test, though. The only thing I do not like is its short eye relief. Because it is a short scope, I have to use a rail and mount it higher to make it work.

 

[FEENIX]

You can get a 257 weatherby vanguard for 800 or less and it weighs 7.5#.
Easy decision IMO.

I'll check it out. Will the twist rate be fast enough to stabilize the heavier bullets?

The last time I checked, they are all 1:10" except for the MeatEater edition; no barrel twist rate was noted.

 

[Wolf76]

I'll check it out. Will the twist rate be fast enough to stabilize the heavier bullets?

They are 10 twist. You'll top out at 115grs. That's far more than enough for hunting small deer. Most of the hammer bullets would be fine with that twist and be a delight to shoot. Screw on a new barrel later if things don't work out.

 

[17Tactical]

25-06 or 25-06AI. I have shot the 25-06 for over 40 years now. The brass is readily available and is shoots good with numerous different powder / primer combinations. My rifle is a unmolested Remington 700 BDL. It has the standard 1-10 twist and shoots the 70 gr thru 120 gr bullets well.
With Sierra 90 gr BTHP bullets it shoots 1/2" groups at 100 yards.