Weatherby 25 WBY RPM 133gr Elite Hunter – Superb 20 Round Box

Description

Weatherby 25 WBY RPM 133gr Elite Hunter is the long range option in the 25 Weatherby RPM lineup. The 133 grain Berger Elite Hunter leaves the muzzle at 3000 fps with a G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.613, working out to roughly 2658 ft-lbs. Weatherby catalogues it as R25RPM133EH, twenty rounds to the box.

• Why Ballistic Coefficient Wins at Distance
• Weatherby 25 WBY RPM 133gr Elite Hunter Specifications
• Honest Notes and a Spec Correction

Why Ballistic Coefficient Wins at Distance

Muzzle velocity gets the attention and ballistic coefficient wins the argument past 400 yards. This load starts 350 fps slower than the 107 grain Hammer, but with a G1 BC of 0.613 against 0.510 it sheds velocity more slowly, and somewhere around the 500 yard mark it has caught up and passed it in retained energy and wind resistance. That crossover is the entire reason this load exists.

The Berger Elite Hunter is a hybrid ogive design, meaning the nose blends tangent and secant profiles so it is both efficient in flight and forgiving of seating depth. Terminally it is a thin jacketed lead core bullet that penetrates a few inches, then fragments and dumps energy in a large cavity. On deer sized game that is decisive; it is not a heavy bone bullet.

A 133 grain bullet is heavy for a quarter bore and needs a reasonably fast twist to stabilise. Weatherby chambers the 25 RPM with that in mind, so this 25 Weatherby RPM ammo shoots properly in factory rifles. If you are running a custom barrel, check the twist before ordering.

Weatherby 25 WBY RPM 133gr Elite Hunter Specifications

Weatherby loads this on brass cases. The Berger Elite Hunter uses a lead core, so it is not an option where non lead projectiles are mandated; the 117 grain Barnes LRX is the lead free choice in this cartridge.

• Manufacturer part number: R25RPM133EH
• Line: Weatherby Select Plus
• Caliber: 25 Weatherby RPM
• Bullet weight: 133 grains
• Bullet type: Berger Elite Hunter, hybrid ogive, lead core
• Muzzle velocity: 3000 fps
• Approximate muzzle energy: 2658 ft-lbs
• Ballistic coefficient G1: 0.613
• Case material: brass
• Quantity: 20 rounds per box
• UPC: 747115463435

Honest Notes and a Spec Correction

A spec correction worth knowing. A large number of retailers list this load at 3150 fps, the same figure as the 117 grain versions. Weatherby own published ballistics chart gives 3000 fps for the 133 grain Elite Hunter. The 3150 figure appears to be a distributor data error that has been copied widely, and we have used the manufacturer number here. If you are building a drop chart, start from 3000 fps and confirm with a chronograph.

Berger hunting bullets are designed to fragment after a few inches of penetration. That produces excellent results on deer and antelope and it is the wrong behaviour for a raking shot through heavy shoulder bone on elk. If bigger game is on your list, the Barnes LRX in the same cartridge penetrates far more reliably.

Availability is the standing issue with the 25 RPM. It is a young proprietary cartridge with one source of factory ammunition and a narrow range of loads. If Weatherby 25 WBY RPM 133gr Elite Hunter groups well in your rifle, buy several boxes at once and keep the brass.

Barrel life runs shorter than a mild quarter bore. Even at 3000 fps this cartridge works a throat hard. Let the barrel cool between strings, keep an honest round count, and budget for a rebarrel sooner than a 25-06 would need one.

For deep penetration and lead free compliance see the 117 grain Barnes LRX, and the 107 grain Hammer HBC is the flattest shooting inside 400 yards. Full published ballistics are on the Weatherby ballistics charts.

Weatherby 25 WBY RPM 133gr Elite Hunter suits long range western hunters running a Mark V or 307 in 25 RPM who want the highest ballistic coefficient the cartridge offers. MAG5 Firearms is a family owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Boxes ship where state and local law allows.