Dick Grosbier
Club Coordinator
Larry W.
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 6
Best powders for 25-06
I have not loaded ammo for 25-06 since 1973. At that time IMR-4350,H450,4831 was the best powder for 120 grain bullet. Have they developed a better powder since then? Thanks
#2
Yesterday, 12:26 PM
Lynn
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,329
Larry
I used to use H4831 but am now using RE22 and my guns really like it.I was not getting good accuracy with the 120's but the 117 Sierra spitzer boattails are shooting lights out.
Waterboy
#3
Yesterday, 02:07 PM
macflyboy
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 65
4831
This slow burning powder is hard to beat in a 25-06. Been hunting with mine since 72. Wow am I that old? Excellent accuracy.
Marty
#4
Yesterday, 03:43 PM
Edwin D
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 385
Lynn,
is RE-22 clearly more accurate?
#5
Yesterday, 04:32 PM
CWPINST
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 148
I have three 25-06's and they all like different powders, but they are all fairly slow powders. The powders are RL-22, H4831, and H4350. Oddly enough, they all shoot best with 100gr. bullets (2 with Ballistic Tips and 1 with Sierra Pro-Hunters). One rifle shot equally well with the old 120gr. Nosler Solid base.
Another odd thing that I have discovered is that the Ballistic Tip holds up better in this caliber than in some others that I have used, so much so, I called Nosler and asked why. I was told, that in contrast with many other calibers, the 100gr. .257 bullet will always be driven quite fast, so they made the jacket a bit thicker with this particular bullet.
FWIW, to date, I have taken 70 deer with various Ballistic Tips, I have had exits on all but 10 of those shots..........different calibers, widely varying velocities, and ranges from 25ft. to 324 yards. I know there is a lot of controversy about Ballistic Tips, but for deer, they work fine regardless of what somebody's friend of a friend experienced with only 1 or 2 shots.
#6
Yesterday, 04:52 PM
Lynn
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,329
Edwin D
Edwin I had Bob Sutton build me a 25-06 just to shoot the 100 grain ballistic tips because I heard nothing but good things about them.It didn't like them at all but it loved the 117 Sierras and RE22.
I had a 25-06 Ackley Improved built by him with a 12 twist Krieger and it loves the 100 gr ballistic tips with H4831 or RE22.
The original poster was already using 4831 and looking for something new and RE22 will get it done.
My standard 25-06 likes to be loaded near max loads are it doesn't shoot well.
Waterboy
#7
Yesterday, 07:32 PM
Edwin D
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 385
Lynn,
thanks for response.
4831 is a "standard" for me, however after 45 hears still looking for something better.
#8
Yesterday, 07:36 PM
Joe Furrer
Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chugiak, Alaska
Posts: 5
H1000
I am suprised no one listed H1000. I tuned a friend of mine's 700 SPS with H1000 and it shot sub 2" groups at 300 yards with 117gr Hornadys. It just takes alot of it. Try it - you will be surprised.
#9
Yesterday, 07:48 PM
Lynn
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,329
Edwin D
I would buy a pound of RE22 and give it a try.I tried the Sierra 100 grain matchking bullets in my gun and thought my scope was broken.For some reason they just wouldn't shoot at all.
Right around 52 grains of 4831 seems to work very well in alot of guns.
Lynn aka Waterboy
#10
Yesterday, 09:14 PM
Yote
Russell Childs
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: South Georgia
Posts: 111
Another vote for R-22. Mine absolutely loves it with both 117gr. Sierras and the 115gr Berger VLD's.
#11
Yesterday, 09:17 PM
CWPINST
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 148
When folks talk about 4831, remember that there is a significant difference between H4831 and IMR 4831. For some reason, the difference doesn't show very much in some calibers, but I have found the difference to be quite stark in the 25-06. Grain for grain, IMR 4831 tends to be a LOT hotter than H4831. Load them in a .270 and the difference is not nearly as significant. Hmmmmm. Lot to lot variation is always a variable to consider, but darn the difference is pronounced in the 25-06.
#12
Yesterday, 09:43 PM
Sav-1Shot
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MO.
Posts: 5
..My Shilen bbl. likes 53.1grs of RL-19, 210M prs with Nosler 100gr BT's..3@100...Is min. of deer easy..lol..
