Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 25/06 pet loads

55grns of IMR7828 is my go-to.

I can't believe this thread has languished for 11 years, but it looks like that's been the case.

I've been exploring combinations that just don't "seem right" per the conventional wisdom and bias so prevalent in the world of handloading. My eyes were opened the last couple of weeks when I tried H4831 in .30-06 with 180-grain Partitions. I'me making the switch, and considering pulling down 150 rounds that are otherwise okay...I haven't decided, but with the scarcity of bullets being what it is I may go ahead and do that.

Anyway, I tried some Re16 with 85-grain BTs for the first time today. I'd been using H4831 and got acceptable results but was never convinced I couldn't do better. I loaded up eight different charges of Re16 but only fired seven of them because the trend was for opening groups when I got to the higher charges. These were 3-shot groups fired at 100 yards. Here's how it went:

53.5 / Re16 Fed 210 1.42”
54.0 / Re16 Fed 210 .87”
54.5 / Re16 Fed 210 .80”
55.0 / Re16 Fed 210 1.35”
55.5 / Re16 Fed 210 .35"
56.0 / Re16 Fed 210 .66"
56.5 / Re16 Fed 210 .96"

The 55.5 grain charge yielded 3548 fps and an 8 fps extreme spread. I think that would make for a dandy coyote load.

Might work okay on hogs too, but I won't be convinced until I see it work.

My plan is to shoot 55.3, 55.5, and 55.7 grain at 200 yards next time, and use five-shot groups. I'll report back. Unless it really sucks. Never know.

Looks like a good path you're on.

Could be, sir. I've been down the path to find no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow before. Groups of 5 at 200 yards ought to tell the tale, though.

I’ve had good luck in one of mine with the 110 A/bond and IMR 7977 and with Retumbo.

My 700 consistently shoots 1/2” - 3/4” groups with Retumbo under 110 Accubonds at 3200 fps.

I like 760 for best velocity and accuracy with the 100 grainers and it also works very well with the heavier bullets though I have also had good accuracy and velocity from Rel 26, H 4831sc, Rel 17, and H 4350 which is interesting, as I don't get that same level of performance with H 4350 with the lighter bullets indicating my batch may be a little slow for that weight.

Today I shot these five-shot groups at 200 yards:

55.3 / Re16 Fed 210M 2.27”
55.5 / Re16 Fed 210M 1.83”
55.7 / Re16 Fed 210M 1.52”

In recognition of the fact that my three-shot group measuring .35" the previous weekend may have been nothing more than a fluke, I will test one more time...five shots each at 200 yards with 55.7 and 56.0 grain charges. That's the trouble with a three-shot group, though. You can prove a load to be bad, but you'll never prove a load to be good by lighting off a single three-shot group!

Even if the 55.7-grain load proves to be the best, I think the load will be a great coyote buster for sure

110 Accubonds and IMR 4350

Up for more 100 grain TSX data.

I've had great results with 55 gr Ramshot Hunter and 100 TSX.

Runs just under 3400 out of a 26" barrel.

GE

Thx.

I fell into a great deal on this rifle, so I’m going to hunt with it a bit.

25-06 3.25" 115 gr Nos Bal tip moly 51.5 gr IMR4451 3185 fps chrono 26" barrel

IMR4451 at 54.8gr, CCI200, Winchester case at 2.484", 100gr ETip at 2.658BTO, 3450FPS 23" factory Tikka T3

52.0gr H4831 with a Rem 9 1/2 primer and a 120gr Nosler Solid Base bullet. Good luck finding the bullets these days, though 😉 I never have run them over the chrono, hardly ever shoot the rifle.

Inherited the rifle and the load from the old man. When he found out Nosler was discontinuing the Solid Base back in the 90s, he went around and snatched up every box of the 120s he could find, so I still have several hundred.

Speer 120gr Hot-Cor in front of a full house of RL22 or RL25. Both powders produce excellent accuracy with RL25 giving a little more velocity.