New Weatherby Cartridge

[bnewt3]

It's pretty simple. The 13X class 257s have higher BCs than 140ish 6.5s and can be pushed faster from the same case. Higher BC, Faster velocity = better ballistics. Sure, you can make up the velocity with a lighter 6.5 pill but you go from a slight BC disadvantage to a more significant one doing so. And the RPM case is bigger than the PRC case so loaded to similar pressures = faster.

Does any of it make a significant different for avg hunter applications, no. But we're bench racing cartridges here.

In this case, the .25 133 Berger Elite Hunter(slicket bullet available in the cartridge for now) and .26 140 Elite Hunter(picked so it *should* be shaped nearly identical) have very near the same BC very slight edge to the 25 in G1 and G7, the 6.5 has a slightly better G7 form factor. The box velocity is the same for both. Both factory loads.

So the only difference that matters I see is the 6.5 will have a bit more energy at virtually every distance.

 

[wind gypsy]

In this case, the .25 133 Berger Elite Hunter(slicket bullet available in the cartridge for now) and .26 140 Elite Hunter(picked so it *should* be shaped nearly identical) have very near the same BC very slight edge to the 25 in G1 and G7, the 6.5 has a slightly better G7 form factor. The box velocity is the same for both. Both factory loads.

So the only difference that matters I see is the 6.5 will have a bit more energy at virtually every distance.

if you're looking at berger ammo, its based on a 26" barrel. So apples to apples 50 FPS slower than posted weatherby ammo, more recoil, and slightly lesser ballistics.

 

[bnewt3]

if you're looking at berger ammo, its based on a 26" barrel. So apples to apples 50 FPS slower than posted weatherby ammo, more recoil, and slightly lesser ballistics.

barely

which means "eat a 6.5 PRC’s lunch all day every day and twice on Sunday" is a gross exageration, unless maybe that phrase means something different to different people.

 

[Donjuan]

Ok dumb it down for me. Inside of 300 yards does the new cartridge kill a buck deader than a 25-06?

 

[RockAndSage]

But we're bench racing cartridges here.

This is the first time I've come across this saying, but man does it apply to so many internet forum convos...

 

[z987k]

Well yea if you want to squash the bullet way down below the neck

What are you talking about? The RPM's are all 3.34-3.38 max COAL. The same as a tikka magazine. The same as any other SAAMI long action cartridge.

 

[.284reaper]

You're absolutely right!
There are still a lot of dudes out there that just want to chase crazy speed and that's all they care about.
"wallop"

yes but how long before this caliber washes out just like the last weatherby cartridges. Couldn’t a 257 weatherby with a 1:7.5 do the same thing this new one does. And how hard and expensive it is to find weatherby brass you might as well build a 25sherm

 

[gerry35]

From Ron Spomer's Facebook.

25-06, 25 RPM and the 257 Wby.

 

[wind gypsy]

barely

which means "eat a 6.5 PRC’s lunch all day every day and twice on Sunday" is a gross exageration, unless maybe that phrase means something different to different people.

I think going off of a published weatherby factory ammo and comparing it to a different companies published factory ammo deal may not tell the story either. Based solely off case capacity, this is like comparing a 6.5 PRC vs a 25 SAUM. A 6.5 SAUM is going to be 50ish FPS faster than a 6.5 PRC with same bullets at same pressure IIRC. Now neck the SAUM down to 257 and it's going to push a 131-135 bullet of similar BC a little faster and with less recoil than its 6.5 bore version.

So apples to apples should have a clear edge on paper. What eating it's lunch everyday means in ballistics bench racing, someone else can argue about.

For a guy that builds primarily off tikkas, I like idea of using a standard Long action plastic mag and not trying to feed a tweener 3.1" or whatever PRC or seating deeper and jumping a long ways in standard mags. Maybe the rebated rim would be the crux on the other side? I dont know. I do know that feeding long seated SAUMs in aftermarket mags from a tikka hasn't been painless.

 

[BallisticJesus]

Ok dumb it down for me. Inside of 300 yards does the new cartridge kill a buck deader than a 25-06?

Yes. Deader than dead. It just wasn’t designed to kill everything instantly. It was designed to kill their soul also.

A 25-06 is in no way capable of such.

 

[wind gypsy]

What are you talking about? The RPM's are all 3.34-3.38 max COAL. The same as a tikka magazine. The same as any other SAAMI long action cartridge.

