Author Topic: 25-06 loads (Read 6015 times)

flatlander · « **on:** November 15, 2006, 01:35:45 PM »

I took some development rounds to the range today, and got horrible results. I was shooting IMR4831 with 100 grn Nosler partitions and my shots were all over the place. 4" groups. I don't have any other powder that will work on this round, so I need a pound of something to start with. Is there anything out there that seems to be a consistantly good shooter? I should mention I'm shooting a Browning A-bolt medallion and have shot Federal factory rounds in both 100 and 117 grns up until now with much better results than this batch of reloads. Or would I be better trying something different in bullets instead? I know I need to switch things up, but I'm trying to figure what direction to go at this point. As well as this gun shoots, I never dreamed it would shoot so horrible with any hand load. I'm a bit in shock and am looking for some ideas before I start in on it again.

And for reference, I do load other calibers and guns and have never had such a series of huge groups before.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2006, 03:14:03 PM »

Strange you should mention this. I decided to try some 125gr Partitions in my 6.5x06 and the same thing happened. My rifle has a long throat for 140gr bullets but I've been using 129gr Hornadys ant they shoot great. Average under 1 1/2" at 200yds. The 125gr Noslers are doing about 2" at 100yds? Tried different powders but nothing works. Finally asked some guy's I know that regulary shoot them and they tell me that partitions are very sensitive to loading depth, Fairly close to the lands.

Well I'll never know because I can't get them there with this rifle. So back to the 129 gr bullets and everything is fine.

One thing I'm pretty sure of is that whatever I'd use the 25-06 on, I don't need partition bullet's. Then deer are as big as I'd shoot with one. 100gr Hornadys shot great out of my 25-06 but didn't really care for the results if I hit something to solid. I use 117gr bullet's now and they too shoot very well. Don't know how much truth there is to the seating depth with partition's. Then again, maybe your rifle just doesn't like them. Have heard that a lot of people love RL-22 with the 100gr bullet's in 25-06?

flatlander · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2006, 02:20:59 AM »

Thanks, Don. After sleeping on it, I think I'm going to go get some other bullets in 115/117 and 100 grains and another pound of powder. If things don't work from there using 2 types of powder and 2 bullet weights, I'll go back to factory loads.

I'll bet I can get something to work, though.

Val · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2006, 10:21:01 AM »

I'm getting very good accuracy with my 25-06 using 51 grains of IMR 4350 with 100 grain Nosler Partitions. This load gives me a chronographed muzzle velocity of 3167 fps. I use 49 grains of IMR 4350 with 120 grain Nosler Partitions with a chronographed muzzle velocity of 3008 fps. I haven't even played with the seating depth and I'm getting .75" three shot groups with these loads.

KN · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2006, 12:14:03 PM »

IMR4831 is considered a great powder for the 25/06. I shoot a Sierra 100gr spsp with a near max load of 4831 and usually get 3/8" 100meter groups consistently from my 110 tactical. This was a load recomended to me from Sierra for long range prarie dogs. I would test a few different bullets before giving up on IMR4831. KN

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2006, 03:53:09 PM »

I've had good results in my .25-06 using 100 grain sierra gamekings or 100 grain speer spitzers with either H4831 or IMR4350. Both work well accuracy wise. I don't know what the velocity is, but the manuals suggest in that weight, IMR4350 should push the bullet faster. I hear good things about Reloader 22, but haven't tried it. Thus far I've only used CCI200 primers.

Gregory · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2006, 04:10:04 PM »

I have a Stainless Stalker LH in 25/06 and I find that groups are terrible if I let the barrel get too hot.
Groups real good for three shots with ample time too cool between groups.
I recently found out that the first shot from a clean barrel is out of the group at 200 meters.

flatlander · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2006, 02:40:44 AM »

My Browning gets wild when the barrel warms up also. BTW, mine is a LH model, too, but not stainless.
I gave it plenty of time to cool off, and loaded an extra round to get my first shot flyer out of the way. It just didn't shoot, which has never happened with this rifle in the last 12 years I've owned it. That is part of the reason I am shocked with the results.
I think I'm going to try out some Sierras using my current powder, and then if I have problems after that, I'll go to new powders. The 4831 is something I'd like to stick with if I can, because I get EXCEPTIONAL results with it in my 7mm Mag and I would like to keep them shooting the same powder if possible, but will change out if I have to.

the jigger · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2006, 06:00:24 AM »

with 100gr partitions and bal tips my 25/06 loves 53.5gr of imr4831. that said all rifles do not like the same loads. during load development i had some really good luck with RL19 and RL22. don't give up on the 100gr partition. IMHO you can't get a brtter .257 bullet for eastern whitetails.

one eye joe · « **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2006, 10:58:54 AM »

I have had good success with IMR 4350 powder using 100-120 grain bullets. My dad loads strictly 100 grain bullets in his and has always had good luck with 46 grains of IMR 4064 powder. 4831 and RL 22 are other powders that generally work well, although they are generally used with the heavier bullets.

