Author Topic: 25-06 Reloads-Range Report and interesting range day  (Read 438 times)

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Offline dmills

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25-06 Reloads-Range Report and interesting range day
« on: January 25, 2007, 05:08:14 AM »
My wife claims my study/computer room/hobby room looks like the Borg have invaded since I started reloading.  She keeps saying that she'll be happy when it gets warmer and I can move this operation to the barn/workshop. 

All that aside, I have been acquiring reloading equipment and components since I purchased my first Handi in December '06.  Working with H4831 and IMR4831 using Nosler 100gr. BTs, I loaded up a couple of batches covering the range from .5gr above min. to near max. loads according to several data sources.  I used Win. cases and Win. primers.  I loaded a couple of extra min. load to use as fouling shots, since I had cleaned the barrel when I had everything apart for a trigger job.

On the 100 yd bench, I fired the first two fouling shots at someone else's left-behind target without even checking where they landed at that time.  Then I started through the IMR batch and found good grouping with all shots in the 53gr to 54.5gr range.  But when I walked down the range to check that target I saw that the first two fouling shots using the minimum load were only about 1/4" apart, as well.

I had loaded a batch of 1 ea. in mixed fed. and rem. cases using the IMR and Speer 100 gr. Spitzers in .5 gr. increments.  Again, those grouped up nicely in the 53 - 54.5 gr. range.  When I say nicely, I mean 4 shots covered by a nickle. 

The batch with H4831 also hit a sweet-spot at 52.5 - 53gr. but then began to open up the grouping quickly above that.

Just how good should the 25-06 get with handloads?  Should  I be satisfied with this grouping or can it get better if I try other powders, etc.?  I have not done the o-ring or anything else to the forearm, but the shots do not seem to be stringing.  The foream does contact the barrel all the way down both sides so I am considering a light sanding in the barrel channel to relieve that.

The interesting part of the day was that I was the first shooter to arrive at the range.  The second was a guy who looked familiar.  He proceeded to uncase a Buffalo Classic.  I had not seen one in person so I walked over to talk.  He looked familiar because he is a salesman at the Cabelas down the road about 8 miles from the range.  He was shooting some factory ammo and also some handload he had done with some American Pioneer powder.  He forced me to take a shot with his BC and I really liked it.  He offered to let me shoot more but I did not want to take advantage.  That 45-70 is fun.  Even though it was his day off, he confided that a couple of BCs were on the way to the store and ...

Anyway, the third shooter to arrive used a dolly to bring about 5-6 gun cases down to the benches.  He pulled out a new Survivor and later a more seasoned Ultra in 25-06 and was shooting on the 50 yd bench.

All in all a good range day.

I am off to the lease in East Texas tomorrow to shoot some at longer ranges.  Hopefully, I'll see some coyotes or pigs.


Offline Mac11700

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Re: 25-06 Reloads-Range Report and interesting range day
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2007, 06:07:55 AM »
It's real hard to say what your rifle will do with other powders & bullets...Each will shoot differently...Your getting good groups with the combination your using right now...and you can experiment with different O.A.L to see if it will shrink your groups..You always have the option of trying different combinations..and seeing how they do for you..Some will do good..some won't..It's going to be up to you to figure out what is good enough...Many 25-06's in Handis are capable of 1/2" groups with the right ammo...and sounds to me like you have one of these...and this is a good thing... ;)

Good Luck to you...

Mac
You can cry me a river... but...build me a bridge and then get over it...

Offline 270Handiman

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Re: 25-06 Reloads-Range Report and interesting range day
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2007, 06:43:19 AM »
dmills,

Are you shooting at Quail Creek?  I noticed your location is pretty close to mine, except I'm only about a mile from Cabela's.

Matt

Offline dmills

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Re: 25-06 Reloads-Range Report and interesting range day
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2007, 06:58:03 AM »
dmills,

Are you shooting at Quail Creek?  I noticed your location is pretty close to mine, except I'm only about a mile from Cabela's.

Matt

I am shooting at Quail Creek.  I'm there fairly often, but usually with a muzzleloader or two.  I think the guys at the range were shocked when I started showing up with the centerfire.  See ya there.

Don.