Is there a 130gr bullet in .257 cal

[Paul Kronhardt]

I have a 25-06 and I'm wondering if there is 130 grain bullets for this caliber to load. If there is please let me know wich one and where do i get them. Thanks

 

[rscott5028]

Wildcat Bullets used to make a 156 gr for 25 cal. But, I haven't heard much out of them in a long time.

Otherwise, the 115 Berger is about the highest BC for 25 cal.

Due to the limited selection of high BC 25 cal bullets, I went with the 80 gr TTSX in my slow twist 25-06 at around 3700 fps. That makes for a fast, accurate, and flat shooting varmint/deer load.

-- richard

 

[Paul Kronhardt]

Wildcat Bullets used to make a 156 gr for 25 cal. But, I haven't heard much out of them in a long time.

Otherwise, the 115 Berger is about the highest BC for 25 cal.

Due to the limited selection of high BC 25 cal bullets, I went with the 80 gr TTSX in my slow twist 25-06 at around 3700 fps. That makes for a fast, accurate, and flat shooting varmint/deer load.

-- richard

I shoot Speer 120gr BTSP and they are the highest BC i found in 25cal at 0.488 and they fly out at 3233fts from my 25-06.

 

[rscott5028]

I shoot Speer 120gr BTSP and they are the highest BC i found in 25cal at 0.488 and they fly out at 3233fts from my 25-06.

Sounds like you've got a great load.

It's unfortunate we can't get a decent BC bullet for a cartridge with such great long range potential.

-- richard

 

[Paul Kronhardt]

Wildcat Bullets used to make a 156 gr for 25 cal. But, I haven't heard much out of them in a long time.

Otherwise, the 115 Berger is about the highest BC for 25 cal.

Due to the limited selection of high BC 25 cal bullets, I went with the 80 gr TTSX in my slow twist 25-06 at around 3700 fps. That makes for a fast, accurate, and flat shooting varmint/deer load.

-- richard

Richard would you remeber the BC of that 156gr by Wildcaters

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

the speer 120 spbt is great in my 25wssm too, but at 2900 fps with a start charge of h4350. I can drive 100's over 3300 fps with superformance, but I haven't played with 120's yet. A .400 bc pill will hold velocity well enough for my needs with a 25; I will go to a bigger bore when I want better down-range energy.

 

[rscott5028]

Richard would you remeber the BC of that 156gr by Wildcaters

According to this old thread... http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/high-bc-257-bullets-18533/

Kirby called it a .820 BC for the 156. But, you'd need an extra fast twist and I doubt you could find any bullets.

-- richard

 

[Paul Kronhardt]

the speer 120 spbt is great in my 25wssm too, but at 2900 fps with a start charge of h4350. I can drive 100's over 3300 fps with superformance, but I haven't played with 120's yet. A .400 bc pill will hold velocity well enough for my needs with a 25; I will go to a bigger bore when I want better down-range energy.

You know what bin thinking of this all day today. Called gun smith for a 150$$ i'll be at an 25-06 AI he said cant do a 257wby i should have ask about a 257stw but pretty sure that another no.

 

[rscott5028]

If you want better long range performance than what you have, don't waste money on a 25 cal.

6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, etc all have better choices for long range projectiles and there are lots of great cartridges that will fit your action, bolt face, and magazine.

-- richard

 

[Paul Kronhardt]

If you want better long range performance than what you have, don't waste money on a 25 cal.

6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, etc all have better choices for long range projectiles and there are lots of great cartridges that will fit your action, bolt face, and magazine.

-- richard

No worries i got a monster 30-378WBY i shoot 200gr AB out of her. Its that 120gr out of my 25 might not be a good idea on stone sheep and goat out 600yds and the Weatherby is little. to big

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

If you want better long range performance than what you have, don't waste money on a 25 cal.

6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, etc all have better choices for long range projectiles and there are lots of great cartridges that will fit your action, bolt face, and magazine.

-- richard

I'll take a 25 over a 6 as far as getting inertia to targets mid range. I know 6's can get into 115's lately, but those are fast twist barrels and the velocity is rather slow.

