Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Reloader 22 - Nosler 115's - 25/06

I am in "quick mode" trying to gear-up a new Ruger 77 V/T in caliber 25/06 Remington for the upcoming Antelope season here in Montana!
I have Reloader 22 powder in mind along with 115 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips.
I have both Remington and Winchester cases but only Federal 210 M (match) primers.
Any information on this combo of components for a 26" barreled Rifle would be greatly appreciated.
I have about 9 days to get this rig shooting.
Thanks in advance for any starting loads, maximum loads or in betweens.
Nosler's manuals do not show RE 22 for their 115 grain bullets.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I have not used Ballistics Tips yet but I tested 115 Bergers and RE22 in my 25-06 with a 25" barrel. Started at 51gr and worked up to 55.5gr at 3100fps with good good but not great results. This was close to max with my rifle. Ended up trying Retumbo and got better better accuracy and velocity. Try it out if the RE22 does not work out for you.

Botill: Thank you very much for the info and the tip on RETUMBO.
That is one powder I have not used as yet in anything.
By the way have you Hunted with those Berger 115's as yet?
How did they do on game?
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Have only taken two whitetail with them to date. One around 100yds and the other at 375yds. Neither took a step. Not a lot of experience yet but like what I have seen so far.

Retumbo is a very good powder in the 25-06!
Have used it 120gr bullets[Hornady & Partitions]
But, for 115 BT's, 51.0-52.0 RL 22 worked lights out.
Switched over to H-4831sc if it got really cold.

I use Retumbo in my 25-06 w/ 100gr TTSX. It shoots 3300fps and I get 5/8in groups. I do use 61gr which is slightly above book.

VG, I found the following load to work very well for me.
Re-worked Mauser with 26 inch ER Shaw barrel.
115 Nosler Partiton, 52.5gr RL22, W-W cases, Rem 9.5 standard primer, Velocity at 15 feet 3125fps. Loaded over all length was 3.245 inch placing the bullet .015 off the rifling. This was max in this rifle with one more grain of powder causing sticky bolt lift. I suspect the Fed. 210M primer to be a good substitute for the Rem. primer. Sorry haven't owned a 26 inch 25-06 since the 115 B.T. has come out.

Quarterboredave: Thank you for that load recipe!
And thanks to everyone else.
I am awaiting calm air - maybe I will make up some more loads and take the cleaning equipment with me to the range when it calms down.
Normally I just shoot 15 to 20 rounds a session and then clean at home. But time is short and I better get crackin or I'll have to use an old standby this season.
Thanks again all.
Hold into the wind
Varmintguy

I really liked RL-17 with the 115gr Berger VLD at 3085fps and sub-MOA groups...

VG - my M700 25-06 likes 59.0 grains of Retumbo under a 115 Nosler, lit by a WLR. Magnum (60.5) worked well too.

Good luck. 115 Noslers were a bit finicky in my rifle.

Bwinters: Thank you for the info - it turns out after a minimum amount of load testing with the "finicky" Nosler 115 grain Ballistic Tips that my first load testing of the Nosler 100 grain Ballistic Tips gave me a 5 shot grouping at 100 yards measuring .661".
And that loading with RE 22 and the 100 grainers will be my load for the upcoming Antelope Hunt!
The 115 grain Noslers were grouping (5 shots at 100 yards) in the 1.100" range.
I will do more load testing for my Rifle this winter after the Antelope season is over.
I think I will have to look up and buy some Retumbo powder also.
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I have used 115gr BT's in the past but can't remember the load right off. I know I did use H4831 and it was very accurate, did a number on deer too.
I use the 100gr Hornady Interlock now and also have good accuracy with H4831.
I wouldn't worry one bit about using 100BT's on antelope or deer either.

Good deal VG!

I don't imagine you'll need any more penetration than a 100 gr BT. Have shot a few N. PA whitetails with the 115 Nosler from my 25-06 - still looking to recover one.

Another idea is to try RE17. My 700 with 117 Sierras shoots pretty well with the best velocity out of everything I tried - IMR4831 (runner up), H4831SC, RE22, Retumbo, IMR4350, H4350. I have not tried the Noslers in this caliber so I can't comment on those. Good luck on the hunt.

Those 100s will work dandy on them VG.

BTW, I had better luck with 7828(55grns) pushing the 115s vs R22 in my 25-06s. Kirby is building me a 25-06 now, so I'll be tinkering with loads in it before too long. 7828 and R22 will most likely be where I start.

Good Luck,

loder

+1 on the retumbo in the 25-06 with 115's. My nephew currently shoots Bergers over a stiff ,but book load of retumbo in Win. cases and lit by cci 250 primers. Results so far on whitetails from 50yds. on out to 325 or so have been impressive bordering on spectacular.

7828 is the powder I'd try first, but if R22 is perking then rock on.

Dober

7828 worked up to 55.5gr with the 115 NBT is magic.

I also have a Ruger 77 V/T in 2506. I've never gotten exceptional accuracy from it with the 115gr+ bullets. Reloader 22 and the 100gr BT do fairly well though. I believer 55.5 grs was the sweet spot.

My brother borrowed it to shoot Fclass with last summer, he said it did well with the 115gr Bergers (target) and H4350, but I've never shot those loads myself.....

Kaiser Norton

7828 is a good powder in the 25-06&257AI.52.0-55.0grs.