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25 Souper/ 25-08
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Picture of Karoo
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Who uses the 25 Souper (.25 on a 308 case)?
I really like the idea of one for my purpose, which is shooting smallish antelope (pronghorn size).
I have a lovely 243 action as a donor. The 243 Win is a little light and a 260 Rem a little slow.
I would aim for a 110 gr to 120 gr bullet at 2850 fps or so, but according to tables this is optimistic.
Any thoughts?
 
Posts: 778 | Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa | Registered: 24 December 2006Reply With Quote
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Picture of Labman
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Here's another interesting option or you could go with a .270 Redding. Of course there's always the 7mm/08 as well.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6521043/m/3341004252


Tom Z

NRA Life Member
 
Posts: 2282 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: 07 January 2005Reply With Quote
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Picture of Karoo
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Thanks Labman and an interesting option.
However, my requirements are more specific:
this would be for a culling rifle from stationary positions. It will wear a suppressor and needs to be accurate.
I already have a 270 for general hunting but need a replacement for the old 243, just with a bit more power.
To me this 25 fits very nicely between the 243 and 260 Rem and I am surprised that it is not more popular.
 
Posts: 778 | Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa | Registered: 24 December 2006Reply With Quote
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I am also surprised that the 25-08 isn't a popular thing -

always thought this was a valid missing cart

i did a 257wsm .. it was stupid fast and BORING to shoot ... the largest groups it ever made where when one adjusted the scope


#dumptrump

opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club

Information on Ammoguide about
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476AR,
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Posts: 38350 | Location: Conroe, TX | Registered: 01 June 2002Reply With Quote
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Look up the .25 Creedmoor. 6.5 necked to .25. You can even buy (good luck today) brass. I am not sure of the oal though, it might require a standard length action?
C.G.B.
 
Posts: 1088 | Registered: 25 January 2005Reply With Quote
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Picture of bpesteve
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While the 25 Souper is a very nice little classic wildcat cartridge, these days I'd just go with a 6,5 Creedmore, but then I've gotten lazy in my old age.
 
Posts: 964 | Location: paradise with an ocean view | Registered: 09 April 2002Reply With Quote
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I would try to find myself a .284 or 7mm-08, but to each his own on that..a 25-284 would be a dandy wildcat in a Savage 99 IMO, but Im not much on wildcats today.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 41730 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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As you asked about the 25/308, not what other calibers should you use instead.....
The 260 rem with a 120 usually runs just under 3000 fps, say 2950 fps. The 25 souper with the same 120 has less base to push on, but the difference of .257 to 264 is not all that much. I would think 2850 fps would be in the ball park. As most 120's would be made for 25-06 velocities, I bet 2850 fps range would expand a little slower and cause less meat damage.
 
Posts: 6808 | Registered: 10 April 2009Reply With Quote
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Picture of Karoo
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Thanks theback. I may have to accept the 260 with 120 gr bullets and not far off the Souper. I don't want to go heavier than this as this rifle will be used almost entirely as a springbuck, impala and blesbuck specialist, mainly culling from a stationary position. Accuracy is essential and it will wear a suppressor.
I have a 270 and bigger for the rest of my hunting.
 
Posts: 778 | Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa | Registered: 24 December 2006Reply With Quote
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I am surprised you consider the 243 a little light for that kind of shooting. I expect you are taking head/neck shots to save meat when possible?
I have a dozen or more 6.5 cartridges. I use 120 grn in all of them for deer, pronghorn, and caribou. Never saw a need for heavyer bullets then then 120's in my shooting.
I would look at bullet availability, and cost of reloading dies as factors. For the use you describe, I doubt there is any difference in performance between the 25 souper and the 260 Rem.
 
Posts: 6808 | Registered: 10 April 2009Reply With Quote
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Picture of Karoo
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This 243 has been worn out by shooting springbuck and blesbuck over forty odd years so it does work, but a slightly heavier bullet will be better, especially compared to the 90 grain 243.
I liked the idea of a .25 cal 110 to 115 grain bullet but the 260's 120 will be little different.
No, mainly for body shots and the heavier bullet also bucks the wind better than the 243.
Thanks for the tips.
 
Posts: 778 | Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa | Registered: 24 December 2006Reply With Quote
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Karoo,
Is your 243 a short action, or a 243 built on say, a blocked mauser.
If it was me, and it's a short action, I'd go with the 260 and the 120's. I have to admit I am a 6.5 man through and through.
I have shot deer with 120 grn bullets by speer, sierra,rem corloks, and nosler. All have preformed well. Usually they exit on a broadside shot, or found under the skin on the offside.
I don't think I would bother with more then a 22 inch barrel, especially as you are going to hang a suppresser off the end.
 
Posts: 6808 | Registered: 10 April 2009Reply With Quote
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Picture of Karoo
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Mine is a solid Husqvarna short action and beautifully slick.
I agree that a 22" barrel is all that is needed.
 
Posts: 778 | Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa | Registered: 24 December 2006Reply With Quote
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Built one on a 788 years back. Good cartridge, ballistically it was very close to my 25 WSSM or 257 AI. - dan


"Intellectual truth is eternally one: moral or sentimental truth is a geographic and chronological accident that varies with the individual" R.F. Burton
 
Posts: 5284 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001Reply With Quote
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I think the 25 super would be a excellent choice, in that brass and bullets are easy to come by, it would be accurate as most calibers on that 308 case tend to be, and it has almost the balistic behavior of the 25-06, and you apparantly want one, how can you beat that combination!! do it. tu2


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 41730 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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The 25 Souper has been something I always wanted to try. I think about the same capacity as the 257 Roberts, but better suited for a short action.




