Precision Reloading for 25-06 Using Berger 115 gr. VLD Hunting Bullets

[varmit_hunter]

I will have too try some H4831sc too. I keep a bunch. I got a can of h4350. The gun shops have h4350 in stock around me.

 

[stacy]

DON'T OVER LOOK THE 120GR BTHP SIERRAS GAMEKINGS THEY WORK WELL ALSO WITH H-4831SC FOR ME IN MY 25-06 ACKLEY

 

[dk17hmr]

I have never had set the world on fire accuracy in any of my 25s with the 115 Berger but in my 25-06, 25-06 AI, and 257 Weatherby but H1000 powder has given the best results with it.

 

[fourpower]

Greetings!
I shoot a Tikka T-3 25-06. I've been fortunate enough to draw out on Rocky Mountain Bighorn for Idaho for 2017!!!
I've chosen the Berger VLD Hunting in 115 gr. as my bullet of choice. Right now, we've been successful at tightening our group down to approximately 1 & 1/2" at 100 yards. This is nothing spectacular, but it's getting dialed in. I'm using Hodgdon Hybrid 100 V, with 50 gr. Now I'm asking for feedback. What are your "go to" powders for this bullet? I'm eager to find the ideal powder compliment. There are so few listed in the Berger reloading book. Can you offer suggestions?

I reload for a lot of 25-06s and my go-to load is 58grs h-1000 with 115 bergers. out of my gun this gets 3105fps. I have taken many deer&antelope with this load. in many of the guns that shoot my load they will shoot under MOA out to 900yds.

 

[JLT]

I used H870 in the .25-'06 with heavy bullets when it was commercially available. I now use mil surp WC870. There's variation in burn rate among lots but I don't believe you can get enough into the case behind a 115-120 to get you in trouble regardless of the specific production lot. Sure, it's sooty but, in my experience, it yields very good velocity and accuracy with the heavier bullets. Dirty doesn't matter all that much for hunting applications. Energetic primers are required for reliable ignition!

 

[tstowater]

First of all, congratulations on the tag. I've been putting in for a lot of years for a bighorn tag. Good luck on the hunt.

I know that you have received quite a number of suggested powders already, but you may want to consider IMR 4831. I've had extremely good luck with that powder and the same Berger bullets as well as 117 grain Sierra's. The load that I am using works well in both of my 25-06 Remington rifles.

I shouldn't be telling you anything that you don't already know, but start training for the mountains. If this is your first sheep hunt, it probably won't be your last.

 

[86alaskan]

H4831, IMR 4350, RL22 and push the 115 berger or a 117 sierra gameking and you'll be good. The tikka has a 1-10" twist. I used to have the same rifle and I was getting the best from IMR 4350 and 117 sierra. I've since had it rebarreled to 1-9" twist specifically to run the 115 berger and barnes. I wouldn't be totally hung up on outright speed. If you've got a 1/2" group, run with that load and develop your drop charts. Good luck with the tag.

 

[fourpower]

Greetings!
I shoot a Tikka T-3 25-06. I've been fortunate enough to draw out on Rocky Mountain Bighorn for Idaho for 2017!!!
I've chosen the Berger VLD Hunting in 115 gr. as my bullet of choice. Right now, we've been successful at tightening our group down to approximately 1 & 1/2" at 100 yards. This is nothing spectacular, but it's getting dialed in. I'm using Hodgdon Hybrid 100 V, with 50 gr. Now I'm asking for feedback. What are your "go to" powders for this bullet? I'm eager to find the ideal powder compliment. There are so few listed in the Berger reloading book. Can you offer suggestions?

I reload for 10 different 25-06s my go-to load is 58grs h-1000 with 115 bergers 10 off lands. every gun loves that load and I have taken deer-elk-and antelope with it. they all were DIT (dead in tracks).

 

[CTK]

I just looked on Tikka's site. Lists 25-06 as having a 1-14" twist barrel. If true, that twist rate will likely not stabilize that VLD bullet.

