25-06 powder choice

[timeout]

I have a 25-06 barrel that I'm not particularly enamored with. I'm thinking I want to waste it on prairie dogs and move on. Planning to shoot 75 gr. Vmaxes. I have a good supply of H4831SC, however that looks on paper to be a compressed load. I would rather not take that direction. I would prefer H4895, H4350, or Varget. For those that may have experience with any of these, do you have a favorite for this bullet-caliber combo? Thanks.

 

[nmkid]

That's the bullet I'm shooting in my 25.06. I found the sweet spot with a max load of IMR 4064.

 

[germanlongbow]

I shot alot of the 75 gr Vmax over IMR 4064. Problem is its very temperature sensitive. H4831 SC shot great with the heavier Nosler 90 and 115 gr bullets. Not sure this helps. Scott

 

[timeout]

I have some 4064. Research looked like it would create higher pressures at max loads. The reason that I'm not liking this barrel is that it reaches max pressure much quicker than my previous one. I'll give some 4064 a try. I don't absolutely need max loads to bust dirt dogs. I like the Berger VLD's 115 gr. and that is what I built it for however my max load in this particular barrel is 2 gr. less than the prior barrel. Won't name the brand but there is apparently a reason their wait times are shorter than Krieger.

 

[Dave T]

In my 25-06 I've had great velocity and accuracy using Rel 17, Winchester 760 and H4350 shooting the 75 grn Vmax bullets. All three powders give almost identical results, currently I'm using Rel 17 for ground hogs.

 

[2506]

You mentioned reaching peak pressure with less powder with this barrel but you never mentioned what velocity you are getting. In my experience different barrels react to different powders and charges differently but if I can get the same velocity with less powder with a certain barrel it is a plus. More shots per pound. I ran IMR4064 with Sierra 75s and IMR4350 with Sierra 87s for groundhogs in the 25-06 with great success.

 

[bobcat93]

I also had the best results with hodgdon H-4831SC with Sierra match Kings 100 gr. , I could never get the V-max to shoot good in my rifle. .I've also shot just about every powder out of my rifle..the IMR listed above was also great..accuracy was spot on. I would love to shoot varmints with this load just to watch the red mist fly

 

[timeout]

My velocities are down also. I Did some work on Quickload and will experiment with 4064. Hoping the Vmaxes show up tomorrow. If they will shoot halfway decent in this barrel I'll be satisfied. So dissatisfied with this barrel my only goal is use it up and move on.

 

[Lone Hunter]

I shoot H4831 SC with 85 gr NBT and 115 gr NBT. They both shoot very well. The 75 gr V Maxes did well with H4831 SC also. Would have to look at my data for velocities but the splat factor is there on the 85 gr NBT.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

You can fit more 4831SC in the case than normal H4831, so loads listed as compressed for the H4831 may not be compressed for the SC.

H4831 (and H4831SC) is a great powder in the 25-06. I would not bother with anything else until you've tried it and need something better.

Also, most 25-06 rifles will let you load a bit longer than the listed OAL, which should ease compressed load concerns even more, as well as improve accuracy.

My 25-06 really liked the 85 NBT as its favorite varmint bullet.

 

[timeout]

You can fit more 4831SC in the case than normal H4831, so loads listed as compressed for the H4831 may not be compressed for the SC.

H4831 (and H4831SC) is a great powder in the 25-06. I would not bother with anything else until you've tried it and need something better.

Also, most 25-06 rifles will let you load a bit longer than the listed OAL, which should ease compressed load concerns even more, as well as improve accuracy.

My 25-06 really liked the 85 NBT as its favorite varmint bullet.

Yes, I know I can fit more in. H4831SC is my go to powder in the Krieger barrel with 115 Berger VLD's. Meters pretty well and although according to the book should be equal grain for grain with regular 4831, I get almost 100fps more muzzle velocity with the SC. Again, this is a crap barrel that I paid full boat for and my mission now is to just shoot it up. I have a couple pounds of 4064 that I currently don't use for anything else, so if it works out I'm going to use it up in the process of using up this barrel. Thanks!

