25,06 Hand Loads

[cw3jperry]

Fellow T/C Junkies-

I just purchased a 25.06 pro hunter barrel for my encore. I topped it with a Nikon Pro Staff 3x9x40. I bought two boxes of Remington 100 gr. Core-Lokt PSP ammunition to break the barrel in. I was quite happy with the groups from the Remington ammunition; however, I had three rounds out of the 1st box that did not fire. No issues w/the rifle, just bad ammo... Lesson learned, no more Remington ammo...

Now, I loaded up some 117 grain Hornady SST's on top of 46, 46.5, and 47 grains of IMR 4350. I loaded up 6 rounds of each. The rifle didn't seem to like any of this at all; groups were not consistent at all. Like 2"+ moa at 100 yards.

I've read quite a bit, and heard that the t/c barrel's like the nosler BT's. I have some in 117 grain on hand, but was wondering if anyone had any recommended loads that they have had good success with. Possibly a lighter bullet, 100 grains? I'm not looking for 1/4 MOA's at 500 yards, but do shoot quite a bit at the 200 and 300 yard range (Hunting), so I'm looking for something a little better than what I'm dealing with now.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the good reading and helpful advice.

Chris

[JON8777]

I shoot a 85grn Nosler BT with 52grns of 4350. It will shot a 5/8" group at 100 yards.

[Grumulkin]

This load is quite accurate out of my Encore rifle and has proved to be lethal on deer.

[cw3jperry]

I apperciate the input from everyone. Fixing to run to Sportsmans to pick some supplies up. Will keep you posted. Going to give some 115gr. Nosler ballestic tips a shot. I'll keep you updated on the outcome.

Chris

[Lone Star]

While you are there consider picking up some different powders.  Simply changing bullets may do little to improve your accuracy...but if you're lucky it will!


,.

[cw3jperry]

Grumulkin - I didn't find the nosler's I was looking for, but did run across some Berger 115VLD's. Also picked up some RL-22. BUT-the store did not have Fed. 210M primers. Will the Winchester Large Primers suffice? Kind of new at this, so I appreciate the patience and input. Thanks in advance.

Hope to do some loading this weekend, then hit the range Sunday afternoon or Monday.

Chris

[cw3jperry]

45 grains of H4350 with the 115 grain Berger VLD's proved to be quite accurate. Loaded them a little on the light side for the kid. Youth weekend is this weekend, so hopefully we'll see how well they perform. Might just have a few picture's to post by Sunday evening.

[cw3jperry]

Kid harvested her first deer this weekend. The Berger VLD's dropped this Texas Hill Country doe in her tracks. My turn to try them this coming weekend. 

[TMAKER]

Check the head space between the barrel and receiver. If it is more than .002" the head space needs to be shimmed in.  Head space is one of the biggest issues with misfires. I you had 3 misfires out of 40 the head space is probably excessive. My new pro-hunter has about .005"

[charles p]

I agree with the poster above.  I would not be too quick to blame the Reminton ammo.

When the TC Contenders first came out, misfires were very common with rimless cartridges, and about non-existent with rimmed cases.

[JustaShooter]

Check the head space between the barrel and receiver. If it is more than .002" the head space needs to be shimmed in. 

Pardon my ignorance, but how do you shim in the head space on an Encore?  Mine has about .0035 gap - no misfires, but I can imagine that the brass will tend to be overworked.

Just a Shooter

[animal]

I also have the walnut and stainless receiver a blued 260 and stainless ml and 06 barrel. It looks like ya got it dialed in.