25/06 range report ( up date )

[stimpylu32]

Well guys took the 25/06 out for the first time today , i think i am going to like this one ,  The only rounds that i got to shoot today were the 75 grain V-max that i loaded the other night .

It took me about 5 rounds to get it on paper , robbed a 3x9 Bushnell Banner off of my 30/30 barrel so it needed dialed in , was using a light load of Varget ( 41 gr. ) once i got it on paper i was able to put 10 rounds in under 2" .

As with most Handi's it seems to have a longgggg throat so the bullets were seated WAY out in the neck , i think with a little work this will make a great long range varmint gun for groundhogs , p-dogs and yotes . still getting used to the long barrel , all of my other Handi's are 20" or  22" .

Thanks to Tim , Rod and the Digger i have a bunch of other bullets to try this coming weekend , so another report will be coming  soon .

stimpy

[stimpylu32]

Almost forgot , thanks to Andy for the barrel . 

stimpy

[rbergum95]

thanks for the preliminary report stimpy. keep at it. im sure youll be able to get it to shoot as good as you want. merry christmas to all.

[mitchell]

you know whats sad i forgot i had one of these. never have shot it yet i guess that another thing on my to do list when i get back

[quickdtoo]

Ya know Mitch, that's one of those old timer symptoms!!

Take care my friend and have as Happy a New Year as you can,

Tim

[MSP Ret]

Stay safe Mitchell and have a happy new year over there. We all are praying for your, and everyone else's, safe return. Your doing a fine thing being there buddy, we all appreciate it...

Stimpy glad you are enjoying the barrel, when you get it out for varmints, get a coyote for me....<><....

[stimpylu32]

Well got about 3 hours range time with the rifle today , with some very strange results . Rounds tested were as fallows .

100gr TSX over 40gr of IMR4895 and CCI 200 LRPs -- 2" groups .

87gr Sierra Spitzer over 45gr of IMR4895 and CCI 200 LRPs -- 1 1/2 to 2" groups .

115gr Nosler BTs over 38gr of H4895 and CCI 200 LRPs -- 1" groups with 2 flyers , i pulled those shots .

110gr Nosler Accu over 43.5gr of H380 and CCI 200 LRPs -- 2 nice 3/4" groups and one group that was UGLY , not sure what happened .

120gr Speer BT Spitzers over 26gr of IMR 4227 with CCI 200 LRPs -- Very consistent 3/4" groups . 

May have to change primers for this rifle , the CCIs seam to be too hard , about 1/2 of the rounds required a second hammer drop to fire , got very lite pin marks but good headspace so i'll try Win LRPs next time .

The next thing was that the powder that i would expected to do poorly did very well , still have not figgered that one out . am going to try some slower burning powders for the next batch .  Also had a lot of problems with sticking brass , time for a good chamber polishing .    should have done that first thing .

For the most part i am very pleased with this barrel and how it shoots . But as with all Handi's its a work in progress . 

stimpy

Almost forgot these were 100 yard shots .

[quickdtoo]

Good work Stimpy, thanks for the update.

Tim

[rbergum95]

thanks for the reort stimpy.keep up the good work.

[nomosendero]

Looks like you are off to a good start.  I look forward to the results with the slow powders for the 110Acc & bullets of 115gr & up.

[PHATINJUN]

Stimpy you gonna keep that banner on it or are you looking at something else? I just picked one up and am thinking about scopes for it. Kurt

[stimpylu32]

rbergum95

Going to try some of your loads next , was out of RL22 and had just enough of the 4350 to load 1 round so they are on order . though i had both stashed , thats what i get for thinking .

Rod

Still don't understand why the Speer 120s did so well with the IMR4227 .    but am thinking that the slower powder will work much better on some of the heavier bullets .

Kurt

I realy like the Bushnell Banner scopes , as of now i have 5 of them . 1 fixed 4x , 3 , 3-9x40s and a 4-12x40 , for the money they are hard to beat , good clear glass , between 3" and 3 1/2 " of eye relief depending on the scope and a very repeatable 0 .

stimpy

[TLARbb]

IMR 4350 has always been my favorite powder for most everything I shoot, from .243 through 30-06.  I think I was using 48-1/2 gr of 4350 behind 120gr Speer BTSP and Sierra 120gr BTHP.  Don't try that load, because sometimes my memory is not that good, and it is surely something you don't want to stake YOUR safety on.  The point is that I had very good results out of 4350 in a Remington 700 and a Ruger #1B.  I bought another Remington 700 about 7 years ago, but I really can't remember if I've even shot it yet.  Bummer when you have more rifles than you can shoot.

If I can find my reloading notebook, I'll look up that load again.  I also used some WW 785 when it was available.  I always liked it, but it is touchy and needs to be full power loadings to be safe.  I guess that's why WW quit making it.  I like 760 too, but it is a little fast for .25-06 in my experience. 

I saw a .25-06 on Gunbroker a while back and kind of got cold feet on bidding, but it really appealed to me.

If I like this .204 I've got, maybe I'll try to track down one for myself.

Edit:

I went and looked at my loading manual and the note in it confirms that 48-1/2gr behind the 120gr bullet.  Must be Alzheimer's setting in - I can remember the load from 10 years ago, but can't remember where I left my car keys last night.  Anyway in that particular manual (Lyman 45th edition), 48-1/2 (IMR 4350) is 2-1/2 grains below maximum for 120 gr.  I believe the Hogden version is a touch slower.

EJ

[stimpylu32]

EJ

I'll give those loads a try , i have had very good results with IMR4350 in my 270s so it ought to work well in the 25 and thanks to Digger a have some 100 & 120 Speers to shoot . 

Anyone have a good load for the 75gr V-max or the 87gr Sierras ?

stimpy

[GrampaMike]

Hey Stimpy,

These are from my notes, best 3 of each.

Brass: Hornady     
Primer: WLR

Bullet: Sierra 87 grain SPT

Powder:    46.3 grains IMR 3031       Chrony Velocity: 3412
   47.9 grains IMR 4895       Chrony Velocity: 3405
   47.9 grains Hodgdon H4895    Chrony Velocity: 3305


Bullet: Sierra 120 grain HPBT

Powder:    44.5 grains IMR 4831      Chrony Velocity: 2672
   44.5 grains IMR 4350      Chrony Velocity: 2742
   42.2 grains VihtaVuori N135   Chrony Velocity: 2846


Bullet: Hornady 75 grain V-Max

Powder:   50.5 grains Accurate 2520   Chrony Velocity: 3575
   45.8 grains IMR 3031       Chrony Velocity: 3528
   49.0 grains Alliant Reloder 15   Chrony Velocity: 3508


Bullet: Speer 120 grain BTSP

Powder:   45.5 grains IMR 4831      Chrony Velocity: 2699
   47.3 grains Alliant Reloder 25   Chrony Velocity: 2593
   45.5 grains IMR 4350      Chrony Velocity: 2769

Mike

[quickdtoo]

Thanks Mike, I added that to your other info in the FAQs, feel free to share any that's not there yet!!

Tim

[GrampaMike]

Thanks Tim,

Been trying to organize a lifetime of loading notes.

OT Note to Tim: Got a 405 Win Ruger #1 for Christmas (next load development project) do you have any good loads with yours?

Mike

[quickdtoo]

Congrats Mike, I'll PM email ya what I have.

Tim

[stimpylu32]

Thanks Mike , i'll add them to my list of loads to try , i want to get this thing ready for Hooker . 

stimpy

[Datil]

 That's right Stimpy, We all thinking About going to Hooker.
 Hope all works out for you and the 25-06
 Marv.