25-06 AI Load Data

JD338

Range Officer
Staff member
Nov 4, 2004
25,166
8,425
I went out to the range with my buddy and shot his new 25-06 AI. The ridle is a S&W 1500 Action with a 26" Hart fluted barrel, Tubb Recoil lug and a Rifle Basix trigger set at 2.0 lbs. What a sweet little shooter!

In an attempt to assist him, anyone have any load data they can share?
Looking at 100 gr BT, 110 gr AB and 115 gr BT loads.

JD338
 
Jim,

I haven't shot that, but here are a few suggested by QuickLOAD.

Cartridge : .25-06 Ack Imp.
Bullet : .257, 100, Nosler BalTip 25100
Useable Case Capaci: 70.374 grain H2O = 4.569 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.400 inch = 86.36 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Hodgdon Retumbo

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 88 57.20 2712 1633 28408 10870 89.9 1.589
-18.0 90 58.63 2790 1729 30498 11279 91.8 1.547
-16.0 92 60.06 2869 1828 32751 11664 93.6 1.505
-14.0 94 61.49 2949 1931 35186 12019 95.1 1.463
-12.0 96 62.92 3029 2037 37821 12341 96.5 1.418
-10.0 99 64.35 3109 2146 40674 12627 97.7 1.370
-08.0 101 65.78 3189 2258 43765 12872 98.6 1.323
-06.0 103 67.21 3269 2372 47120 13075 99.3 1.278
-04.0 105 68.64 3348 2489 50764 13232 99.7 1.234
-02.0 107 70.07 3426 2606 54730 13340 100.0 1.192 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 110 71.50 3504 2726 59053 13406 100.0 1.151 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 112 72.93 3580 2846 63768 13462 100.0 1.112 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 114 74.36 3655 2967 68927 13513 100.0 1.074 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 116 75.79 3730 3090 74579 13559 100.0 1.038 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 118 77.22 3804 3214 80784 13599 100.0 1.003 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 121 78.65 3878 3339 87613 13632 100.0 0.969 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 110 71.50 3676 3000 73849 12829 100.0 1.052 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 110 71.50 3241 2332 46867 13501 96.2 1.281

Cartridge : .25-06 Ack Imp.
Bullet : .257, 100, Nosler BalTip 25100
Useable Case Capaci: 70.374 grain H2O = 4.569 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.400 inch = 86.36 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy)

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 79 55.20 2661 1572 27622 10290 85.6 1.606
-18.0 81 56.58 2738 1664 29684 10694 87.5 1.562
-16.0 83 57.96 2816 1760 31919 11084 89.3 1.520
-14.0 85 59.34 2894 1860 34340 11458 91.0 1.478
-12.0 87 60.72 2974 1964 36968 11812 92.6 1.437
-10.0 89 62.10 3054 2071 39824 12145 94.0 1.385
-08.0 91 63.48 3134 2181 42927 12452 95.4 1.337
-06.0 93 64.86 3215 2295 46313 12732 96.5 1.291
-04.0 95 66.24 3296 2412 50003 12980 97.5 1.245
-02.0 97 67.62 3377 2532 54036 13196 98.4 1.202 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 99 69.00 3457 2654 58450 13376 99.0 1.160 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 101 70.38 3538 2779 63290 13518 99.5 1.119 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 103 71.76 3618 2906 68612 13619 99.9 1.079 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 105 73.14 3698 3036 74464 13679 100.0 1.041 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 107 74.52 3777 3167 80869 13706 100.0 1.005 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 109 75.90 3855 3300 87911 13726 100.0 0.969 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 99 69.00 3648 2955 73121 12919 100.0 1.058 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 99 69.00 3189 2259 45953 12913 92.3 1.291

Cartridge : .25-06 Ack Imp.
Bullet : .257, 110, Nosler AccuBond 53742
Useable Case Capaci: 69.320 grain H2O = 4.501 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.400 inch = 86.36 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy)

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 78 53.60 2585 1633 28064 10470 87.9 1.656
-18.0 80 54.94 2659 1726 30138 10857 89.6 1.612
-16.0 82 56.28 2733 1824 32378 11230 91.3 1.568
-14.0 84 57.62 2807 1925 34803 11584 92.8 1.525
-12.0 86 58.96 2882 2029 37432 11918 94.2 1.479
-10.0 88 60.30 2958 2137 40281 12229 95.5 1.429
-08.0 90 61.64 3033 2247 43375 12514 96.6 1.380
-06.0 92 62.98 3109 2361 46738 12771 97.6 1.333
-04.0 94 64.32 3185 2477 50398 12997 98.4 1.287
-02.0 96 65.66 3260 2596 54390 13190 99.0 1.243 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 98 67.00 3335 2717 58748 13348 99.5 1.200 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 100 68.34 3410 2840 63515 13468 99.8 1.159 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 102 69.68 3485 2966 68711 13549 100.0 1.119 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 104 71.02 3558 3093 74363 13599 100.0 1.081 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 106 72.36 3632 3221 80539 13640 100.0 1.044 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 108 73.70 3704 3352 87304 13675 100.0 1.008 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 98 67.00 3508 3005 73231 12828 100.0 1.096 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 98 67.00 3088 2329 46082 13054 93.7 1.335

