reloading the 25-06? Velocitiy low with 100gr bullets

[mcseal2]

I have been working on some handloads for my 25-06. I burned out the barrel in my Dad's old 670 Winchester 243. The 670 is pretty much a lower end push feed 70 that used a long action for everything. Anyway after burning out the barrel I decided to fix up the old rifle and had it re-built with a Montana 24" 25-06 barrel and Bell & Carlson Alaskan stock. It had been shot so much it needed a new firing pin spring also, but is now back shooting better than ever. Dad, me, and my wife all took our first deer with that rifle.

I tried a few factory loads through the rifle in different weights. Almost all of it over 90gr shot under 1.5". The 100gr to 110gr stuff seemed to be the best. The barrel is not a fan of any of the lighter bullets I tried in factory or handloaded ammo.

I got decent accuracy but not the velocity I hoped for out of factory ammo:
Factory 100gr Nosler E tips averaged 3019fps
Factoy Barnes 100gr TTSX averages 3007fps
Factory Federal 100gr Ballistic tips averaged 3080fps
Factory Hornady Precision Hunter 110gr ELD-X ammo averaged 3050fps.

I loaded up a few different bullets with RL 22 over the last few days. The most accurate load so far has been 55.5gr of RL 22 with a 100gr Sierra Gameking. I was hoping it would be a little faster since it was hitting a little over an inch higher than the E tip load, but the chronograph shows it at 3028fps. SD is very low on this load, but I really want to find some more velocity.

The best load I found previously was a 100gr Swift Sirocco 2 at 3187fps with 54.5gr of H4831SC. That load shot under 1".

Anyone using a powder that pushes the 100gr bullets faster than these two? I'd like to see 3250fps or better from the 100gr bullets. It seems like a lot of people are getting more speed from a 115 or 117gr bullet than I am from the 100gr. Thanks.

 

[Timr245]

Here ya go! Nosler’s load data has usually produced great accuracy for me. IMR 7828 has always produced very accurate loads for me in multiple calibers. You may also consider going up to 110gr, often similar velocity with a heavier bullet & higher BC produces more on-target energy.

 

[Timr245]

Oops, that looks unlegible. Try this https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/25-06-remington/

 

[JimP]

That looks interesting on your loading results with the RL22 and 100 grain bullet.

I am shooting a 100 grain Barnes TTSX with 54.5 grains of RL22 and am getting on average 3200 fps out of it with a 24" barrel that is giving me around 3/4" groups at 100 yards.

The best grouping I came up with was with some Barnes 115 TSX bullets at 3100 fps.

The Barnes load data on line still shows you can get 3348 fps with 62.5 grains of Magnum powder and 100 grain bullet, but who know what the accuracy would be.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have shot a 25-06 since the 1960's when it was not a factory load. I have a M77 Ruger I bought new in 1973 that I have shot thousands of rounds thru it. It is my main gun for deer and antelope, probably shot over 100 of them with it. I only shoot reloads. I just load one bullet...117gr BT Sierra Game King. I use 53 gr of 4831sc. MV is 3180. I've tried RL 15 & 20, but still get better groups (about 1/2 minute) with the 4831sc. I think RL 22 is a little too slow for this caliber. I have a Leupold VXIII 4x14 on the rifle and have Leupold a ballistic turret on it. It stays less than minute groups at 5oo yds.

 

[mcseal2]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just got back in from trying the 117gr Sierra Gameking over 51 and 52gr of RL 22. That was a mild load from some books, nearer to max from the Sierra book. 3 shots over the chronograph with the hotter load averaged 2772fps with an SD of 20.3. The 3 I shot without the Magnetospeed attached to the barrel grouped really well, the rifle seems to like Sierra bullets, but that's really slow.

What should I try next? Different powder?

I tried the 90gr Sierra Gamechanger through my 243 with IMR 4350. Those averaged 3136fps and Factory Federal 90gr Accubonds averaged 3119fps so I think the chronograph is working right. I'm going to keep working on that 90gr load for the 243, a .490BC at over 3100fps shows promise.

 

[mcseal2]

I have some H4831SC I'll give a shot with both the 100gr and 117gr Sierras. I have a pile of those in factory seconds on the shelf, pounds of each, I got years ago. It is shooting both bullets well enough I'll let it pick what it likes if I can find the speed.

I also have RL 19 and IMR 4350. I don't have the other powders listed on my shelf currently.

Thanks everyone.

 

[mcseal2]

I have shot a 25-06 since the 1960's when it was not a factory load. I have a M77 Ruger I bought new in 1973 that I have shot thousands of rounds thru it. It is my main gun for deer and antelope, probably shot over 100 of them with it. I only shoot reloads. I just load one bullet...117gr BT Sierra Game King. I use 53 gr of 4831sc. MV is 3180. I've tried RL 15 & 20, but still get better groups (about 1/2 minute) with the 4831sc. I think RL 22 is a little too slow for this caliber. I have a Leupold VXIII 4x14 on the rifle and have Leupold a ballistic turret on it. It stays less than minute groups at 5oo yds.

