The .257 Marksman (25 western)

[SloppyJ]

That's on par with what I've experienced. Pretty much my rule of thumb anymore is if I find pressure on new brass I expect to drop the charge 1.5gr on formed brass to be completely safe. It's just not worth riding the ragged edge and 50fps doesn't functionally do squat.

That mistake was completely on me and a bit frustrating. Good rule of thumb for sure. I was just excited to load them up and go shoot it in different scenarios. That backfired on me.

A little pissed on the brass, ive stepped all over my 300prc lapua cases and havent blown out primer pockets but thats the life you choose getting into the wildcats.

Its fun chasing the top edge of speed but you're absolutely correct, there's no benefit to it and it causes a lot more problems than the extra 50fps or so you gain.

 

[WKR]

@WKR

What lead you took so this instead of a 25-7 prc or some other magnum variant?

Like stated above,
I prefer short action cartridges and wanted to try something new.

Also the diminishing returns starts coming into play with the 7prc case in my opinion, and the 35° shoulder on the western parent case is a small plus.

 

[SloppyJ]

Got some more load dev in over the weekend. I bought a jug of N570 that will be dedicated to this barrel and continued down that road with a bunch of 5 shot groups.

64.5gr - 2935fps
65.5gr - 2977fps

Honorable mention:
66gr - 2994fps ES-10 and SD-3.9

64.5 is the plug and play charge. 65.5 is also very good but the ES/SD on the 66gr load is worth some seating depth testing for me.

Thought I'd share the latest but she's just about dialed in and ready to go. Who else has built one at this point?

 

[Woodsman44]

This looks like a great wildcat! I know it’s dependent on the rifle setup, but are you guys able to see your hits at distance or is the recoil too strong? I’d be shooting suppressed and I’d like to keep rifle weight 10lb or less.


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[SloppyJ]

This looks like a great wildcat! I know it’s dependent on the rifle setup, but are you guys able to see your hits at distance or is the recoil too strong? I’d be shooting suppressed and I’d like to keep rifle weight 10lb or less.


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For me it's on the ragged edge of being too much. I can't spot them all. I'm not the greatest at that though. Sub 10lb setup should be easy.

 

[WKR]

This looks like a great wildcat! I know it’s dependent on the rifle setup, but are you guys able to see your hits at distance or is the recoil too strong? I’d be shooting suppressed and I’d like to keep rifle weight 10lb or less.


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I shot my bull this year twice and watched both impacts through the scope on 10x at 350 yards.
Seated tripod with really good npa.

Although if I'm not being aware of my npa or have the scope zoomed too much, It does recoil enough that I haven't spotted every shot when I'm shooting steel in various positions. Prone or seated tripod it's easy money.

I only shoot suppressed

 

[NoDakhunter]

@WKR are you using a neck sizing die for virgin brass? Or necking down with fl die?

 

[WKR]

@WKR are you using a neck sizing die for virgin brass? Or necking down with fl die?

21st century neck die. Sizes all the way to the shoulder.

 

[Tanner]

This looks like a great wildcat! I know it’s dependent on the rifle setup, but are you guys able to see your hits at distance or is the recoil too strong? I’d be shooting suppressed and I’d like to keep rifle weight 10lb or less.


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I shoot an 8.5lb (scoped and suppressed weight) 25 PRC and I can spot hits pretty easy at 600 if I’m shooting prone off of a pack. Off of a bipod, it jumps a bit but the soft pack as a front rest helps me a lot.

134 ELDMs at 2900-2940ish fps, for reference.

 

[eoperator]

21st century neck die. Sizes all the way to the shoulder.

I have one and have used it, but if the reamer is designed appropriately why is it needed? Does it not increase odds of "donut" problems?

 

[wilkup]

Bringing this back to the top cuz I want to put together a light recoiling, short, fast, suppressed thumper and this round has me very intrigued.
I want to use a short barrel on my build. Preferably 18”, but would be willing to step up to 20” if it were required to achieve the performance I’m chasing.
Do you think this little wildcat can hit 3100’ with an 18” barrel pushing the heavies - 135gr LRHT, 133gr EH, 134gt ELD-M?

 

[WKR]

I have one and have used it, but if the reamer is designed appropriately why is it needed? Does it not increase odds of "donut" problems?

How would it increase the odds of donut problems?
I use it for the initial neck down only, so I didn't have outside donuts. Using a standard fl bushing die left donuts during the initial neck down because they don't size down to the neck/shoulder junction.

 

[WKR]

Bringing this back to the top cuz I want to put together a light recoiling, short, fast, suppressed thumper and this round has me very intrigued.
I want to use a short barrel on my build. Preferably 18”, but would be willing to step up to 20” if it were required to achieve the performance I’m chasing.
Do you think this little wildcat can hit 3100’ with an 18” barrel pushing the heavies - 135gr LRHT, 133gr EH, 134gt ELD-M?

18" would be into pressure at 3100 fps
I am running my 20" at 3100 with 133's/135's and N565 which is probably near 70k psi. Using a different powder such as grand or N570 would likely net less pressure but 565 gave me the most consistent results.

 

[wilkup]

18" would be into pressure at 3100 fps
I am running my 20" at 3100 with 133's/135's and N565 which is probably near 70k psi. Using a different powder such as grand or N570 would likely net less pressure but 565 gave me the most consistent results.

What if went a different direction and picked the 116gr Apex Afterburner - longer at 1.521”, but lighter.
I’m also considering the 25 Max, but Tyler says he’s never had anyone build one so short.
I think it comes down to which will be easier to make. ADG Brass costs appear to be the same.

 

[WKR]

What if went a different direction and picked the 116gr Apex Afterburner - longer at 1.521”, but lighter.
I’m also considering the 25 Max, but Tyler says he’s never had anyone build one so short.
I think it comes down to which will be easier to make. ADG Brass costs appear to be the same.

I would assume those apex would go pretty fast but I have no experience with them. If that extra length is all in bearing surface then maybe not.

You might want a 25-7 prc on a medium action if you're trying to get 3100+ out of a 18" tube. @Shooter264 can put one together for you