.25-06 Load Recommendations

[MrMinks2]

I am trying to quickly work up a load for my Browning .25-06 A-Bolt II (22" bbl.). My best load so far has been with the 120 grn. Nosler Partition with 46.0 grns. of IMR4350 @ 3.250 C.O.A.L & WLR primer. This load provides 0.75" groups at 100 yds. I haven't had a lot of luck with RL19 or MagPro nor I have I had much luck loading for higher velocities.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Dwh7271]

Here's a Quickload.
I'm sure some of the other folks will pop in with ideas.

Cartridge : .25-06 Rem.
Bullet : .257, 120, Nosler PART SP 35643
Useable Case Capaci: 60.358 grain H2O = 3.919 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.250 inch = 82.55 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 64000 psi, or 441 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 100 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

154 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 85%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Norma MRP 99.0 57.5 3.73 3116 99.9 64001 15092 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 99.7 57.0 3.69 3109 98.7 64001 15051 1.065 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 92.8 55.0 3.56 3093 100.0 64001 14074 1.071 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 100.0 56.9 3.68 3086 98.1 62107 15388 1.090 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60 89.9 52.4 3.40 3081 100.0 64001 13463 1.074 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213 100.0 56.2 3.64 3070 98.4 62281 14812 1.075 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 100.0 59.1 3.83 3065 96.7 61550 15419 1.103 ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17 89.0 51.9 3.36 3060 100.0 64001 13374 1.079 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 89.0 51.9 3.36 3060 100.0 64001 13374 1.079 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 97.7 54.1 3.50 3057 99.3 64001 14170 1.067 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 100.0 56.2 3.64 3054 99.2 61540 14782 1.100 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 100.0 56.2 3.64 3054 99.2 61540 14782 1.100 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 100.0 56.2 3.64 3054 99.2 61540 14782 1.100 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 98.2 54.7 3.54 3053 99.4 64001 14232 1.075 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 99.0 55.1 3.57 3047 99.4 64001 14131 1.075 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 88.7 52.2 3.38 3047 99.9 64001 13848 1.081 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 88.7 52.2 3.38 3047 99.9 64001 13848 1.081 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511 90.8 53.8 3.49 3046 100.0 64001 13761 1.081 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 93.8 53.9 3.49 3044 100.0 64001 13742 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum 100.0 60.6 3.93 3041 99.7 61809 14183 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 96.3 53.6 3.47 3034 99.2 64001 13898 1.073 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 93.3 53.6 3.47 3034 99.2 64001 13898 1.073 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 96.3 53.6 3.47 3034 99.2 64001 13898 1.073 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62 91.1 53.1 3.44 3033 100.0 64001 13300 1.096 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC 99.5 56.0 3.63 3032 98.1 64001 14064 1.071 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 93.4 51.4 3.33 3024 100.0 64001 13184 1.086 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 93.5 51.4 3.33 3024 100.0 64001 13180 1.086 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 90.8 51.6 3.35 3024 100.0 64001 13326 1.089 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 95.1 52.6 3.41 3023 100.0 64001 12789 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 92.5 51.5 3.34 3018 100.0 64001 13155 1.104 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 98.4 55.3 3.59 3015 99.8 64001 13603 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation 94.0 53.1 3.44 3009 99.9 64001 13378 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904 97.3 53.4 3.46 3009 98.6 64001 13596 1.073 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780 96.9 56.9 3.68 3007 99.3 64001 13522 1.080 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 98.0 52.2 3.38 3005 100.0 64001 12906 1.095 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 11 87.4 50.2 3.25 3002 100.0 64001 12711 1.083 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 52 86.4 49.6 3.22 2999 100.0 64001 12626 1.087 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 96.0 52.3 3.39 2998 99.7 64001 13165 1.075 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 94.3 52.2 3.38 2997 99.8 64001 13138 1.075 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070 93.4 51.4 3.33 2996 99.9 64001 13166 1.090 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7 NT ~approximation 88.7 49.8 3.23 2994 100.0 64001 12804 1.063 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA11 85.3 47.5 3.08 2993 100.0 64001 12612 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15 85.3 47.5 3.08 2993 100.0 64001 12612 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP11 ~approximation 85.3 47.5 3.08 2993 100.0 64001 12612 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 86.6 49.2 3.19 2990 100.0 64001 12771 1.089 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12 100.0 59.4 3.85 2989 98.0 55874 14830 1.139 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203B 85.7 47.7 3.09 2987 100.0 64001 12504 1.087 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 100.0 55.2 3.58 2984 97.5 58938 14285 1.121 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517 100.0 59.4 3.85 2983 97.9 55537 14833 1.142 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907 91.5 50.0 3.24 2982 99.8 64001 13007 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7 91.5 50.0 3.24 2982 99.8 64001 13007 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 88.6 50.0 3.24 2981 99.8 64001 12998 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 95.9 51.6 3.34 2981 100.0 64001 12198 1.087 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 50 85.2 49.3 3.19 2979 100.0 64001 12521 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4320 87.3 47.8 3.10 2977 100.0 64001 12189 1.072 ! Near Maximum !
Elcho TR140 - preliminary data 86.3 49.6 3.21 2975 100.0 64001 12460 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361 96.2 57.0 3.70 2974 98.1 64001 13308 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065 92.4 50.3 3.26 2973 100.0 64001 12664 1.089 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old 86.7 48.8 3.16 2970 100.0 64001 12291 1.102 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3 86.7 48.8 3.16 2970 100.0 64001 12291 1.102 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR 100.0 55.0 3.57 2970 98.5 56394 14495 1.147 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15 100.0 55.0 3.57 2970 98.5 56394 14495 1.147 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3 NT ~approximation 90.3 49.9 3.23 2969 100.0 64001 12440 1.073 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903 88.6 48.8 3.16 2967 100.0 64001 12207 1.101 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355 89.0 48.4 3.14 2965 100.0 64001 12220 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 88.4 47.6 3.08 2965 100.0 64001 12203 1.073 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2208 88.1 47.6 3.08 2965 100.0 64001 12203 1.073 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100 100.0 55.6 3.61 2959 100.0 61234 13118 1.132 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4064 88.8 46.7 3.02 2957 100.0 64001 12000 1.077 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S062 86.4 46.8 3.03 2942 100.0 64001 11794 1.092 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2700 88.8 51.6 3.34 2937 99.7 64001 12313 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 100.0 54.1 3.50 2936 96.9 53460 14399 1.157
ADI AP 2214 100.0 57.8 3.74 2932 97.3 54149 14202 1.147
Rottweil R902 85.6 45.9 2.98 2928 100.0 64001 11620 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 100.0 54.1 3.50 2925 96.9 57150 13644 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064 86.1 46.9 3.04 2922 100.0 64001 11562 1.120 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N150 93.9 49.3 3.19 2921 100.0 64001 11516 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation 100.0 56.7 3.68 2920 95.1 55323 14055 1.139
Vihtavuori N540 85.4 48.0 3.11 2916 100.0 64001 11507 1.092 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 100.0 55.3 3.59 2910 99.8 50708 14105 1.194
Vihtavuori N165 100.0 55.0 3.57 2897 99.0 56997 12998 1.144 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N140 85.2 46.5 3.01 2890 100.0 64001 10968 1.090 ! Near Maximum !

