25-06 Seems to like 4831

[Adam0321/0306]

I did a ladder test today with my 25-06 in preparation for deer season. I was shooting a 100 GN Nosler BT under 4064. However, I was not getting the velocity, or accuracy out of the load that I wanted. Also, I have noticed that the Nosler bullets are hard to come by, and their QC seems to have gone down. I read on here that the 25-06 likes 4831 at or near maximum capacity. That is indeed what this test showed. I was not hopeful until the last three rounds. I also had zero pressure signs at the top of this load expect for an ever so slight stick bolt handle. If you have a 25-06 and you have not tried 4831, might be worth it.

 

[bozo699]

Been my go to for years for the 25-06
Wayne

 

[Adam0321/0306]

I plan to load up some batches at the upper end of this load and see what the harmonics look like. I am hopeful that single digit SD should be obtainable.

 

[Bill Norris]

Every 25-06 I owned took a liking to IMR-4831. 100 gr. Nosler B T loaded by an older Nosler manual @ 54.0 gr. seemed to be a favorite. That load now in the newer manuals has been reduced to I believe 53.0 or 53.5 gr.

 

[Adam0321/0306]

I live in the east coast. So the 25-06 is looked upon as an A-typical deer gun. However, I hunt a farm that has me thinking I am back over seas sometimes. There are a bunch of old buildings that I set in and can get shots out to 850 yards. Pretty much an urban hide with shooting benches and everything. I however put the breaks on at anything of 400.

 

[Field_2_Fork]

I'll have to give that a try, I'm hoping to do some work with a .25-06 this year.
I really like that spreadsheet you're using, is it available somewhere?

 

[Lone Hunter]

My 25/06 likes H4831SC and 75 gr bullets through 115 gr. I shoot Nosler 85 gr B.T. for varmints and 115 Nosler B.T. for deer. Incredibly accurate and fast. The only bullet that I tried the rifle didn’t like was Sierra 90 gr HP. For some reason it wouldn’t shoot it worth a darn. The 100 gr Sierra shot extremely well.

 

[Bill Norris]

25-06 is right at home with long shots here in N C

 

[Adam0321/0306]

Its just a spreadsheet that I made. See if you can download it from here. If not, I can send it to you.

 

[Adam0321/0306]

My 25/06 likes H4831SC and 75 gr bullets through 115 gr. I shoot Nosler 85 gr B.T. for varmints and 115 Nosler B.T. for deer. Incredibly accurate and fast. The only bullet that I tried the rifle didn’t like was Sierra 90 gr HP. For some reason it wouldn’t shoot it worth a darn. The 100 gr Sierra shot extremely well.

This load was shooting the Sierra 100gn Game Kings.

 

[Lone Hunter]

This load was shooting the Sierra 100gn Game Kings.

Yes I saw that on your spread sheet. I would have used it ( 100 gr) instead of the Nosler 115 BT except I was hunting clear cuts and the 115 gr provided better ballistics. Probably could not have told the difference on hitting a deer though. I know the 85 gr NBT will flat tear stuff up. There is no doubt when you hit some thing with them.

 

[Adam0321/0306]

Yes I saw that on your spread sheet. I would have used it ( 100 gr) instead of the Nosler 115 BT except I was hunting clear cuts and the 115 gr provided better ballistics. Probably could not have told the difference on hitting a deer though. I know the 85 gr NBT will flat tear stuff up. There is no doubt when you hit some thing with them.

I was in a Soortsmans in Washington last year and got a box of the 115 GN Berger VLD. I wanted to try them this year, but I read that they can be finicky and are quite particular about seating depth. My experience with Seierra is that they are pretty easy to tune. After the season I will play with the Berger’s. I plan to take this gun out west some day for antelope or mule deer.

 

[jepp2]

but I read that they can be finicky and are quite particular about seating depth.

I've found on several rifles they tend to shoot best with a jump of around 0.050". I went to the VLD-H for my 25-06 primarily for better expansion at longer distance. Glad you got your Sendero to shoot well. I had 3 in 25-06 and just wasn't that impressed with any of them. The 2 powders I prefer most in my 25-06 for hunting is either IMR-4831 or RL 19.

Here is my long range 25-06 I'm currently using. I was playing with a couple of rear bags for it.


Last year in WY when I was antelope hunting, another rancher contacted the rancher I was hunting on. He had a buck that was hurt (broke it's hind leg jumping a fence). He asked if I would come and put it down. When I got there, I found it bedded under a sagebrush. Same level with me and its rump toward me. I'm not much for shooting at necks at distance, but it was the only option. I thought the bullet path through the hair on the back was interesting.

 

[nmkid]

My 25-06 loves 4831SC with 110 gr. Accubonds.

 

[std7mag]

For my rifles i've found the 115gr Berger VLD like to be close to the lands. 0.005-0.010"

This of course needs to be experimented with in your rifles.
The Berger manual has a good outline for finding seating depth with the VLD.

 

[tominboise]

Along with H4831, I have used RL25 quite successfully in my 25-06 with 117gr Sierra's.

 

[STOMP442]

.25-06 is one of my favorites. My particular rifle really preferred H4350 over anything else I tried in it with 115gr Bergers. My wife has pretty much claimed it as hers and she has done really well with it. She has killed a few deer with it, the most impressive was a decent 2 point Coues Deer at 824 yards across a big canyon. Drilled him right in the shoulder and dropped him where he stood. The bullet exited the off side with about a nickel sized exit wound.

 

[Bill K]

#1, for years, in my 25-06

 

[Adam0321/0306]

This Sendero has proven to be a very accurate rifle. It was the first “adult” gun I bought when I was 18. It’s sad that it does not have more animals under it. Maybe after retirement.