Several years ago an old friend of mine, a member of the Gunmakers Guild built a 25x47 on a Vixen action. It was an exquisite little rifle and I admired it greatly. When he died it was sold. It has now resurfaced still unfired and I'm seriously considering buying it for several reasons related to our friendship( as well as the quality of the piece).
I know the caliber is certainly adequate but I'd like to hear some experience with it. I assume it's very similar to the 6x45 but a little heavier bullet.

DrD, It's probably more similar to 6x47 which was the greatest thing since sliced bread to the BR crowd before the advent of the PPC's! You ought to go ahead and buy it!! The accurracy of that particular case (original 222MAGNUM) is legendary! And just recently has resurfaced as the .204(same case necked down instead of necked up!) It ought to be a fine shooter! IMR 3031 and the little bullets, H4895 for the mediums and probably the heavier pills also. I'd like to have it myself and play with it!!! Go on and get it!! Then report back to us as to your experiences!! GHD

I'd buy it in a heartbeat, but then I'm a 1/4 bore freak.

My GF said "You had a chance to buy that gun and haven't done it?" I guess that settles it.
Thanks, Guys.

I think that you should buy it before somebody who is quick on the trigger does! The 25x47 would be a great called varmint rifle with 75 grain Sierra BTHP or Hornday VMax bullets. Too little case capacity for heavier bullets, at least IMO. IIRC, the Wolfe Wildcat book has a couple of articles on small case capacity 25s; 25-222 by Wooters, 25x47 by ??, and 25 Kimber by Simpson.

Jeff

Out to 175 yards (200 on a good day), it would make a neat little caliber for smaller deer or antelope. With the 85 grain Nosler BT, you'd get sufficient tissue destruction and ample penetration. And there are a number of lighter projectiles that would ruin any varmints day.

With a lady like that I think you need to buy two things ... A rifle and a ring.

M a n y years ago I read a story about a guy in Australia. He managed to neck up the .222 to 25 caliber. This was prior to the .223 and anyway his writing wwas enough to interest me and many years later I built my 6 X 45 and love it.

Necked up to .257 bullets should not be much different than the 6MM loadings and it's a well proven cartridge.....

You have the added incentive of an old friend here as well.....go buy it!!

That's exactly the gun I've wanted to build for years. Tell me where I can buy it and I'll let you know if you made a mistake by passing it up!

.25 caliber bullets are available from 60 grains up to 120, making the quarter-bore one of the few that has a 2x weight spread in available bullets. The 120 is, of course, impractical in a .25-222M, but the many fine offerings in 75 and 87-90 grains would make this a dandy shooter for large varmints/small deer.