Author Topic: 25 06 to a 25 06 AI Rifle! (Read 1442 times)

varmit_master · « **on:** February 06, 2005, 09:12:14 AM »

Hi i need help would i be better off going to a AI rifle my rifle is new never been shot yet How much would it cost to have made into a AI and is it worth it i have a Rem 700 ADL 25 06 new 24 inch barrel i want to use it on coyotes mostly 1. how would it cost to have it done 2. who could i get to do a good job on it 3. would it be worth getting it done because i have all the stuff for the 25 06 necking sizeing die Full len. and bullet seater 4. could i tell that much diff in fps in the too over all i am going to use it for coyote hunting should i just go with the 25 06 i need some help on this VM

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2005, 11:48:53 AM »

In this application I believe you will find that the 25-06 is already overbore somewhat. In other words it is already burning a hat full of powder compared to the size bullet it is pushing. As you pack more and more powder into long skinny cartridges you reach a point of diminishing returns. It begins to take a LOT more powder to make the bullet go faster. You pay for this in increased bore and throat erosion from burning more powder per shot. The 25-06 is already one of the finest small bore cartridges. It is flat shooting out to 400+ yards especially with the lighter varmit type bullets. The gains you would get from rechambering to 25-06 AI would probably only be noticeable way out in the 400/500++ yard range shots. You have to ask yourself if your shooting skills are good enough to really need this or derive benefits from the increase in velocity.
Free advice being worth about what you pay for it I would recommend you shoot your 25-06 for a while and see if the regular 25-06 isn't up to the job. Take the money you save and buy some powder and bullets or a better scope.

I used to shoot with a guy that had a custom Remington 700 in 6.5-06 AI. I was shooting my 25-06 Sendero at the same time. We spent some weekends thinning the ground hog population in pastures and fields in southern Virgina. I guess our rifle skills were about even from what I saw at the target range. To be honest I saw no real advantage between the two rifles. We also did some deer hunting with the same rifles but with different loads and not from the same stands. However, from his accounts I don't think he had any real long range advantage over my 25-06 except a better bullet weight selection.

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2005, 12:19:19 PM »

For what little velocity you will gain it isn't worth doing. Stay with the standard .25-06 as it will do everything you want to do and more. Lawdog

varmit_master · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2005, 07:31:48 AM »

Hi and thanks Lawdog i know you shoot the 25 06 alot so i knew you would know if it would be worth getting done thanks riddleofsteel thanks again VM

irkjr · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2005, 05:34:38 PM »

VM,
I have shot both and there is not a huge difference in performance between the two. You gain between 150 and 200 fps or so going to an Ackley. For that increase you have to form your brass, find loading data, and tinker a bit. Pretty close in performance to a .257 Weatherby. My .25-06 Ackley is in a 26" Encore with a muzzle brake. Shoots very flat (a little gain over standard .25-06, but as stated previously you see gains at extreme ranges) and with the brake you can see bullet impact thru scope. I have this setup for a beanfield gun and it is very effective. My 13 yr. old son has made some great shots with this gun and always thinks its cool to see stuff come out the other side of the animal. I went to this caliber because I had every other standard caliber and wanted something different. Before this gun, I thought a standard .25-06 was the ticket, and I still do if you want a great "hassle-free" gun. So, my advice to you is only go Ackley if you want something to tinker with out of the ordinary. Good luck!
irkjr

varmit_master · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2005, 11:44:09 PM »

Hi irkjr does a gun smith charge alot to have it done made into a Ai my gun as the factory 24 inch barrel and never been shoot yet would i be better off just going with the 25 06 and down the road when i have it rebarrel have it made into a 25 06 AI with a 26 inch barrel i have all the reloading stuff for the 25 06 i too hunt around big fields hay fields i have a 300 wby i use for deer hunting on the 25 06 could you tell in the Diff out to 400 yrds or closer on say a coyote VM

irkjr · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2005, 05:24:07 PM »

VM,
I sent you a PM.
irkjr

Catfish · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2005, 01:51:28 PM »

Forget the AI. You get a velosity increase that is 1/2 the % increase in volume when you AI a round. With the .25-06 being so over bore to start with you will only get a few fps more and not worth the cost.

Lone Star · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2005, 03:46:53 PM »

A rule of thumb for the AI cartridges is a gain on average of about 100 fps. Some bullet weights will be more or less, but that is the average. From maximum pressure tested Nosler data - not some wildcatter's dreams:

.22-250 Rem.....24"....55 gr...3736 fps
.22-250 AI........26".....55 gr...3788 fps

.280 Rem.........26".....150 gr...2995 fps
.280 AI ...........24".....150 gr...3107 fps

.30-06.............24"......150 gr...3000 fps
.30-06 AI........24"......150 gr....3071 fps

varmit_master · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2005, 10:46:29 PM »

Hi and thanks Lone Star by your chart it isnt worth the extra money to get the get the 75 to 100 feet i will just go with what i got the gunsmith here in town told me i would have to buy the reamer or tool and plus then buy him to do it then i would have to keep the tool it isnt worth it to me i would have to sell my die's and buy 25 06 AI die's then i will keep what i have thanks for every bodys help VM