 

[DrMike]

Welcome aboard, Mr. Minks. Undoubtedly, others will have recommendations based on their own rifle. It sounds as if you have a pretty good load at the present. I can't imagine doing much better than you are doing with the 120 grain Partition--you have accuracy and a solid bullet that will kill quickly. You're getting near 3000 fps, which isn't bad at all. You do have quite a fine variety of bullets to choose from in that calibre. Again, welcome aboard.

 

[R Flowers]

You are likely to get lots of suggestions here, but I will make one simple comment.

When loading for the 25-06 I have just about settled on the following combinations.

For bullets of 100 grains or less I use IMR 4831 and Fed 210 primers.

For bullets of over 100 grains I use IMR 7828 and Fed215M primers.

These loads have proven quite good in a number of 25-06 rifles myself and my buddies own.

 

[6mm Remington]

You are likely to get lots of suggestions here, but I will make one simple comment.

When loading for the 25-06 I have just about settled on the following combinations.

For bullets of 100 grains or less I use IMR 4831 and Fed 210 primers.

For bullets of over 100 grains I use IMR 7828 and Fed215M primers.

These loads have proven quite good in a number of 25-06 rifles myself and my buddies own.

These are both really good powders with the bullet weights listed by R Flowers! I personally have had good success with the 120 gr. Partition and 49.0 grs. of IMR4350. I messed with H4831SC a bit and it too seemed to want to really shoot using F215M primers.

 

[REDGREEN]

You are likely to get lots of suggestions here, but I will make one simple comment.

When loading for the 25-06 I have just about settled on the following combinations.

For bullets of 100 grains or less I use IMR 4831 and Fed 210 primers.

For bullets of over 100 grains I use IMR 7828 and Fed215M primers.

These loads have proven quite good in a number of 25-06 rifles myself and my buddies own.

X2 Only difference is that I use WLRM primers.

 

[MrMinks2]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I guess that the first change I'll make is to try the magnum primers. I'll probably buy some IMR 7828 too but I hate to build up an inventory of partially used powders. I would like to get in the 3100 - 3200+ fps. range so it would be a better idea to drop down to the 100 grn. Partition for that. I hunt almost exclusively in open fields so that may be the better option with the IMR 4831.

