Powder for 117 grain bullet in 25/06

[dvraa]

I've been using IMR-4350 for years in my other 25/06 rifles for deer and coyotes with great success. My new rifle has 27-3/4" Bartlein barrel on it and I would like to get as much accuracy and velocity as I can. I plan on punching paper out to 1000 yards with it and doing some long range varmint hunting with it.
Anybody used any of the slower burning powders like 7828, H-1000, or Retumbo with the 117 boat tail spire points? And, what kind of accuracy and fps were you able to achieve???

 

[Big Mc]

I've been using IMR-4350 for years in my other 25/06 rifles for deer and coyotes with great success. My new rifle has 27-3/4" Bartlein barrel on it and I would like to get as much accuracy and velocity as I can. I plan on punching paper out to 1000 yards with it and doing some long range varmint hunting with it.
Anybody used any of the slower burning powders like 7828, H-1000, or Retumbo with the 117 boat tail spire points? And, what kind of accuracy and fps were you able to achieve???

H4831 start at 48. 4831ac is the same . Tommy Mc

 

[358WCF]

My Rem. factory 26" barreled 25-06 liked 7828 (not SCC) with the Sierra 117 SBT at around 3150fps. I started at 53gr & worked up. Usually 1/2 to 3/4" @ 100 yds.

I spent more time & components working with Berger 115s. A few powders worked nicely but they were, unfortunately, from Alliant except for N560 @ about 3200fps (start around 55gr) & H4831SC @ about 3100fps (start around 52gr).

Not sure how much it matters, but WLRM primers were used for all the above in PPU brass.

 

[Murray Brook]

In the 3 different 25/05's I've had IMR 4831 with the 117 Sierra was a great combo.

 

[ebb]

In the past Accurate 3100 was the go-to powder for a 25-06, and it really work in mine. Then it was gone. I called and asked Accurate why it was no longer available, the tech guy talked word salad then after fumbling and stumbling around he said it was made buy a vendor and they were not selling it cheap enough to make it profitable. After some looking, I found it is now on the market as Lovex 071.

 

[dvraa]

Thanks for the replies, I have some IMR and H 4831 and I picked up a pound of H-1000 for good measure today. After it warms up and drys up around here I m going to work up loads for all three and see how they do

 

[Lone Hunter]

H4831 start at 48. 4831ac is the same . Tommy Mc

What Tommy Mc said. Great powder for 25/06….

 

[rockhound78]

I thought AA3100 was their MRP(magnum rifle powder) just repackaged/named, which was essentially WWII surplus 4831

 

[JLT]

AA3100 is terrific in the .25-'06. It's long gone, but I still have a few pounds of it on the shelf and all of it will be used in my .25-'06. It's a deer and antelope rifle, so my supply will probably outlast me.

If that were not the case, N-165 would be my next choice with 117 gr. and 120 gr. bullets. It will give you very good case fill and excellent velocity. I have had very good accuracy results from the work-ups I've done with this powder, and it is very cool-burning which should help with barrel life.

H4831 and H4831SC deliver on accuracy, but N-165 will match the accuracy and produce higher velocities, IME.

 

[ebb]

I rebarreled my 25-06 and it doesn't like 3100 like it did with the factory barrel. I have tried H4831 and it didn't come close to the old barrel and 3100. I have and use N165 in my 6.5-284 and love it, never even thought of using it in the 25-06. Thanks for the tip JLT! I've read of people using Retumbo in 243WIN, do you think it's too slow for the 25-06?

 

[GotRDid]

I’m working with Accurate MagPro at the moment with the Hornady 117 SSTs.
It has been consistently available for about $48 per Lb including tax at Louisville Cabela’s.
Meters consistently and and first groups are promising; forgot the Garmin, however .
Will continue with original load, and an increase in charge weights by .5 grs, and 1.0 grs next.

 

[jepp2]

And, what kind of accuracy and fps were you able to achieve???

This works best for me.

 

[JLT]

I rebarreled my 25-06 and it doesn't like 3100 like it did with the factory barrel. I have tried H4831 and it didn't come close to the old barrel and 3100. I have and use N165 in my 6.5-284 and love it, never even thought of using it in the 25-06. Thanks for the tip JLT! I've read of people using Retumbo in 243WIN, do you think it's too slow for the 25-06?

Retumbo is worth a look. I don't think it will be too slow for the heavier bullets. I've used WC-870 in my .25-'06 with 120 gr. bullets and the results were quite acceptable, and WC-870 is slower than Retumbo. Barrel length helps with powders in this burn rate range!

 

[mic2377]

I’m working with Accurate MagPro at the moment with the Hornady 117 SSTs.
It has been consistently available for about $48 per Lb including tax at Louisville Cabela’s.
Meters consistently and and first groups are promising; forgot the Garmin, however .
Will continue with original load, and an increase in charge weights by .5 grs, and 1.0 grs next.

I have used Magpro under 117 SST's as well. Accuracy was good out my Ruger M77 VT. Didn't have a chrono yet when I developed those loads (was able to go right up to book max without any issues). In theory it should be running around 3150-3200 based on its 26" barrel. It is a dense, high energy powder that meters well.

 

[Majday]

I rebarreled my 25-06 and it doesn't like 3100 like it did with the factory barrel. I have tried H4831 and it didn't come close to the old barrel and 3100. I have and use N165 in my 6.5-284 and love it, never even thought of using it in the 25-06. Thanks for the tip JLT! I've read of people using Retumbo in 243WIN, do you think it's too slow for the 25-06?

I used retumbo in my m70 with 24" with 120 gr speer btsp and I chronoed in at 2850. I read where others had over 3k with it but not in this rifle. Loaded up with 56.5gr in ww super brass.

 

[nmkid]

What is the barrel twist?

 

[Murray Brook]

In my 27" barrel 25/06 I have tried Retumbo. My accuracy wasn't what I wanted but using 58 grs of Retumbo with the 117 gr Sierra and a CCI-250 I got 3239 ft/sec. Accuracy wise another barrel may give great accuracy. Velocity was good. My barrel is a 9 twist JME

 

[ebb]

WC872 that could be sustainable for me till long after I am dead.

 

[Guybo]

I use RL22 & 25 but they're becoming extinct fast. I've also had really good luck with IMR7828 and the heavier 25cal bullets 115 - 120's. I have enough Reloader to last for quite a while but if and when I'm out of Reloader I'll go with the 7828. I have a couple friends that also shoot a 25.06 and they use IMR4350 & 4831and have good results with that as well. The Nosler load data shows Retumbo works well with heavier bullets but i could never get the accuracy i wanted with it so i moved on.

 

[JLT]

WC872 that could be sustainable for me till long after I am dead.

WC-872 is even a touch slower than 870, but it's a very dense ball powder. You can get a LOT in the case. I bought a bunch of mil surp WC-870 several years ago, all from the same lot, and it sees use in the .25-'06 and the 7mm Rem Mag. It works! Magnum primers required, the hotter the better!