remington r25 .243 loads needed

[leanporker]

I just purchased a remington r25 .243. It has a 20 inch, 1-10 twist barrel. I am going to use it mainly for coyotes. I'd like to load 58 v-max .250 b.c., or maybe 87 v-max .400 b.c. for long range. I don't have a quickload program but I'm sure someone here may be able to help me. The powders I have on hand are: Varget, IMR 8208xbr, IMR 4895, IMR 4350, IMR 4007ssc, H380, IMR 4320, RL22, Benchmark. I'd like to use an extreme powder or one that is temperature insensitive, I hunt in temperatures ranging from 95 degrees F to -10 degrees F. The 58 v-max will be loaded to 2.600 - 2.630 oal. The 87 v-max will be loaded to 2.630 -2.650 oal. I do have manuals from nosler and speer and the current hodgdon 2010. But don't see any data for the imr 8208xbr in 58 v-max or varget in 87 v-max. Any suggestions? Remember it is a 20 inch barrel.

 

[leanporker]

O.k. loaded up some 87 v-max with imr 4007ssc to 2.630 coal. chrono at 12 feet. Too windy today for groups but was interested in velocity. 39.0 gr yielded 2782 fps, 39.5 gr yielded 2837 fps, 40.0 gr yielded 2844 fps. Tried Varget next, same 2.630 coal. 36.5 gr yielded 2958 fps, 37.0 gr yielded 3000 fps even. Winchester brass was used, cci 250 primer. Remember this is a 20 inch barrel. Do you guys think that this is the velocity that should be expected? Should I change bullet seating depth? Just trying to get some help with a good starting load for this short barrel. Quickload anyone? Hopefully tomorrow will calm down so I can try some 5 shot groups. I'd like to stay with an extreme powder but if there is something better for this length of barrel I'll gladly switch. Any suggestions?

 

[crashnrondo]

Sorry I can't help with the loads but please post your findings when you get them. I have been thinking about picking one of those rifles up.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[leanporker]

O.k tried different powders with 87 v-max. (varget, imr 4350, imr 4007ssc, imr 4064, imr 4895) And all have gave accuracy of about 1 inch.
Imr 4350 with 43.5 gr loaded to 2.670 oal gave right at .8-1.0 inch at 100.

Imr 4064 gave the best results for me loaded with 38.0 gr and 2.670 oal to a .5-.6 inch at 100. Note that 4 were in the same .25" little hole and one flyer .5-.6 high. Load is a little stiff I was told. Velocity was very consistent 2927, 2925, 2916, 2924, 2921. Remember 20 inch barrel.
I have logged in 162 rounds so far and it seems to be getting better and better, time will tell. I think this rifle will easily shoot 1 inch with about any reasonable powder. A friend of mine is shooting the 58 vmax with 42.0 gr imr 4064 and his r25 puts them into a nice little .5" cluster at 100. I'll have to give that a try next.

 

[leanporker]

Update on my R25 243win. Went a different route and settled on the 75 vmax with imr 4895. Loaded with 40.5 grains at 2.633" oal it shoots awesome and the coyotes hate it. Have killed more than 55 of them since last post with this combo and have not had to track one yet. Have shot groups of .2-.3 at 100 often with 3 rounds and it opens to about .5 with 10 rounds. I will try and post pics of the rifle if I figure out how. Not trying to brag or anything, just trying to give a little info to anyone who is thinking about purchasing an r25 in .243 or a good coyote load for one. As always start low and work up. Be safe.

 

[leanporker]

Here's some pics hopefully.

 

[Klong]

Thanks for sharing the informatio. Sounds like you are having a blast with this rifle.

Is the barrel stablizer required to be able to shoot these groups?

 

[leanporker]

No, it will shoot same groups without it. I had one so I tried it out. Boy the groups opened up to about 1 inch at first so I moved it about 1/2 inch and shot another group, they shrunk. I continued this until the groups were back at what they were without it. Not sure if keeping it on is doing anything, I thought maybe it would dull any vibrations if any. Not sure, so I just left it on.