[Eb1]

Instead of spending the money on a new press right now. I figure I will give reloading for my XL7 in .25-06 a go.
I have collected 140 nickle Winchester cases. I have Winchester LR primers, WMLR primers, CCI LR and Mag Primers.
The powders I have on hand are H4895, IMR4895, Win760, H335, and BLC-2. I only see loading data from Hodgdon for the H4895. On Nosler's site they list the Partition and Ballistic Tip in the same category so I figure that since H4895 is listed for the Partition it should be good for the BT as well.

I specifically really like the Winchester Supreme Silver BT in 115 grain with the Lubalox coating. Shoots very well in my rifle, but I think I am going to give the non-coated 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips a chance. It is possible that since the XL7 has a 22" barrel. I could possibly benefit with a little extra speed from the 100 grain bullet.
I know that H4895 probably isn't the best powder for the .25-06, but I think I am going to load up a ladder run to see what the gun is capable of.

What die set do you suggest. I have about $70 to spend on dies. I have always used RCBS dies, and really like them, but I only want to neck size for the most part, but will also need a full size die later.


TIA.


P.S. Also if anyone has had luck with H4895 and .25-06. I would like to hear your stories.

[kingmt]

I like the Lee dies myself but most peoples options are based on more then just its capability.

[Huckelberry75]

My rifle likes 51gn of IMR 4350 and a 100gn NOs BT.

[Eb1]

I load with lee dies as well. They are not off the list.

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm another Lee die fan. They are nothing fancy but they do load accurate ammo, for me at least. (and the price is right)

As for powders, I'm guessing 4895 will work but like you already said, probably isn't the best powder for the .25-06. Most who reload for the 25-06 use a slower powder than 4895. For the most part 4831 is a good choice and even slower. A friend is loading for the 25-06 and has been using Hybrid 100V. He gets stellar accuracy and high velocities with a 100gr bullet. (I think a Nosler)

[41 Mag]

Hey Eb,

First off don't underestimate that H4895, it can deliver some stellar accuracy, even though you might not be breaking any speed records. For the jest of my loads in the 25-06 I have used IMR-4831 for the bullets up to 100grs, and RL-22 for anything 110grs and heavier.

As for the bullets, if you want to get the velocity up, I would suggest a compromise of weight, and go the 110gr Accubond. Personally I wished this was in a bit heavier weight as I believe it would be an awesome medium to big game bullet for this caliber, in the 115 or 120gr weights. The other bullet I have used most often is the 115gr Partition. I like it over most of the others simply due to the fact it does the same thing at 20yds as it does at 300yds, hits hard, penetrates, and don't leave a bloodshot mess to clean up. I have shot deer with every brand and every weight through my older 25-06 in the 100 - 120gr range, and even a few with some custom 130gr bullets. All in all I still stuck with the 115gr PT.

As for dies, I don't put much in thought in colored boxes, I use them in all brands. If I were shooting BR or LR Comp, I might look elsewhere, but I have loaded 1/2 MOA ammo from them all, in standard factory rifles. This said, the majority of my sets are Hornady New Dimension, simply due to the fact I purchased several sets years ago for a darn good price. I like the seater which has the floating collar, but other than that, like mentioned, I also use Lee quite often as well as RCBS, Herters, Pacific, and a couple of others.

With the shorter barrel your not likely to hit the upper end of the velocity spectrum as you might could with the slower powders, but I would wring out what I could starting with the H-4895 you already have, and go from there looking for accuracy first. IT won't matter one ioda, if your bullet is going 3200fps or 2650fps when it hits just where you want it to, it is going to do the job its supposed to. One thing you will have going for you is less trimming with the lighter bullets.

[JimKirk]

Don't overlook the Reloder powders ... RL 17, RL 19, RL 22 and even RL 25.

I also use IMR 7828, 4831 and 4350 in my 25/06...

My A-Bolt 25/06 is a 22" barrel that gives more (safe)velocity than did my older Model 70 in a 24" barrel .... so it really depends on the gun. I've been reloading for the 25/06 since 1969.

Jimmy K

[Eb1]

I think that if I go with a 100 grain bullet in the XL7 it will be a Nosler Partition instead of a Nosler Ballistic tip. I think the 115 grain in a BT is a wonderful bullet, and the extra 15 grains would make a difference after much thought and research.
Being that I only have H4895 the load density is going to be in the 60% range. Something like RL22 or 4831 would fill the case better, and probably give better accuracy and consistency.

