Retumbo loads?

[Divernhunter]

I finally found some Retumbo powder but lost all the data I was saving for it.
I am loading: 25-06/257Weatherby/6.5X55/264win mag/300win mag/338win mag/7mm-08. I load hunting rounds not target rounds. I use Nosler and Swift bullets mostly.

If anyone has some good loads please let me know. Especially for the 264win mag/257weatherby and 25-06.---Thanks----Doug

 

[gerry]

In the 264 WM I used Hodgdon's max of 63.5 gr with both the 140 gr Partition and AccuBond, it worked quite well. It should be a top choice for the 3 rounds you mentioned.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

 

[Guy Miner]

.25-06 & 115's responded well to Retumbo. Very accurate and quite fast enough.

For the 115 Ballistic Tips I got best results using Nosler's published maximum (you can find their load data on the Nosler website if you don't have their manual)

For the other 115's (Nosler Partitions & Berger VLD's) I was able to work up to the max shown in Hodgdon's 117 gr bullet data.

Figure 3100 - 3200 fps for all those loads once done working up. Makes a nice, flat shooting, modest recoiling rifle. The rifle showed more accuracy as the pressure went up towards the max level loads. I've found this to be true in several high-intensity cartridges.

Enjoy!

 

[Wondermutt]

Diver- I tried Retumbo in my wife's 7mm-08 and did no go so well using 140g Accubonds. Settled on Varget for that rifle. If memory serves correctly and don't use this without verification, but it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 40g of retumbo.

Good Luck

WM

 

[Guy Miner]

Yeah, Retumbo wouldn't be in my first five or ten choices for the 7mm-08 or .308 cartridges.

It's a slow burning powder that likes to work in cases with lots of powder for the bullet. "Overbore" cases if you will.

 

[Divernhunter]

I agree I use Varget in the 7-08 and 748 in the 308.
Mostly looking for the 264mag/300win mag/25-06.
I have looked in the books(I have many more than a dozen) and the website. I am looking to see what works for you guys. Thanks for the help.---Doug

 

[1Shot]

I am using 66.5 grs Retumbo in my 264 Win mag with 130AB in a 27 3/4" 9 twist barrel. It has a nice and tight chamber and I get 3350 fps. I use Winchester once fired 7mm Rem mag cases to make my 264 Win mag cases and use CCI 250 primers. Very accurate also.

 

[Guy Miner]

Specifically, with the .25-06:

115 Nosler Ballistic Tip, 57.5 gr of Retumbo (max from Nosler) is 3120 fps and excellent accuracy. Coyote, mule deer & pronghorn in 2012 with that load. The coyote was at a verified 420 yards, first shot hit & kill. The mule deer at 260 and the pronghorn at 160 yards. It's a great bullet & load.

115 Nosler Partitions & 115 Berger VLD's found happiness with 60 grains of Retumbo for 3190 fps. This is just under Hodgdon's max of 60.5 gr. Mule deer at 400 yards, held on hair, right at the top of the back of a mulie and put the Berger VLD through the heart for an instant kill. Several other mule deer & coyote kills with those loads.

The Ballistic Tip rebelled at the 60 gr load, so I backed it off to Nosler's recommended max of 57.5 grains. Not all 115's behave the same. Still, the 115 B-Tip remains my favorite .257" hunting bullet.

Regards, Guy