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6 months in the making of the 25BRX, we finally have some solid performance results. This was inspired by the 25×47 LAPUA project we worked on for a while. We realized that the limitations of the cartridge were not in fact the reamer or the bullet option, but merely the inherent accuracy potential of the X47 case.
MICHAEL SOUTTER says: Why did you choose a BRX case and not a Dasher case?
Well for starters the history of the “Ackley Improved” shoulder angle and case modification was not established for benchrest purposes. It was to increase case capacity for more velocity potential. The 6BR and its general design had been around since the late 60’s and after mainstream adoption in target shooting and holding multiple standing records, or merely holding the undefeated status for 25 years or so for target shooters, it was only fitting that the two although similar are not equal. I believe the Dasher is more popular because the name is catchy. That is where I draw the line. The Dasher is very similar to the BRA where there are tighter velocity nodes and seem to be picky with powder types. We all know that the dasher will shoot tiny holes on paper. The BRX just seems to do it easier and has been proven at this point to not be picky with powders or anything else. The BRX and the Dasher are almost identical in case fill which is a wash. The BRX feeds a little better with less magazine issues from the steep shoulder angle of the dasher. I will also say that you cannot go wrong with either. It is merely preference. I did get some dialog from some other folks that said they tried 25 dasher with poor results. This could be from a multitude of things so I take all this with a grain of salt. My take on the whole thing, (long rant aside) we knew the reamer design we came up with would work well and did not have any shadow of a doubt that the performance was there.
Jeff Scobie says: So knowing what you know now, regarding the 135 Berger jumping it more, would you think that reamer for the 25X47 or Creed or 25BRA should have a bit more freebore to allow that bullet to hang out there and still jump 60 to 120? What is the ideal freebore for this 135? Love your stuff guys, keep up the great work!
There was alot of issues with the 135 and trying to get them to shoot with the blackjack 25×47 reamer. Alot of this stuff isn’t as simple as the seat depth/powder charge. I designed the 25BRX to my specifications based off two 25x47s that were not shooting to “MY” standards. Now they shot well, but not like as Dasher or BRX. THUS THE 25BRX. What was interesting to me was the how that bullet was really fast. Even on the barrel I used at the regional finale for PRS, I was running a 23” barrel and still pushing them 2700fps from a BRX.
We found that neck tension played a big role in the consistency and in regard to jump, we are running .015 off the lands and they seem to be hammering. We also noticed that the bullet does not like moderate or low pressure loads. Generally the spicy match loads that burned really clean, shot amazing. Any rifle will shoot its best with ammo that burns really clean optimizing efficiency. The challenge is finding something right on the edge of spicy match ammo, but is safe for water on rainy days.
Also touching on the jump/jam thing… We found jumping .140 shot well but honestly, designing our own spec cartridge has sorted out a lot of the drama. Sometimes a cartridge or reamer spec just doesn’t work well. I don’t think the Blackjack x47 can touch the design we came up with. We spent alot of time on it and it seems to be working much better. I wont give you the exact specs, but it has a decent amount of free-bore. Lets us optimize the BRX case, and feed from a standard AICS.
Awesome article. Very interesting read and really cool to see your process and reasoning/decision making.
MICHAEL SOUTTER says: I built a 25×47 after reading your articles to go along with my 257 Blackbird. I am witnessing the same results as you. Shoots good, but not great. I like to tinker with cartridges and also started shooting F-Class and was looking for a High Power midrange cartridge that had a better chance of bucking the Texas wind, but not having to live with the cost and abuse of a full house.284 something. The 25×47 is not up to my standards for this. Very disappointing. I’m wondering if the 25 BRX might fit the bill. I do love the quarter-bore. Is Manson selling your designed reamer?
I just ordered a 25 creed reamer specific to the heavy pills and will post about it after I do some testing, my 25BRX was doing really well with the 134eldm but have yet to use it in a match yet. I think we have to wait and be patient for some other projectile offerings to come out in the 25-135+ range that are not so finicky. I believe part of the problem is the limited options for premium barrels with the proper twist rate. Ace barrels in Spokane told me that January or so will have single point cut rifle barrels available for the 25’s where I will be testing a couple different twist rates to get going with the 25 creed and possibly test the 25×47 again. All together for PRS the 25BRX is fine but I would like to be around the 2850-3000 range. Shoot me an email at GOATVALLEYPRECISION@yahoo.com
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