Reloading Help 25-06

[Ralt71]

We had a busy weekend, I got to do some loading, but no shooting (my range is on my property by my house. I walk to my shooting table lol).

I loaded up 6 rounds with 61g of H1000, 100g Speers, in sets of two seated at .030, .033, .036 off the lands

I also loaded up 6 rounds with 56.3g of H1000, 117g Sierras, in sets of two seated at the same .030, .033, .036 off the lands

I'm going to check these but may abandon the H1000. I told my FIL some of the data I learned here, only to find out he has IMR4350. Which has a new concern for me. It's old enough it has a metal lid and he paid $23 usd for it. It was sealed, but I'm still worried about how long it will last in a damp basement.

 

[Ralt71]

Here is my Dirty Laundry on this load. Groups I am not proud of at all, but it was requested to see some shots and these were the only pictures I could find that I took.

100g Speer HPBT, 61g H100, Federal Match Primer, Seated 2.737 (.023 from lands)


117g Sierra GameKing, 56.3g H100, Federal Match Primer, Seated 2.720 (.025 from lands)

 

[JD338]

The IMR4350 in the plastic can should be fine.
Load up some of the 117 gr Sierra's, seat the bullet .050" off the lands and post your results.

JD338

 

[clearwater]

We had a busy weekend, I got to do some loading, but no shooting (my range is on my property by my house. I walk to my shooting table lol).

I loaded up 6 rounds with 61g of H1000, 100g Speers, in sets of two seated at .030, .033, .036 off the lands

I also loaded up 6 rounds with 56.3g of H1000, 117g Sierras, in sets of two seated at the same .030, .033, .036 off the lands

I'm going to check these but may abandon the H1000. I told my FIL some of the data I learned here, only to find out he has IMR4350. Which has a new concern for me. It's old enough it has a metal lid and he paid $23 usd for it. It was sealed, but I'm still worried about how long it will last in a damp basement.
View attachment 26542

Damp basement storage should be a plus. I have 4350 from the 1970's that works just like new and some Dupont Pistol powder from before that still goes bang.

Check other variables. At our club range one of the benches is tilted and has a wobble. Sandbags instead of a bipod help but it's usually disappointing groups from that one.

 

[Ralt71]

The IMR4350 in the plastic can should be fine.
Load up some of the 117 gr Sierra's, seat the bullet .050" off the lands and post your results.

JD338

I'll load up three this afternoon at this spec and send em!

 

[Ralt71]

Damp basement storage should be a plus. I have 4350 from the 1970's that works just like new and some Dupont Pistol powder from before that still goes bang.

Check other variables. At our club range one of the benches is tilted and has a wobble. Sandbags instead of a bipod help but it's usually disappointing groups from that one.

Thanks for the ideas on other possible causes. I shoot from two sets of bags currently, not just this gun but all my guns. This is the only one that is real nasty. I've been working up a load on a 7mm mag at the same time. Often shooting both guns testing loads at once. While one is cooling, one is firing. That 7mag load averaged .498 for three sets of three shot groups using all the same shooting equipment.

I did check the scope on this gun, even set it in my bog tripod, fastened firm and had my wife tap it a couple times with a pen. No movement at all. Checked the mounting screws and the base. Does not appear to be variances in that. I gave it a few clicks of adjustment and watched it move, then had her tap the scope again. It all seems to be correct. If my new loads are erratic, the scope is coming off the gun though!

 

[Ralt71]

The only powder I loaded 25-06 with is IMR4350 with 117gr Sierra GK and 120gr Federal Fusions. Too bad the stuff is hard to come by today and is priced ridiculous.

What charge weight did you do the 117's at with IMR4350?

 

[Ralt71]

The IMR4350 in the plastic can should be fine.
Load up some of the 117 gr Sierra's, seat the bullet .050" off the lands and post your results.

JD338

I'm calling this set my JD Special. Pictures of how it shoot to come later...

