Deciding between 25GT and 25x47

[thexman]

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]

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

 

[thexman]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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...