.25-.284
- Thread starter Jimmy
- Start date
Depends on what you want to use it for. Why not just jump to one of the short mags? More case capacity and at least three different brands of brass to choose from. If you want a 25 caliber wildcat, then the 25 WSM approaches 257 Weatherby velocity (check out Shortmag.org). Why not a 270 WSM? 270 Weatherby magnum velocity out of a 26 inch tube in a lightweight short action and factory ammo available in a pinch to boot. I've taken elk and antelope with this catridge at over 400 yards in Wyoming.
Brad
Brad
Well, I guess my take on this is a little different.
While the new short mags are interesting, I would not try to take an original Remington 700 action and do all the necessary work to make it work with the short mags. You would have to open the bolt face, change the magazine follower, etc. etc. If I wanted a gun that shot one of the new short mags, I would just go buy a new one.
In regard to your short action Remington it will work fine for the 25-284. My buddy has one and it shoots great. He built it on the same action and has no problems with it. He originally built a .257 Ackely Improved, but it never would shoot well. The gunsmith actually took it and rebarreled it to 25-284 at no cost! The new combination shoots very well indeed and is nearly identical to the performance that I get with my custom 25-06 built by the same gunsmith.
While the new short mags are interesting, I would not try to take an original Remington 700 action and do all the necessary work to make it work with the short mags. You would have to open the bolt face, change the magazine follower, etc. etc. If I wanted a gun that shot one of the new short mags, I would just go buy a new one.
In regard to your short action Remington it will work fine for the 25-284. My buddy has one and it shoots great. He built it on the same action and has no problems with it. He originally built a .257 Ackely Improved, but it never would shoot well. The gunsmith actually took it and rebarreled it to 25-284 at no cost! The new combination shoots very well indeed and is nearly identical to the performance that I get with my custom 25-06 built by the same gunsmith.
There is little intrinsic difference in accuracy between any of the cartridges mentioned. What makes a rifle accurate is a good barrel chambered and fitted by a very competent accuracy gunsmith, not the guy with a lathe down the street. The barreled action needs to be properly fitted into a stable stock, fed excellent loads and shot by someone who can shoot tiny groups - not many of the dudes at the local range can do the latter. Any of the mentioned cartridges can be made to group well under 1/2 moa consistently. Even my Jarrett-built Ruger No. 1 in .257 Weatherby can agg in the .4s - for five consecutive 3-shot groups.
I agree, but what is even more uncommon is guns/shooters who can hold it out to 300-500 yards. My favorite hunting rifle goes .9 at 300. As far as gunsmiths you're spot on. Not any old one will do if you want a 1/2 inch gun with hunting loads. HS-Precision claims 1/2 groups, but that is with a significantly reduced target load that was 300fps under 270WSM hunting velocities. I just went with Bobby Hart out of PA (famous benchrester and cousin to HART barrel owner). He's making me a stainless 270 WSM on a Remington 700 to go with my heavy barreled one. My uncle and cousin both own Hart rifles and both shoot 1/2 inch with hunting loads. I've also shot my uncles Jarrett signature and it shoots 1/2 all day with full power Partitions.
Brad
Brad
remingtonman_25_06
Handloader
- Nov 17, 2005
- 2,807
- 402
You have a great idea. I would go with a Lilja or Krieger barrel if your doing longer range shooting. It is usually an accurate cartridge, you can get quality brass. If its put together right, and there is good loads with a good shooter, should be 1000 yard rifle. With a 125g Wildcat ULD this would be an accurate combination.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,110
- 8,287
7mmfan,
I have to agree with you on the Hart barrels. I had my first custom barrel job done earlier this year. Its a M700 action blueprinted and fitted with a Hart barrel in 280 AI.
The 160 rg AB's shoot in the .2's if I do my part.
Regards,
JD338
I have to agree with you on the Hart barrels. I had my first custom barrel job done earlier this year. Its a M700 action blueprinted and fitted with a Hart barrel in 280 AI.
The 160 rg AB's shoot in the .2's if I do my part.
Regards,
JD338
Jimmy":2ojse49h said:
I have had a .25-284 on a short 700 for a few months, now. Mine feeds fine. Just make sure your smith's reamer cuts a short enough throat to allow you to seat the bullets to the lands when loading to magazine length. The average of every single group (>50) I have shot through this rifle is < 1". This is with a #2 Douglas Premium barrel. With it's favorite load, it has averaged about .6". Ballistically, it's a short action 25/06, which isn't a bad thing.
John
