Author Topic: any .25 wildcatters out there? (Read 7664 times)

JeffG · « **on:** January 06, 2003, 06:04:26 PM »

Years ago, I was thinking of a 25 wildcat based on the 22 PPC case, sharp shoulder angle, I never got the reamers, or cut a Chamber, just kinda wonder why nobody tried that one...

Advocate · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2003, 07:49:56 PM »

Speaking of .25 caliber wildcats, I always thought that taking a .35 Whelen and necking it down to .25 caliber would be worth doing.

Advocate · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2003, 02:04:11 AM »

Dooooogh! How about a 6mm Remington necked up to .25?

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2003, 05:51:14 AM »

Now that's an interesting idea. Jist so happens I'll be picking one of those up Thursday morning. Seems ta me lak the fellar called it some kind weird name lak a .257 Roberts er sumpin.

GB

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2003, 05:53:16 AM »

BTW I also have another .25 wildcat. It is a .257 JDJ. The .225 Winchester case blown out to an improved configuration with short neck and opened to .257". From a 14" barrel it pushes 100s to about 2600 fps.

GB

WLB · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2003, 03:48:17 AM »

Several years ago when I was recuperating from eye surgery and was told not to shoot anything with much recoil, I built a .25BR by simply necking up the .22BR case to .25. I needed .25 caliber to meet our "plains game" rules and this was the easiest way to get it. I had Pac-Nor make up a chambered barrel and then just trimmed the shoulder and length until the headspace was right. I use 100 gr. Sierra match bullets and the first load I tried for it shot under half an inch so I have stuck with that load. If I remember right, it chronographed at around 2650 fps.
Bill

Jerry J · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2003, 02:18:54 AM »

I have owned and shot. .257 Roberts(rifle), 257 Ackley Improved(rifle), 250 Savage(Encore pistol), 250 Savage Ackley Improved(Encore pistol),
256 Winchester Magnum(Contender Pistol) and I am currently waiting for my new 257 Roberts(Encore pistol) to come in from Fox Ridge. I like the 25 caliber. Now for my next project how about that new case. Winchesters 243 SSWM in 25 caliber? Jerry J

Ladobe · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2003, 05:19:58 AM »

Like GB, I have a 257JDJ pistola that I sometimes use in the digger fields when the wind kicks up. That's it for the 25's right now - used to shoot a 256 Win Mag pistola, and back when they were still making dirt, had a sweet little 257 Roberts. Other than the bigger JDJ's and Super Bowers, my wildcatting is all 17's and 22's now days.

northern hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2003, 03:15:15 PM »

I have had a 257 roberts,a 257 ackley,a 2506ackleya 25/303epps inproved that about matches a standard 2506and a 2506 remington it's my most accurate 25 that i have ever owned.It's a Ruger #1B,single shot that will consistently shoot 1/2 inch groups.I have shot moose and deer and 1 bear with 25's and they shure do the job.
Happy hunting
Frank S.

kirkwhitaker · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2003, 06:35:37 PM »

i have a 256 win mag tc...and am seriously considering a 25-35 or 25-35 ai....i want something a little more than a 256...that will stabilize 100gr bullets...the 256 will "barely" stablize 85s...it is mean with 75s though...those 75gr speer fps are killer...it will shoot a 85 gr bt into 2 1/2 inches at 100yds...but not any better...have yet to try the 86gr rem.bulk bullet...i hear it does a little better..but still for cast and possible deer hunting..100gr are going to come into the picture. If you know of one that is for sale...let me know...still have not found one yet.
kw

Nobade · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2003, 02:55:31 AM »

Been thinking about a way to clean up the throat on TC .256 barrels for low cost. How about making .256 brass out of .360 DW cases? Basically end up with a long necked .256, and with a neck/throater you could lengthen the factory chamber enough to cut a proper throat in it, as well as get some neck to properly hold cast bullets and keep the lube out of the powder.

Taz · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2003, 06:50:03 AM »

I have two 250 Sav. AI's. Great little caliber.

Crispin Goodall · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2003, 04:57:31 AM »

I have to agree with Taz about the 250 Savage AI. being a superb cartridge. I use it as my primary deer cartridge when loaded with 100 grain premium bullets.

Others to consider:

25BR (mentioned above)
25 Dasher (improved BR version)
25 Gibbs
25-284
257 Condor (on the 7x61 S&H case)
258 Super Condor (on the 378 WBY case shortened)
257 WSM
257 WSSM

Joe Kool · « **Reply #13 on:** February 07, 2003, 11:09:08 AM »

I designed a line of cartridges based on the 375 Winchester case, for use in the T/C Contender. The calibers run from 22 to 9.3mm. The case has a minimum body taper, 40 deg. shoulder, and a short neck. The 25 caliber has a neck length of .235". The case capacity is the same as the 250 Savage. This year I'm getting barrels chambered in .338 and .358. I will probably have the 25 caliber chambered next year.

