fine tuning the 25/06 :)

[ElmerThud]

I guess I'm going to know the answer to that soon but I think I want to see those primers getting rather flatter while maintaining the accuracy...build up some waft in that load now that I have the OAL sorted.
It'll be interesting to see what this does eventually on a full length sized case.....now that's another ball game again eh?

 

[SJB358]

Yeah, I would say so. Although, if you just set it to bump that shoulder .001-.002 I can't see it being too much of an issue for you ET.

Seems like you have a good load now, since the seating depth is worked out. Should just have to tweak the powder charge to get the speed you are looking for.

Just for reference, how far off the rifling are you right now?

 

[ElmerThud]

I'm .001" off the lands, so that makes for a long Cartridge OAL at 3.395"..certainly I think won't fit magazines on most rifles!

When I seat the bullet deep to manual spec, I cannot get better than a 1" group....1/2" MOA at best.
That's OK for most hunting needs at normal ranges and is pretty consistent with most loads I tried, but to get it better, I had to seat right out.
It's there now though, and if I can just keep those first two shots on a cold, clean barrel real close, I can achieve everything I want to in the field.

 

[SJB358]

Yeah, I would say so! Man, you gotta throw up a picture of the loaded round ET. That is a long one for a 25-06.

It'll be interesting to see how well it works out. Keeping your first two shots touching is just about anyone could hope for in their hunting rifles.

 

[ElmerThud]

OK, in a few minutes I'm going to load some more. I'll take a pic and show the listed manual and my dimension.

 

[ElmerThud]

the difference is of course .145"...it's difficult to see the exact point of the bullet due to the shadow, but using my comparator, the measurements are:
3.395" = 2.873" & 3.250" = 2.729"

Other manuals suggest 3.155" as the nominal OAL, but I haven't tried to seat as deep as that.

(Dr Mike did suggest not to be afraid of seating deeper a while back, I didn't do so...but not for any reason other than I was already hung up with working toward the lands).

 

[SJB358]

They look like some long sleek missiles loaded up like that ET.. Very nice!

 

[DrMike]

Fascinating information. You are assuredly getting good accuracy with IMR4831, which is not surprising; it is an old standard.

 

[ElmerThud]

I'm just a little surprised it didn't drop into place somewhat sooner DrMike. It's been a bit of a quest, just the idiosyncrasity of each different barrel I guess. It was nowhere near the same kind of problem to get the 100gn bullets running well with good accuracy. I'm just glad I don't need to work with a heavier bullet & start over. Now that would be a pain! Cheers, ET

 

[DrMike]

Certainly, one of the fascinating aspects of hand loading is the fact that each rifle (barrel/action/stock) introduces its own idiosyncrasy into the mix. Teasing accuracy out of the firearm is the honour that remains for the hand loader. Accuracy becomes its own reward; game is the prize for the hunter.

 

[ElmerThud]

Never a truer word said DrMike.

 

[ElmerThud]

Out in the rolling green hills of Derbyshire, England today shooting my 110gn AB's at 'Gongs'!
The load held up well to 200yd, 300, 400 & 500yds at 8"dia. metal plates hanging from chains in frames.
Two misses at 500yds and no misses at the other ranges (The 200yd metal plate was a 'Rabbit) the rest, discs.
Roger's 6.5x47L two misses at 500yds.
Great fun and a good bright sunny day with warm temps to enjoy it. What a blast! Don't get many days like that.
I like these 110gn AB's......I tweaked up the propellant to 52gns IMR4831. Now it feels like the bullet is peddalling fast!
Cheers, ATB ET

 

[DrMike]

Sounds as if you are dialed in. Now, here's to a successful season.

 

[ElmerThud]

Thanks DrMike, I was definitely pleased yesterday and looking forward to when I can use these out hunting.

I've used my rifle more over the last 12 months sorting this out than in the last four years. Pushed through it 180 rounds this last year. :roll:

Now, that might not sound like much, but in previous years I haven't had to bother with range time. Never needed to re-zero or re-set other ammunition you see.
Just using my rifle in 'Playtime' hunting, whacking deer. feral goats, fox, the occasional crow and a rock on the hillside at 400yds 'ish for fun!

Hopefully I'll get around to chronoing the load just for some info for use in the field, but I have a pretty good idea how much holdover I need for the various ranges. Cheers, ET

 

[DrMike]

Field intel is always useful; by all means, chronograph your load to verify velocity.

 

[ElmerThud]

Well now, - a problem!
I'm not sure how this happened, but I have to think a combination of two factors although I rather hope it's just one.
I have a crack appeared at the rear, front left scope ring bolt.
It wasn't there when I last cleaned the rifle after shooting out to 500yds a couple of weeks ago. I took the rifle out of the cabinet last Sunday and checked it over with some new ammo for fit and saw the crack.

Now, it could be I overtightened this last year and it's held until now, or it could be that my search for more 'Pace' with my 110gn AB's have led to additional recoil that didn't like the tension on the bolt.

Where I am with my load at 51.8gn IMR4831 & 50.7gn IMR4350 with Rem.9 1/2 primer and seating depth, did not seem to show any visual signs of a pressure problem, so that leads me to the conclusion it must be a tension problem I created. ???? anyone?

 

[DrMike]

It is difficult to believe that you are generating sufficient recoil to effect the metal in your mounts. I'd be more inclined to suggest that you have over-tightened the mounts. It happens.

 

[FOTIS]

24 Inch pounds on the rings are my standard. I use a fat wrench

http://www.meijer.com/s/wheeler-enginee ... ting_Goods

 

[ElmerThud]

So, using the lump hammer on the allen key was just too much effort then! :lol:

 

[SJB358]

So, using the lump hammer on the allen key was just too much effort then! :lol:

God, I hope not.. That is how I tighten all of my stuff down!! HAHAHAHAA