 

[kyreloader]

Varget will make those 75g bullets sing. I loaded to 3900 fps with the 70g Blitzkings and RL17. Might want to try that too

Have you tried Retumbo with those 115g Berger's? Around 60g with Fed 215 primers got me around 3200 fps with great accuracy out of my 25" PacNor barrel.

 

[fourpower]

I have a 25-06 barrel that I'm not particularly enamored with. I'm thinking I want to waste it on prairie dogs and move on. Planning to shoot 75 gr. Vmaxes. I have a good supply of H4831SC, however that looks on paper to be a compressed load. I would rather not take that direction. I would prefer H4895, H4350, or Varget. For those that may have experience with any of these, do you have a favorite for this bullet-caliber combo? Thanks.

I have the first factory Remington sender 25-06 to hit my state! the thoat is way long but I went to 115 bergers with h-1000 powder and seat them way long and the gun shoots better than I do @ 900yds. last year I got big buck @ 904yds on a perfect day with no wind and any yote that stops inside of 500 yds is in big trouble!

 

[Patton243]

I have the first factory Remington sender 25-06 to hit my state! the thoat is way long but I went to 115 bergers with h-1000 powder and seat them way long and the gun shoots better than I do @ 900yds. last year I got big buck @ 904yds on a perfect day with no wind and any yote that stops inside of 500 yds is in big trouble!

Not trying to start anything, but shooting a buck at 900 yards with a 25-06? I find that hard to believe, honestly. If you said a groundhog or a varmint I could see the possibility. I never heard ANYONE harvesting deer over 600 yards with a 25-06. Nor would I even attempt to shoot a deer at that distance with that caliber.

 

[timeout]

Not trying to start anything, but shooting a buck at 900 yards with a 25-06? I find that hard to believe, honestly. If you said a groundhog or a varmint I could see the possibility. I never heard ANYONE harvesting deer over 600 yards with a 25-06. Nor would I even attempt to shoot a deer at that distance with that caliber.

I don't get 900 yard shots here, but I sure would not call a man a liar that said he did. The age old ethics question is one of great debate. Neither you or myself know fourpower's shooting ability. If he can shoot that rifle competently and confidently at that distance, I certainly would not chastise him for it. I've killed a pile of whitetail cleanly DRT with a .223 Rem. They are not that hard to kill. Conversely, I have seen deer wounded with 300 Win Mags. Have you ever been to a shooting range the weekend before deer season opens? That event is eye opening. fourpower quite likely may not be that "sight it in the weekend before season opens guy". A couple of us in our group are shooting Berger Hunting VLD's now in 6 Dashers during deer season. They do a tremendous amount of damage inside a whitetail. My longest shot last year was on a buck at a rangefinder verified 270 something yards running. Dropped right in his tracks with a witness to that standing beside me. I assume that you would not take that shot and probably vilify me for taking it. I know my gun and and my ability. I won't make or take that shot in every situation. Our group still makes deer drives the old fashioned way. We do take running shots. I frankly don't care if someone disagrees with that. I personally have zero interest in killing deer, bear, or any game over a feeder. That being said, if it floats someone elses boat, go for it. Too much bickering over what someone else views as being ethical. As hunters we need to stick together, Perhaps you have noticed that our numbers are dwindling?

 

[JLT]

I have had good-to-excellent results with Reloder 17 and Hybrid 100V in the .25-06 with the lighter pills. I stuff the case full of WC870 for the heavies . . .

As for the 900+ shot, that 115 Berger has very good down-range performance. Under the right conditions, I'd take that shot, too.

 

[Patton243]

I don't get 900 yard shots here, but I sure would not call a man a liar that said he did. The age old ethics question is one of great debate. Neither you or myself know fourpower's shooting ability. If he can shoot that rifle competently and confidently at that distance, I certainly would not chastise him for it. I've killed a pile of whitetail cleanly DRT with a .223 Rem. They are not that hard to kill. Conversely, I have seen deer wounded with 300 Win Mags. Have you ever been to a shooting range the weekend before deer season opens? That event is eye opening. fourpower quite likely may not be that "sight it in the weekend before season opens guy". A couple of us in our group are shooting Berger Hunting VLD's now in 6 Dashers during deer season. They do a tremendous amount of damage inside a whitetail. My longest shot last year was on a buck at a rangefinder verified 270 something yards running. Dropped right in his tracks with a witness to that standing beside me. I assume that you would not take that shot and probably vilify me for taking it. I know my gun and and my ability. I won't make or take that shot in every situation. Our group still makes deer drives the old fashioned way. We do take running shots. I frankly don't care if someone disagrees with that. I personally have zero interest in killing deer, bear, or any game over a feeder. That being said, if it floats someone elses boat, go for it. Too much bickering over what someone else views as being ethical. As hunters we need to stick together, Perhaps you have noticed that our numbers are dwindling?

