.25 cal varmint rifle

I was briefly all about doing a 20" AR15 upper in .257 and was going to go with a Bobcat. Until I started to honestly evaluate need/want vs time.
Here's a link:
 
.25-45
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.223 left, .25-45 right

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WSM and WSSM family of cartridges. From left to right: .223 WSSM, .243 WSSM, .25 WSSM, .270 WSM, 7 mm WSM, .300 WSM, .325 WSM.

There are several or more top of the line .25 caliber cartridges and the 25 WSSM is just one of them. Single shot, bolt action magazine fed and the AR system thrive when chambered for this cartridge.

One of my all time favorites is still the .250 Savage Improved for straight up deer hunting.

Enjoy the selection!

;)
 
Look into the 25-223 it performs well brass is cheap, primers are available and would push those 70s to 3200+. I'm currently shooting 87gr Speer tnts at 2950ish.
Those numbers are impressive. What barrel length?
My 24" .223 pushes a 69SMK @ 3033fps.
My 22" 22GT pushes a 77TMK @ 3200, or a 90SMK @ 3086, but big difference in case size between .223 and 22GT.
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Those numbers are impressive. What barrel length?
My 24" .223 pushes a 69SMK @ 3033fps.
My 22" 22GT pushes a 77TMK @ 3200, or a 90SMK @ 3086, but big difference in case size between .223 and 22GT.
My rifle has a 24" lilja on it with a long throat. I was really into it about 10 years ago and shot 75s alot at 3150fps, 85s at 3050, 100s at 2750, and 110gr at 2700. I slowed it down to 2950 with the 87gr tnt now. I have used most h335 and the canister equivalent WC844. AA2200 gave the 6-223AI I had some insane velocities but would go from looks fine to no primer in about .3gr

25s as you know are stubby compared to equal weight 22s....88gr eldms vs the 87gr tnt

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I killed a couple antelope with it shooting 110gr accubonds at 2700 and have actually hit pdogs at over 1k with 85gr Nosler Ballistic tips but they have always made it down the hole.

I thought about having a 25-204 cut but talked myself out of it since the 25-223 has been pretty great and brass is cheaper.
 
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I'm shooting several different 25 caliber rifles, for different purposes, kinda.

Savage Axis II in 250 Savage. Wearing a 24" E.R. Shaw sporter barrel. I did take 2 deer with it using the 100gr Ballistic Tip.
Now it's one of my coyote rifles.
75gr Sierra HP Varmint over Alliant Varmint @3,150fps. ( Yeah, I'm on the low side)

Ruger 77 MKII in 257 Roberts.
This was my daughter's favorite deer rifle.
115gr NBT or Berger VLD drops deer within 20 yards.
90gr Sierra BlitzKing drops coyotes where they stand.
Don't do what I did and grab the 100gr NBT by accident. Drops coyotes like nobody's business, but makes a mess!!

Savage 111 in 257 Roberts AI.
Wearing a 24" E.R. Shaw sporter.
Thus far it's been a deer rifle.
Mostly stick with 115-120gr bullets.

Browning A Bolt SSA in 25 WSSM.
Heavy barrel, isn't much of a walking gun. Trying to keep the round count down.
Running the 115gr Berger VLD over RL17.

Ruger 77 MKII in 25-06.
Deer rifle. Running the 115gr Berger VLD and Nosler Ballistic Tips, along with 120gr Sierra SPBT and Nosler Partition.

Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight in 257 WBY Mag.
I've been using the 120gr class bullets. But has shown good groups with 115gr Ballistic Tips.
 
25PRC/SI (6.5PRC necked down to .257", then improved 40°)
View attachment 557203

22" 1:7.5" Benchmark CF Sendero Light
Kelbly Atlas Lite w. Picatinny rail
Manners LRH (custom paint Multican Arid inspired)
Hawkins Hunter DBM w. Hawkins Hunter mag
BixN Andy Tac Sport Pro X
ARC M-Brace 30mm low rings
Tangent Theta TT315M Gen 3XR
Vortex Lo-pro 30mm level
TBAC CB (TBAC Ultra 7 6.5mm or Dominus probably)
View attachment 557204

Goal is 133s or 135s near 3200fps.

It should scream a 70gr out about...3600-3700?
What is the twist rate for this build?
 
I have another .25 wildcat planned. All parts in hand, custom reamer is ordered from JGS. Should be pretty sweet. Variations have been done, but are very rare. I have never seen or even heard of another one. There are other cartridges that will surpass this in the same SA standard bolt face family. And there are more that this should outperform. But I like "different".

All I am going to say right now is SA standard BF. Expectations are a 133/135 @ 2950-3000+ from a 22".

Defiance AnTi X SA
22" 1:7.5: Benchmark CF Sendero Light
TBAC CB w. Ultra 7 or Dominus
Manners LRH
BixN' Andy Tac Sport Pro X
DBM (TBD)
Accurate .308 mags
Scope TBD
 
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