Hog Hunting with the Sharps Rifle Co. 25×45 in an AR-15

I’d never heard of the 25 Sharps until I walked across the aisle at SHOT one year to the little booth occupied by the Sharps Rifle Company, SRC. At the time I was working the Burris booth and they were right across from us.  I was intrigued by the banner they had hanging, depicting what I thought was a large caliber round. Judging from the size of the case and bullet, it appeared to be something reminiscent of a 35 Whelen or 9.3×64.  There was no description or verbiage to go with the image of the round that would give anyone an idea of its origins. It was a good-looking, well-proportioned round and appeared that it might be very efficient. So I walked over during a break between customers and asked, “So tell me about this big-bore round of yours”. Imagine my surprise when I learned it was a small caliber round based on the 5.56×45 NATO round.  

The 25×45 Sharps, the designation being a combination of inches and metric designations, .25 caliber, and 45 millimeters. I was more intrigued by the performance claims, some users claim original 250 Savage performance from similar length barrels. So much of the data that’s out there promoting the round is from 22” and 24” barrels.  In my twenties, I was a proponent of 26” barreled rifles so as to extract every last foot of velocity from the powder burn.  In those days 26” barreled rifles were strictly a custom-only option. Velocity was how you compensated for having an inaccurate distance for your shot.  We now have inexpensive and accurate laser rangefinders and I’ve come to prefer more realistic or shorter barreled rifles and choose the calibers to suit the barrel length more efficiently.  So on Modern Sporting Rifles, MSR’s, anything over 20” becomes ungainly in my opinion.  I much prefer 20” or less for a good general-purpose hunting rifle on the MSR platform.

After my discussion with the SRC rep, I asked if they would take an order.  I was interested in purchasing one in an 18” barreled configuration.  My choice was based on wanting a relatively short barrel but still getting decent velocity, plus I intended on suppressing the rifle.  My current suppressed setup was a 16.5”, 6.5 Grendel, which performs perfectly.  The fly in the ointment for the Grendel is brass being iffy on locating occasionally.  By going to the 25 Sharps, 5.56 brass is universally abundant.  I figured I could get reasonable velocity from the 18” barrel and almost duplicate the Grendel’s performance with brass that was much cheaper and easier to locate.

The Master conversion kit I purchased would come with a barrel, bolt carrier group, 100 rounds of SRC 25×45 brass, an etched caliber designated dustcover, a magazine, and a set of dies.  The bolt carrier is tastefully engraved with the company initials SRC, and the Wyoming State Cowboy on the bucking horse is etched as well.  I would attach my own floating fore-end and place it all in a receiver.  While I waited for the package to arrive I searched for load data and found some, but nothing with powders I had available.  I searched again looking for 6mm/223 and found much more data and some with powders I already had.  These I would use as starting loads, also making sure the data was for the MSR platform and not a bolt action or single shot. SRC has load data on their site, much of the highly regarded and referenced performance data is for 90gr. bullets and less. Those that appear to be devout users of the round, seem to tout the 87gr. and 90gr. bullets as being the pinnacle of performance for the round.   

My preference and starting point was with 100gr. bullets for general purpose hunting of medium game.  I really wanted to find some of the older Hornady 100gr. SP bullets, but sadly they are no longer available.  A very good alternative however is a 100gr. SP by PrviPartisan, it performs very well on medium game.  A 130ish pound pig taken at 185 yards with it, produced a 3/4” exit wound and broke ribs going in and coming out.  Another bullet I’ve used that provides good accuracy and performance on game is Hornady’s 90gr. GMX.  I managed to drop a 180-200 pound pig just the other day with it, by driving it from behind the shoulder forward and severing the spine.  It exited and produced a nice 1/2” exit hole.  Another Hornady product that I use is the 117gr. RN that is meant for the 25-35 Winchester, it provides excellent accuracy and is the bullet I use for nighttime hogs.  I have also purchased some special run Nosler Partition 120gr. bullets that were pulled from loaded ammunition.  Not only do they shoot surprisingly well, but they land to the same point as the RN 117gr. Hornady’s.  Since nighttime shots are typically less than 100 yards, the trajectory and slower speed of the heavy bullet is not an issue.  There are several other 100gr. bullets that hold promise, the Speer 100gr. HP,  the Nosler 100gr. Partition, and the same weight Ballistic Tip.  In an effort to limit bullet protrusion into the powder capacity I trim the lead or plastic tip from the pointed bullets and seat them out that extra small bit.

Load data for my 18” upper, is safe in my gun.  These are the only four loads I use in my gun, they provide ample performance for everything I’m likely to use it on.  Reduce your loads by 15% and work up.  I am not responsible for damage to your gun or yourself.

Check COAL, ensure 2.245”, SRC 25×45 case, Wolf SRM primer

117gr. Hornady RN……AA2520 24.5gr……2300 fps

100gr. Prvi SP (modified)……H4198 22.5gr……2500fps

90gr. Hornady GMX (modified)……H4198 22.5gr……2590fps

120gr. Nosler Part. (modified)……AA2520 24.5gr…… 2300fps 

My 25 SRC is being used for hunting, but I had chosen a Trijicon ACOG to put on it initially.  I have since replaced it with a Burris RT-6 for general-purpose hunting.  Outfitted this way it makes a great hunting caliber for a youngster or first-time hunter.

The velocity given by my 18” gun allows it to parallel the performance I get from my Grendel. In comparison the Grendel sends 125gr. Nosler Partitions at 2400fps, yes it’s a bit faster and a bit heavier but the difference in trajectory for the 120gr. VS 125gr. is .6 of an inch at 200 yards with both zeroed 2” hi at 100yds.  A more accurate comparison would be the 125gr. Partition to the 100gr. SP since those are the general-purpose loads for both.  They are again .6 of an inch difference, only in favor of the 25 Sharps this time.  It is close enough to regard each caliber as equal with regard to actual field external ballistic performance.  They both use approximately the same amount of powder to achieve the same relative velocity while using similar weight bullets.  I would use each on the same class of game without hesitation or regret.  To my thinking medium game, that which is less than 300#, light boned and thin-skinned, and taken at reasonable hunting distances <250yds, should pose no issue for either caliber.  As you get closer to the limits, be it distance, weight, or game build, you might want to choose your shot a bit more and strive for a broadside animal, or choose a premium controlled expansion bullet.

All in all, my initial impression of the 25×45 Sharps was as a more economical option to my Grendel and one where I didn’t have to go looking in the grass for brass.  I always thought the claims of equaling the original 250 Savage ballistics were a bit optimistic.  It may come close with a much longer barrel than I care to lug around, and up and down hills looking for deer or pronghorn.  I’ll just continue to use my 18” barreled gun and enjoy the performance it provides.

The 25 Sharps has found a home with me, and I highly recommend it.

For more information visit srcarms.com

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