Author Topic: .25-08 Rifle and Cartridge--Expert Knowledge and Opinions (Read 4630 times)

Jayhawk Dan · « **on:** August 05, 2009, 09:00:46 AM »

I am considering converting my Howa Vanguard .308 Winchester to a .25-08. I searched this entire forum using "25-08" but got no hits. So, I'm soliciting any expert knowledge and opinions regarding this cartridge and conversion from this forum.

If you know of a source for this information or another forum where I should be asking this, please let me know that too. Thanks

Jayhawk Dan

wganz · « **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2009, 09:53:06 AM »

http://www.reloadingroom.com/index_files/25-308.htm

http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=583

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** August 05, 2009, 06:02:11 PM »

There is a thread here about it likely on the small bore or medium bore forum but maybe bolt action rifle forum. Its subject is something like why no 25-308 or some such. It was started well over a year ago I'd think but has seen some much more recent posts.

iiranger · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2009, 09:50:21 AM »

".25 Page Super Pooper..." Warren Page was a gun writer and recognized target competitor. Almost as soon as the .308 was factory available (and the .243) he had one made into a .25. Wasn't a vast improvement over the .257 Roberts and with the .243 availabe, went nowhere. Mr. Ackley mentions it in his books. Just no big demand with the .257 out there and the .250 Savage. Your bucks, your call. Luck.

WL44 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2009, 08:25:35 PM »

Yes, called the .25 Souper I think - not to be difficult, but as I recall that's the spelling.

If you look in the A-Square reloading manual "Any Shot you Want" there's a write up and data for 2 or 3 bullet weights. As I recall I saw it referred to in a book that I don't have, Wayne van Zwoll's "Hunter's Guide to Long Range Shooting" - not that it's a chambering you'd expect there, but that's if my memory serves me properly.

I was tickled by it at one point, so I did some scratching around which is why I have this. I'll see if I printed out and filed anything and will get back to you.

Have you looked at the 25-284 if you like a short action?

WL44 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2009, 11:51:22 PM »

A-Square listed 2 bullet weights.

87gr Hdy - don't recall which - up to 3440's fps.

117 Sierra - up to about 3000 fps.

I couldn't find my other info.

Good luck!

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2009, 03:11:54 AM »

Loaded to similar pressures, the .257 Roberts is everything the .25 Souper (.25-08) is, and then some. The Roberts AI is even better.

If I was going that direction, however, I'd probably go .260 Rem. The Roberts often needs a long action to best tke advantage of the case capacity (longer COL than is possible with many short action magazines). The .260 gives you a much more useful range of bullet weights, suitable for varmints to moose, and higher BC values.

Hank08 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2009, 05:16:46 AM »

The .257 Roberts is slightly better than the straight 25/08 just as the 6mm is slightly better than the .243 and if you blow them both out the .257 is still slightly better. Slightly better meaning slightly higher velocity.
H08

WL44 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2009, 09:51:14 PM »

I'm not sure what action length that Howa is. I figure for the feeding and mag box and lips etc. Jayhawk is maybe thinking is all to be changed is the barrel the -08 case may be easier. I've always like the look of the 25-08, but as others have said I'd struggle to justify it over a 6.5-08 (260).

Jay, Tx · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2009, 06:09:41 PM »

I'm seriously considering this caliber for a future Encore barrel. For some reason it just has appeal to to me. But then again, I like to be a bit different!

Jay

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2009, 03:14:00 AM »

Quote from: Jay, Tx on August 31, 2009, 06:09:41 PM

I'm seriously considering this caliber for a future Encore barrel. For some reason it just has appeal to to me. But then again, I like to be a bit different!

Jay

My choice, hands down, would be the .260 Rem over the .25-08, for several reasons:
1.   Properly headstamped brass is readily available.
2.   There is a wealth of reload data available.
3.   The .260 can handle heavier bullets for big game but there is a good selection of varmint bullets as well.
4.   Factory .260 Rem ammo is available. (Even though I handload, I almost always purchase a box or two of factory stuff for comparison purposes.)
5.   Being different is fine in my book, and I’m often guilty. When it comes to my money, however, being different with no purpose or gain other than being different quickly loses its appeal.

What on earth do you think you can do with a .25-08 that you can’t do with a .260 Rem?

anweis · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2009, 05:26:33 AM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on September 10, 2009, 03:14:00 AM

What on earth do you think you can do with a .25-08 that you can’t do with a .260 Rem?

Being different?

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2009, 01:57:57 PM »

Quote from: anweis on September 10, 2009, 05:26:33 AM

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on September 10, 2009, 03:14:00 AM

What on earth do you think you can do with a .25-08 that you can’t do with a .260 Rem?

Being different?

As I said before:

“When it comes to my money, however, being different with no purpose or gain other than being different quickly loses its appeal.”

Other people can do what they want but for my money I’d go with the .260 Rem over the .25-08.

If I HAD to have a short action .25 I’d find a .257 Roberts, which can do everything the .25-08 can do, and then some.

Jay, Tx · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2009, 05:06:23 PM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on September 10, 2009, 03:14:00 AM

Quote from: Jay, Tx on August 31, 2009, 06:09:41 PM
I'm seriously considering this caliber for a future Encore barrel. For some reason it just has appeal to to me. But then again, I like to be a bit different!

