Gunsmithing 25 creed reamer and smith

[codym]

I picked up a 25 creed prefit for my origin. I started with 135 Bergers h4350 and alpha brass. This was my nrl setup for the season, got a couple matches left. It’s been ok. I don’t know if I have a finicky barrel or a barrel that’s on its way out. It never really did much better than .75 Moa groups some half inch and some really nice groups at distance but also some 1 1/2 groups. This has also been the most filthy barrel to keep clean. I had a serviceable load of 40.8 at 2920. That load shit the bed after my last match dropping to 2875 groups are ugly. 600 rounds down the tube. I shelved h4350 and have moved on to RL 16 which has shown tighter groups and better chrono number's all around consistently. I’m gonna role with this. I have a bartlien 7.5 blank to give the 25 another shot, looking for recommendations on a reamer and smith to cut a prefit for a tl3. Any help from my guys having luck with the 25 creed with the 135’s or even the 133’s would be greatly appreciated.

 

[4O6shootist]

I'm on my 3rd 25cm barrel. First barrels was rl16 and 131, 2nd was H4350 and 131s, this new barrel N555 and 135s. I'm running 2860fps jumping 35k in a 28" pipe. 1/3 moa at 100y, consistent 1/2 moa or better at distance in solid conditions. I've also been shooting the 135s in a few other cartridges and have found them all to like the 30-40k jump region. 25cm chamber needs long freebore in my opinion, my reamer is 0.150, and personally I'd opt for 0.180 if I ordered another. I now start my jump testing at 30k and go back, nodes are too narrow closer in. The typical blackjack 25cm reamer a lot of people jumped on initially was only 0.130fb, which worked for 131s, but their bearing surface was quite a bit shorter than the new heavy Berger and 134 eldm. The 134eldm has shot really well for me too, jumping 50-60k, same speed nodes, 2850 2950. The 2950 node is up there in pressure in a 26" barrel, rl16 will reduce pressure some but carbon fouling is heavy with that powder so watch that. If you're not needing to meet nrl power factor, I'd run the mid 2800 node as my rifles stayed in tune there longer and just shot more consistent. I went 65cm for a nrl hunter barrel as 150+ gr bullets allow power factor in the 2600+ velocity range.

 

[FuhQ]

I picked up a 25 creed prefit for my origin. I started with 135 Bergers h4350 and alpha brass. This was my nrl setup for the season, got a couple matches left. It’s been ok. I don’t know if I have a finicky barrel or a barrel that’s on its way out. It never really did much better than .75 Moa groups some half inch and some really nice groups at distance but also some 1 1/2 groups. This has also been the most filthy barrel to keep clean. I had a serviceable load of 40.8 at 2920. That load shit the bed after my last match dropping to 2875 groups are ugly. 600 rounds down the tube. I shelved h4350 and have moved on to RL 16 which has shown tighter groups and better chrono number's all around consistently. I’m gonna role with this. I have a bartlien 7.5 blank to give the 25 another shot, looking for recommendations on a reamer and smith to cut a prefit for a tl3. Any help from my guys having luck with the 25 creed with the 135’s or even the 133’s would be greatly appreciated.

My @CarbonSix barrel is being cut with my Alpha Munitions Legacy .25CM reamer that I bought and had shipped to them. Hopefully the barrel gets done soon. I ordered the damn thing before Thanksgiving and still waiting... The whole rest of the build is here, assembled, and collecting dust for months now... Just waiting on a barrel...

I went with a 20" Bull profile carbon fiber barrel with a 1:7 twist, and will be shooting the Berger 133 Elites and using Alpha brass, CCI 400's, and StaBall 6.5 powder.

My "2-3 month" lead time is now over 6 months and counting...