Cartridge : .25-06 Ack Imp.
Bullet : .257, 110, Nosler AccuBond 53742
Useable Case Capaci: 69.320 grain H2O = 4.501 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.400 inch = 86.36 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Vihtavuori N560

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 76 49.60 2648 1713 30161 10593 88.2 1.611
-18.0 78 50.84 2716 1801 32213 10954 89.7 1.571
-16.0 80 52.08 2783 1892 34405 11305 91.1 1.533
-14.0 82 53.32 2851 1985 36749 11643 92.4 1.494
-12.0 84 54.56 2919 2081 39253 11968 93.6 1.450
-10.0 85 55.80 2987 2179 41930 12277 94.7 1.405
-08.0 87 57.04 3054 2279 44787 12570 95.7 1.363
-06.0 89 58.28 3122 2381 47802 12844 96.6 1.322
-04.0 91 59.52 3189 2484 51005 13098 97.4 1.283 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 93 60.76 3256 2590 54416 13331 98.1 1.245 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 95 62.00 3323 2697 58049 13542 98.7 1.209 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 97 63.24 3389 2806 61922 13729 99.2 1.174 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 99 64.48 3455 2916 66052 13890 99.6 1.140 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 101 65.72 3521 3027 70458 14026 99.8 1.107 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 103 66.96 3585 3140 75163 14135 100.0 1.076 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 104 68.20 3649 3253 80191 14217 100.0 1.045 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 95 62.00 3484 2965 69829 13215 100.0 1.114 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 95 62.00 3103 2351 46594 13108 92.7 1.332

Cartridge : .25-06 Ack Imp.
Bullet : .257, 115, Nosler BalTip 25115
Useable Case Capaci: 69.191 grain H2O = 4.492 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.400 inch = 86.36 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Vihtavuori N560

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 76 49.20 2618 1750 30667 10725 89.4 1.630
-18.0 77 50.43 2684 1839 32749 11081 90.8 1.590
-16.0 79 51.66 2750 1931 34973 11425 92.1 1.551
-14.0 81 52.89 2816 2025 37349 11757 93.3 1.511
-12.0 83 54.12 2882 2121 39887 12074 94.4 1.466
-10.0 85 55.35 2948 2220 42591 12375 95.5 1.420
-08.0 87 56.58 3014 2320 45442 12659 96.4 1.378
-06.0 89 57.81 3080 2422 48464 12924 97.2 1.337
-04.0 91 59.04 3145 2527 51679 13168 98.0 1.298 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 92 60.27 3211 2632 55100 13391 98.6 1.260 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 94 61.50 3275 2740 58740 13591 99.1 1.224 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 96 62.73 3340 2848 62616 13766 99.5 1.188 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 98 63.96 3404 2958 66746 13917 99.8 1.155 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 100 65.19 3467 3069 71147 14041 99.9 1.122 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 102 66.42 3530 3181 75841 14139 100.0 1.090 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 104 67.65 3592 3294 80853 14220 100.0 1.060 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 94 61.50 3428 3001 70514 13206 100.0 1.129 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 94 61.50 3064 2397 47218 13243 93.6 1.348

Cartridge : .25-06 Ack Imp.
Bullet : .257, 115, Nosler BalTip 25115
Useable Case Capaci: 69.191 grain H2O = 4.492 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.400 inch = 86.36 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Hodgdon Retumbo

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 85 54.80 2595 1719 28824 11110 93.1 1.665
-18.0 88 56.17 2667 1816 30898 11479 94.6 1.623
-16.0 90 57.54 2740 1917 33130 11821 96.0 1.580
-14.0 92 58.91 2812 2020 35537 12131 97.2 1.538
-12.0 94 60.28 2885 2126 38133 12408 98.2 1.489
-10.0 96 61.65 2958 2234 40935 12646 99.0 1.440
-08.0 98 63.02 3030 2344 43961 12845 99.5 1.392
-06.0 100 64.39 3101 2456 47235 13002 99.9 1.346
-04.0 103 65.76 3172 2569 50779 13115 100.0 1.301
-02.0 105 67.13 3242 2683 54620 13201 100.0 1.258 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 107 68.50 3311 2799 58791 13283 100.0 1.217 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 109 69.87 3379 2915 63319 13360 100.0 1.177 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 111 71.24 3446 3033 68258 13432 100.0 1.138 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 113 72.61 3513 3152 73639 13499 100.0 1.102 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 115 73.98 3580 3272 79519 13561 100.0 1.066 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 118 75.35 3646 3394 85953 13617 100.0 1.031 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 107 68.50 3459 3055 73562 12747 100.0 1.113 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 107 68.50 3082 2425 46545 13635 97.8 1.351
 