6.5 RPM case length = 2.570
156 Berger Nose Length = 0.765

So if you seat a 156 with the end of the bearing surface right at the mouth of a max length case (not ideal, stuffed deep into the case) you get 3.335" COAL. What SAAMI max is doesn't much matter in that situation.

 

[UnckleBob]

I won't buy one, but I understand why there is/was a decent sized market for the 25 CM.

I just don't understand how there is going to be a big enough market to support rifle sales and ammo sales for a 25RPM. I guess they think Weatherby fans will just buy another rifle and enough ammo to support it.

 

[Kaleb]

Ok dumb it down for me. Inside of 300 yards does the new cartridge kill a buck deader than a 25-06?

Not disagreeing with you but what two cartridges between 223 and 300win could we not say the same thing about? It's not for me either but it's pretty cool to see a stout fast twisted 25 caliber factory offering.

I can certainly see the appeal and probably targeted customer base. I can think of several people who like to think they have the best.....well everything. They're not going to shoot a box of "shells grin" a year so expensive ammo isn't a problem and will make them feel like it's that much better. Top it off with an expensive Leupold in whatever rings the store has that fits. It won't kick as hard as the last new magnum they brought and they'll hit a little better with it. The gun will become famous on the way back home from the fully guided hunt. So much so he will put a 25 rpm sticker on his truck next to the Leupold sitka and yeti sticker. grin

I like all those products just fine just making a joke

 

[bnewt3]

I won't buy one, but I understand why there is/was a decent sized market for the 25 CM.

I just don't understand how there is going to be a big enough market to support rifle sales and ammo sales for a 25RPM. I guess they think Weatherby fans will just buy another rifle and enough ammo to support it.

I think there are just diehard Weatherby folks out there.

 

[MCS]

It looks like a very good cartridges with the right twist to shoot the best bullets for the 25 cal. This cartridge will be a better hunting hunting cartridge then the 25 creedmoor. Some of you guys are looking for a reason to hate this cartridge because Weatherby made it.

 

[Timjohnson11]

yes but how long before this caliber washes out just like the last weatherby cartridges. Couldn’t a 257 weatherby with a 1:7.5 do the same thing this new one does.

You can do alot of things, doesn't mean it's optimal tough.

I do think the concept here is interesting, and I applaud Weatherby for atleast trying something relatively unique. Hot rod 25s are pretty trendy in my neck of the woods currently. I don't have hard data but the local custom builders here in the SW seem to be pumping out more 25 SAUMs and 25 SSTs than just about anything outside of 7 PRC lately. Outside of Rokslide, I see and hear about way more hot rod 25s than hot rod 6mms... The western long-range magnum crowd is hearing the chatter around 22s and 6mms, and 25 SAUMs / SSTs are the middle ground where most end up in my experience. Demand is there for what Weatherby is trying to do here.

The issue however here is the whole Weatherby element, notably the closed ecosystem. It'd be cool to see Weatherby open up the 25 RPM to the broader market, I think we'd all be interested, but I'm not counting on it.. Until then, i'd expect the increasing interest in 25 SAUM / SST trend persists..

 

[nm.otter]

Couldn’t a 257 weatherby with a 1:7.5

...and a custom reamer...

do the same thing this new one does.

Pretty much.

 

[bmart2622]

Why would rebarreling a 257wby with a fast twist barrel require a custom reamer?

 

[bnewt3]

Why would rebarreling a 257wby with a fast twist barrel require a custom reamer?

The longer throat necessary for the long high BC bullets

 

[UnckleBob]

It looks like a very good cartridges with the right twist to shoot the best bullets for the 25 cal. This cartridge will be a better hunting hunting cartridge then the 25 creedmoor. Some of you guys are looking for a reason to hate this cartridge because Weatherby made it.

I don't doubt it will be a "better" hunting cartridge than the 25CM.

It is my understanding the 25CM was introduced because it fit perfectly into the regulations for some competitions. The fact it was a nice hunting cartridge option is a positive point as well.

If I understand things correctly, the 25 RPM will be too hot for the competitive shooters leaving them with the market size of people who really want a hotrod 25 with a heavy bullet. If that market is big enough, they beat the 25 PRC to market and might benefit from the head start. I am tired of everything new being a Creedmoor or PRC and honestly hope they succeed. I just don't think it will be a big hit.

Plus, I think the next cartridge to attract significant market share is going to be a 6/25/6.5 version of the Backcountry. Whether Federal does it first/best or one of their competitors does it, new high pressure short action cartridges are going to come out soon.