Sent from my iPhone
 
Posts: 661 | Location: Missouri | Registered: 15 June 2014Reply With Quote
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Gunsmith who built my LA 257 Roberts also built my hunting buddy's 25 Souper at the same time.

Spent a lot of time wagering which cartridge/rifle combo was the most accurate, even when switching between shooters.

All that got resolved was who was the better shooter, and no, I 'aint sayin who... Wink
 
Posts: 105 | Location: Wet Side, WA | Registered: 09 January 2004Reply With Quote
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The 25-308 should be a dandy small deer calibre. I built a 250 Sav AI. I have been using 100 gr partitions and it kills deer all out of proportion to its small case size. Nice thing about any cartridge made on a 308 case, there is a ton of brass everywhere and often for free. I also have a 25-284 which is really just a short cased 25-06. The 25-284 handles 110 thru 120 gr bullets better than the 250 AI but with bullets of 100 grs or less the 250 AI gives up very little. the 25-308 would be between these two and a very useful little round
 
Posts: 2432 | Location: manitoba canada | Registered: 01 March 2001Reply With Quote
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Likewise Ive been using the little 250-3000 for over 65 or 70 years, Ive killed deer, antelope, elk, bear on this side of the big pond and all the plainsgame including Eland in Africa and it was used to kill a cow killing Leopard by a friend of mine in Zim...Its got a one shot record like no other gun in my cabinet, but has always been used with care on game, and never pushed the string on the range beyond 250 yards...Its my all time favorite caliber and has been for years and its not as good as a 30-06 or 338 but its good enough...The 25-08 should be just more of the same..


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 41730 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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I am just sort of thinking out loud, but:

For dies could you not use bushing dies for the 243 or 260 wit a bushing?

Note that I have never used or played with bushing dies. A call or email to a a bushing die maker may be informative for you.

A reamer should be available from someone, maybe on the shelf.
 
Posts: 48 | Location: Elyria, Ohio USofA | Registered: 14 November 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of Karoo
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Thanks Swarf. Worth finding out.

quote:
Originally posted by swarf:
I am just sort of thinking out loud, but:

For dies could you not use bushing dies for the 243 or 260 wit a bushing?

Note that I have never used or played with bushing dies. A call or email to a a bushing die maker may be informative for you.

A reamer should be available from someone, maybe on the shelf.
 
Posts: 778 | Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa | Registered: 24 December 2006Reply With Quote
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Back in the mid 90's, I had a Rem 700 Classic 250 Savage rechambered to 25-308 AI. This along with the 250 Sav AI and 6.5-06 are my favorite cartridges. I fireform 260 brass and can reach 2925 fps with H414 or Win760 powder. I did this before the 260 Rem was out, now I would just go with the 6.5 Creedmoor or 260 Rem (which I also have).
 
Posts: 22 | Location: Texas Hill Country | Registered: 05 February 2005Reply With Quote
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Picture of Karoo
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Thanks Oak. That 25-308 AI sounds like a neat rifle.
 
Posts: 778 | Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa | Registered: 24 December 2006Reply With Quote
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Picture of NormanConquest
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I did a 25 Krag AI several years ago on a Martini-Henry action as the base of the Krag + the 303 are identical. The 25-303 is very popular in Australia according to P.O. Ackley, however at that time the dies were nonexistent. Something different + fun to play with. 308 brass here now is in abundance so sounds like a fun project.


Never mistake motion for action.
 
Posts: 17357 | Location: Austin, Texas | Registered: 11 March 2013Reply With Quote
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the std 25-08 is a better bet in that the 308 case is about as improved as it can get as is, no need to fireform it, you get precious little gain, if any at all and basically a ballistic twin to the great 25-06/


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 41730 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Picture of Wstrnhuntr
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I was just considering that round myself. But then I realized the 260 is pretty much the same thing. The difference in bullet diameter between .257 and .264 is practically non existent. A deer or coyote sure wouldn't know the difference.

You gotta love the 08 based cartridges, so easy to load for. Easy to obtain brass too. I don't have a 243 so that's sometimes what I use for 260 brass.
 
Posts: 10107 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001Reply With Quote
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Picture of Fjold
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I get 2900 fps with a 120 grain bullet in my 24" barreled 260, using 43 grains of H4350


Frank



"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953

NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite

 
Posts: 12500 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002Reply With Quote
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Picture of SMACK!!!!
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I have really enjoyed shooting 25 Cal’s over the years. 25-284, 25-06, 25 Souper, .257 DGR. I just recently had a 25 Creedmoor built for deer, Chucks and Coyotes. I am more than impressed with its accuracy and velocity. I already shoot a 6.5 Creedmoor with the Berger 135gr Classic hunters and a .22 Creedmoor Improved (40 degree) with the the 80.5gr Berger fullbores so I wanted to do the 25 Creedmoor to fill the void between the .22 Creedmoor and the 6.5 Creedmoor.

I went with a Brux #3, 24”, 1-7 twist. So I can shoot the Berger 135’s if I like. I settled on the Berger 115gr Classic Hunter over H-4350 @ 3172. I have taken 3 mule deer with it out to 300 yards. Super accurate. When I confirmed my -0- before hunting season. My 3 shot group at 100 went .218 and my 3 shot group at 300 went .761.


--------------------------------------------

Nothing like a trail of blood to find your way back home.
 
Posts: 770 | Location: North Central Washington | Registered: 02 July 2006Reply With Quote
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Picture of Karoo
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Sounds like a jackpot there, Smack. Would do well for my circumstances too.
 
Posts: 778 | Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa | Registered: 24 December 2006Reply With Quote
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OR you could simplify your life and go with a 7x57 Hard to beat caliber for about anything if one can shoot..


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 41730 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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