25-284 change my mind

[Aoudad shooter1975]

Long ago I loved to wildcat...neck down...neck up--fire form. I spent a significant amount of time making ammo..and while I found it cathartic my time and some of the joy of crafting ammo left me and I swore off wildcats. Fast foward to 2020 of COVID --and 2021 the worst Winter storm ever down hear and being stuck in and around the house for close to a year. Being stuck at my home with just generator power I cleaned out a significant portion of my shooting shack, and found 2 big bags of 6.5-284 (around 600 pieces of brass--mainly Lapua and Norma)..I also want another fast 25 ( I have two 257 weatherby--but both have 1-10) with a fast twist to shoot the Blackjack, heavy hammers, and the new Berger (1-7). Should I go with the easy wildcat I said I'd never do again--or sell all this **** brass and build a 25-06, and be happy--got a lot of 25-06, and 270 brass too... will Build on a Tikka T3 and stay with a 20-23 in barrel...nothing longer as I will shoot mostly with a supressor.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Long ago I loved to wildcat...neck down...neck up--fire form. I spent a significant amount of time making ammo..and while I found it cathartic my time and some of the joy of crafting ammo left me and I swore off wildcats. Fast foward to 2020 of COVID --and 2021 the worst Winter storm ever down hear and being stuck in and around the house for close to a year. Being stuck at my home with just generator power I cleaned out a significant portion of my shooting shack, and found 2 big bags of 6.5-284 (around 600 pieces of brass--mainly Lapua and Norma)..I also want another fast 25 ( I have two 257 weatherby--but both have 1-10) with a fast twist to shoot the Blackjack, heavy hammers, and the new Berger (1-7). Should I go with the easy wildcat I said I'd never do again--or sell all this **** brass and build a 25-06, and be happy--got a lot of 25-06, and 270 brass too... will Build on a Tikka T3 and stay with a 20-23 in barrel...nothing longer as I will shoot mostly with a supressor.

Personally I love the 284 anything. After my 22-250AI is toast, I'm setting up a 22-284. I have hundreds of pieces of brass as you do. I have a couple 284s, 6.5-284s and building a 25-284 just waiting on the barrel. I have the Berger 115s, 115 BTs, 120 Speers, 117/120 Sierra's, 131 Blackjacks and soon to have the 110 ELDs. I'll get some 110 TGKs and 135 Berger's eventually but have a good start. Won't be a Wby Mag but should be a great cartridge capable of 3100+ with the 135s easily from a 24" barrel. Sorry, did you want me to change your mind ???

 

[ButterBean]

Build it Bud and don't look back

 

[JMW67]

I see no benefit over the 6.5-284 with a fast twist with that said go for it sounds like fun I have done similar things and have no regrets

 

[VLD Pilot]

I see no benefit over the 6.5-284 with a fast twist with that said go for it sounds like fun I have done similar things and have no regrets

I thought the same thing until I ran the numbers. The 131s at .340-.350 running 3150 vs any 140-156 in the same case. Everyone's use will be different of course but for an antelope rifle, that 131 and like a lazer beam will just flat out be awesome. Wasn't looking for increased energy only a flatter, faster, lighter bullet with a higher BC. Found it in the 131BJ and 135 Berger.

 

[sierracharlie338]

No I won't try to change your mind

 

[VLD Pilot]

I see no benefit over the 6.5-284 with a fast twist with that said go for it sounds like fun I have done similar things and have no regrets

Ultimately tho...Your gonna get it done with the 6.5-284. Plan was to build a CFW barreled lightweight antelope rifle in 6.5-284 till I saw that 131 BJ bullet. It kinda spun me that direction.

 

[JMW67]

I thought the same thing until I ran the numbers. The 131s at .340-.350 running 3150 vs any 140-156 in the same case. Everyone's use will be different of course but for an antelope rifle, that 131 and like a lazer beam will just flat out be awesome. Wasn't looking for increased energy only a flatter, faster, lighter bullet with a higher BC. Found it in the 131BJ and 135 Berge

good info make sure you will be able to get the bullets and buy alot when you can I have heard good things about them

 

[ButterBean]

I thought the same thing until I ran the numbers. The 131s at .340-.350 running 3150 vs any 140-156 in the same case. Everyone's use will be different of course but for an antelope rifle, that 131 and like a lazer beam will just flat out be awesome. Wasn't looking for increased energy only a flatter, faster, lighter bullet with a higher BC. Found it in the 131BJ and 135 Berger.

Now your Talking

 

[willfrye027]

I have a fast twist 25-06 on a tikka action. I can't reach the lands with the 131ACE and stay within factory mag. Closest I can get it about .03" off (SAAMI chamber). For whatever reason the ACEs do not shoot well in my gun. Maybe if I could get closer to the lands but I haven't tried it. It is shooting the 110gr SBD2 quite well at 3300. Hoping the Berger's shoot well in it.

All that to say, on a tikka I would go 25-284 over 25-06 and just neck down with a bushing die. That way you can seat them a little longer and reach the lands if needed.

 

[BEEMAN]

Sorry but I can't talk you out of a 25-284 either. Just built one this summer. It's a really fun gun to shoot. Mine has a 25" Helix6 CF barrel with a 1-7.25" twist. Shoots the 131 BJ at 3150 FPS. As VLD pilot mentioned the numbers don't lie.

 

[highdrum]

I have been shooting the 131s for about 16mo. 25 saum, 3x dif 25 creeds, and a 25sst. The saum ran 3220 which was 120fps below psi but shot the best there. The creed likes 2950 w/ H4350 and Rl16. My newest 25cr is a carbon rock creek 7tw and I'm using lapua SRP necked down and 47.2gr rl26 is running 3030-3040 fps zero psi signs, I've only got 29 rounds down the barrel at this point. The 131 likes 2950, 3040,3140, 3220 in my experience shooting these cases. The bullet likes to be 5k, 18k, and 32k off lands from several folks as well as my findings. I am going to test longer jumps and see if there's a place 60-70k off the run well too. The new creed has 40k more freebore than the normal BJ reamer.
My 25sst, never could get over 3100 without major pressure signs, I suspected the proof barrel bad and they replaced it although supposedly it was within spec. The warranty barrel was sent to my smith last month. Waiting for it to get finished now.
A 25x284 should run equal to my sst, or a 25prc. Lapua and Peterson brass may need neck turned. I know I had to turn both down to run in my 297nk 6.5x284 for adequate clearance. I know the peterson brass is tough, 2980fps w/ 156 bergers is where I'm running it at, 4x reloads and no lost pockets.

 

[Quintus]

I had a 25x284 before blackjack 131s were a thing, but I still loved it. 115gr Partitions at 3150 from a short action Browning A-Bolt. Easy to carry, easy to shoot, and deer killing nirvana. With new powders and long bullets me thinks you won't be disappointed.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

Loving it...we are like a bunch of drug addicts talking about how good the high is...thanks for the good info, and keep it coming..just sitting here with limited power and water--dreaming of my next build.