Will a 25-06 HB Shoot? You Bet it Will...

[Bill In SC]

Had a chance finally to test some load development for a 25-06 HB that was a late Christmas present.

Fitted with a Elite 3200 3X9 and standard Encore stock with HB forearm floated with steel washers I came up with these....



Average velocity @ 10 feet was 2941




Average Velocity on this load was 2839 @ 10 feet

Granted these were the best groups out of the testing, but all 3 shot groups were .8 or less...  I was totally amazed.

One thing I have found out.  I purchased one of the "Uncle Buds" shooting bags, and I have never shot tighter groups.  It seems with the Encore, your not hunting for that sweet spot for the forearm to rest on.  The whole thing is supported in the bags...  I liked it so well, I ordered another in the field model which is shorter and will work with the 14 and 15 inch Contenders and Encore pistols.

So...   Will a standard T/C barrel shoot?   I think so......

[sweetwyominghome]

Some factory TC barrels, like yours, do shoot extremely well. But consider yourself lucky as the 25-06 has been one of TC's "problem" chamberings for some time now.

Nice shooting, by the way.

[nomosendero]

Good shooting, look's like you have a good barrel, congrats!

[swampthing]

Your not joshin' us around with a 25yd target are you? Ha Ha.
That is great, you got yourself a shooter there, good for you and good luck this season.  Any coyotes in the mean time?

[kudzu]

Have I missed something or am I having senior moment. What is the HB in 25-06HB.

Hate to hear others are having trouble with their 25-06's. I have a 25-06 prohunter that shoots the fac. 117 speer hotcores loaded by fed. to 9/16 groups at 100.

[swampthing]

HB= "heavy barrel"
.825" at muzzle

[kudzu]

thanks swampthing, the end of Bill's post threw me off when he used the term "standard".

BTW, Bill In SC, Nice target with your 25-06 HB !!!

[Bill In SC]

Thanks Guys....   Yeah, it's a "Heavy Barrel"...   Sorry for the "Standard Barrel" part.  What I meant by that, was that it was a "Production Barrel" from T/C and not some custom job.  Only thing I have done to the frame is change some springs for the trigger pull.

Have a 14" Contender in 7-30 Waters that shot well that day also...  Fitted with a T/C 4X Scope, average velocity was right at 2500 on these.

All the groups were shot at 100 yards.