Thanks, I knew you had a load you had been using for a long time, just couldn't remember what it was. I'll work up to that and see where we are at.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

My Ruger has a 26" barrel so the velocity is a little more than shorter barrels. I did work up some hotter loads, but this load was the best accuracy & velocity.

 

[mcseal2]

Well I made an improvement. Since the IMR 4350 was still in the powder scale/dropper I tried it first. I got an average of 3225fps with an SD of 21 with the 100gr Sierra and 52.0gr. I put 7 of them down range and the 4 w/o the chronograph attached made a ragged hole. I'm not showing any pressure so I might try a half grain more tomorrow. I also want to try the H4831SC before I call it good. Very happy with the accuracy so far. A buddy I called who shoots the 25-06 a lot said his load was a 100gr Ballistic Tip with 54gr of IMR4350. Depending on what book you use that load is on the upper end. Depending on how that goes I might or might not experiment more with the 117gr bullets. I really don't need the heavier bullet for what I plan to do with the rifle.

I really plan to use this rifle on coyotes and for antlerless season. It will also be a back-up deer rifle for me and an antelope rifle for my wife. My 264 and 300 win mags have treated me to well to go away from them for a lot of my hunting although the 25-06 is plenty capable.

 

[JimP]

I have learned after years of reloading that if I chance upon a load that is doing very close to what I want and it isn't showing any pressure and the accuracy is what I want I'll stop there.

I have a few loads for rifles that are quite a ways under the max in the manuals but they are giving me what I want out of them, and I know that I am in the safe area as far as pressures are concerned.

 

[mcseal2]

I understand where you are coming from. My 264 win mag load is pretty mild. It's only pushing a 140gr Berger at 2914fps with 60gr of H4831SC. It's really consistent, low recoil, and seems to drop deer and antelope really fast. I want my favorite rifle's barrel to last a while, the mild load should help.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have learned after years of reloading that if I chance upon a load that is doing very close to what I want and it isn't showing any pressure and the accuracy is what I want I'll stop there.

I have a few loads for rifles that are quite a ways under the max in the manuals but they are giving me what I want out of them, and I know that I am in the safe area as far as pressures are concerned.

Yep that's what I've found with my load in the Ruger. I could go higher, but groups get bigger and there is no need to.

 

[Prerylyon]

Another great thread guys - appreciate it!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[mcseal2]

Got back to loading and shooting the 25-06.

I ended up at 53gr of IMR 4350. I tried a half grain under and over but that was the sweet spot. Accuracy was as good as the 52gr load with no signs of pressure. I put 7 shots over the chronograph because that was how many cases I had left primed after shooting three 5 shot groups with the new load over 3 different bench sessions. Throwing out the high and low, the other 5 shots over the chronograph averaged 3301fps. I think that should be a fine coyote, deer, and antelope load for the old rifle. I will shoot a few more over the chronograph at different outside temps and then send the data in to have a turret built for the Vortex 4-16 the gun is wearing.

I plan to take this and my AR in the truck on the coyote contests I hunt this year. I need to send in the scope on the 243 I have used as my "big gun" in the past. Some spots I hunt these smarter later season coyotes ranges can stretch or we get a windy day and I don't have the faith in the 55gr V Max at 2964fps that I do in a bigger, faster bullet. It's always a good idea to have one back-up rifle between us anyway and it seems to always end up being mine. A buddy shot my rifle a couple years ago in a contest we won, he left his leaning up against his house when he locked his door. I was darn glad to have 2 rifles along that day!

 

[Timr245]

This should get you by until you get that turret. Elevation is most likely incorrect but it can be easily adjusted if you provide your elevation.

 

[mcseal2]

Thanks for the help.

The elevation at home is 1200, but that's not enough to make a big difference. I have a 2.5" high zero at 100yds right now but I'll adjust it. I currently have a turret for my 6mm (70gr Ballistic Tip at 3700fps) on it since that's where the Vortex scope started out. I need to run the numbers and see but I'll bet that works for a 300 or 350yd coyote with a little adjustment of my 100yd zero. Out further I will start to need the right turret.

 

[Timberstalker]

I go with 50 gr IMR 4831 with 100 gr Nosler BT’s for my coyote load. I have no idea how fast but I don’t really care.

 

[Timberstalker]

When it comes to grouping it seems seating depth is more important thane powder choice. I am close to using H4831SC for all three of my rifles. .300wm, 280AI and the 25-06.