OAL question, .25-06

[magothy1]

First, thanks to you all who post about this caliber, I've learned alot on here.

Working up loads, when I find something that shoots well in the middle of the recommended powder weight range, and I want to run it faster, should I stay with the same OAL for a given bullet as I try to push it faster ? I seem to have a few things that do well right in the middle of the powder range weights, but I can't seem to get them to do as well when I try to run them faster. I'm increasing .4 gr per step. Been having decent luck with IMR 4831 and IMR 7828. A load of 52 gr. 4831 with a 117 Sierra Pro Hunter has done well on white tails out to 170 yards. I ought to be happy and sit tight, but I enjoy trying other things. I'm also trying to get a good 100 gr bullet load for 'yotes.

Thanks again for the help.

Steve

 

[Vince]

I have found that loads in the middle of the powder range tend to work best for my 25 Aggravation.
That's what I call it because it was a bear finding loads and powders it worked well with. Now that I've found that I'm not changing a thing.
Much is going to depend upon YOUR rifle. It's chamber, how tight or loose, distance to the rifling from your chamber, and various other factors. That's why I'm fond of saying that each rifle barrel is a creature unto itself.

Vince

 

[ElmerThud]

Vince is right, you have to work it out in your rifle.
However, I enjoyed great success with Sierra 100gn Prohunter 1620 bullets & IMR4350....also works well with Nosler 100gn BT's. I ended up with a charge of 53gns IMR4350 with the Sierra bullet. OAL may depend on your magazine & the freebore you have available, but using a Hornady Comparator, I seat at 2.875"
I get an MV of 3297fps with my Chrony.
This combination is my 'go to' cartridge for Highland reds and levels them out to 250yds no bother.
The kills are very fast indeed.

If I want or expect longer ranges on open hill country, or bigger stags, I zero at 200yds & use a load with the 110gn AB using 53gns IMR4831. It's good & accurate on the quarry.
Comparator measurement is 2.870" with this bullet. MV is around 3200fps from my rifle. Developing this load I got lots of help from the lads on this forum, both encouraging and helpful. There's some great guys on here with lots of knowledge. Good luck ATB

 

[1Shot]

I have been working with the 25-06 for about 25 years and I can tell you that about every one I have fooled with likes to shoot right on the ragged edge of too much pressure. With 100 to 120 gr bullets two powder have really stood out. IMR 4350 and H-4831. Most cup and core bullets like the Sierra like to jump a bit. 10 to 20 thousands off the the lands. My go to loads for deer size game that seem to just plain shoot in about any rifle will be one or the other.
52 grs H-4831, Rem case, CCI 200 or BR2 primer, 117 Sierra Pro Hunter 20 thousands off the lands.

49 grs IMR 4350, Rem case, CCI 250 mag primer, 117 Sierra Pro Hunter 20 thousands off the lands.

Both loads will do around 3000 fps + or- a little from a 26" barrel. The 117 Sierra is really a killer bullet.

 

[Guy Miner]

Agree. Mine likes to run pretty hot - it gets real accurate up near max loads and most bullets don't seem to mind a bit of a jump to the rifling.

 

[wildgene]

...my .25-06 shot best w/ near max loads, the bullet seated just a bit past COAL for most of my loads (75gr, 85gr., 117-120gr.)...

 

[magothy1]

Got a bit of an answer today at the range, the warmer 100 gr loads did shoot well. Didn't have the chrony with me, trying to make myself get one with a remote. The warmer loads did the best with the same OAL as the mild ones. It did seem to make a bit of a difference using Federal primers, loads seemed more consistent as to grouping, but maybe I was having a good day.

Thanks for the help.

 

[1Shot]

52 grs IMR 4350 with the 100 grs bullets usually shoots really well.

 

[Guy Miner]

Yes it does...