Favorite powder for 25-06

[double bogey]

Like the title says, what is your favorite powder for the 25-06. Not looking for data, just the best powders.

My first range session was with H-1000. OK results, not as good as I hope to get.
Next session may be with IMR 4350

Oh, the rifle is a Tikka T3 lite, with a Zeiss 3X9X42 scope.

 

[rcmodel]

Bullet weight???

Mine has always given best accuracy using 87 grain Sierra with IMR-4350.

Pretty sure your milage will vary considerably with different bullet weights.

rc

 

[double bogey]

Oh yes, I am using nosler ballistic tip 115 gr.

 

[rg1]

I've had good performance and accuracy with IMR 4831 powder from 87-117 grain bullets. So good that I'm not interested in experimenting with other good powders for 25-06. I have loaded some IMR 4350 but prefer 4831.

 

[Zeke/PA]

My Ruger #1 in .25-06 just loves IMR 4831.
My groups are Sub- MOA and the Maryland deer ain't safe within 300 yards.

 

[witchhunter]

I'm in the 4831 camp too.

 

[41 Mag]

When I worked up my 115gr load used the data for RL-22 in the older Hornady manual for their 117gr bullets. They used a Rem 700 with a 24" barrel just like I was loading for.

It worked out great so I have kept it since the late 80's.

 

[sage5907]

I have been loading IMR 4831 in a 25-06 with 100, 115, 117 and 120 grain bullets every since it was introduced back in the 1960's to replace military surplus 4831 powder. It has alway been my go to powder for the 25-06. I never thought that I would change to anything else. However, lately I have been using 47.5 grains of Reloader 17 with a 117 grain Sierra Pro Hunter bullet and I am starting to like the load. Some 25-06 rifles just seem to like flat base bullets. With Reloader 17 you can approach your maximum load without getting a large pressure spike that comes with IMR 4831. Getting maximum velocity without seeing pressure signs is really appealing to me because it extends case life. 49 grains of the currently manufactured IMR 4831 is hard on cases with a 117 or 120 grain bullet. This brings me to another point, the IMR 4831 powder that is being sold by Hodgdon's today is not the same IMR 4831 that was being manufactured by DuPont. I don't know what is different but it is different and this difference made me consider an alternative powder.

Several years ago I tried IMR 4831 with the 115 grain Nosler and it was an eye opener for me. I had been shooting a lot of 120 grain Speer HotCor bullets and I thought up front that I could work up to 50 grains of powder with the Nosler. Taking away 5 grains of bullet didn't equate to 1 extra grain of powder. The bullet handled 49 grains but when I tried 50 grains I really flattened some primers. There was that big pressure spike that I was talking about. I think the Nosler bullet has a thinner cup which increases the pressure.

 

[JimKirk]

Lower weight bullets up to 100 grs .... I like IMR 4831, IMR 4350, RL 19 ....

110 grs and up .... IMR 7828 (#1 favorite), Retumbo, IMR 4831, RL 22/23, RL25/26 ...

 

[SlowFuse]

I'm another IMR4831 user, works well with many weights.

One I wouldn't recommend is Hybrid 100V. Seemed spiky at times and never could get anything as accurate as I would like.

 

[double bogey]

Thanks everyone, I have a couple to work up. I'll post results as I work up.

 

[Gvit]

IMR 4350 w/ 115 Nosler BT's - super tight groups @ 100 yards.
Switched this season to 115 Partitions using same load data - results are virtually the same

 

[joed]

Every powder named in the posts is a good one. I've owned a .25-06 for 36 years and tried almost every one above. Accuracy was good with all of them too.

I shoot mostly 85 gr to 90 gr bullets in mine. Burned an awful lot of IMR4350 till I discovered RL19. RL19 gives more velocity something the .25-06 likes.

For 100 gr bullets I've used IMR 4831, and 4350 with great results.

For the heavier stuff I like H4831 and RL22.

Primers make the difference. Best primers I found have been Federal BR and Winchester LR. I had bad accuracy with Remington and CCI.

 

[MSgtEgress]

H4831

 

[murray brook]

I have two 25/06 rifles. While all of the slow burners seem to work fairly well IMR4831 stands out in both of them with 117-120 gr bullets

 

[bandur60]

I started out with H450 in the mid-70s, when that went away I went to H4831 and have used it for anything from 75 gr Vmax to 120 gr Noslers and been satisfied. (57.6 behind the 75 gr gave me ~~~ 3460, .190" 3-shot and .457" 5-shot groups out of a plain-jane Ruger 77, it did have some trigger work.)

 

[rromeo]

117 - 120 grain bullets, Weatherby Vanguard Sporter with a 24" barrel. I use IMR 4350.

 

[double bogey]

Not satisfied with IMR4350, or Imr4831 with cci primers, so I got some Winchester. Dang its hard to shoot much now, cannot keep gun cool. Lucky to get 3 shot in 20 mins.

 

[Elkins45]

4831 for me.

 

[farmer pliers]

more and more I am shooting my 25-06 with RL17

 

[4895]

I found that my rifle shoots great with Reloader 22. I get great groups and fantastic velocity with a very minimal spread between shots. I like it a lot.

 

[double bogey]

IMR 4831 with Winchester primers. 3 holes touching each other. This is with Federal cases and 50 gr. powder. Same load in Remington cases went 1 1\4" to 1 3\4".
Bullet is Nosler 115gr. ballistic tip.

No pressure signs, trying the Remington cases at 50.5gr, 51gr, and 51.5gr.

Been too lazy to set up chronograph, no idea what velocity is. Also too much hassle at the busy public range.

 

[double bogey]

Looks like 50 gr. IMR4831 is my most accurate load so far with the federal cases with Win primers. Loaded 50.5 to 52 in 1/2 gr. increments, 52 was ok, but still over 1".

May try IMR4350 with the win primers. I like the load I already have but like to shoot, and like to experiment.

Also need to chrono the load and see about speed and consistency.