The 6.5, 270, and 7mm are better at both bc and velocity with useable bullet weights with most rounds.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

No worries i got a monster 30-378WBY i shoot 200gr AB out of her. Its that 120gr out of my 25 might not be a good idea on stone sheep and goat out 600yds and the Weatherby is little. to big

Love the big 30's and you can't get 'em too dead.
I've got a 30 rum myself(the 30-378 for those who don't like spending over $2 a hull for brass). The roy rounds are good, but I don't like being hamstrung by limited brass sourcing and the resulting prices.

 

[rscott5028]

I'll take a 25 over a 6 as far as getting inertia to targets mid range. I know 6's can get into 115's lately, but those are fast twist barrels and the velocity is rather slow.

The 6.5, 270, and 7mm are better at both bc and velocity with useable bullet weights with most rounds.

For long range targets, 6mm will best 25 cal.

But, I agree with respect to hunting which was not mentioned in the OP.

I'm not a sheep hunter, but a .488 BC 120gr Speer launched at 3233 fps should be plenty adequate at 600 yds (2372 fps, 1499 ft-lbs) although it does give up a hair to comparable 6.5's and 7mm's in windy conditions.

-- richard

 

[brianwinzor]

Paul, In 2005 I began experimenting with the heavy 125, 130, 142 and 156 grain Wildcat bullets. I worked up and chronographed loads with those in my existing custom 25/06 AI, (Sako L61action, Shilen 24 inch 10 twist barrel) to see what velocities were achievable, although I knew that they would not stabilise. My chrono results were:

Note that AR 2217 is rebadged as H1000 in US, and AR 2225 is rebadged as H Retumbo in US.

Nosler 115 BT
61.0 Hodgdon 1000 3157 Normal Pressure,
62.0 " 3192 Near Maximum Pressure,
63.0 " 3271 Max Pressure, 99% loading density

61.0 Alliant Reloader 25 3218
62.0 " 3293 Max Pressure, about 98% loading density.

62.0 Vihtavouri N170 3165 Mild Pressure,
63.0 " 3202 Normal Pressure
64.0 " 3286 Near Max Pressure, slightly compressed load

Wildcat 125 grain ULD
58.0 ADI AR 2217 2961 Pressure Mild
59.0 " 2998 Pressure Normal
60.0 " 3105 Pressure Max. about 95% loading density

60.0 Alliant Reloader 25 3129 Pressure Normal
61.0 " 3183 Pressure Max about 98% load density

61.0 ADI AR 2225 3039 Pressure Mild
62.0 " " 3058 Pressure Mild
63.0 " " 3102 Pressure Near Max about 98% loading density

62.0 Vihtavouri N170 3019 Pressure Mild
63.0 " " 3103 Pressure Mild
64.0 " " 3139 Pressure Near Max, about 100% loading density

65.0 Hodgdon 870 3006 Pressure Mild
66.0 " " 3061 Pressure Mild, about 100% loading density
Note: The 10 twist struggled to stabilise this bullet.

Wildcat 130 grain Bonded Core Flat Base HP.
58.0 ADI AR2217 2960
59.0 " 2982
60.0 " 3019 Maximum Pressure, about 97% loading density.

58.0 Alliant Reloader 25 2978
59.0 " 3036
60.0 " 3091
61.0 " 3158 Maximum Pressure, about 99% loading density

58.0 Vihtavouri N170 2861
59.0 " 2855
60.0 " 2925
61.0 " 2969 Near Max Pressure, about 99% loading density.

65.0 Hodgdon 870 3038 Maximum Pressure, about 985 loading density

Note: Excellent accuracy was achieved with this bullet in the 1 in 10 twist barrel.


Wildcat 142 grain ULD
57.0 Alliant Reloader 25 2927 Normal Pressure
58.0 " 3011 Near Maximum Pressure
59.0 " 3042 Maximum Pressure, about 95% loading density.

