I have a S/A Rem 700 itching to be turned from a .243 youth model into something. I don't have a quarter bore, so I guess I must "need" one.

I have been considering a 25/284, a 257wsm and perhaps even a 25/308. Anyone know of a 257wsm that has been built? I would like to have some idea of barrel length and velocity. Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, Al

I thought I answered this one?

Over on 24hourcampfire.com Big Stick is the expert on this.

Be aware that the Rem action is a little short for that case if the full LOA is wanted. Rem has it's own line of "WSM's" called SAUMS.

I think Big Stick favors lighter bullets so he may have a shorter LOA with the WSM case.

Don- My concern, as you point out, is the length of the action. I had a 300wsm built last summer on a Ruger 77 long action. I seat 180 Barnes XLC's to 3.15OAL. I get 3120fps out of that and have been very impressed. I have none of the feeding problems that some have reported.

I'm not interested in the SAUM line. I think, but may be wrong, that the WSM's will outlive them.

If I do go with the 257wsm, I am thinking something in the line of a 24 or 25" barrell. Brownells sells a lengthened magazine box for the short action that is wider for the SAUM case. I would probably get one. They go for around $45-$50. I agree with Big Stick that the 100 grain XLC is the way to go, and may fit the 2.8" box without being seated too deep. Would like to be able to have a little longer box though just in case I want to seat a 117/120 without going too deep. Decisions-decisions!!

In 1964 I converted a Reminton 722 from a 257 Roberts to a 25-284. I hunted exclusively with that rifle for 25 years. I'm from Montana and shot truckloads of deer and antelope and a carribou in Alaska - even experimented with 75 gr hp on jack rabbits. Chronographed reloads were 3350 for 100 gr and 3075 for 120 gr. Accuracy was sub 3/4 moa for just about any load. Also, point of impact did not change much with different loads - I would just throw in whatever handloaded mix I came up with and go hunting. The throat of the barrel is pretty shot up but it still shoots like new. I used 115 gr Nosler on deer but the 100 gr anythings delivered quicker kills - especially on antelope - Noslers would zip on thru. Only bullet I ever recovered was from a whitetail shot with an old 100 gr remington corelok round nose I had laying around - at 300 yds. I'm considering rebarrelling that rifle now. My mother killed a bull moose once shot with a 25-06 improved and 117 gr Nosler. Bucked once and fell over dead. She was too little to shoot anything big. When she got older she converted to a 250-3000 Savage 99 - with 90 gr Barnes - even less recoil - and continued to massacre the deer and goats. 25 calibers get with the program. You got more than you asked for but that 284 case is a great match for a quarter bore.

I'm in the process of building one now. I'm using a Pac-Nor "pre-chambered" match select grade 24" #4 contour chromolly barrel on a Rem700 SA receiver. Running the case dimensions though my computer loading software program, It shows to be about 50FPS faster than a .257 Weatherby Mag. Keep in mind though, my numbers are hypothetical at this point. My gunsmith ordered the dies but they haven't come in yet so I'm just guessing a 79gr water volume off set by 4.5 from bullet seating. Also the computer program does not take into effect the short, fat case that in theory is supposed to get even extra velocity. When I can fill an actual sized case up with water, then some real numbers are gonna start appearing on the screen. As far as seating depth goes, Don't worry about it. My magazine measures 2.83", if you were to load a .25WSM with a 100gr Sierra MatchKing with the base of the bullet even with where the shoulder starts the finish AOL is 2.85". Only 0.03 deeper will make it even with the magazine. I know it's got to be pushed back even further, BUT what I saying is it's not enough to cause concern. I will post about this prodject from time to time and will let you know how it's going. TC.............. PS. here's what it looked like before the project began. It started life as a 6mm REM. I haven't had it long but just couldn't resist the temptation

[ 08-22-2002, 03:58: Message edited by: TC1 ]

i will be glad when bigstick lets us know how his performs because, i really need just a little more facts before i build, but i really think that could be all of a 25-06 improved without fireforming