Deciding between 25GT and 25x47

thexman · Nov 11, 2024

Did some research, eliminated 25 Creedmoor, 25 PRC and 25 Dasher. Couldn't decide between these last 2 calibers for shooting paper target or knocking steel plate around 1000-1300yards, wonder if I could get some suggestions to help me choose between these two.

Would be shooting in prone and single load most of the time, would try casual PRS match using 28inch barrel probably in 7-7.5twist with berger 135 hybrid.
Spot hit or miss is not that crucial if not shooting PRS, most of the PRS match I go to is around 500-700 so it should be a problem to see it.
I know 25GT is slower and has less case capacity to push it to higher speed and longer range than the 25x47 , but it has less recoil I believe.

For reloading components and tools, I know Alpha makes brass for both, seems only SAC has dies for both calibers, Forster only has dies for 25GT.
Reamer wise, Manson has 25x47 in stock, not sure who else makes good reamer apart from Alpha's legacy reamer.

Anything else I missed?

FuhQ · Nov 11, 2024

Why did you eliminate the .25CM? It's an amazing cartridge.

thexman · Nov 12, 2024

FuhQ said:
Why did you eliminate the .25CM? It's an amazing cartridge.

It's a hard decision, I've got a 6.5 creedmoor, want to try something different from a different cartridge family. And I guess the barrel life on the 25Creedmoor is shorter with more recoil using more powder. I don't need the 2900-3000 speed, I reckon GT or x47 Lapua would fit what I need.

Lightning8 · Nov 12, 2024

I am running 25x47 for PRS. Seems like a sweet spot in case capacity. Easy - 65x47 Lapua brass, 65x47 bushing FL sizing dies with appropriate bushing to size down to 25. H4350. Running it 2665 for low recoil. 134 ELDMs.

CaptNemo · Nov 12, 2024

While I completely understand the desire for "Something Different" and the quest not to be like everyone else, ( I shoot a long throat .284 Winchester in my Tikka Hunting Rifle - I get "Different )
The bullet diameter between .25 Caliber and 6.5mm is only 0.007"
Is it worth having to start from scratch for 7 thousandths of an inch ?
Is there that much of a difference in trajectory or impact energy on steel or on medium game to justify the switch ?
I'm not deriding the choice, but there's a easier path to where you're going.

In a hunting rifle, .25/06 Remington vs. 6.5/06 A-Square, off the shelf - factory ammo availability for the .25/06 makes the choice of +0.007" or -0.007" easy.

thexman · Nov 12, 2024

Lightning8 said:
I am running 25x47 for PRS. Seems like a sweet spot in case capacity. Easy - 65x47 Lapua brass, 65x47 bushing FL sizing dies with appropriate bushing to size down to 25. H4350. Running it 2665 for low recoil. 134 ELDMs.

Just wonder whose die you are using?

thexman · Nov 12, 2024

CaptNemo said:
While I completely understand the desire for "Something Different" and the quest not to be like everyone else, ( I shoot a long throat .284 Winchester in my Tikka Hunting Rifle - I get "Different )
The bullet diameter between .25 Caliber and 6.5mm is only 0.007"
Is it worth having to start from scratch for 7 thousandths of an inch ?
Is there that much of a difference in trajectory or impact energy on steel or on medium game to justify the switch ?
I'm not deriding the choice, but there's a easier path to where you're going.

In a hunting rifle, .25/06 Remington vs. 6.5/06 A-Square, off the shelf - factory ammo availability for the .25/06 makes the choice of +0.007" or -0.007" easy.

I am trying to get some experience on other cartridge design and understand the pros and cons instead of Creedmoor all the way, I might still get a creedmoor in the future who knows. But for now, I prefer to try something new to expand my knowledge which suits my shooting and reloading without getting a headache.

Lightning8 · Nov 12, 2024

thexman said:
Just wonder whose die you are using?

RCBS Matchmaster 65x47 bushing full lengthsizing die and using the RCBS Matchmaster 65x47 seating die with the 65 stem.

JR1200W3 · Nov 12, 2024

thexman said:
Anything else I missed?

Shooting the .25 cal version of anything 6mm or 6.5mm is like dyeing your hair blue, just to be different.

thexman · Nov 13, 2024

JR1200W3 said:
Shooting the .25 cal version of anything 6mm or 6.5mm is like dyeing your hair blue, just to be different.

Higher BC bullet than the 6mm and less recoil than the 6.5mm is my impression about modern 25 cal calibers.

