The Ultimate PRS Build? 25 x 47 Build End-to-End

I was talking to some friends in the industry about what would make the ultimate PRS rifle. What did we come up with? In this video, we cover a complete custom 25×47 Lapua build, and the results are awesome!

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Bill of Materials

I selected all materials with the goal of optimization in mind.

I began with the BAT Hammerhead short-action with 75-degree bolt throw, and chambered a Custom Rifle Barrels (CRB) 28” 1:7.5” .25 caliber blank.

This combination rests in a Foundation Samson with new natural, soft-touch finish, complete with Hawkins Precision M5 DBM, a TriggerTech Diamond Trigger and an Element Theos in the new Hawkins TM one-piece mount.

I used my PM-1440GT-VS for the machine work along with an Alpha Legacy solid carbide reamer with 0.180” freebore (suggested by Alpha Munitions). I checked headspace with Triebel go and no-go gauges.

Thinking ahead to reloading components—I have headstamped 25×47 Lapua brass from Alpha Munitions.

Proper brass means no necking down! I also have a modified case from Alpha Munitions to determine proper OAL. I have a 25×47 Redding premium die set to pull it all together.

About 25×47 Lapua

25-caliber rifles have been growing in popularity for PRS and 25 x 47 Lapua is drawing a lot of attention. I’ve built x 47mm rifles before, including a 6.5x47mm benchrest-oriented rifle and a 6x47mm Lapua in a WOOX Furiosa Ultra stock.

Both shot well, but there are tradeoffs. The 6x47mm is a barrel-burner, while the 6.5x47mm bucks the wind better, but at the cost of greater recoil. The 25x47mm Lapua is the middle ground between these two calibers.

I’m also interested in further exploring the differences between the popular 25 Creedmoor and 25x47mm Lapua. Both this build and my 25 Creedmoor build have a 1:7.5 twist 28” CRB barrel, making it easy to directly compare performance!

About the PM-1440GT-VS

I have loved the Precision Matthews 1440GT for years, and adding variable speed only made it better! Key features of the PM-1440GT-VS include:

Variable speed
3-Speed Range Gear Box
All Taiwanese built with Japanese spindle bearings
2.055″ thru-spindle capacity
14” swing, 40” between centers, 1” follow rest capacity
D1-5 Chuck Mount
MT3 Tailstock Taper

If you’d like to know more about the PM-1440GT-VS, check out our full overview HERE.

Machining

This SHOT Show I announced Rifle Builder PRO, a digital machining companion and digital reference library for precision rifle gunsmiths. While still in development, chambering for 25×47 was the perfect opportunity to use it as 25×47 is a wildcat CIP cartridge.

Rifle Builder PRO made the process extremely simple and efficient.

When I first chucked up the barrel in the lathe and indicated both ends of the barrel, it was very easy to dial in the lands and grooves. I took another measurement a single inch forward in the barrel and it was still dialed in to 0.0001”. This consistency speaks to the quality of CRB blanks!

I chambered the Custom Rifle Barrels (CRB) 28” 1:7.5” .25 caliber blank with an Alpha Legacy Reamer on my Precision Matthews PM-1440GT-VS. I have been extremely pleased with Alpha reamers and haven’t found any that cut better than their solid carbide legacy reamers!

There was zero runout across the entire length of the finished barrel, including in the throat area.

I verified headspace then cut the barrel to 28” finished length on the Precision Matthews PM-712G Bandsaw before threading the muzzle back on the PM-1440GT-VS.

I also cut a non-threaded step ahead of the threading to help center muzzle devices and prevent cross-threading.

Putting It Together

The assembly was extremely smooth. I secured the barrel in a vise, clocked the action appropriately, and torqued to 75-ft.-lbs.

I used a go-gauge to verify proper headspace before flipping the barreled action over in the Arrow Products Rock Vise to install the TriggerTech Diamond trigger.

I set this trigger at six ounces at first, then reduced it to four ounces after some dry-firing. I decided to engrave some extra details into this barrel, including the action and freebore.

I installed the Hawkins M5 DBM into the Foundation Samson and added the barreled action.

The action screws that came with the Samson were perfect!

An Element Theos fit nicely in the new Hawkins Precision TM One-Piece Scope Mount. This mount includes a “diving board” to mount a ballistic rangefinder and a ring cap with integrated level. I left off the diving board for now and mounted the cap with the level on the ring closest to my eye for easy reference.

I used Wheeler’s F.A.T. Wrench AutoTorque and levels to properly secure the scope. The final step was to screw on the ACE Max muzzle brake which also has four ports on the top to keep the muzzle down.

Reloading and Range Results

It took some time to find some loads that the rifle liked.

As a wildcat, there isn’t as much data available for this cartridge as others. I started with reloading Blackjack 131-Grain ACE bullets. Five-shot groups at 100 yards measured approximately ¾ inch.

Watch our load development video for the full exploration process!

We eventually got some fantastic results with Berger .25 Caliber 135-Grain Long Range Hybrid Target Bullets and Hornady 138-Grain A-Tip’s.

Serena had the best five-shot group: 0.231” at 100 yards with 138-Grain Hornady A-Tips over 40.2 grains of H4350.

The velocity was 2855 fps with an 8.1 fps SD.

I fired a 0.331” five-shot group with Berger 135’s, just edging out John’s 0.333” group with the same load.

The SD for this second load was a very small 4.6 fps with an average velocity of 2775 fps.

From here we braved snow and cold to shoot on the ridgeline, starting with a nearly-impossible-to-see IPSC at 660 yards.

I managed three subsequent impacts on Harold in a near-whiteout at 1390 yards.

We all cheered when we saw the Caldwell Flash Bangs flash green through the snow! We used a bipod and the Creedmoor Sports Soup Can bag, which made for a very stable platform.