.25 Cal (Quarter Bore) / Big Game Success - 25 Creed, 25-284, 25-06, 25 PRC, 25 SAUM

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I believe a 7.5 is recommended by most of the smiths I’ve talked to for the fast cartridges in the 25s so they aren’t over spun but this is the internet, always do your own research for confirmation.

Roger that and the Berger twist calculator takes in several factors including bullet weight, BC, velocity, and altitude to determine stability. Here is an example with 135 Berger at 3300 FPS, 1:10 twist, at 6,000' elevation.



Notice it provides a minimum twist recommendation, and in this example, its 1:8.75. To be safe you would likely want 1:8 or less depending on the elevation that you typically shoot/hunt at. The other cool feature of this tool is that it provides an alternate bullet recommendation from the Berger library.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I think a 145 Blackhole doing 3100ish would be wicked but I just haven't heard much about their terminal performance

I've asked around on here and nobody has shared any experience with it yet. However, I think there's a point of diminishing returns with an ultra-heavy .25 unless you're using a case that can drive it significantly faster than a 25 Creed or 25-06(AI). I ran some numbers with it based on a .680 BC, and they weren't remarkably different than the 133, 134, or 135 which are all tested and proven bullets. Maybe using a .257 Wby mag, 25-300 PRC or a 25-300 mag or some other wildcat would deliver extraordinary results. However, there's alwasy a trade-off, and those loads would be certain to burn a lot of powder and deliver increased muzzle blast and recoil accordingly.

 

[bmart2622]

Im a big Berger fan but I typically like to keep muzzle velocity at or just under 3k fps, which I dont think would be very practical out of a 257 wby

 

[ramsdude47]

Is there a good website that summarizes pros and cons of all the options?

I’m leaning towards 25-06AI but have very little knowledge of the other options to consider.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Im a big Berger fan but I typically like to keep muzzle velocity at or just under 3k fps, which I dont think would be very practical out of a 257 wby

ive killed 100 plus animal with 257wby and 115 vld. I had issues over 3350 @ muzzle(i think i was +-3400, once I dropped it down to 3250, I had no issues. Might of been bad batch of bullets, but a 6 +- inch entrance hole was an issue. When I burn this barrel out I
I may rebarrel to 1-8, but 115 have been very deadly under 400 with elk, Aoudad, WT, MD, PH and piggies

 

[bmart2622]

Honestly I have no good reason to even mess with the rifle, Ive killed 6 elk and a pile of deer with it using 110 ABs and that combo has never left me thinking I needed more

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

ive killed 100 plus animal with 257wby and 115 vld. I had issues over 3350 @ muzzle(i think i was +-3400, once I dropped it down to 3250, I had no issues. Might of been bad batch of bullets, but a 6 +- inch entrance hole was an issue. When I burn this barrel out I
I may rebarrel to 1-8, but 115 have been very deadly under 400 with elk, Aoudad, WT, MD, PH and piggies

Totally makes sense given the results delivered by the 6UM and a 110 or 115.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Honestly I have no good reason to even mess with the rifle, Ive killed 6 elk and a pile of deer with it using 110 ABs and that combo has never left me thinking I needed more

Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

 

[The Guide]

How heavy of a bullet can the 257AI Roberts run? Anyone got a fast twist barrel on one?

Jay

 

[amassi]

Is there a good website that summarizes pros and cons of all the options?

I’m leaning towards 25-06AI but have very little knowledge of the other options to consider.

You’re on it
At 5’000 ft the 25 creedmoor retains enough velocity for match bullet upset to 800 yards.
The 06/ 284/prc size case adds ~160 yards.
Do you regularly need to engage game between 800 and 960 yards?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[amassi]

How heavy of a bullet can the 257AI Roberts run? Anyone got a fast twist barrel on one?

Jay

135 with the proper twist
It would essentially split the difference between the creedmoor and 25-06.


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[hereinaz]

ive killed 100 plus animal with 257wby and 115 vld. I had issues over 3350 @ muzzle(i think i was +-3400, once I dropped it down to 3250, I had no issues. Might of been bad batch of bullets, but a 6 +- inch entrance hole was an issue. When I burn this barrel out I
I may rebarrel to 1-8, but 115 have been very deadly under 400 with elk, Aoudad, WT, MD, PH and piggies

All shots that leave a crater on the entrance of an animal I have heard are reported from highway velocity rifles like Weatherby and Nosler cartridges.

Your experience seems to follow the consensus that 3300 fps or more MV on the 100 yard and in shots result in bullet failure to penetrate. Shooters say dropping the velocity solved the issues.

Now, that applies to Berger and similar. Run your solids and bonded bullets as fast as you want. I think the Berger at a lower velocity will still do as much or more than s faster bullet.