I am actually astounded by the accuracy of the Win. Supreme ammo in 115 grain out of my rifle, but cannot afford to shoot the rifle accept during hunts, and I would like to shoot the rifle more, but @ $40+/20 including tax and gas it just doesn't compute. LOL

I am hoping to keep the penetration and knock down power, and by going with a Partition instead of BT in 100 grain I might be able to do just that.
I don't think H4895 with a 115 grain bullet out of my 22" barrel will give me what I am looking for. I might be wrong though.

Do you all think I should invest in some Nosler 100 grain Partitions factory ammo before I venture off into reloading for this rifle? When I say that my rifle shoot the 115 grain Winny Supreme good..Well I have a target with 10 shots into a .75" @ 200 yards, and can put 3 rounds @ 100 yards into a .308 size hole pretty much at will. That is the reserve I have in starting to reload for this rifle. If I was getting 1" @ 100 yards with the Factory Winchester ammo it would not be an issue, but to have a factory rifle that shoots that good with factory ammo is great. The only problem is the cost.

So do I drop $40 for some Nosler factory ammo in 100 grain loaded with the Partition before buying dies, or do I just dive in head first, and try to improve/match the ammo the gun likes?

[NCsmitty]

The 25-06 thrives on slow burning powders, and I can appreciate your choice of the Partition bullets as they have been old reliable for many years.
I know that I'm beginning to sound like a commercial, but Hornady and Nosler both have great bonded bullets now and would be my choice for hunting large game. A few years ago, bonded bullets were $3-$5 each and up, and were a custom deal. The Nosler Accubond and Hornady Interbond run about .50-.60 cents each, and are cheaper than Partitions and have a better BC.
IMO, you are wise not to consider standard ballistic tips because the 25-06 is a sassy round and the velocity can sometimes fragment the BT at closer ranges on game.

You can decide on the powder choice, as others have given you good information on that.

Buy the Lee dies and a box of 110gr Nosler Accubonds (50) that are on sale at MidwayUSA right now, and give them a try .

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=514895


NCsmitty

[Eb1]

Thanks, NCsmitty.

I will probably take that advice. Gonna be hard to let those 115 grain BT go. LOL. I swear it is like someone is holding a laser on the target for me. I can't miss, but I can't afford the $40/20 anymore.

So 110 grain Accubond and some Lee dies. Then go with the H4895 and see if I can get a decent load out of the rifle.

[41 Mag]

I don't think you will be to awfully disappointed in your choices at all.

Be sure to give us an update on how it's working. I just love playing with a 25, something about them just jives with me.

[Eb1]

I got an email back from a Winchester Tech. He mentioned the reason they load the Combined Technologies bullet in the Supreme ammo is because of all the 22" .25-06 guns being sold. They said that the friction reduced by the lubalox coating allows the full 3060 fps from the bullet out of 22" barrel .25-06 rifles.
I am super impressed with the performance of the 115 grain Combined Technologies bullet which is in fact a 115 grain Nosler BT bullet coated in lubalox.

I am going to Chronograph this bullet from my XL7 in the coming week to verify if the tech gave me the truth, or if it is marketing ploy. I do know that it very accurate, and I have not shot any other bullet from the rifle because of its accuracy. Seriously. I will post up a target from 200 yards I shot about a year ago. It is 10 rounds after sight in that can be covered with a quarter. The wind was blowing left to right about about 15 mph.
Once the Chronograph data is in, and if it comes back correct that I am getting over 3000 fps from a 115 grain bullet with a 22" barrel. I will probably stick with that bullet when the reloading starts. On longer shots you get rapid expansion, and the base will continue to penetrate deep. I know this for a fact as I have a recovered bullet I posted on another thread that proves this.

Let me see what the Chrony says on a factory 115 grain CT Silver Tip, and I will post back the results, and we can go from there.

Thank you for the reply everyone.

[ArchAngelCD]

So do I drop $40 for some Nosler factory ammo in 100 grain loaded with the Partition before buying dies, or do I just dive in head first, and try to improve/match the ammo the gun likes?
Why not buy the same Combined Technologies bullet your rifle likes and try to duplicate the factory ammo? From what I'm told Winchester actually used to use the same powders in their ammo they were marketing to reloaders. I don't know if that's still true since they are no longer connected. (the ammo and powders companies that is)

You might want to try using that Winchester brass with a WLR primer and either Winchester 760 to try and duplicate the factory load. (although you might have to use Winchester Supreme 780 instead)

You could also try using the load data provided on the Nosler Site (http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data/25-06-Remington-115-Grains.aspx). They list that 115gr bullet with 4 different powders.