 

[codym]

I'm on my 3rd 25cm barrel. First barrels was rl16 and 131, 2nd was H4350 and 131s, this new barrel N555 and 135s. I'm running 2860fps jumping 35k in a 28" pipe. 1/3 moa at 100y, consistent 1/2 moa or better at distance in solid conditions. I've also been shooting the 135s in a few other cartridges and have found them all to like the 30-40k jump region. 25cm chamber needs long freebore in my opinion, my reamer is 0.150, and personally I'd opt for 0.180 if I ordered another. I now start my jump testing at 30k and go back, nodes are too narrow closer in. The typical blackjack 25cm reamer a lot of people jumped on initially was only 0.130fb, which worked for 131s, but their bearing surface was quite a bit shorter than the new heavy Berger and 134 eldm. The 134eldm has shot really well for me too, jumping 50-60k, same speed nodes, 2850 2950. The 2950 node is up there in pressure in a 26" barrel, rl16 will reduce pressure some but carbon fouling is heavy with that powder so watch that. If you're not needing to meet nrl power factor, I'd run the mid 2800 node as my rifles stayed in tune there longer and just shot more consistent. I went 65cm for a nrl hunter barrel as 150+ gr bullets allow power factor in the 2600+ velocity range.

Exactly what I was looking for I was thinking.150 on fb. I’m happy at 2850 but I’m seriously considering scrapping the whole thing and going 6.5 prc in a 20’ barrel shooting 153 or 156’s slow

 

[Stevo86]

Bugholes did a 25 cm prefit for mine. I jumped on the bandwagon early on and still have prolly 2500 131s. 42.5 h4350 gets me 2975 fps out of a 26” barrel. Been 1/2 moa ever since. I’ve got a pile of 133/135 and hornady 134s but haven’t messed with them yet.

Greg did a solid job on this one, I’m not sure what the freebore is.

 

[codym]

Seems like the 131’s are legendary. Is sierra listening

 

[Stevo86]

Seems like the 131’s are legendary. Is sierra listening

Unfortunately no….

 

[4O6shootist]

Exactly what I was looking for I was thinking.150 on fb. I’m happy at 2850 but I’m seriously considering scrapping the whole thing and going 6.5 prc in a 20’ barrel shooting 153 or 156’s slow

I have been running my 65cm last 3 matches, 153s at 2620 fps and I really like it. A short prc might be able to get the 2850 node with the 153 Berger. My friend runs em at that speed in a 24" and it hammers, and it's pretty low pressure. Recoil with the 65prc VS 25cm will be a huge difference for spotting shots positional, don't know if that's any consideration.

 

[Jakeweb09]

I’ve run a couple. 135s over 41.5g h4350 has been the winner in multiple barrels. Always shoots. Between 2880-2910 between a couple different barrels and lots of powder. I’ve found em to shoot really well right up against the lands, my current load is .004 off. I’ve also shot em around .080 off with good luck but haven’t revisited that.

 

[codym]

I have been running my 65cm last 3 matches, 153s at 2620 fps and I really like it. A short prc might be able to get the 2850 node with the 153 Berger. My friend runs em at that speed in a 24" and it hammers, and it's pretty low pressure. Recoil with the 65prc VS 25cm will be a huge difference for spotting shots positional, don't know if that's any consideration.

I’ve run a couple. 135s over 41.5g h4350 has been the winner in multiple barrels. Always shoots. Between 2880-2910 between a couple different barrels and lots of powder. I’ve found em to shoot really well right up against the lands, my current load is .004 off. I’ve also shot em around .080 off with good luck but haven’t revisited that.

There’s my conundrum so to speak.. I wouldn’t mind running the 6.5 prc at 2750 with the 156’s as long as accuracy and consistency are there in a 20’ package. If I drop down to the creed I need at least a 24’ barrel but probably a 26’ to be at 2700 if it’s even possible to get there, I don’t like running on the ragged edge.

In my testing in this 25 creed jump didn’t make much of difference I went 10-60 thou off, settling on 35 off. I have noticed that with a 282 bushing I’m just kissing the necks with a .255 mandrel. I’ve also was able to push the bullets back into the neck with a little pressure. I’m going to try a 281 bushing with a .254 mandrel, maybe more tension will help. It definitely seems to like RL16 more than h4350. I digress. I may try this next barrel with .150 freebore before I cut bait on the 25. Any recommendations on a smith?

 

[kindabitey]

There’s my conundrum so to speak.. I wouldn’t mind running the 6.5 prc at 2750 with the 156’s as long as accuracy and consistency are there in a 20’ package. If I drop down to the creed I need at least a 24’ barrel but probably a 26’ to be at 2700 if it’s even possible to get there, I don’t like running on the ragged edge.

