Odd 25-06, Retumbo results

Started load development for the 25-06 and 110 ELD-X today. I have previous really good results with 54 grains H4831 and the 110 AccuBond...so of course I started with Retumbo.

10 shot velocity node development:
57.2 3225
57.4 3232
57.6 3203
57.8 3236
58.0 3240
58.2 3215
58.4 3298
58.6 3188
58.8 3298
59.0 3287

Max velocity in the Nosler book is about 3250, and Hodgdon's max is around there too, at 59 grains.

Above 58 grains looks to be all over the place, would you start playing with seating depth at about 57.9 grains?

Yessir I would.
I’d also check your neck tension fwiw.

I have never tried Retumbo or the bullet you're testing, but I have used consistently over the years IMR4831 and the 110gn AccuBond bullet.

I have the bullet seated at .040" from the lands and measuring with a comparator 2.870" is my cartridge length.
I don't know the bullet you're testing, but my understanding is, it may benefit from a long'ish 'jump'.
So, yes, I'd say play around with seating depth at your chosen powder charge.

I found that IMR4831 gave me faster MV than H4831.

From my 22" barrel I get 3120fps MV and the use of the Lee Factory Crimp Die evened up my neck tension and lowered the ES.
So my max ES now is variable between 18 & 26fps whenever I field test my ammunition.
(Not so often now as it's so consistent)
Cheers.

I have not tried Retumbo in my 25-06 because I have always been a if it ain't broke don't try to fix it person. It shoots bug holes with my IMR or AA 4350 117 Sierra loads and I have killed everything I have shot with it DEAD for over 20 years. But I do use Retumbo in my 264 Win mag and it really rocks. But I did find that when I got up close to the max load high pressure spike was very close .3 grs over what was the best load and I have shot it for about 5 years now in the same tempters the load work up was done. It went from no pressure signs to leaving ejector marks and stretching primer pockets beyond using again with a POINT 3 grain up in the powder charge. So be careful at top loads. Oh, I was also below the max charges listed in the manuals when I had the very high pressure but my rifle is a custom built and it has a somewhat tight chamber and a 27 3/4" 9 twist Shilen #4 . 130 Nosler AccuBond 3350 fps average with sub MOA accuracy. It is like shooting a laser beam across a bean field to SMOKE a deer.

joelkdouglas":19154yct said:

Started load development for the 25-06 and 110 ELD-X today. I have previous really good results with 54 grains H4831 and the 110 AccuBond...so of course I started with Retumbo.

10 shot velocity node development:
57.2 3225
57.4 3232
57.6 3203
57.8 3236
58.0 3240
58.2 3215
58.4 3298
58.6 3188
58.8 3298
59.0 3287

Max velocity in the Nosler book is about 3250, and Hodgdon's max is around there too, at 59 grains.

Above 58 grains looks to be all over the place, would you start playing with seating depth at about 57.9 grains?

Click to expand...

I'd keep bumping up a bit in .2 increments Joel and see if it evens out. Retumbo may not be getting very consistent on the lower end until it comes up to pressure. Just cause looking at your numbers right there at 58.8-59.0 it appears to be looking pretty good in my opinion.

57.6 looks like a decent spot so far from what you've shot. If it were me, I'd try a couple more charges and see what pans out, if you can.

IMR3031, 4350, 4831 and 7828 all give nice sub moa in my 25-270.
So does any Reloder powder I have tried.

Retumbo always over 1.5 MOA tho the velocity is as good as any of the others.

This with 100 and 115 BT's, 110 Accubonds and Hornady 117 SST's.

I haven't tried the ELD-X, but my rifle doesn't like Retumbo so far.

How uniform is your brass, especially the neck thickness? Did you weight sort your bullets?