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> Medium and large game hunting
> 25-284 vs 25WSSM
25-284 vs 25WSSM
@ 02:50 am (GMT) |
deerndingoHi,Now some might rightly ask why these two when a 25-06 does the job so well. Well, I have a Savage 12BVSS in 22-250 and I don't need it (long story). So I wondered what I could do with it given the range of other calibres I have. There is a hole that a fast 25 cal would fill quite well, but I need a short action .25 hotrod. Further, I don't want too much of a barrel burner. Either way, I'd reload myself so availability of ammo isn't a consideration. So the purpose of this round is sniping varmint through to deer rifle. It obviously isn't a carry rifle. What do you guys think about these two. Which would you go for and why? Thanks in advance |
Replies
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@ 03:56 am (GMT) |
deerndingoRe: 25-284 vs 25WSSMAny thoughts out there on this? |
@ 05:25 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: 25-284 vs 25WSSMHi, sorry I have been extremely busy trying to finish the book edit and photos for the book. I had told everyone that the next book was just a few weeks away- then put myself under ridiculous pressure to get the book done. Anyway, nearly there.The .284 has a 55mm case. The COAL's tend to be suitable for a medium length action (or magazine box). However, due to the limited bullet weight range (nothing too heavy unless shooting VLDs), you could just get away with it. In the blow photo, the vernier is set 1mm/40 thou shorter than typical magazine length for smooth feeding. Bullets are the 117gr SST and 117gr GK. Bullet jump would depend on the reamer. If you go short, it will be ideal for varmint bullets through to 100 grain bullets, ideal for goat and Fallow. If you go long throated, you will probably have to use the long bullets so that they remain guided by the case neck as they pass across the freebore. But- you never know, it may shoot light bullets with a long jump (say 2.5-3mmlike .308 Win). A long jump will be safe and is most likely the direction the reamer maker will want to go without getting too carried away. 
I am not so sure I would go with a WSSM because feeding may be an issue. It really depends on how willing your smith is to muck around with getting the feeding right. The longer WSM will have the same COAL's as the 284. You could try contacting Nick Harvey for notes on and to see if you could perhaps borrow his reamer. Still some feeding issues with this one but a longer surface area for guiding into the chamber. There will also be a few powder charging issues. At a guess, I would say that Harvey's reamer had a relatively short throat because it suffered high pressure problems with start loads, then had a narrow window of high performance, then hit max pressures quickly (same as my short throat 7mm RUM). Of course, opting for increased freebore is not exactly ideal if going for varmint accuracy. So Harvey probably had it right. The WSM will be a barrel burner. SO, short of trading for a .25-06, I think you are on the right path with the 25-284 but it may be a good idea to get a copy of the chamber print before ordering a reamer so that you can study freebore and gain a full understanding of what is involved. |
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@ 06:05 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: 25-284 vs 25WSSMSorry about all of the typos- a bit fatigued from writing. I would be buggered without an editor. |
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@ 07:54 pm (GMT) |
deerndingoRe: 25-284 vs 25WSSMWow! Thanks for an excellent reply. I intend this rig to be a varmint and small game (pig, goat) snipper rifle to no more than . It is a project rifleSo, just to make sure I digested your info properly, are the following on target: 1. The total length of the loaded cartridge and the available magazine length may limit the weight of projectile. 2. A longer freebore may allow the larger weights to be loaded so as not limit case capacity, but it can have an effect on accuracy. 3. As a compromise I'd go with about 100gr pills for the dual purpose of this rig. That gives me 1850fps at 550 yards. I'm never going to shoot that far with this thing, but it gives me a big envelope to operate within. When you say longer freebore effects accuracy sometimes - by how much? I don't get too fused about accuracy when a lot of the shots are at no more than 100m, but if this rig is for out there on potentially very small game then it needs to be as accurate as it is now (thumbnails at 100m). |
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@ 03:42 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: 25-284 vs 25WSSMOk,1. Magazine length may limit the potential velocities rather than the weights you can use. But- magazine length may effect VLD bullet usage (namely the new, very long and heavy bullets). 2. A longer freebore will not increase case capacity or effect heavy bullet usage in a physical sense- but it will allow you to generate more velocity with heavy bullets. What you lose at one end (case capacity) you gain at the other (throat). For example, you would be able to utilize ADI 2209 if powder compression is an issue with 2213sc, obtaining good velocities without pressure concerns. 3. That makes sense to me. 4. How long is a piece of string? You never can tell. Weatherby get away with a very long jump by having a very long case neck. You do not have this length to play with so I would not want to go more that 2.5mm like the 7mm-08 and .308. This means that when the bullet hits the lands, the case is still guiding it squarely. If you go short, the rifle may have difficulty getting up to full speed but have full accuracy potential. If you go long, the rifle will probably get up to .25-06 speeds but you may find that you have to test a wide range of loads with velocity being the main variable you have to work with. For example, lets say the rifle is capable of 3350fps with a 100gr bullet. The sweet spot may be found between 3200 and 3350fps. You will still be able to test seating depth as a variable by seating a bit deeper into the case, exploring harmonics. But you will not have a wide range of seating depth options to work with. Experimenting with bullet designs is another option. You "should" be OK with a 2.5mm jump as long as you use Lapua 6.5-284 brass and good dies. As long as you can make concentric ammo, bullet jump can be rendered a non issue. Just keep in mind that I used the word should. I like to be able to seat close to the lands but in this instance, I would not do so. I don't like the thought of this case to bore ratio being short throated. So personally, I would go with 2.5mm jump and hope like hell that I got it right. The same goes for the 6mm-284. Please keep in mind that my throat length comments are relative. In a rifle with a longer magazine box, the lengths I am proposing would not be considered long and the rifle would not be considered long throated. All comments I have made a relative to your rifle. More generalized comments would not give you the full range of information you need to make an informed decision. I hope that all makes sense. |
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@ 04:24 am (GMT) |
deerndingoRe: 25-284 vs 25WSSMIt does. This project isn't off the ground yet, but I've often thought what to do with that heavy 22-250. The 25-284 sounds good enough. It suites the rig and the action length.That Nathan. |
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