[Eb1]

I hadn't thought of WW780. I have some WW760 on hand actually.
I will go today after work, and buy some WW780 along with the 115 CT Bullets. I will pull the bullet of a factory load, and compare visually the powder with 760 and 780. I don't know if I will be able to tell, but it is worth a look.
I will weigh the powder from the pulled bullet, and reference load manuals for both 760 and 780 just as a reference.

Good thoughts, AACD. Don't know why it slipped my mind. I guess cause I was thinking of using the powder on hand. Thanks.

[Eb1]

Update:

I went today after work to the locals, and could not find Winchester 780 anywhere. I use to see it all the time. Either it is the greatest thing since smokeless powder, or it is a niche powder that might be fading out. It seems that Winchester does this sometimes.

So I got the Nosler manual out again, and looked at the 115 grain Nosler section for .25-06. It listed their most accurate loading with the 115 grain series (BT, CT, and Partition) to be IMR 4350 @ 49.0 grains with 87% load density. Now I don't have the Rem brass or Primer, but I have Win brass and primer so I will work up to 49.0 grains.

None of the store has the CT in 115 grain, but had the 115 BT. I decided that I am going to place an order online for the bullets, and I might have found a person that is selling some dies with a Sinclair neck sizer die that are used.

It looks like my first go round with .25-06 is going to be with IMR 4350, Winchester Nickel brass shot from my rifle and neck sized, Winchester primers, and the Combined Technologies 115 grain BT.

Does anyone have comments on the IMR 4350 with .25-06? I am still looking for the Winchester 780, but if it going to be this hard to find then I sure hope the IMR 4350 will gimme what good results.

Hoping for the best.

[BoxC]

I shoot the 115 Ballistic Silvertips in my 25-06 and get very good accuracy. With 49 gr of IMR 4350 and with 53 gr of IMR 4831 I get groups of 3/4 MOA or better. I currently use the 4831 load as it gives slightly better accuracy.

Caution-the 53gr of IMR 4831 is above the max load as stated in the Nosler manual. This load should be started at the recommended Nosler loads and worked up to gradually; stopping at the first sign of excessive pressure. My rifle is a Remington 700 Classic with a 24" barrel and your rifle may react differently.

[Eb1]

It was a toss up between IMR 4831 and IMR 4350. The locals have both regularly, and tons of it.
I went with IMR 4350 because it showed *best accuracy load tested. I can only hope. 1/2 or better out of my pencil barrel hunting rifle, and I'll be pretty satisfied. I'd like to match the factory of 1/2" to 1" @ 200 yards.

If all else fails with the 115 CT then I'll give the 110 Accubond a good try. ;)

[ArchAngelCD]

Does anyone have comments on the IMR 4350 with .25-06?
That's a much better choice than 4895 and a powder usually associated with the 25-06.

Did you pull a bullet form the factory load and compare the powder to W760? (or are you going to wait until you find some W780?)

[Eb1]

@AACD, I didn't. I didn't find any 760 at the lgs either. Which made me rethink going with the Winchester Powders at this time. I didn't want to get into having to search for powder locally.
I have some good impressions of IMR 4350 from what I have read. Seems to be the original powder for .25-06 from back in the 40s, and if it has worked for that long then why change it. JK I know that there might be better, but I have to start somewhere. Why not at the beginning.

I have my bullets on order, and I am deciding which die set to purchase.

[sage5907]

Hey Eb1, I have been shooting a 25-06 for over 46 years and It's a great rifle. I've made mistakes along the way and learned a lot. My favorite hunting load is 49 grains of IMR 4831 with a Speer 120 grain flat base hot core bullet. A 120 grain bullet at 2900 fps is a great hunting load and with that load I have shot 25 consecutive shots in a 1 inch group at 100 yards. I also like RCBS reloading dies but you also need an RCBS precision case length micrometer. They sell on eBay for $58. I prefer to set you sizing die so the case chamber length is sized to the zero line on the SAAMI guage. If you don't want to set the case shoulder back you can check a fired case and it will show the distance over the SAAMI length which is usually from .002 to .004 and you can set your sizing die accordingly. The guage also measures overall cartridge length and I like a set-up where the bullet is .020 from the lands on the SAAMI guage. BW

[Eb1]

Update:

I haven't gotten a chance to reload for the .25-06 yet, but I did buy some Remington Core-Lokt 100 grain factory rounds to give the lighter bullets a chance.
Went to the range today.
I shot a box of my beloved Win Silver Tips today, and they were scattered everywhere. I think that since I haven't been shooting regularly that my technique is off. I caught myself pushing down left in my practice firing.

