.25-06 favorite loads?

[longdayjake]

I have recently been given some dies for my .25-06 for my birthday. Along with them I got some 90 grain gameking hollowpoints made by sierra. I have a loading manual for it but it doesn't say which load is most accurate. Also, what gets good velocities? I am not a new handloader, but as far as .25-06 goes I am lost. There does not seem to be extensive publishings on .25-06 handloads. I know there are better cartriges out there, but I just want to know how to get the most from my model 70 in .25-06. I did a search and came up dry. Could you guys help me out?

 

[Grumulkin]

 

[longdayjake]

I love it when I get pictures in response. Much more helpful. thanks!!

 

[rg1]

I use IMR 4831 powder for my Rem. Sendero in 25-06. IMR 4831 is probably the most popular powder for this caliber while others in that speed range work well too.Powders in the speed range from IMR 4350 to IMR 4831 are your best choice. Probably the most popular and also very accurate bullet for the 25-06 that I've read about is the Nosler Ballistic Tip 100 grain bullet. My varmint load is a Hornady 87gr. Spire Point, RP 9 1/2 primer, RP cases with 54.9 grains of IMR 4831. From what I've read over the years about the 25-06 is that some rifles like the lighter weight bullets (75-100gr.) while others prefer heavy for caliber bullets (100-120). It'll take some experimenting but that's the fun of reloading.
Sierra 5th Edition Manual lists a 90gr HPBT bullet. They used a Federal case and Fed 210M primer in their test. They gave oal at 3.100" and listed an accuracy load with 53.1 grains of IMR 4831 for 3300fps. Work up to this level with your rifle and your components. I use regular Large Rifle primers for my loads and don't think a magnum primer is at all necessary for the 25-06. Have fun developing loads for your rifle.

 

[redneck2]

There does not seem to be extensive publishings on .25-06 handloads. I know there are better cartriges out there,

I don't know what your definition of "better" is, but there are some things the .25-06 does as well or better than any other round. For deer, antelope, and long range varmints it should be hard to beat.

You might want to get a copy of Pet Loads by Ken Waters. It has lots of stuff listed for about any caliber. It also lists "most accurate, max loads", etc.

I was just talking to a super hard core shooter/reloader at a shop yesterday about the .25-06. He uses Varget and gets extremely good accuracy. You also might go to the Varmint Hunter's Assn. website. Quite a few guys there seem to use the .25-06 consistently.

 

[longdayjake]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Mr. Chitlin]

My son and I have both hunted with 25/06 rifles for about 10 years. The only load we use is 56.0 gr REL22 under a 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. It runs just over 3300 fps and has accounted for many north Arkansas whitetails. I had better luck with REL22 over IMR4350.

 

[critter]

I have a rifle built on a Mauser action with a 26" Shilen barrel. It LOVES Nosler 100 gr BT's over a moderately heavy load of IMR 4350. Works WELL on deer (which tend to run rather small body-wise where I am.)

 

[DickM]

Every rifle is a rule unto itself, and what works great for me might be terrible for you, and vice versa. That said, my Ruger M77 in .25-06 really likes 100 gr Speer Spitzers over 56.0 gr of IMR4831 (Rem cases, CCI 200 primer), giving me honest 1" 5-shot groups even on windy days.

ETA: Please note that this is a maximum load for this bullet/powder combo as listed in the Speer Reloading Manual #12. I worked up to it slowly and carefully, looking closely for signs of excess pressure (and knowing what to look for). Always confirm any info you get off the web - including my load recipe above - or via word-of-mouth by checking a reputable reloading manual, and never assume a load that's safe in someone else's rifle will also be safe in yours.

 

[xringer3]

My model 70 loved the 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet with 56.0 grains of IMR-4831 powder, Federal 210 primer and Winchester case. This load is max though and I'd suggest starting lower and working up. Never had a deer take a step after the shot. I got 1/4 inch groups at 100 yards, and a little over half inch to 1 inch at 200, depending on the wind and me that day.

 

[Down South]

I reloaded and shot a 25-06 for years. I don’t have it anymore but it was one of the most accurate rifles that I ever had. It was a Remington 700 BDL. The powder that I used was IMR 4831. I’ve used several different bullet weights and styles and most all of them proved to be true performers. I don’t have any of my old data on loads. It was all lost years ago. I do have manuals that have a lot of data with the powder that I used back then. If my memory serves me correct the 100 Gr ballistic tip was one of my favorite rounds. I used a lot of 87 Gr ballistic tips too. They were very accurate.

 

[huntershooter]

Another vote for RL-22 and 100 gr. Nosler BT's.
Great deer load.
My old "Sendero" will put 3 rds. under 1.5" @ 300 yds. with this combination (using Win. brass and Fed. "Large Match" primers-210M I believe).

 

[MicrometerMike]

25 cal. my favorite rifle cal.

My expierence has bee mostly with the 100gr.-115 & 120's. The 4831's and RE22, Vhitavouri's in that range give good results too.

 

[RevolverMan567]

my browning loves

Hornady 117g sst

52.2 grain of H4832 SC

Remington Brass

And remington 9.5's (i beleive that was the number, standard Large rifle primers.)

Would shoot about 1/2 MOA CONSISTANTLY out to 200, never got to try past that.

it had a 1-10" twist. 26" tube. Hope that helps.