Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles best powder for 25-06

I have these 25 cal bullets and wondering which powder may be best. This is a used 25-06 I got and want to start loading for it. The bullets I have are:

Sierra: 117gr (#1640), 100gr. (#1625)
Hornady: 117gr. (#2552), 100gr. ($2540)

I thought I bought some Nosler BT in 115gr. but cannot find it. That may be on order.

The powder I have on hand is H4831, R22, IMR4350 and IMR7828

I am using older manuals and the load book and I am wondering what is the min/max for the Sierra and Hornady bullets because older manual seem to be conservative in their range.

Thanks for the help. Pretty excited to work with a quarter bore.

My 25-06 loves IMR4350. I'm using 110 grain Accubonds, though.

Of the powders that you have on hand, RL-22 would be the first to try. If buying new powder then go with RL-25.

RS

The closest I have is a 257 Weatherby. IMR7828 seems to be a laying on of the hands for Weatherby's ranging from 240's up through the 300's. While the 06 does not have the volume of a Weatherby, I'd give it a try.

IMR7828 SSC

You're Welcome

I've used all the powders you have on hand; they all worked good enough in my Colt/Sauer 25-06 with 24" barrel. However, when it came time to load ammo for my Namibia safari, I chose AA Magropro. It reached out to 300 yards on these Springbok in the sparsely vegetated edge of the Kalahari desert.

H4831 did awesome with a 117 Hornady BTSP, I'm currently using Reloader 22 with a 115 BT.

4350...either one

Used IMR4831 for yrs with the 100gr Nosler Solid Base. Using RL22 with a 115gr Partition now.

I would try all of them and see which one your rifle likes. Just like bullets, some barrels like different powder loads behind different bullets. Half the fun is the experimenting.

BTW, I used H4831 for many years with my 25-06 and it worked very well. I usually shot 115 and 120 grain NPTs and Hornady SP's. Killed deer deader than dead.....

Bob

One of the Sierra tech's told me he had b est luck with I4831.. I have used that except for Re22 with the 115's.

I've always used IMR4350, and been very pleased with the results.

that said..... I'm an IMR4350 homer. i use it in as many rifles as I can to minimize the #'s of powders I have to store. it's a pretty flexible powder, so it works well in lots of loads.

A compressed load of Retumbo may surprise you

I've always used IMR-4350 . My uncle has shot one since they were a wildcat and has used H4831 or IMR-4350 .

iMR 4350, I use it in a lot of rifles, really fine in my 7 rem mags

I am using H4831SC and 110 AB in mine

I4350 has been mentioned.. I used it quite a bit in the early years.. Very accurate, and only a tad slower than I4831!!

H4831 and one of the 117 btsp bullets is an iconic load. Reliable deer and antelope combo.

In my two 25/06's I've had good success with 115 gr Noslers, 117 Sierras and 110 A/bonds with IMR 7828, H 4831 and Retumbo.

Norma 204 turned out to be magic fairy dust for me with 100gr NBTs. MRP is almost as good. A good back up is VV N-165 with 100gr SIE MKs.

I have a crapload of 100gr Game Kings and Pro-Hunters, but I haven't done any work with them yet.