The Pistoleer · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2006, 03:13:15 PM »

I have used IMR 4350 with 117 & 120 grain bullets almost exclusively in my 700 BDL for over 30 years and it has always shot very well and done the job. I prefer Speer bullets for this rifle because they shoot so well and do such a good job on Whitetails.

Pete

woods · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2006, 04:27:43 PM »

I'm a pretty avid handloader with a fairly high amount of experience. I think before I would go any further I would first take a close look at the gun. A very good barrel cleaning with a brass brush and a good cleaner such as clp bore cleaner. Before I go to the range with any new loads expecilally if I'm looking for a good load I do a fresh cleaning to remove all copper and lead riesidue from previous session. Next take a close look at your barrel crown to make sure there is no dammage. Allways eliminate the obvious before going further. I have had alot of guns come my way that have no real problems and a good cleaning solved the problem.

woods

flatlander · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2006, 05:02:18 AM »

I will definitely do that. Hunting season started in the meantime, so I went down and bought some factory ammo, sighted it in and took it hunting. I got a nice 8 pt muley. Now I can work on developing my loads without any timetable. And I'll start with a good cleaning.

TLARbb · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2006, 03:55:37 PM »

I was just looking in my reloading notes and I used 52 grains of IMR 4350 behind a 100 grain bullet and 48.5 grains behind a 120 grain bullet.

Keep in mind that the case volume of the 25-06 is large compared to bore and you might need to use magnum primers with the 4831 to light it off in a heavy charge such as you would need for the 100 grain bullet. But, if you do that, you will need to back off on the charge weight and work back up.

I have to say that IMR 4350 was my favorite powder for loading anything with a relatively large case. I used it in .30-06, .270W, 25-06, .257 Roberts, 6mm Rem, .243W. I just seems to be the "right" powder for so many rounds. You need something a little slower in the magnum calibers, but in the calibers I have listed here, it always seem to give the best results of everything I tried.

EJ

Guybo · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2006, 03:32:29 AM »

My favorite bullet for my Rem Classic 25.06 is the Nosler 110gr Accubond. It's very accurate in my rifle and it's performance on game has been excellent for me. I also have a good load worked up with the Speer 120gr Spitzer. The loads are....

Speer 120gr
Rem Brass
CCI 200
49gr/IMR4350 (this load also shot very well with 49grs of IMR4831)
COL = 3.240 (0.010 off the lands in my rifle)

Nosler 110gr Accubond
Rem Brass
FED 210
RL22/53.5gr
COL = 3.244 (0.010 off the lands in my rifle)

Best group with the speer was a 5 shot group @ 100yds that measured 0.564 and a 4 shot group with the accubond measured 0.325. I don't have a pic of the speer target but here's the accubond target.

harrys · « **Reply #15 on:** November 23, 2008, 06:24:56 AM »

Use imr4350 for 100 gr and aa3100 for 75 gr..... 50-52 grs for the 100 grain bullets u will find a tack driver start at 50 work up . 5 at a time to get best 3 shot group and 55.8 grs of aa 3100 for the 75 u will be very happy i'm sure i have 2 no 1's and a 77 all in heavy bbl

gonetocamp · « **Reply #16 on:** November 23, 2008, 01:02:05 PM »

IMR 4831 54.0 grains with Sierra 100 gr. HPBT Matchking.

rdh · « **Reply #17 on:** November 25, 2008, 12:50:26 PM »

My browning ss stalker with the boss shoots the 117 gr hornady sst bullets with imr 4831 good. The load I am shootig right now is 120gr speer flat base spire points with imr 4350 and fed 210 primers. I have the best groups with the heavier bullets than the 100gr stuff. Mine will probaly shoot the lighter stuff a little better if I adjust the boss more but I like the heavier stuff so hope this helps

charles p · « **Reply #18 on:** November 25, 2008, 05:40:49 PM »

