The 25-284 cartridge is a wildcat round, meaning it is not commercially produced by major ammunition manufacturers and generally requires custom handloading. It is based on the .284 Winchester case, which is necked down to accept .25 caliber (0.257 inch) bullets. This modification combines the high powder capacity of the .284 Winchester case with the ballistic properties of the .25 caliber bullet.
The primary use for the 25-284 cartridge is in precision shooting and hunting, particularly for medium-sized game like deer and antelope. Its flatter trajectory and higher velocity make it suitable for longer-range shooting compared to traditional .25 caliber cartridges like the .25-06 Remington.
Handloaders favor the 25-284 because it can be tailored for specific performance needs, though this requires careful attention to detail and thorough understanding of ballistics and reloading principles.