Niles Coyote · Nov 13, 2024

Having both 25GT and 25x47 the question you want to ask is how fast you want to go. The GT will easily run 135's into the mid 2700's (see my load data thread in reloading) so I'd say if you want to shoot a diet of 2750+ go 47L, if not go GT.

The 25GT is my favorite of the two and my smith used the Alpha reamer with the .180FB

ma smith · Nov 13, 2024

JR1200W3 said:
Shooting the .25 cal version of anything 6mm or 6.5mm is like dyeing your hair blue, just to be different.

The key thing IMHO is there isn't enough recoil reduction to really make you stop wanting a 6MM somewhere in your quivver...

thexman · Nov 14, 2024

Niles Coyote said:
Having both 25GT and 25x47 the question you want to ask is how fast you want to go. The GT will easily run 135's into the mid 2700's (see my load data thread in reloading) so I'd say if you want to shoot a diet of 2750+ go 47L, if not go GT.

The 25GT is my favorite of the two and my smith used the Alpha reamer with the .180FB

Quick question, not sure if you know anything special about Alpha's legacy reamer comparing to others, say Manson?

Lightning8 · Nov 14, 2024

thexman said:
Higher BC bullet than the 6mm and less recoil than the 6.5mm is my impression about modern 25 cal calibers.

Also more "splash" than 6mm to better see impact/miss for correction.

Niles Coyote · Nov 14, 2024

thexman said:
Quick question, not sure if you know anything special about Alpha's legacy reamer comparing to others, say Manson?

No I don't, sorry.

JR1200W3 · Nov 14, 2024

Lightning8 said:
Also more "splash" than 6mm to better see impact/miss for correction.

Slayor · Nov 15, 2024

thexman said:
Did some research, eliminated 25 Creedmoor, 25 PRC and 25 Dasher. Couldn't decide between these last 2 calibers for shooting paper target or knocking steel plate around 1000-1300yards, wonder if I could get some suggestions to help me choose between these two.

Would be shooting in prone and single load most of the time, would try casual PRS match using 28inch barrel probably in 7-7.5twist with berger 135 hybrid.
Spot hit or miss is not that crucial if not shooting PRS, most of the PRS match I go to is around 500-700 so it should be a problem to see it.
I know 25GT is slower and has less case capacity to push it to higher speed and longer range than the 25x47 , but it has less recoil I believe.

For reloading components and tools, I know Alpha makes brass for both, seems only SAC has dies for both calibers, Forster only has dies for 25GT.
Reamer wise, Manson has 25x47 in stock, not sure who else makes good reamer apart from Alpha's legacy reamer.

Anything else I missed?

Given your criteria, both calibers have their pros and cons and since you're looking at shooting mostly prone and single load, the 25GT's lower recoil could be a nice advantage, especially for longer shooting sessions, plus if you're mostly shooting in PRS matches around 500-700 yards, the slight speed difference might not be as critical. On the other hand, the 25x47 could give you that extra case capacity for pushing higher speeds at longer distances, which might be beneficial for those 1000-1300 yard shots.
Ultimately, it might be worth considering which one feels better for your shooting style and the availability of components because both calibers seem like they'd serve you well for your intended use!

TimResin · Nov 21, 2024

I have question Im leaning towards the x47 my question which would push me all the way x47 is does the gt not feed well out a aw mag? because why did gray ops come out the their special mag then

Niles Coyote · Nov 21, 2024

I can't confirm on the aw mag specifically as I don't have an action currently that uses aw's but I can say all mags that had issues with 6gt now feed fine with the increased 25 cal bullets. Both metal and polymer mags. There where several that had issues with the 6mm.

When greyops first started designing the aw mags I don't know that they were looking at anything but the 6mmGT. The 25 cal bullets have a OAL that is quite a bit longer than the 6mm. Because of that, if they have a special one for 25, that would be why.

My oal is 2.690, just checked max mag length on the greyops site says 2.630 so 25's would be to long.

NW Valkyrie · Nov 21, 2024

Tim- The whole point of the GT case is using the same mags as .308, Creedmoor family, x47 etc... no spacer kit required.

The Gray Ops AW mag is fantastic. It was launched as a BR based mag only; since expanded to GT. I'm assuming they are working on a full length 2.950 version.

I have a 25 GT and love it. Reminds me of a dasher. Super easy to load, shoots everything well.