Dr. D · « **Reply #14 on:** February 07, 2003, 04:51:18 PM »

I just bought a H-S Precision in .257 Ackley Improved from a friend of mine that wasn't shooting it anymore (he has too many guns) it has the fluted barrel, great trigger and man does it shoot one hole groups. I use it for Coyotes on up and this one will never leave my gun safe. T
Love the .25 caliber...We just need a WSSM in .25

WyoHunter · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2003, 01:06:06 PM »

I've got a .257 Ackley Improved built on a Pre-64 Win M70 action with a Douglas Premium barrel. I've shot a bunch of deer and antelope with it using 100 gr Nosler Partitions. Great cartridge and one of the most efficient wildcats out there. Pair this with my .338-06 and I can't think of a more efficient two gun battery! :grin:

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #16 on:** July 22, 2003, 10:47:18 AM »

I`m surprised to see that no one has reported on what I thought would have been a very popular 25 cal wildcat ,the 25 souper. This is simply 308 Winchester necked into 25 cal
Now that we have the 243 Win,and 260 Rem, what a shame the factories chose to jump over this caliber. I feel like as good as the 25/06 is from the 30/06 that the 308 into a 25 should also be as good. IMHO . Thanks POW

The Boat Doc · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2005, 07:54:51 PM »

hello,fellow firearms freinds,
Two years ago I had a 25/06 improved built on a Sako action
with a 27 inch Lilja barrel. I precision handload for this rifle. The most
accurate gun i've ever owned or shot. This year I shot my Antelope at 650 yds. we ranged it. One shot kill. Im shooting a 100 gr. Nos. ballistic tip
with H 4831 SC. at around 3600fps. I also killed a cow moose at 125 yds.
right behind the ear. got that one on video tape.

Moe · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2005, 04:32:00 AM »

Jerry J and GB, what is your favorite powder for the 257JDJ. I finally got one and have used H4895 so far with great accuracy. Thats what I had on hand. Looking for the best choice.

Fred M · « **Reply #19 on:** January 09, 2005, 05:22:22 PM »

Then we have a 25 Hunter one of my favorits. Great deer rifle 100gr bullet at 3160 ft/sec.

This group is with the Rem 700 game rifle. 24" Lothar Walther Barrel.

This is the 25 Hunter HBR rifle, used with 85 gr Fowler bullets. Shoots into 2's and high 1's

Wilbe Lead · « **Reply #20 on:** January 09, 2005, 07:32:09 PM »

Hi Everyone,
I have a old 25/284.It has been a lot of fun to shoot.
Shot a deer with it this year.120 grain partion at around 3000 fps.
At 100 yards it will cut little ragged hole groups.
If anyone hears of so 284 brass would like to get some more?
Later
Wilbe Lead

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #21 on:** January 16, 2005, 06:59:57 AM »

http://www.bestshotshooting.com/brass1.html

http://www.gamaliel.com/cart/catalog/product_2802_Winchester_284_Winchester_Brass.html

for Wilbe Lead

Dr. Bubba · « **Reply #22 on:** January 16, 2005, 05:19:22 PM »

Quote from: JeffG

Years ago, I was thinking of a 25 wildcat based on the 22 PPC case, sharp shoulder angle, I never got the reamers, or cut a Chamber, just kinda wonder why nobody tried that one...

Jeff,

The 25 PPC and 25 BRs of various flavors have been tried. The
folks at www.benchrest.com talk about it off and on. A search
the archives might dig up something.

I want to built a 25BR in the near future. QBs are my favorite.

I have two 25-20WCF and a 25-06. I will be getting more with time.

One to consider is the 257 DGR from Daune's Gun Repair.
It is built on the 260 Rem case and is meant to be like the
250AI but the ballistics so far have it up there with the
25-06. It is a short-action round.

Enjoy,
DB

Mirage · « **Reply #23 on:** January 19, 2005, 01:33:45 PM »

I have a .250 AI bbl (23.5" bullberry for encore). have 100 loaded WW cases to fireform / break-in bbl.

Have redding full length die with lee collet die.

What can you tell me / share. I am basing my pending experiences (when weather warms up) on the Sierra manual and loads.

I'm very excited about this unlike any other cartridge I own.

Mirage

singleshotfan · « **Reply #24 on:** January 22, 2005, 09:57:37 AM »

I have a 25 cal built on the full length 307 win. case. Just starting to work up loads but so far seems accurate. It is a custom Douglas barrel on a Handi rifle frame .
RIchard

260 AAR · « **Reply #25 on:** January 25, 2005, 09:17:54 AM »

25 Souper!! The only way to fly! Mine is on an old 600 action with a kevlar stock and McGowan barrel . Whole rig with scope weighs a little under 6 lbs. If I can figure the picture thingy I`ll post one.

Aloha, Mark

Lefty Behind · « **Reply #26 on:** February 11, 2005, 01:26:11 PM »

I have a 25 wildcat that hasn't been mentioned yet. It's called the 25 Classic, and is formed by necking down 30 Herrett brass.
I like it a lot.
Lefty

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #27 on:** March 07, 2005, 06:42:21 AM »

Lefty;

your Classic sounds interesting, what velocities are you getting? I would like to hear some info on the barrel & cartridge.

i like the quarter-bores in contenders, i have a 25/20, .256 Win Mag, .257 TCU & a .25 Bullberry at the moment.

Lefty Behind · « **Reply #28 on:** March 07, 2005, 09:56:40 AM »

fyrepowrx,
Out of my 22" Virgin Valley Contender barrel I get 3,350fps using a 70 gr. bullet, and 3,100fps with an 87 grain bullet (using AA2460 powder).
E. Arthur Brown makes 30 Herrett brass and sells it for a reasonable cost, so the further forming that is needed to make a 25 Classic is much facilitated. Cases can be made from common 30/30 brass, but the process is more elaborate. Not hard, just time consuming.
Lefty