BTW - Just for information, I've been using Nosler for a very long time and shoot 0.5" groups of three with my old (1971) Remington BDL .30-06 with the 165 grn. Partition, 55.6 grns.of IMR 4350 @ 3.300" C.O.A.L. & WLR.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[6mm Remington]

If you want a little more speed than the 120 gr. Partition it would be hard to beat the 110 gr. AccuBond. A really fantastic bullet with high BC numbers and you should get a bit more speed out of it.

 

[Guy Miner]

Don't know if you've looked at Nosler's load data for that wonderful 120 grain Partition. If not, here it is:



Several years ago I turned to Retumbo for my 115 gr .25-06 loads and have been very impressed with the accuracy along with good velocity. The combination has proven very effective on mule deer & pronghorn.

Regards, Guy

 

[Guy Miner]

Oh, and WELCOME to the Nosler Reloading Forum! :grin:

 

[Guybo]

Welcome! I've tried various powders in the 25.06 with good results but RL22 has become my go to powder for the 115 - 120gr bullets. I do want to give Retumbo a try but haven't as of yet but I've heard great reviews on that combination as well.

 

[MrMinks2]

Hello Guy & Guybo: Which primers are you guys using?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Vince]

My 25-06 likes the 100 grain Nosler Partition with a mid-range load of IMR 4350.
I don't have my data handy but if I recall it was around 48 to 49 grains. It gave me 0.5" groups at 100 meters all day long.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[Guy Miner]

Hello Guy & Guybo: Which primers are you guys using?

Thanks for your help.

Federal 210's, match grade preferably.

Have had good loads from simple Winchester or Remington brass, but fell hard for Nosler brass... Dang, that's nice stuff.

Regards, Guy

 

[Guy Miner]

Elmer Thud has some good loads from a 22" barrel too.

I think he's using the 110 gr AccuBond.

Worth looking in the bullet tests section for some more info. I dearly love the .25-06 for deer sized game.

Regards, Guy

 

[Guybo]

Hello Guy & Guybo: Which primers are you guys using?

Thanks for your help.

I'm using Win WLR in my 25.06. I use CCI in everything else but for some reason the Win gives better groups in the 25. I'm using Rem brass because I have a ton of the stuff. Mike

 

[joelkdouglas]

MrMinks, welcome to the forum! Sorry I'm late to chime in.

My 25-06 shoots everything well, and I suspect yours will too. It's a great chambering.

I have had very good luck with between 52 and 53 grains of H4350 and 100 grain Partitions and Hornady Interlocks. I use CCI250 (magnum) primers, but really only because I have quite a few magnum primers and nothing else to do with them right now.

I have also had very good luck with 54 grains of H4831 paired with either 110 Accubonds or 115 Berger VLDs. Same CCI250 primers. This load is over max in the Nosler book, and at max in the Berger manual. My chrono tells me the load isn't over max velocity for the Nosler book, but use caution while working up as your powder lot could vary from mine.

Other powders will produce higher velocities than H4831, but it shoots very well.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I owned and used a .25-06 Win Model 70 for about five years as an alternative deer rifle in Utah for my .270 Win Model 70. My load was 55.0 grains of 7828-SSCR with Fed 215 MM primers and 120 grain Nosler Partition bullets. My muzzle velocity was about 3080 fps. Accuracy was excellent at <MOA.

Presently, I am using a .257 Roberts with 110 Accubonds at about 3140 fps. Either way, deer are DRT with this combination.

 

[Wincheringen]

RL22 works pretty well for me, and I prefer the 115 BTs.

 

[ElmerThud]

Thanks for the referral Guy - and yes, I do use with great success both the Sierra Prohunter 1620 100gn bullet with 53gns IMR4350 and the 110gn AccuBond also with 53gns IMR4831 - both loads utilise Fed210Match primers.
The 100gn bullet MV runs at 3257fps give or take with the 110gn AB running at 3130fps
I use a Lee factory crimp die on both loads which closed up the consistency of ES due to a more 'regular' neck tension.

Comparator measurements of both bullets is the same seating at 2.870"

Both loads give me excellent accuracy and I have shot many many red hinds with the Sierra bullet giving quick kills. The last year using the 110gn AB has given excellent terminal performance too and I expect the 300/320 yard shots when I take them to be perfect. They certainly are at targets, I just have not yet had the chance of a quarry at that range.

The results by the way are the results of my development using help and information from the chaps on this website/forum. You folk are all so helpful and full of information and for which I extend my sincere thanks.

Welcome to the site and good luck, Cheers ET