I run the 133 in a 25 SST at 3100 ish, so you could rebarrel to a smaller case and still get your 115s up to speed with less powder. I think the 257 Weatherby case is bigger than needed for Berger velocity in the 115.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Is there a good website that summarizes pros and cons of all the options?

I’m leaning towards 25-06AI but have very little knowledge of the other options to consider.

25-06AI fast twist pros:
-Can easily exceed 3,000 fps with 133-135 grain high BC bullets in 26" barrel with several different powders
-Can still shoot factory .25-06 ammo with good accuracy and spent cases are fireformed to .25-06AI chamber.
-Improved AI shoulder increases case life and reduces trimming over standard .25-06
-Old school wildcat "cool" factor

25-06AI fast twist cons:
-To achieve 3,000 fps you have to burn roughly 25% more powder than a .25 Creed
-Due to increased powder charge, it has more recoil and muzzle blast than the .25 Creed, reducing ability to spot impacts down range
-Due to increased powder charge, it has shorter barrel life
-High quality .25-06 headstamped brass can be relatively hard to come by, although necking down .270 or .30-06 brass and trimming is relatively easy
-To create .25-06AI cases you either need to fireform or buy .25-06AI FL sizing die
-.25-06AI requires a long action and 25 Creed is a short action (in a Tikka this isn't a huge factor)

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I run the 133 in a 25 SST at 3100 ish, so you could rebarrel to a smaller case and still get your 115s up to speed with less powder. I think the 257 Weatherby case is bigger than needed for Berger velocity in the 115.

The 25 creed can push the 135 at 2900 and some change with roughly 45 grains of powder. I'm confident you could drive the 115 in excess of 3,000 FPS pretty easily.

 

[cuerro viejo]

All shots that leave a crater on the entrance of an animal I have heard are reported from highway velocity rifles like Weatherby and Nosler cartridges.

Your experience seems to follow the consensus that 3300 fps or more MV on the 100 yard and in shots result in bullet failure to penetrate. Shooters say dropping the velocity solved the issues.

Now, that applies to Berger and similar. Run your solids and bonded bullets as fast as you want. I think the Berger at a lower velocity will still do as much or more than s faster bullet.

I run the 133 in a 25 SST at 3100 ish, so you could rebarrel to a smaller case and still get your 115s up to speed with less powder. I think the 257 Weatherby case is bigger than needed for Berger velocity in the 115.

positive is I have brass thats on its fifth reload, and still going strong.

But ya Im at 25/06 velocities, when I burn the barrel out Im probably changing to faster twist and giving the 130’s a go.

 

[hereinaz]

positive is I have brass thats on its fifth reload, and still going strong.

But ya Im at 25/06 velocities, when I burn the barrel out Im probably changing to faster twist and giving the 130’s a go.

If it shoots there ain’t no reason to change it up. But, run the 133 in the new barrel at the same velocity and you up your game a little. It’s a cheap win! All good!

 

[sierracharlie338]

How heavy of a bullet can the 257AI Roberts run? Anyone got a fast twist barrel on one?

Jay

I built mine to run the heavies but have only loaded 110s at this point. 7 twist 22inch barrel. I’m getting 3100 with the 110AB with ease. I would wager 2850-2950 is probably doable in my set up. I may run a pressure test just to see and if I do I’ll report back.

 

[EVO6]

I made a post selling 25CM SRP alpha munitions brass.

WTS - Alpha Munitions 25 Creedmoor SRP

Selling 200 untouched new pieces of brass. $130 per 100 shipped to your door. Located in southwest WA. Venmo or Zelle

rokslide.com

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

3 does (1 whitetail, 2 mule deer) killed over the last 2 days with my 25-284 using 133 bergers @ 2945fps mv.

Doe 1: 110 yards, high shoulder, instant drop, exit softball sized

Doe 2: 165 yards, bedded in thick brush, headshot, instant drop (obviously), several exits out the back of skull and eyeballs popped.

Doe 3: 405 yards, entered behind shoulder, softball size exit in front of offside shoulder, dropped instantly. (Pictures are of this doe)

 

[sierracharlie338]

View attachment 631080View attachment 631081View attachment 631082

3 does (1 whitetail, 2 mule deer) killed over the last 2 days with my 25-284 using 133 bergers @ 2945fps mv.

Doe 1: 110 yards, high shoulder, instant drop, exit softball sized

Doe 2: 165 yards, bedded in thick brush, headshot, instant drop (obviously), several exits out the back of skull and eyeballs popped.

Doe 3: 405 yards, entered behind shoulder, softball size exit in front of offside shoulder, dropped instantly. (Pictures are of this doe)

Killing me smalls! I want to build a 25-284 so bad. I need to win the lottery lol I guess the 25cm that’s in the works will suffice. . . For the time being