Thanks fellas.
The gunsmith that built this rifle is the same who built my 280 AI. It is going to be a shooter for sure once my buddy starts loading it up from 257 Roberts levels to where it should be.
Fotis, I agree with you. With the 26" barrel, it will be on the heels of the 257 Wby.

JD338
 
That does look like a cool cartridge Jim. You know, you need to have a picture of this rig. I kinda think the 25-06AI is a sweet looking cartridge. I thought about rebarreling the CDL 25-06 I had such issues with and figured while I was in there, might as well AI it. Talk about a great hunting rifle. Scotty
 
Scotty,

I will get some pictures of the rifle and loads next time we go shoot.

JD338
 
JD338":3rknqt84 said:
Scotty,

I will get some pictures of the rifle and loads next time we go shoot.

JD338

Awesome. It really sounds like one awesome Ackley. Scotty
 
Here is a picture of my buddy's 25-06 AI...

S&W 1500 blueprinted action, Hart #4 (I think) flutted 26", Tubb recoil lug in factory S&W stock.
He is pushing a Hornady 120 gr Spr pt at 3200 fps.
IMG_05181.jpg


Here is a 25-06 Ai next to a 30-06 AI for comparison.
IMG_05171.jpg

JD338
 
JD338":7ofn1hd2 said:
Here is a picture of my buddy's 25-06 AI...

S&W 1500 blueprinted action, Hart #4 (I think) flutted 26", Tubb recoil lug in factory S&W stock.
He is pushing a Hornady 120 gr Spr pt at 3200 fps.
IMG_05181.jpg


Here is a 25-06 Ai next to a 30-06 AI for comparison.
IMG_05171.jpg

JD338

Man, that puts some seriously bad thoughts in my head Jim! That 25-06AI just looks really darned good! What a bullet pusher. 120's at 3200 is no slouch and that case looks really sharp!

I do have to ask though Jim, for you being as much as a Nosler pusher as any of us and more than likely the WORST pusher, how is it that a buddy of yours gets away with shooting so much Hornady stuff! Has he not found out about SPS yet? Scotty :twisted:
 
Scotty

You bring up a very good question. You are correct, I am one of the biggest fans of Nosler bullets, have been for years.

The truth be known, my buddy has several hunderd of the Hornady 257 120 gr bullets, as well as 30 cal bullets. In years past, he would stop by the Hornady plant and buy seconds on his way to WY.

He is using a lot more Nosler bullets these days. In fact, I gave him a box last year of the 308 168 gr E Tips. He is the first one to kill game with this bullet, an antelope and a cow elk. His son also tool a cow with his rifle.
He has a box of the 257 110 gr AB's and I hope he gives them the go in the 25-06 AI. He also has some 308 165 gr AB's to try in the 30-06 AI but he is running out of time. He is heading your way this week to visit his son at Ft Benning.

JD338
 
Scotty,

That IS a good question and I can tell you from my experience as a red box shooter he has spread the good news of the Nosler gospel my way as well :lol: !

Jim,

I like those Howa actions (same as my Vangard) and the stock that S&W put 'em in. I've got an old friend who shot the S&W iteration of that rifle in 338 WM for many, many years. He was a hard core in Ak and took many moose and bear before being hired at Amway by my mother, and bringing it w/ him as his Michigan deer rifle. Fantastic rifles.

I LOVE that cartridge. If I hadn't stumbled into my trade on a Roy I'd have done an '06 AI.
 
Again, don't think I'm talking trash about Hornady cause next to Speer they both tie for second place next to Nosler. I would shoot alot more Hornady if Nosler seconds weren't so easy to get. Scotty
 
FWIW, my buddy sent a 120 gr Hornady across the Oehler 35 with a heavy charge of Retumbo the read 3523 fps! He toasted the Nosler case.
Backed it doen to 3200 fps and life is good.

JD338
 
JD338":1lmpxo5z said:
FWIW, my buddy sent a 120 gr Hornady across the Oehler 35 with a heavy charge of Retumbo the read 3523 fps! He toasted the Nosler case.
Backed it doen to 3200 fps and life is good.

JD338

Wow, that must have been something to see! 3200 with a 120 is pretty danged good and all you could really want or hope for with it. I hear that 120gr Hornady is a tough bullet as well. Scotty
 
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