When I came home I looked over the gun really well, and found that the stock was touching the barrel at the very end of the forearm. I did not do that before. I never noticed it anyway. I did take the stock off due to an issue with the magazine spring catching. I resolved that issue, but I might have altered the stock somehow as well. Nevertheless I took a file and some fine sand paper, and made the barrel float now. At least to the point where it goes into the slot on the stock. It seemed to help with the groups.

I went back to the range, and I would say that the Core-Lokt gave decent hunting accuracy. @ 100 yards I was averaging 1" to 1.25" with 5 shot groups. That is good enough for a 200 yard kill in a bean field, or an accurate kill in the woods.

I am thinking of trying the 110 grain Accu-bond as well. If I don't get a chance to try any .25-06 loading of mine until deer season. I think I will just use the 100 grain Core-Lokt for this years hunt.

[Sidewinder72]

Give H 4831sc a try. Its my go to powder for 25-06. Very accurate and much faster than your 4895.

[Eb1]

@ Sidewinder72, I have IMR4350 to try. I can't afford to jump into H4831SC until I give IMR 4350 a good try with a few different bullets and primers, but we see.. I heard it was a good one for sure.

What grain and model bullet are you shooting in you hand loads, SW72?

[Eb1]

Finally I had a chance to load up some test rounds.

Components:
Winchester Nickle Cases
115 gr. CT Ballistic Tip
49.0 gr. IMR 4350

I have loaded 2x 5 shots each totaling 30 rounds.

10 with Federal Match LR Primers
10 with CCI 200 Primers
10 with Winchester LR Primers

I will shoot 2x 5 shot groups of each loading @ 100 yards.

OAL for all 30 rounds are 3.260. I neck sized the brass only. Each round loads fine in my rifle.

I have to wait for a chance to get to the range to complete the report.

[sage5907]

Eb1, that sounds like a hot load to me but maybe the bullet coating will knock the pressure down. I know when I tried the uncoated version of the bullet it was easy to flirt with high pressure. If you shoot a round and it flattens your primer you may want to back off a couple of grains of powder when you reload again. BW

[Eb1]

Noted.

It is a max loading, but listed as most accurate in my Nosler manual for IMR 4350. Will take the Chrony also to the range. This is also why I did 10 of each. So that I would have enough data from the Chrony to verify jumps or dips in velocity.

[kingmt]

Sounds safe but I would have started lower myself. I normally get my best groups towards the starting load of data.

[Eb1]

I have had some good at max, and some good at start, and some good in the middle. I have also had good over max.

I was going off of the Nosler recommended load for their latest book. Yeah. I know it was in their test gun, but what is it going to hurt to try? If you try a listed load be it at the bottom or the top at least you know which way your going to go if the load is crap. True?

[kingmt]

I would try at the top. I had one load that I fallowed the data & .2gr over the starting load it popped the primers another .2gr & it split the necks with hard bolt left in my gun.

[Eb1]

Cartridge: 25-06 Remington
Load Type: Rifle
Starting Loads
Maximum Loads

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure
117 GR. HDY SPBT IMR IMR 4350 .257" 3.165" 47.0 2851 42,700 CUP 52.0 3106 51,300 CUP

data from http://data.hodgdon.com

Listing 52.0 grains Max for a 117 grain bullet. I am loading a 115 grain with Lubalox coating as a friction modifier. Forty-nine grains is listing max in the bullet manufacturer. I tend to go with bullet manufacturer data over powder manufacturer if the bullet company has loading data available.
I have changed two components of the load. The case and the primer. I will watch very closely for the signs of high pressure, and will not go forth if sings are present. I will be watching for jumps in velocity on the Chronograph, or velocity values that are not near published velocities as high pressure signs as well.

I am a safe hand loader. I do tend to work up data that is not published at times. I have load data that is not published for VV N120 with the 30-30 that was worked up via a Chrony and watching for high pressure signs. I also have data with VV N120 for other rifles that is not listed. I will not disclose this information, but I know that it works for me in my guns.