60.0 ADI AR 2225 2914 Normal Pressure
61.0 " 2986 Near Maximum Pressure,
62.0 " 3039 Maximum Pressure, about 100% loading density

61.0 Vihtavouri N170 2928 Normal pressure
62.0 " 3020 Near Maximum Pressure
63.0 " 3096 Maximum Pressure, slightly compressed load

64.0 Hodgdon 870 2953 Near Maximum Pressure
65.0 " 3018 Maximum Pressure, about 99% loading density

Note: The 1 in 10 twist barrel did not stabilise the bullets, and all shots key-holed into the 100 yard target.

Wildcat 156 grain ULD
57.0 ADI AR 2225 2782 Near Maximum Pressure
58.0 " 2810 Maximum Pressure, about 95% loading density.

57.0 Vihtavouri N170 2700 Normal pressure
58.0 " 2773 Near Maximum Pressure
59.0 " 2820 Maximum Pressure, about 97% loading density.

60.0 Hodgdon 870 2705 Normal Pressure
61.0 " 2725 "
62.0 " 2771 Near Maximum Pressure
63.0 " 2832 Maximum Pressure, about 99% loading density

Note: The 1 in 10 twist barrel did not stabilise the bullets, and all shots key-holed into the 100 yard target.

On the basis of these results I built up a custom 257 Weatherby (no freebore), using Rem 700 action, and Krieger 26 inch 7 twist barrel. My chrono results using Norma 257W cases and Federal 215 primers were:

Nosler 115 grain BT
76.0 Hodgdon 870 3210
77.0 Hodgdon 870 3319
78.0 Hodgdon 870 3338 Maximum Pressure

77.0 ADI AR 2218 3150
78.0 ADI AR 2218 3237
79.0 ADI AR 2218 3291 Near Maximum Pressure

Wildcat 125 grain ULD
74.0 Hodgdon 870 3132
75.0 Hodgdon 870 3201
76.0 Hodgdon 870 3215 Pressure Maximum

Wildcat 130 grain Bonded Core Flat Base HP
73.0 ADI AR 2218 3120 Mild Pressure
74.0 ADI AR 2218 3151
75.0 ADI AR 2218 3182 Near Maximum Pressure

Wildcat 142 grain ULD
70.0 ADI AR 2218 3050
71.0 ADI AR 2218 3069
72.0 ADI AR 2218 3119 Near Maximum Pressure

69.0 Hodgdon 870 3092
70.0 Hodgdon 870 3110
71.0 Hodgdon 870 3150 Maximum Pressure

Note: Some of the projectiles would not reach 100 yard target, in some instances just fragments would reach, and several others reached intact. It appears that the 7 twist barrel and the 310,000 – 320,000 rpm generated at 3,000 – 3150 fps, are too much for the Wildcat 142 ULD.

Wildcat 156 grain ULD
63.0 ADI AR 2225 2783
64.0 ADI AR 2225 2831 Max Pressure
65.0 ADI AR 2225 2855 Above Max/Maximum Pressure?

63.0 Vihtavouri N170 2791
64.0 Vihtavouri N170 2841 Maximum Pressure

65.0 Hodgdon 870 2693
66.0 Hodgdon 870 2776
67.0 Hodgdon 870 2818
68.0 Hodgdon 870 2849
69.0 Hodgdon 870 2881 Maximum Pressure

66.0 ADI AR 2218 2678
67.0 ADI AR 2218 2743
68.0 ADI AR 2218 2776
69.0 ADI AR 2218 2831
70.0 ADI AR 2218 2872 Maximum Pressure

70.0 Vihtavouri 20N29 3026 Pierced primer, above Maximum Pressure due to powder bridging

Note: Excellent accuracy was achieved with this bullet.

On the suspicion that the Norma 257W brass was a soft, I formed some cases using Remington 300Winchester Magnum cases. (capacity about 3.8 grains less than 257W cases)

Wildcat 156 grain ULD
67.0 ADI AR 2218 2842
68.0 ADI AR 2218 2926
69.0 ADI AR 2218 2962 Pressure Maximum

Unfortunately I was not able to do further testing, as the 257W, 25/06 AI, and the Wildcat bullets were stolen in 2009.

Hope that the above is of some interest. Brian