Jay

My choice, hands down, would be the .260 Rem over the .25-08, for several reasons:
1.   Properly headstamped brass is readily available.
2.   There is a wealth of reload data available.
3.   The .260 can handle heavier bullets for big game but there is a good selection of varmint bullets as well.
4.   Factory .260 Rem ammo is available. (Even though I handload, I almost always purchase a box or two of factory stuff for comparison purposes.)
5.   Being different is fine in my book, and I’m often guilty. When it comes to my money, however, being different with no purpose or gain other than being different quickly loses its appeal.

What on earth do you think you can do with a .25-08 that you can’t do with a .260 Rem?

Like I said, it just has a certain appeal to me. In all honesty, it won't serve any purpose that one or more rifles I already own would. And I pretty much have the range covered for anything I could need a rifle for. So by your standards I shouldn't buy anymore rifles at all?

Nothing wrong with the .260. Almost bought one several years ago. Great round. But just not what I'm interested in.

Jay

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #14 on:** September 15, 2009, 03:43:38 AM »

Jay –
If you like the .25-08 and it scratches an itch, go for it – that’s reason enough in my book. I was not suggesting you should not buy any more rifles – far from it. What I was suggesting is that spending a lot of money “just to be different” often leads to buyer’s remorse – and it doesn’t much matter what kind of product is being bought. Being different can be justification enough for some folks, but if that’s the ***only*** purpose I tend to take a very hard look at opportunity costs (what else could I do with the money?). To each their own in this regard.

It was not my intent to suggest there was something wrong with buying rifles with overlapping capabilities, either. If that was the case I could have stopped with the 7mm RM, the first centerfire rifle I ever bought and the only one I’ve ever needed for big game. Not much fun in taking that route, however. Last month I gave one of my .30-06 rifles to my new son-in-law as a wedding present – now I’m down to only two, which not only overlap with each other but in large part with many of my other rifles as well.

Nor am I against spending money for custom rifles or barrels. In fact I have an Interarms Mark X action at Krieger Barrels right now getting a 6.5mm-06AI barrel and some other customization work. In reality there is not much this rifle won’t do that I can’t do with my 7mm RM or .other rifles, but it does scratch several rather persistent itches…

If you like the .25-08 and it scratches an itch, go for it – it’s your money.

41 magnum · « **Reply #15 on:** September 18, 2009, 06:43:51 PM »

My daughters .260 drops deer just as good as my .257 Ackley

I would go to a 260 for ease of brass and ammo etc

It was the 6.5-08 for 20 yrs on the tournament trail (mostly running boar) and has an inherent accuracy like the 222 Rem

just my 42 cents worth

pastorp · « **Reply #16 on:** October 18, 2009, 02:46:53 AM »

Dan, like you I like the quarter bore. I have 257roberts and have owned 250savage but the 25/08 appeals to me as well. I also have a couple of 260remington rifles but your getting into a more big game only rifle with it. And more recoil as well. Although for a big game rifle the recoil is mild.

I like the fact that I pick up several hundred 243 cases each year at our little range here as well. They size up to 260 real nice but would also size up to 25/08 just as well. Lets see maybe that spare belgium blr needs a new barrell in 25/08.

Cost you say coyote hunter, now you sound like my wife's logic.

Regards,

Bingo · « **Reply #17 on:** November 15, 2009, 02:24:12 AM »

  I know some of you may laugh at this but I picked up a 6.5 jap that was a student gunsmith project gun. It seems as though they didn't really care if the barrel was good as long as the gun looked good.
   To make a long story short, I had it re-barreled in 260 Rem. Wolf springs and A Timney trigger. Topped with a 2-7 Leupold. The gun is "different" , it's light and shoots like no other gun I have ever owned. Light recoil and drops deer in their tracks.
   If you like "different" build something that will turn some heads at the deer camp. If you tell someone you have a 25-08. you'll get an "OK". If you have something they have never see before, everyone wants to look at and play with it.
  Just my 6.5 cents worth.

doncisler · « **Reply #18 on:** December 17, 2009, 12:12:00 PM »

one thing to remember if you make a 25-308 and use it for hunting, especially if you take it on a trip is that you will not be able to get more ammo if yours is lost or you need to use it to re-sight a damaged scope, etc. you are just plain out of luck. with a standard chambering or even a more uncommon one like the .257 or .260 you can probably find some and salvage the hunting trip.

ihookem · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2009, 01:39:40 PM »

There is a very logical reason for a guy to want a 25-08. Because some guys just can't leave well enough alone. These are the guys who eventually come up with a better idea and is the new way of doing things. Also, I knew a gun shop owner who once said with some sarcasm " what we need is more calibers". As for me there's the .270 win. After that not much else matters.

roper · « **Reply #20 on:** December 23, 2009, 03:57:39 AM »

Nothing wrong with the old 25 Souper (25-308) developed by P.F. Lambert and now you have that good Laupa 308 brass to neck down. It is mention in Speer's wildcat manual #4 published 1959 and it is hard to get a some wildcat calibers made commerically.

There is no question that the 257Robert overshadowed the 25 Souper but it has it's following with wildcaters I know acouple guys shooting it.