Recommended 25-06 Load?

Re: Recommended 25-06 Load?

Might help to know what kind of rig you have and what your goal is (hunting? what kind of game? what kind of distances? etc.).

I favor 117 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips for deer and pronghorn and 120 grain Partitions for bigger game. My step-dad uses 117 grain Sierra GameKings for everything and has had great success. I have gotten more than acceptable groups with RL22, H4831, or IMR4350, all at near max loadings (my go-to load is 49 grains of IMR4350). His rifle only performs well with H4831 loaded slightly above current book maximum (obviously I won't list that one due to liability concerns, but I will say it exhibits absolutely NO overpressure signs in his rifle). We both use Remington 9 1/2 primers and seat .020" off the lands. My rifle is a Browning A Bolt II Greywolf (with a B.O.S.S.), his is an old Ruger M77. Both our rifles will shoot under a half MOA with their favorite load.

I personally have little use for Barnes bullets. I have heard of <span style="font-style: italic">and</span> personally witnessed some spectacular failures on game and many rifles won't shoot them for crap.

YMMV...
 
Re: Recommended 25-06 Load?

Hey thanks for the suggestions and realistically my farthest shot i could get around here is 400yds ill be using these for deer hunting
and im shooting a tikka t3
 
Re: Recommended 25-06 Load?

I just worked up a load for a friends savage 25-06 running the berger 115gr hunting vld with IMR-4350 very nice groups. I run the berger in my 257 weatherby and the bullet is a sledge hammer on deer. I love the berger vlds
 
Re: Recommended 25-06 Load?

I built a 257RAI 9 years ago and have tried all kinds of bullets. It is just 4% smaller than a 25-06: 63 gr water vs 65.8 gr.

72&75 gr bullets average 0.8" 5 shots at 100y
87&100 gr bullets average 1.0" 5 shots at 100y
110& 115& 117 gr bullets average 1.2" 5 shots at 100y

This is a 10 pound rifle, so I don't know why I am having so much trouble managing the recoil for accuracy.

I built a number of these with Lothar Walther light varmint barrels, and the other guys are not getting the best groups with light bullets like me.

I may get rid of the 85 year old military stock.

I can get 75 gr Vmax to go 3900 fps over a chrono.
 
Re: Recommended 25-06 Load?

there are more picky then most when loading but once u find the right charge and seating depth they are amazing at 500-800 yards
ive haerd they r good for further but i havent shot them that far yet
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Re: Recommended 25-06 Load?

Hey F10,
I worked up a varmint load for my buddies 25 ruger m2 varmint. We came up with Rem brass, IMR 4831 @ 55.8 grains, and speer 87 TNT's. The primers made a big difference. We had to use Fed 210m.
COL is 3.240. Accuracy is awesome.
I personally watched him shoot a chuck at 385 yds, (on my leica 900) and tear it in half. Hope this helps

Gam
 
Re: Recommended 25-06 Load?

I like to stay with a 100 grain or heavier bullet with the .25 unless you do go with the barnes. Typically I've shot 100, 117, and 120 grain hornady bullets. 100 grain hornady soft points have not exited even if you miss bone. They will peel back to the bullet base and expend all there energy, but I haven't gotten any exits. 117s and 120s have and should exit unless you hit heavy bone or heavy tissue.

Really, for smaller southern whitetails, just about any bullet in the .25 will suffice.

FWIW, mine is a .25-06 Improved, so the loads wouldn't work for you. Just wanted to provide a little info about bullet selection.
 
Re: Recommended 25-06 Load?

I had good luck with 100gr Ballistic Tips and a max load of Varget with Rem brass and CCI primers. I want to try the 110gr Accubonds or Interbonds sometime, but the 100gr load is so good I just never get around to it.