25-06 Information

[South Paw Sammy]

As the title says just looking for information.
Being a southpaw one is been on my list for a while. Well I found one or should I say one found me a guy at work is selling his father’s collection and though he was right handed the guy came across a LH rifle and asked if I wanted it when he brought it to work I jumped on it. So now I have a southpaw 25-06 and just looking for some input
Thanks.
Sam.

 

[randyc]

As the title says just looking for information.
Being a southpaw one is been on my list for a while. Well I found one or should I say one found me a guy at work is selling his father’s collection and though he was right handed the guy came across a LH rifle and asked if I wanted it when he brought it to work I jumped on it. So now I have a southpaw 25-06 and just looking for some input
Thanks.
Sam.

I have shot 25-06 for over 35 years in two rifles. Load was near book max on both and chambers were close enough to interchange cases. Load was with IMR 4350 and 100 grain flat base bullets and loaded just short of lands. One rifle has close to 3000 rounds and still shoots under 1/2" at 100. Bought the other rifle to replace original, but original just keeps cranking out great groups.

 

[STOMP442]

.25-06 is a fantastic cartridge and much more lethal than people give it credit for. The 115gr Berger is my favorite bullet for that cartridge. I have had great success with both H4350 and H4831sc. A stiff load of either one should give you velocities around 3100fps and excellent accuracy.

 

[Dessert]

There is plenty of published loads for the .25-06 for both varmints and big game. Personally, I prefer H4350 and Nosler. Really, the only rifle you’ll ever need. (beware the man with one gun) Congrats on a great purchase. Treat it with loving care and it will be your friend for life.

 

[Bill Norris]

The 25-06 is as mentioned above a lot more rifle than most will give reference to. I've owned many down thru the 65 trips around the sun I've been on earth and no complaints with any of them. I currently have a Rem 700 Long Range Precision 26 inch factory rifle that shoots from 70 gr. Sierras to 115 gr. Bergers bullets into equally small ragged holes @ 100 yds.

(Disclaimer) Your rifle chamber will be different than mine so work up loads accordingly.

70 gr. Sierra B K 57.2 RL-17 210M Fed. Primer in Lapua necked 30-06 brass @ 3.185 COL .013 off lands.

115 gr. Berger VLD-Hunting 55.5 Ramshot Magnum CCI BR-2 Primer in Lapua necked 30-06 brass @ 3.233 COL .030 off lands.

 

[NC308]

I prefer IMR 4831 and 117 gr bullets in either hornady or Sierra. Runs them around 3000 FPS. I have shot some 87 gr for totes and ground hogs as well but IMO the 117 is where it’s at!

 

[Guybo]

As mentioned, great cartridge and no doubt my favorite. I've had numerous 25.06 rifles and all have been shooters. My current one is a Rem 700 CDL and probably my favorite of all the ones i've owned. It's a fast flat shooting caliber that hits the target hard. I've always shot the heavier bullets in mine from 110grs to my favorite, the Speer 120gr Hot-Cor. You won't regret your purchase, enjoy! Mike

 

[AckleymanII]

I love the 117g Sierra btsp and the flat base. Shot them with IMR 4831 years ago. A friend turned me on to R#25 with fed 215's...holy cow...another 200 fps with accuracy!

The 100g Nosler partitions are the most accurate partitions I have ever shot.

 

[Park ranger]

I loved mine, got it when I was 17, first year the Remington Sendero came out. IIRC, 54.4 of 4350 sent a 100 grain ballistic tip 3300 fps. It shot great, I even shot in NRA 3x600 matches. It quit shooting at about 1500 rounds. I turned it into a palma gun.

I didn’t mention the brand of 4350 because I was young and didn’t know the difference, but I used H,AA, & IMR interchangeably. Some was probably too hot.

 

[Evan]

Reloader 17 will show you a whole new gear too. Probably in the ballpark of 100-150fps more than any of the 4350 powders. Never tried it, but I bet RL23 would work nicely too.

 

[NC308]

I love the 117g Sierra btsp and the flat base. Shot them with IMR 4831 years ago. A friend turned me on to R#25 with fed 215's...holy cow...another 200 fps with accuracy!

The 100g Nosler partitions are the most accurate partitions I have ever shot.

Would you share that R25 load? I have never shot reloaded power in my 25-05. Only 4831 and 4350.

 

[yotehater]

My .25-06 loves 52.5 g of RL-22 and the 115 Barnes boolit. I've never had to shoot anything twice with that load.

 

[rockhound78]

Anyone have a good load for the Speer 87gr TNT. Thought about using my Ruger 77 for our varmint silhouette matches, but we are restricted to 3200fps or less when above 22 cal. I ask about the TNT bullet as I have good supply of them.

 

[2506]

I also have been shooting the 25-06 for around 30 years. One of the most drop them in their tracks deer killing calibers I have ever shot. I have shot a lot of deer doing crop damage control with my buddy for 15 years shooting 100 deer each year off a big farm in NC. One of the 4350s or 4831s has been my powders and most any bullet from 100 to 120gr will do the job. I really like the 117 Sierra Pro Hunter. Right now I am running it with 49 grs IMR or AA 4350, Rem case, CCI 250 primer, 20 thousands off the lands. BUNG HOLES and 3000 fps from my 26 in Shilen #6 barreled Rem. 700. I know the rifle and where it shoots at what distance and I don't need to shoot more than once with my self imposed 550 yards on deer. I have not tried any of the newer powders but they are capable of producing more velocity I understand. Some have thoughted Retumbo as a good 115+ gr bullet powder. It sure makes my 264 Win, mag scream.

 

[South Paw Sammy]

Thanks for all the information y’all.
I will update when I get a little trigger time.

 

[ebb]

Same case capacity as a 6.5-284. Accurate 3100 used to be the very best 25-06 powder, accurate doesn't sell it anymore. The company that made it for Accurate does. I am on my second barrel and it doesn't shot as well as the factory barrel or I haven't found it load yet

 

[joed49]

I've shot the same .25-06 for 42 years, great cartridge. Even with a safe with other rifles and cartridges the .25-06 is still my favorite.

I've used bullets from 75 gr to 117 gr and all shot very accurately. The 75 gr runs out of steam to quickly for me so I don't shoot them anymore. Bullets of 85 to 90 gr are great for varmint hunting.

The 100 gr bullet is probably the most versatile as it can be used for varmints to deer.

Heavier stuff is good for bigger game.

The cartridge is very flat shooting making hits at longer ranges fairly easy. Also it's not to fussy about powders. I've tried IMR4350, IMR4831, H4831, RL17, RL19 and Retumbo. All delivered good accuracy in my rifle. I prefer the RL powders as they give high velocity, something this cartridge likes.

You'll find it's at its best shooting near max charges. I think you'll enjoy shooting that rifle.

 

[lawman29]

51.5 - 53.5 RL19 & 100 gr nosler

 

[Field_2_Fork]

.25-06 is a fantastic cartridge and much more lethal than people give it credit for. The 115gr Berger is my favorite bullet for that cartridge. I have had great success with both H4350 and H4831sc. A stiff load of either one should give you velocities around 3100fps and excellent accuracy.

What is you barrel twist? I'd like to try the 115 Bergers but am not sure my barrel will agree, it is a Tikka M695 with a 10" twist.

 

[MikeT49]

I'm running 115 Partitions @ 3150 fps using 56.5 gr IMR 7977 out of a 26", 10 twist. Very accurate and thumps stuff like Thor's hammer. There's another higher node @ ~3275 fps using 58 gr. but too much powder crunching for my likes in my current short throated chamber.