I am really excited to try the .25-06 loads. I just hope that the Federal Match primers are not the most accurate as they are hard to find around here, but I would be happy to find an accurate load. I am impatiently waiting for a chance to go to the range. This week should be a good one because the temps are going to be down in the lower 80's.

If the velocity is 2900 to 3050 I will be happy also because using the Ballistic Tip and at the distance I would be hunting at this year. The slightly lower velocities would keep the bullet from reacting to quickly. Although I have never had a problem with the 115 grain CT BT before, but those kill were at over 200 yards.

If I cannot find a load before deer season. I will be trying the 100 grain Remington Core-Lokt in .25-06. I also have 40 rounds of factory Winchester Supreme in 115 grain CT BT to use also. I am not doing without. ;)

[Zeke/PA]

My current .25-'06 is a tempermental Ruger#1 Varminter.
I have fiddle-fooled around to come up with this:
51 Grains of 4831 behind a 117 Sierra GameKing.
Sub MIA groups at 100 yds. AND I'm able to dispense a Maryland,long range beanfielfd buck with ease

[OKIE2]

Nosler's new number 6 load book says that reloader 19 is the best powder for 100 grain bullet
52 grains for 3254 fps
4895 is not on their list

[Eb1]

I am not using 4895 nor am I using a 100 grain bullet.


I am using a 115 grain bullet with IMR 4350. Which is listed in the book.

[Sidewinder72]

Eb1 , I am loading .020 of lands and very near max loads with 110 accubonds and 4831sc. Very accurate and the deer hate them.

[Eb1]

The 110 Accu-Bonds will be my next choice if the 115 grain CT BT fails me. I don't think they will. I have shot great groups with factory ammo loaded with it, and I like the performance of the BT on deer.

H4831SC is easily found in my location locally. Like I mentioned before. I had a heck of a time finding a load for my .44 Magnum using 2400. Come to find out it was the cowboy grip that was hurting accuracy more than the load, but it was mentioned to me to go with a tried and true original for the .44 Magnum. The powder was IMR 4227. Well. That powder brought back the excitment because 22.0 grains of IMR 4227 with a LSWC is a very medium recoiling, but very accurate for me with iron sights out of my SBH.

So when it came to picking a powder for the .25-06 I choose to go with the original powder for the cartridge. Which from what I read, and have been told by old timers is IMR 4350. I am figuring on the same events happening that did with my .44 Magnum. Original powder should give me a good starting point. Just so happens that the Nosler manual has a most accurate load of 49.0 grains of 4350 @ 3030 fps which is about what I get from the Winchester Supreme Silver Tips.

Plans changed, and I will be able to shoot this Saturday morning. YES! So I am going to shoot 2 five shot groups of each load that I have loaded, and I mentioned them in an above post. The only difference is the primer. All have Winchester nickle brass that is once fired in my rifle, and is neck sized. I loaded about .002 from the lands as far as I can tell. The OAL is 3.260.
I have 10 of each loaded. 10 with WLR, 10 with Federal Match LR, and 10 with CCI 200 primers.
I will watch for pressure signs, and watch the Chrony for velocities that are near published values. Any that are way lower or higher will be put aside, and not shot again. I will bring them home, and pull the bullet to save the powder. Resize the brass, and load with lower powder charges.

Does that meet every ones criteria of safety? <-- not being a jerk.

[Eb1]

Tomorrow is the day! Suppose to have 5 mph winds, and be around 80*F.

[Eb1]

Okay. Here are the groups I shot this morning. The temp was 75*F, 5 mph wind left to right. All shot were at 100 yards off sand bags, and all where shot over the Chrony.
I would like to say to anyone who is reloading, or is new to reloading. Look at these groups. The loads were the exact same except for the primers. They were loaded at the same sitting. The only thing different eccept for the CCI 250 loading were the primers used.
I have loaded a lot, but never took the time to actually test how the primer actually can affect accuracy, and these pictures show that they make one heck of a difference. As you will see.

I let the barrel cool all the way down between shots. Took me a good 5 hours to shoot these groups. Whew.
I shot another 5 shot string of the WIN LR Primer loadings, and the velocities were consistent. The group opened up some, but I shot the string with only letting the barrel cool for 30 seconds or so. The wife called, and said, "HELP ME! The kids are driving me up the wall. I can't get my work done." So naturally I was frazzled, and trying to get home.