Weatherby Vanguard - 25-06 REM - 3x12x50 Vortex Scope - It's not marked on the gun, but online shows a twist rate of 1:10
Lands: 2.745 using the Sierra bullet.
Load - Nosler Brass twice fired, shoulder is .003 from fire form, trimmed neck to 2.88. Wet tumbled and Ultrasonic Cleaned. RCBS full length resized, bullet seated with an RCBS Competition, adjustable seater die. Sierra 117 GameKing, IMR4350 @51g, Federal Match 210 Primers, Seated 2.695 CBTO, and a COAL 3.128'ish (had one at 3.129 but the variation in the soft tip can do that)

 

[JD338]

I'm calling this set my JD Special. Pictures of how it shoot to come later...

Weatherby Vanguard - 25-06 REM - 3x12x50 Vortex Scope - It's not marked on the gun, but online shows a twist rate of 1:10
Lands: 2.745 using the Sierra bullet.
Load - Nosler Brass twice fired, shoulder is .003 from fire form, trimmed neck to 2.88. Wet tumbled and Ultrasonic Cleaned. RCBS full length resized, bullet seated with an RCBS Competition, adjustable seater die. Sierra 117 GameKing, IMR4350 @51g, Federal Match 210 Primers, Seated 2.695 CBTO, and a COAL 3.128'ish (had one at 3.129 but the variation in the soft tip can do that)View attachment 26545
View attachment 26546View attachment 26547

I offer a no money back guarantee.

JD338

 

[sako2]

The 117gn sierra with 48.8gn of h4831 at sierras recommended o.a.l length shoots light out in my 25-06.

 

[FOTIS]

I wish you lived in Cheyenne. I would pick up the rifle and return it with a sub MOA load in one week. Maybe less.

 

[Ralt71]

I wish you lived in Cheyenne. I would pick up the rifle and return it with a sub MOA load in one week. Maybe less.

I wish I did too, I would love to see your process

 

[FOTIS]

What bullet does your FIL want to use and for what purpose?

The 25-06 was my first big game rifle. I have been in bed with one or two at a time since 1993. Killed more big game with that caliber(chambering) than anything else. PM me if you want.

Where do you live?

 

[Ralt71]

What bullet does your FIL want to use and for what purpose?

The 25-06 was my first big game rifle. I have been in bed with one or two at a time since 1993. Killed more big game with that caliber(chambering) than anything else. PM me if you want.

Where do you live?

He wants to use these Sierra 117g and is open to the Speer 100g only because he has 5 boxes of those.

I live in Central Pa most of the time, and NE Texas the other time.

I would love to take a trip out west in your neck of the woods and hunt some game I don't normally get chances at, the fly fishing would be awesome too

 

[FOTIS]

would love to take a trip out west in your neck of the woods and hunt some game I'm don't normally get chances at, the fly fishing would be awesome too

You're not a disabled vet by any chance?

 

[Ralt71]

You're not a disabled vet by any chance?

I am not a vet or disabled.

 

[FOTIS]

Well poop!


I could have hooked you up with free WY tags/hunts every year.

 

[Ralt71]

Well poop!


I could have hooked you up with free WY tags/hunts every year.

They earned it! I would have to go in the lotto though. I have a bucket list that I hope to start chipping away at in the years to come. I got married late, had kids late, and still have a 11 month old, 2 year old, 7 year old, and 8 year old living at home, freeloading. Once they get older and more self sufficient I hope to start going on hunts. It's a small list, with small ask haha

Big Horn - free range, not in a fence
Stag
Elk
African game, prefer Kudu

 

[FOTIS]

Well I looked at my handloading spreadsheet that I have been adding to for 35 years.
All my 25-06 loads from 100 gr to 117 gr did remarkably well with IMR 7828....Including my latest load.
Other powders that worked easily and very well are

RL 22
RL 25
H4831SC
RL 26

These are my go to powders.

 

[Ralt71]

Well I looked at my handloading spreadsheet that I have been adding to for 35 years.
All my 25-06 loads from 100 gr to 117 gr did remarkably well with IMR 7828....Including my latest load.
Other powders that worked easily and very well are

RL 22
RL 25
H4831SC
RL 26

These are my go to powders.

Thanks for this detail. I can get the short cut, everything else I can' t get around here. Oddly enough, my FIL has a 5lb jug of RL25 though. I think it's from the late 90's, but should be alright.