The 25-45 Sharps cartridge as factory loaded at this time is basically a 223 shell case necked up to .257 and loaded with an 87 grain Speer Hot Core bullet for deer size game at 3000 fps out of a 20" or 24" test barrel. In theory it is the equal of the old 250-3000 AKA 250 Savage. The 250-3000 as loaded with an 87 grain bullet was the first commercial cartridge to break the 3000 fps barrier. I bought a SRC upper with a 20" heavy stainless steel barrel and free floated rail. I mounted a Leupold 3-9x50 VX-R scope with a Leupold Mark II base on it. The question is should consistent 4.5" (or a little smaller) 5 shot groups at 250 yards, that is as far as my range goes, be considered awful, ho-hum, good, great, or what? 100 yard 5 shot groups were running 1.5" to 1.75". I was shooting at the 6" x 6" head area of a steel B/C zone target. With a 250 yard zero it is 2" high at 200 yards and 3" high at 100 yards. I do think my bench rest and my bench technique both suck. I plan to fill the freezer with venison this fall with this combo.

I think this cartridge in an M4 style 14.5"-16" carbine could give the common 223/5.56 M4 style carbine of similar barrel length a run for the money. What say you?