 

[DocDoc]

I just looked on Tikka's site. Lists 25-06 as having a 1-14" twist barrel. If true, that twist rate will likely not stabilize that VLD bullet.

T3 Camo shows 1 in 10, the traditional for a .25-06. I wonder if the 1 in 14 is a missprint?

 

[JLT]

T3 Camo shows 1 in 10, the traditional for a .25-06. I wonder if the 1 in 14 is a missprint?

Has to be. I just checked one with a cleaning rod and a tight patch. 1:10.

 

[CTK]

Has to be. I just checked one with a cleaning rod and a tight patch. 1:10.

I think is a misprint. I looked at the T3x lite. Looked at T3 Hunter and it said 1:10.

 

[jwing]

Try retumbo

 

[ebb]

The best Ive ever used in a 25-06 my buddy turned me on to it was AA 3100. It was better than H4831 in my gun and others that have posted on the forums. Its not available form Accurate but from the original maker in Czech Republic. I don't know if it is worth finding, I think they have it at Grafs . But it made my 25-06 come alive, especially with 115 grn BTs.

 

[Barlow]

H4831, IMR 4350, RL22 and push the 115 berger or a 117 sierra gameking and you'll be good. The tikka has a 1-10" twist. I used to have the same rifle and I was getting the best from IMR 4350 and 117 sierra. I've since had it rebarreled to 1-9" twist specifically to run the 115 berger and barnes. I wouldn't be totally hung up on outright speed. If you've got a 1/2" group, run with that load and develop your drop charts. Good luck with the tag.

How is the 1in9 compared to the 1in10, as far as accuracy and mv? What make barrel did you use, and what length? I have a 1in9 Rock Creek being installed on my Ruger 77 257AI, and am curious about your set up. Thanks, Barlow

 

[86alaskan]

Barlow, so far so good, still working on loads. Haven't had as much time as I'd like and it's been pretty darn hot in the mid west lately. The 1-9" is a custom cut rifled K&P barrel. The smith ES Tactical in Utah uses them exclusively based on their outstanding quality. I've done a few testing loads and have had no problems getting over 3100fps with 115's or 120's. I really haven't even hit pressure yet. It's a 24" barrel with suppressor and I've seen a slight bump in fps and drop in ES and SD with the can on.

 

[86alaskan]

I forgot to mention, I seat out at 3.36 to the lands with the berger 115. I think this is a bit farther than the book says, but I have plenty of mag room and that puts the 115 at the neck shoulder junction when I jump a little

 

[Barlow]

There was a discussion awhile back on this forum about RL17 and the 25-06. Iirc it was working very well. I don't own a 25-06 but do load for my cousin's Sako Finnlight. He likes the 120 gr Hornady hp for deer, and I can testify that it works! Barlow

 

[Jackal2016]

I think is a misprint. I looked at the T3x lite. Looked at T3 Hunter and it said 1:10.

Probably not a misprint, ...the T3x Varmint shows a 14" twist for the 25-06 as well. I know it does seem odd as the standard twist for the 25-06 is 10" I think. Maybe they have the 14" twist to specialize in the lighter bullets? or just a misprint for 2 models?

 

[fourpower]

Greetings!
I shoot a Tikka T-3 25-06. I've been fortunate enough to draw out on Rocky Mountain Bighorn for Idaho for 2017!!!
I've chosen the Berger VLD Hunting in 115 gr. as my bullet of choice. Right now, we've been successful at tightening our group down to approximately 1 & 1/2" at 100 yards. This is nothing spectacular, but it's getting dialed in. I'm using Hodgdon Hybrid 100 V, with 50 gr. Now I'm asking for feedback. What are your "go to" powders for this bullet? I'm eager to find the ideal powder compliment. There are so few listed in the Berger reloading book. Can you offer suggestions?

I have the first Remington sender sold in Oregon way back then. my 25-06 and the many I load all love the 115 berger vld. my go to load is 58grs h-1000 seat .010 of lands. I have shot much game with it and got my buck last year @904 yds. speed is 3105fps this is a killer load.