I think the Winchester primers with 49.0 grains loaded to 3.260 (still fit in my magazine) would make a good hunting load.
Velocities which will be in the below post are consistent with the book. I am shooting from a 22" barrel vs. the books 24". Load velocity from the book is listed @ 3030 fps with a 24" barrel. So if you take about 70 fps/inch you get the velocities I show from my Chrony.

The CCI 250 load was lowered to 48.0 grains instead of 49.0 grains for safety reasons, but the velocity from the 48.0 grains of IMR 4350 were 100 fps lower.

None of the loads were hard to extract. Primers after firing look excellent. I actually feel I could bump up a grain, and not have issues, but if I get MOA out of my light weight, pencil barrel at an average of 2850 fps using a 115 grain CT BT from the 22" barrel. I would be tickled pink. I have already seen what the factory load with this bullet can do to a deer @ 300 yards. I have some of the factory Win Supreme left. I think I will Chrony those next trip to the range. I know that the .25-06 should be getting 3000 fps easy, but again I am shooting a 22" barrel. Which brings up the question from another thread. Velocity or accuracy for hunting loads. Well. I repeat what I said on that thread. I think you have to find a happy medium. Reliability along with accuracy with a velocity that will allow your projectile to function properly. It could play to my advantage using a BT with a slightly slower velocity for those up close shots. Only time will tell.
I don't think I will try a different powder until I am out of IMR 4350. The recoil was nothing. You could shoot this load all day long. Not that the .25-06 is a heavy recoiling rifle, but it was less than my 30-30 with 170 grain bullets, but the report of the .25-06 is something of an experience that is for sure. The people next to me swore I was shooting a 300 Win Mag. :)

Well now to the end. What do you all think? I called the low right on the Win LR group. Held my breath to long, and jerked the trigger. It was also the first in the group.
In order:
CCI200, WIN LR, CCI250(48 grains), FED Match LR

[Eb1]

Here are the velocities. Sorry for the pink ink. LOL. It was the only pen in my wife's vehicle. It is my daughters favorite pen to use for puzzles when on trips.

Also if anyone would like to see the fired primers. I can post pictures of those also. With the consistency of velocity, and my own visual inspection along with the easy of extraction. I do not think I was anywhere near flirting with near max pressure with this load. Opinions will be greatly appreciated.

[41 Mag]

EB,

In some 15 years of playing around with my 25, I found that the Win WLR primers were the most consistent with it as well. It looks like a good load to me.

I had mine seated just a tad deeper than yours, but my seating technique is a bit squirrelly, but it's what the rifle likes. I have a standard of sorts which is simply a Winchester dummy case with a 100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip seated to 3.250" base to tip. This is what I use as a standard to set my seating die with. After that anything from 100grs to 120grs I simply seat to that setting and all is very well with the rifle. I have used several powders for different bullets but settled on RL-22 for anything 110grs and up. I used IMR-4350 for 100gr Sierra's after contacting them and getting a load from their tech. Used IMR-4831 for every other 100gr bullet.

This is the last two shots for group fired from the rifle at 250yds with the 110gr Accubond at 3150fps,
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f285/41nag/Shooting/P4220201.jpg

The lowest hole is a fouling round, first out of a freshly cleaned barrel. After cleaning it I rifle at least two rounds through this one, simply to verify the scope and put a bit of carbon in the tube. It was blowing 15-20 that afternoon almost directly across range, so I didn't mess with a thing. I have no doubts that it will do it's job out to this range very efficiently.

[OKIE2]

You all like the heavy bullets for some reason but I use the 85 gr nosler Btip
for deer hunting as you can see it is pretty accurate in my rifle at 3790 fps
with 2711 ft/lbs at muzzel.
the 85 grain is all I need out past 300 yards
it still has at 300 yards 2847 fps and 1,530 ft/lbs of energy to kill a 250 pound animal. every one I have shot dropped in its tracts right there.
http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu340/OKIE2-photos/TARGETS/25-06RUGER.jpg
check this out for loads
http://ammoguide.com/cgi-bin/aiviewload.cgi?sn=LrVFlRmfbB&catid=120&lid=1285728750

[Eb1]

What twist is your barrel, Okie?

[41 Mag]

You all like the heavy bullets for some reason but I use the 85 gr nosler Btip
for deer hunting as you can see it is pretty accurate in my rifle at 3790 fps
with 2711 ft/lbs at muzzel.
the 85 grain is all I need out past 300 yards
it still has at 300 yards 2847 fps and 1,530 ft/lbs of energy to kill a 250 pound animal. every one I have shot dropped in its tracts right there.