Totally disagree with most you're saying. If that guy is shooting a 115 Berger VLD at 900 yards at 3050 FPS the bullet will be reaching the deer at approximately 1500 FPS with less than 600 pounds of energy. To me, that's stupid to even take a shot like that. The probability of the hunter wounding that animal and having it run away is likely. (If he even hits it at all) Secondly, I don't believe half of the stuff posted on any forums. Is some of it true? Absolutely. But some is BS as far as I'm concerned. I don't believe he shot a deer at 900 yards with a 25-06. Show me an article where people are harvesting big bucks out to almost 1000 yards with a 25-06. I haven't seen any. Finally, I don't mind the fact that there's less hunters out in the woods or in the fields. That's less people I have to deal with that don't have a clue what they're doing. I've seen some very bad hunters lately that really don't belong in the woods or hunting for that matter. That's all.

 

[timeout]

Totally disagree with most you're saying. If that guy is shooting a 115 Berger VLD at 900 yards at 3050 FPS the bullet will be reaching the deer at approximately 1500 FPS with less than 600 pounds of energy. To me, that's stupid to even take a shot like that. The probability of the hunter wounding that animal and having it run away is likely. (If he even hits it at all) Secondly, I don't believe half of the stuff posted on any forums. Is some of it true? Absolutely. But some is BS as far as I'm concerned. I don't believe he shot a deer at 900 yards with a 25-06. Show me an article where people are harvesting big bucks out to almost 1000 yards with a 25-06. I haven't seen any. Finally, I don't mind the fact that there's less hunters out in the woods or in the fields. That's less people I have to deal with that don't have a clue what they're doing. I've seen some very bad hunters lately that really don't belong in the woods or hunting for that matter. That's all.

Opinions are like noses, everyone has one and is entitled to it. I haven't run the numbers on energy at 900 yards, but I disagree with everything else that you have said in this post. I especially disagree with your statement of less hunters being better. That hurts us tremendously from the standpoint of being able to maintain our heritage of hunting. It sounds to me like your style of hunting is the only correct style and everyone else should stay home. Others can draw their own conclusions. I'm finished with this conversation.

 

[Patton243]

Opinions are like noses, everyone has one and is entitled to it. I haven't run the numbers on energy at 900 yards, but I disagree with everything else that you have said in this post. I especially disagree with your statement of less hunters being better. That hurts us tremendously from the standpoint of being able to maintain our heritage of hunting. It sounds to me like your style of hunting is the only correct style and everyone else should stay home. Others can draw their own conclusions. I'm finished with this conversation.

Like I said, show me where they're shooting deer at 900 yards with a 25-06. Still waiting. I did run the numbers.

 

[civil82]

Totally disagree with most you're saying. If that guy is shooting a 115 Berger VLD at 900 yards at 3050 FPS the bullet will be reaching the deer at approximately 1500 FPS with less than 600 pounds of energy. To me, that's stupid to even take a shot like that. The probability of the hunter wounding that animal and having it run away is likely. (If he even hits it at all) Secondly, I don't believe half of the stuff posted on any forums. Is some of it true? Absolutely. But some is BS as far as I'm concerned. I don't believe he shot a deer at 900 yards with a 25-06. Show me an article where people are harvesting big bucks out to almost 1000 yards with a 25-06. I haven't seen any. Finally, I don't mind the fact that there's less hunters out in the woods or in the fields. That's less people I have to deal with that don't have a clue what they're doing. I've seen some very bad hunters lately that really don't belong in the woods or hunting for that matter. That's all.

Still more energy than a 357 at the muzzle.