My old Browning BBR in 25-06 will not shoot Partitions. In fact, I have rifles in many calibers and none shoot them as well as other bullets. Now, the Ballistic Tip bullet from Nosler are the most accurate bullets I know of, but I do not prefer them on deer size game. I normally shoot Sierra bullets and Hornaday bullets. I have had good results with 4831 but I prefer Reloader powders when appropriate. My 25-06 will shoot lights out accuracy with 100 grain bullets, but not with 117/120. I do not know why.

nodlenor · « **Reply #19 on:** November 26, 2008, 02:26:35 AM »

My Howa 25-06 likes 53gr IMR4831 behind a 100gr Sierra BTHP. 1/2 inch group at 100 yards. It also likes 49gr IMR4831 behind 117gr Sierras. I haven't used very many factory loads but the ones I did use didn't do very good.

Lone Star · « **Reply #20 on:** November 26, 2008, 02:34:06 PM »

Wow, a two-year-old thread - I wonder how many of the original posters are still around?

Too many larger-cased .25-caliber shooters ignore one of the best bullets, the 120 Hornady HP. This one was designed for the .25-06 and performs very well on deer and caribou in my .257 Weatherbys as well. Some report using it in the .257 Roberts with success, so it must expand at lower velocities too. Unlike the Sierra 117BTs, the Hornady keeps the core and jacket locked together, at least in all those I've recovered. Not so with the Sierras - but of course the deer still died. Call me nutty, but I just like the bullet to stay in one piece.

.

nomosendero · « **Reply #21 on:** November 27, 2008, 04:40:26 PM »

Yes, I looked at the first post again, since it is so old. The concern was accuracy obviously. In view of that, a gunsmith who is quite famous told me that the go-to bullet to check a 25 cal for accuracy has been
the 100 gr. bal. tip for years. I have found them to be tack drivers as well with the 115 Bal. Tip & 117 Sie. BT being very accurate too. For powder, I have done well with RL22 for 100 gr & under & RL25 & Retumbo
for 115gr & over.

For game performance, I have had incredible results with the 120 Part, 115TSX & for Mule Deer & Antelope the 115BT. I make that distinction because with the TSX & 120 Part & for that matter the 115 will work on Whitetails or Mule Deer with any logical angle & with the 115 BT I would be a little more careful up close, but know of no problems with that particular wt. & I have seen several Deer & Antelope take with it too.

GradyL41 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 06, 2008, 11:06:20 AM »

49 gr of 4350 works for me-- with 115 BT, 115 NP, and 120 NP as well as Hornady 120 hp . three bullets touching at 100 steps is common

northern hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** December 20, 2008, 06:12:32 PM »

tika t3 in 2506 shoots great with reloader 25 at 57.5 gr. and either 110 gr.Nosler Acubond or Barnes 115 gr. triple shock.Both shoot into the same group under 1" 5 deer later and they do work great.
happy hunting.

Gregory · « **Reply #24 on:** December 24, 2008, 08:51:39 AM »

Quote from: Lone Star on November 26, 2008, 02:34:06 PM

Wow, a two-year-old thread - I wonder how many of the original posters are still around?

.

I'm still around!

I used my Browning Stainless Stalker 25/06 to harvest a small 6-pt buck this season at 120 yds. Load was a Sierra Pro-hunter 100 gr. 52.0 gr XMR-4350 and CCI-200. This is my favorite load for this gun. Deer dropped in his tracks.

Kurt L · « **Reply #25 on:** December 24, 2008, 09:20:12 AM »

The 25-06 I load for shoots 75 hornadys and H4350

But I read another post that a fellow member contacted Hodgdon and they told him H1000
was the best for 115-120 bullets and he said he loved it and was glad he tried it
Just a thought if ya can't your combo to work for you.

TLARbb · « **Reply #26 on:** April 17, 2009, 12:14:17 PM »

I'm still around too. I haven't changed my mind on my favorite .25-06 loads, but then I have shot very little centerfire in the two years since I posted.

I have two .25-06 rifles now, one a Rem 7600, that I have never shot and a 700 that has not seen much use. I need to dust those off and let them show their stuff. I imagine the 7600 will need trigger work before I can shoot it accurately.

EJ

saltydog · « **Reply #27 on:** May 01, 2009, 02:05:59 PM »

H-4350 is my choice for hunting bullets in heavier weights - for lighter bullets Varget. The 25:06 seems to respond better to quality bullets and loads that push the velocity envelope.