OKIE2,

My reasoning behind upping the bullet weight was because I had lighter bullets hit solid bone and blow up. While it DID kill the deer, it surely messed up a LOT of good meat in the process. When I switched to the 115gr Partition, it didn't matter if I shot them at 10yds or 400, I got the same results dead deer and not a lot of wasted meat. Besides it is actually about as accurate as your 85's are, but at 200yds or more. I switched over to the 110gr when I passed that rifle over to my daughter. I just happened to pick up a box when they arrived at my local store, and figured since I was loading rounds for it anyway I might as well see how they compared. With nothing changed except the bullets, the above two shot group at 250yds is how they do. The initial 5 shots I loaded with them, we had to ride out to the target to see them clustered like yours.

Hard to argue with that type of performance. I did give the 85's a try once upon a time, and they also shot very well, but like I said once I blew up a couple of shoulders, and ruined a bunch of meat I went heavier.

On our property she hunt out by an old fence row. No blinds, or braces simply walks out and sits down. She has shot her last 4 deer between 200 and 275yds. She knows the rifle and the load and does well with it. The grandson also used it last year to get his first buck at around 110yds resting on a Harris bi-pod. Then proceeded to tell him mom thanks for the new rifle. Feel free to check out the bottom link below, and you can see both their deer.

[Eb1]

I choose the 115 grain CT BT because I have had two experiences with this bullet in factory loads. Both were drop dead shots.

This is why I am trying to find a good load for hunting with my .25-06. I know I am going to loose 140 fps on avg. with the shorter barrel. That doesn't bother me all that much. It still has more killing power than my 30-30 that I have used my entire life. I feel confident with the 115 grain CT BT bullet from my above experiences. I do have a box of Remington 100 grain soft points if it comes down to me not finding a consistent load for my rife using the 115 grain bullet. Being that my group was 5 shots with one shot called low right, and 3 in a real tight group and one about .25" off. I would say @ 100 yards my load was about as accurate as your 85 grain loading. I might try to go to 50 grains for a little more pop, and it could actually tighten up the group. Then again it might open up the group.

If I am left with MOA accuracy with 2870 average speed using the 115 grain CT BT. I don't believe I will be under gunned for whitetail deer out to 300 yards, and the places I will be hunting this year a 150 yard shot will be a long shot.

Sure. I would like the 3000 fps listed in the book, but I am limited because of my barrel length. I have to live with that. What I want is confidence in my rifle and load, and if I have that then I should have a successful hunt if I am blessed to see a deer.

I will shoot this load a few more times to make sure it is going to hold up in my rifle, and be consistent. I will also load a few in .2 increments to see if it tightens up any. That is all I can so. I am sticking with the 115 grain load because I have seen the penetration along with the explosiveness and killing power from this bullet.

You have a great load there. No ifs about it. I would be overjoyed with that group, and if you have confidence with that load for deer then that is awesome.
I hope to get that same confidence with my load as well.

[OKIE2]

it is 1/10
Ruger 77 mkll varmit/target rifle

[Eb1]

I have a 1:10 twist also. It is a Marlin XL7. Nothing near a target barrel. Just a run of the mill pencil barrel for killing deer I would guess. Light weight, and doesn't have a lot of rigidity to it.

Let's see if this load holds together, and if a couple tenths up the ladder makes them come together. I figure though that the width of the group was more of my shooting than the load itself.
I haven't been a range junkie like I use to be for the last year. New son in the family. Daughter getting old enough to have after school activities, and on the weekend. Takes the practice right out of me. This being my 3rd trip to the range with a long gun in several months, and it is taking me some time to get my breathing and hold down again.

I bet my rifle would like the 85 grain BT also. Max load on the Nosler sight would put them right at 3000 fps with my 22" barrel, but like I was saying. If 2870 is what I get, and it shoots consistent MOA. I will be happy with that hunting load.

[OKIE2]

I have 2 of them one is still 270 win but the other one I have a 25-06, 308 & a 30-06 22" barrel along with a 243, 22-250, 220, 6.5x55 all 26" I switch barrels on. Sure is a lot cheaper than buying 8 different rifles.
some of the barrels were new $50.00 take offs.

[langenc]

So do I drop $40 for some Nosler factory ammo in 100 grain loaded with the Partition--from #8

Dont do that whatever-load your own!! You can load over 2 boxes for that money.