In my testing in this 25 creed jump didn’t make much of difference I went 10-60 thou off, settling on 35 off. I have noticed that with a 282 bushing I’m just kissing the necks with a .255 mandrel. I’ve also was able to push the bullets back into the neck with a little pressure. I’m going to try a 281 bushing with a .254 mandrel, maybe more tension will help. It definitely seems to like RL16 more than h4350. I digress. I may try this next barrel with .150 freebore before I cut bait on the 25. Any recommendations on a smith?

@bohem can take care of that.

 

[Jakeweb09]

There’s my conundrum so to speak.. I wouldn’t mind running the 6.5 prc at 2750 with the 156’s as long as accuracy and consistency are there in a 20’ package. If I drop down to the creed I need at least a 24’ barrel but probably a 26’ to be at 2700 if it’s even possible to get there, I don’t like running on the ragged edge.

In my testing in this 25 creed jump didn’t make much of difference I went 10-60 thou off, settling on 35 off. I have noticed that with a 282 bushing I’m just kissing the necks with a .255 mandrel. I’ve also was able to push the bullets back into the neck with a little pressure. I’m going to try a 281 bushing with a .254 mandrel, maybe more tension will help. It definitely seems to like RL16 more than h4350. I digress. I may try this next barrel with .150 freebore before I cut bait on the 25. Any recommendations on a smith?

I’ve got barrels from Kinport peak, and TS customs.. both using alpha reamer with .150 freebore

 

[codym]

They shoot good for you Jake? What barrel life are you seeing?

 

[Jakeweb09]

Very. 2500 range under normal use, could probably push em a little longer with a hunting barrel but mine have been used for match/practice

 

[4O6shootist]

Manzella Precision has my jgs 150fb 291nk reamer, he also have both the 150fb and 180fb alpha reamers I believe.

 

[Jakeweb09]

Manzella Precision has my jgs 150fb 291nk reamer, he also have both the 150fb and 180fb alpha reamers I believe.

Mikes actually spinning me a new one currently lol

 

[codym]

I reached out to him on instagram

 

[4O6shootist]

Mikes actually spinning me a new one currently lol

Mike is the man. He's done a lot of work for me, and it's all been impeccable!

 

[Jakeweb09]

Mike is the man. He's done a lot of work for me, and it's all been impeccable!

We’ve talked quite a bit and he’s definitely a solid dude! He’s also got a brux #3 that would be perfect for a 25 creed if OP is looking for a barrel

 

[codym]

Hopefully I hear back from him soon

 

[Jakeweb09]

Hopefully I hear back from him soon

He’s gotta finish spinning my barrel first!

 

[4O6shootist]

He’s gotta finish spinning my barrel first!

He's had my brux hvy varm for a 25gt in his shop for a bit, I need that first! Bahaha

 

[Kickin45]

Bugholes did a 25 cm prefit for mine. I jumped on the bandwagon early on and still have prolly 2500 131s. 42.5 h4350 gets me 2975 fps out of a 26” barrel. Been 1/2 moa ever since. I’ve got a pile of 133/135 and hornady 134s but haven’t messed with them yet.

Greg did a solid job on this one, I’m not sure what the freebore is.

Where on their site are prefits? I can never find them

 

[chevy_man]

Seems like the 131’s are legendary. Is sierra listening

.25 Cal 131 Gr. HPBT-CN - Sierra Bullets

www.sierrabullets.com

 

[Stevo86]

Where on their site are prefits? I can never find them

I just email them.

 

[codym]

.25 Cal 131 Gr. HPBT-CN - Sierra Bullets

www.sierrabullets.com

I saw these I want to give them a try. Truth be told I have new barrel that is hammering the 134 Elena and the 135 lhts

 

[chevy_man]

I saw these I want to give them a try. Truth be told I have new barrel that is hammering the 134 Elena and the 135 lhts

134eld-m has been working great for me. I found the Berger 133 and 135 extremely picky on seating depth. But, if my barrel prefers the cheap bullet I'm ok with it.

I was going to order some Sierras since I have about 80 blackjacks left. See if I can crank a little more velocity out of the 20" barrel.