Took a Gray Ops GT mag and loaded 25 GT rounds seated short to fit the mag. Feeds perfectly, no tuning required. I did send them a note passing along there is a market for a longer version.

Jcarpenter223 · Nov 23, 2024

So what seating die are folks using for 25gt?

Sort of settled on the SAC die, unless there’s another solid option

Lightning8 · Nov 23, 2024

Jcarpenter223 said:
So what seating die are folks using for 25gt?

Sort of settled on the SAC die, unless there’s another solid option

Not 25 GT but for 25x47, I bought a set of RCBS matchmaster dies - bushing, full length. I use the RCSB Matchmaster 65x47 seating die to seat 25x47 without any changes - the 65 seater.

Jcarpenter223 · Nov 23, 2024

Lightning8 said:
Not 25 GT but for 25x47, I bought a set of RCBS matchmaster dies - bushing, full length. I use the RCSB Matchmaster 65x47 seating die to seat 25x47 without any changes - the 65 seater.

A buddy uses the match master sizing 6gt and got a Redding .25 bushing, but buyin a set to not be able to use the seater is a head scratcher. As I understand it the match master seater sleeve is caliber specific

Niles Coyote · Nov 23, 2024

I started off using my 6.5x47 Redding comp seater for both 25x47 and 25gt until I got "the seater die" from SAC. Both have worked out well with very little runout.

ma smith · Nov 23, 2024

Forster will sell you caliber specific sleeves for their BR dies (for like $25-30), but they only have 6x47 and 6.5x47 right now if I'm reading their website correctly. You can maybe send them an email and see if they have plans to add 25x47

Jcarpenter223 · Nov 23, 2024

Forster does sell a 25gt seater according to their website, I just have missed that in my search

thexman · Nov 25, 2024

Jcarpenter223 said:
So what seating die are folks using for 25gt?

Sort of settled on the SAC die, unless there’s another solid option

Whidden has the die for both 25GT and 25x47, F class products only has the sizing die for 25x47.

thexman · Nov 25, 2024

Lightning8 said:
I am running 25x47 for PRS. Seems like a sweet spot in case capacity. Easy - 65x47 Lapua brass, 65x47 bushing FL sizing dies with appropriate bushing to size down to 25. H4350. Running it 2665 for low recoil. 134 ELDMs.

Wonder what brass you are using and bushing size?
I am going to use Alpha brass, assuming the neck thickness is about 0.012-0.013 from my experience using their Dasher brass, so the loaded round would be .257+.12x2 or .13x2=.281-283. Not sure if I should wait until I received the brass or can order the .279 or .281 bushing now.

Jcarpenter223 · Nov 25, 2024

thexman said:
Wonder what brass you are using and bushing size?
I am going to use Alpha brass, assuming the neck thickness is about 0.012-0.013 from my experience using their Dasher brass, so the loaded round would be .257+.12x2 or .13x2=.281-283. Not sure if I should wait until I received the brass or can order the .279 or .281 bushing now.

Talking with buddies that run 25gt they are using a .279 bushing

Lightning8 · Nov 25, 2024

thexman said:
Wonder what brass you are using and bushing size?
I am going to use Alpha brass, assuming the neck thickness is about 0.012-0.013 from my experience using their Dasher brass, so the loaded round would be .257+.12x2 or .13x2=.281-283. Not sure if I should wait until I received the brass or can order the .279 or .281 bushing now.

Lapua brass, .281 bushing

Matt_3479 · Nov 25, 2024

I mainly run a 6bra and a 25 creed the past 2 seasons. I switched just a few weeks back to a 25x47 Lapua and I’m shocked how similar the recoil is to the 6bra and so much less then the 25 creed. Very easy to spot your shots off a prop/positional compared to a 25 creed.

accuracy is amazing, and it shoots pretty much everything well! I run SAC sizer and Wilson inline seater

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ma smith · Nov 25, 2024

Most people are shocked at how litte recoil reduction occurs with a 25 cal vs 264 cal.

Bullet+Charge weight=Ejecta mass: guess which is what cartridge is which.

140+42=182
134+38=173
130+43=173
109+32=141
105+30=135

Jcarpenter223 · Nov 25, 2024

ma smith said:
Most people are shocked at how litte recoil reduction occurs with a 25 cal vs 264 cal.

Bullet+Charge weight=Ejecta mass: guess which is what cartridge is which.

140+42=182
134+38=173
130+43=173
109+32=141
105+30=135

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Deciding between 25GT and 25x47

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