Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Tikka T3 25-06 speed?

Took out my T3 25-06 today with some RL-22 loads with 110NAB. 1/2 grain increments 52.5-54. It was late afternoon and cloudy so I only got chrono readings on the 52.5 and 53. Shot the 53.5 and got no readings so decided to wait to shoot the 54gr loads.

52.5 - 1/2 inch group - 2873,2812,2824
53.0 - 1.5 inch group - 2930,2855,2867
53.5 - 1.5 inch group - no readings

I realize the Tikka only has a 22.5 inch barrel and vs the 24 inch barrel used in tests by Nosler. Nosler lists top loads near 3200 with the 110 and I've seen threads on this site and others where other people are getting 3150-3200 with the 53 and 53.5gr loads. I'm about 300fps below that. I wouldn't think the shorter barrel would account for that much velocity loss. Do I just have a slow barrel? Should I risk higher powder charges until I get to those speeds or find pressure signs?

I ran several other rifles over the chrono today and they were all at the right speeds so I don't think it's a chrono problem.

Accuracy over speed. Safety over both!

The load data seems high? I haven't loaded for 110's but use 115's. Looking at Nosler load data online they don't list R-22 for 110 grain bullet?

The optimum barrel length for 25.06 is 26" inches.

If speed is the end result you may want to try to switch powders like Magpro?

I found this thread over at The Firing Line

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476298

Several replies down in the thread, the OP states he called Nosler and the service rep told him Max load with the 110 and RL22 was 53.5 grains at 3197fps. Nosler tests with a 24 inch barrel. I could understand if I was 75-80fps slower due to barrel length but I'm almost 300fps slower. Granted my 53.5 load didn't give me readings, but I wouldn't think there would be a huge speed difference in the 53 and 53.5 loads. I figure I'm at least 250fps below where I should be.

I don't have to have 3200, but it seems a shame to run a 25-06 at 30-06 speeds. I'd be happy with 3050-3100.

You rifle told you what it liked, you just didn't see it.
I get 3100 with 52-53 grains RL22 and that bullet out of a 24" barrel.
And it is correct that 53.5 is book max with RL22/ 110 AB in 25.06.
Accuracy over speed anytime.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with the 1/2in group at 52.5gr but I'm just not as thrilled at the fact that I'm burning 25-06 amounts of powder to essentially be hunting with a 257 Roberts, speed-wise.

I would suggest switching powders then. H831SC, Magpro, H4350, may give you the best of both worlds?

Nosler 7 for 110 AB lists

51 max with 4831sc - 3131
51 max with IMR 4831- 3177
56 max with magpro - 3212
52 max with RL19 - 3213
59 max with Retumbo - 3267
61 max with magnum - 3198

So you can go to a different powder, and burn more or maybe less and still not get the speed you want.

I will point you to the Hornady manual which says you can go a lot farther with RL22.
I personally have tried reaching that max and quit at 2.5 grains under and will never use that manual again. Accuracy sucked, and pressure signs were abundant. But its your rifle.

I experienced the exact same thing in my M700 25-06, 24" barrel. RL22 + 110 grain AB's gave great accuracy but sub-par velocity. Average was around 2900 fps. I recently decided to try Retumbo with the 110 AB. The result was 3/8" group @ 3244 fps. Very pleased with it so far. It did great work on a whitetail buck opening weekend here in Arkansas.

Retumbo is my go to powder in my Kampfeld 25-06. I shot both the AB and the TTSX's. The AB shot the best at 1/2" groups but the TTSX's ran about 150is fps faster and 3/8".

If you have some Retumbo, give it a try.

Also try H4831sc. I get good velocity and great accuracy

The best velocity I could get from a 24" barrel and 110 AB's
51 IMR 4831-2922
52 Re 19-2940
49.5 IMR 4350-2965

I've got both 4831s. Guess I'll try them. May pick up some Retumbo next time I'm at the shop.

chronoing a group of three aint telling you squat. Your making a judgement based on zilch. You need to chrono more shots to get an average at each powder level and also try different powders, bullets and brass and primer combinations.

I use quickload and a chrono to work up loads w/the 110 in my very ordinary chambered rem 700 w/22" barrel and win brass.
I'm running a tac driving 58.0 re22 at 3100 fps w/the 110 and absolutely no signs of pressure....many reloads ....no primer pocket issues.
Quickload thinks I'm running 59k pressure.

When I ask quickload for a forecast on a generic 110 load at 53 grains w/a 23" barrel it comes up with 2949 fps....at just 47350 psi.

With the freebore in most tikkas and that 23" barrel I'd be shocked if you can't easily easily get up to 3100.

Shooter's were a lot better off before they got chronograph's. Then the bullet was going as fast as we said it was. And the thing's still killed game!

No doubt about that but the neat thing is he has alot of room to work up. On his way up he might just run into a node that's phenominally accurate.
I have a fantastic load w/180s in my 300 win may tikka but its only doing 2950. When you get groups nearing 1" at 300 its time to call it "good".
In the 2506 its kind of the same deal....its a fairly fast cartridge so no need to always wring out the last 100 fps.....but if that's where the accuracy node comes in it can be fun!

More rambling...sorry...

Alliant hasn't exactly had a great reputation for consistancy lately. It might explain some of the crazy published variances in data. I see my latest hornady manual lists 56 re22 as max w/their 110 interbond. I don't know what pressure they cut off their data and I always figure win brass is roomy enough for about a 1 grain diff over other brands.
Just recently I worked with a friends 3006 ruger hawkeye. Some sources say 58 grains re19 w/a 180 bt is a max load. In his 22" barrel the load was a really mild 2640fps....but was pretty accurate. I was gonna call it good but was low on powder so picked up another bottle. NOw in the exact same brass, exact same lot of primers, and exact same lot of bullets speed dropped another 90 fps to the mid 2500's!! Good lord....with a careful workup I should be able to get to the high 2700's with that bullet. I'm guessing with that lot of re19 I could probably dip cases full to the mouth and not be over pressure!!

100 grain Sierra match. 52 grains RL22 shot 2 weeks ago for giggles, and to foul the barrel. Over an Oehler 35P

2916 SHOT 1
2898 SHOT 2
2904 SHOT 3
2881 SHOT 4
2858 SHOT 5
2893 SHOT 6
2920 SHOT 7
2919 SHOT 8
2976 SHOT 9
2937 SHOT 10


2910 AVG
2976 High
2858 LOW
118 ES
32 SD

Same day, 1 hour after the first 10 52 gains RL22, 115 BT, same chrono.

2959 SHOT 1
2934 SHOT 2
2935 SHOT 3
2959 SHOT 4
2941 SHOT 5
2944 SHOT 6
2954 SHOT 7
2947 SHOT 8
2972 SHOT 9
2954 SHOT 10


2950 AVG
2972 High
2934 LOW
38 ES
12 SD

Now why did my velocity increase with heavier bullet for the same powder charge, and why
am I getting velocity that you cant out of a stock 700 BDL?

Ql is missing the mark on your results a bit....you may have a hotter lot of re22 or a longer than 22" barrel.
But...it thinks the two bullets will be equal speed...or near that.
It thinks the 100 grainer should be doing 2853fps at 39175psi.
It thinks the 115 should be doing 2856 fps at 46394 PS I.

Although 100 fps seems like a big miss its off by about 1.5 grains or 3% .
You'd have a ton of room to work up w/either bullet.
You're probably only running about 52k pressure w/the 115.