[sage5907]

The comments about the light bullet weight in a 25-06 are interesting. I have shot a lot of big deer with a 25-06 over the past 46 years and my experience is deep. A 25-06 with a quality 115, 117 or 120 grain bullets is a good deer cartridge. A 270 Winchester with a 130 grain bullet is a lot better, and even better than a 270 Winchester is a 30-06 with a 150 grain bullet. Several years ago a guy named John Wooters wrote a deer hunting book and at that time his comments about small caliber rifles with light fast bullets made me angry. 25 years later and a lot more experience I can say the ole John was right. BW

[Eb1]

I just found a smoking deal on 100 grain BT (Blue Tips) at a WalMart of all places. $12.00/50 was the cost. I bought the only two boxes they had.

They had RL-22, but I didn't have the money to drop on a new powder being that I had IMR-4350 already.
I am going to give the 100 grain BT (Blue Tip) a run in my rifle, and report back with the results.

So the loading continues. :) :) :)

[Huckelberry75]

Where in the heck are you that Walmart carries reloading supplies???? Here in Oklahoma, that is a friggin pipedream.
Btw, look around 51.0gns of 4350 with the 100gn pill. My stainless stalker loves them.

[Eb1]

Huckelberry75, it was in a town in NE Arkansas. I was visiting my mother, and they had a slough of kits from RCBS and Lee. They had replacement parts, etc. I only saw IMR3031, IMR4350, Varget, RL22, Unique, RL7, and Red Dot, but what more do you need really. LOL

They had bullets from Hornady .17-.45, Sierra the entire line it seemed from SMK to Pro-Hunter, Nosler BT to Accu-bond. They had primes galore WIN LP and LR, CCI200-250, and even Federal Match Primers.

I was very impressed. Jealous is more like it because they were about a $1.50 cheaper on everything, and their Muzzleloader section was two full rows of rifles and components. They also had a full line of PSA to Bear of Compound and Crossbows.

Whoever setup their sports section knew what the heck he was doing. It was very nice.

Now back to the load data. Thank you for the load info. My book from Nosler confirms 51.0 grains being their accurate load with WLR primers, Win Cases, IMR 4350 for 3352 fps from a 24" barrel. From my experience I am right on track with 70 fps loss per inch of barrel. Meaning I am looking at 3212 fps from my XL-7. I can live with that for sure if I can get then to group to an inch per 3 shots, and if five gives me 1 1/2" group with a flyer. I will call it good with 4 more confirmation groups of 3 shots each.

I have a motorcycle rally this weekend that has been planned with my good buddy for a year, or I would go and try to get some shooting in this weekend. I might take the rifle and load to work tomorrow or Thurs. to get 5 shots in. Anyway. I will keep everyone updated, and thank you everyone for the help. It is truthfully appreciated.

One other thing. I have zero issues with using a 100gr Nosler BT on a southern AR whitetail. We are talking average size deer being 140 lbs. to 170 lbs. on the hoof, but my research has shown that the 100 grain Nosler BT has been used on some money hunts with good results.
A Nosler tech has written me telling me that this bullet is a "Hunting" bullet not a varmint bullet, and the base is made thick and bonded to the lead core for explosive action on entrance and driving power for penetration. From my experience with the 115 grain CT BT on a two deer. I have seen this first hand, and my rifle shot that round at around 2880 fps would be my guess. I never Chrony'd the factory round, but have data from my hand loads with that bullet.

[Eb1]

Got them loaded up. 51 grains IMR 4350 with a 100 grain BT bullet. Loaded 10 rounds. It seems my gun comes starts to shoot better after 5 or so shots.

I am going to also take some 100 grain Remington's with me to use as fouling shots. I got those to shoot about 1.25" if I recall. Good enough to kill a deer out to 200+ yards for me with confidence. It just seemed that I had inconsistent grouping with the Remington bullets, and they are not as accurate as the 115 grain CT BT that I loaded with 49.0 grains IMR 4350. Nor are they as accurate as the factory Win Silver Tips.

I am also taking the .303 1943 Lee Enfield No1 MK3, the VZ, and the Marlin 30-30. Should be a good morning. I sure hope the 100 grain BT give me under and inch, but I will take an inch, and have confidence out to 300 yards. Most of my hunting will be under 150 yards this year anyway.

[vahunter24401]

anyone use the hodgdon superformance powder and if any one uses it on 25-06 rem 117sst bullets