#13
Yesterday, 11:18 PM
langenc
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Montmorency Co, MI
Posts: 374
My 30-06 likes RL 22--59 gr w/ 165gr bullets. That is not the fastest in the box but I like the accuracy.
#14
Today, 09:16 AM
david dumas
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 416
I had a Sendero in 25-06,,,,,,,, it loved 117 Sierria's with H4831SC, it shot the 100 gr Sierria just as good but the light bullet didn't handle wind very good so I stuck with the 117's,,,,,,,, I still wonder why I let that gun go,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
the wind is my friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
DD
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 6
Best powders for 25-06
I have not loaded ammo for 25-06 since 1973. At that time IMR-4350,H450,4831 was the best powder for 120 grain bullet. Have they developed a better powder since then? Thanks
#2
Yesterday, 12:26 PM
Lynn
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,329
Larry
I used to use H4831 but am now using RE22 and my guns really like it.I was not getting good accuracy with the 120's but the 117 Sierra spitzer boattails are shooting lights out.
Waterboy
#3
Yesterday, 02:07 PM
macflyboy
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 65
4831
This slow burning powder is hard to beat in a 25-06. Been hunting with mine since 72. Wow am I that old? Excellent accuracy.
Marty
#4
Yesterday, 03:43 PM
Edwin D
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 385
Lynn,
is RE-22 clearly more accurate?
#5
Yesterday, 04:32 PM
CWPINST
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 148
I have three 25-06's and they all like different powders, but they are all fairly slow powders. The powders are RL-22, H4831, and H4350. Oddly enough, they all shoot best with 100gr. bullets (2 with Ballistic Tips and 1 with Sierra Pro-Hunters). One rifle shot equally well with the old 120gr. Nosler Solid base.
Another odd thing that I have discovered is that the Ballistic Tip holds up better in this caliber than in some others that I have used, so much so, I called Nosler and asked why. I was told, that in contrast with many other calibers, the 100gr. .257 bullet will always be driven quite fast, so they made the jacket a bit thicker with this particular bullet.
FWIW, to date, I have taken 70 deer with various Ballistic Tips, I have had exits on all but 10 of those shots..........different calibers, widely varying velocities, and ranges from 25ft. to 324 yards. I know there is a lot of controversy about Ballistic Tips, but for deer, they work fine regardless of what somebody's friend of a friend experienced with only 1 or 2 shots.
#6
Yesterday, 04:52 PM
Lynn
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,329
Edwin D
Edwin I had Bob Sutton build me a 25-06 just to shoot the 100 grain ballistic tips because I heard nothing but good things about them.It didn't like them at all but it loved the 117 Sierras and RE22.
I had a 25-06 Ackley Improved built by him with a 12 twist Krieger and it loves the 100 gr ballistic tips with H4831 or RE22.
The original poster was already using 4831 and looking for something new and RE22 will get it done.
My standard 25-06 likes to be loaded near max loads are it doesn't shoot well.
Waterboy
#7
Yesterday, 07:32 PM
Edwin D
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 385
Lynn,
thanks for response.
4831 is a "standard" for me, however after 45 hears still looking for something better.
#8
Yesterday, 07:36 PM
Joe Furrer
Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chugiak, Alaska
Posts: 5
H1000
I am suprised no one listed H1000. I tuned a friend of mine's 700 SPS with H1000 and it shot sub 2" groups at 300 yards with 117gr Hornadys. It just takes alot of it. Try it - you will be surprised.
#9
Yesterday, 07:48 PM
Lynn
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,329
Edwin D
I would buy a pound of RE22 and give it a try.I tried the Sierra 100 grain matchking bullets in my gun and thought my scope was broken.For some reason they just wouldn't shoot at all.
Right around 52 grains of 4831 seems to work very well in alot of guns.
Lynn aka Waterboy
#10
Yesterday, 09:14 PM
Yote
Russell Childs
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: South Georgia
Posts: 111
Another vote for R-22. Mine absolutely loves it with both 117gr. Sierras and the 115gr Berger VLD's.
#11
Yesterday, 09:17 PM
CWPINST
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 148
When folks talk about 4831, remember that there is a significant difference between H4831 and IMR 4831. For some reason, the difference doesn't show very much in some calibers, but I have found the difference to be quite stark in the 25-06. Grain for grain, IMR 4831 tends to be a LOT hotter than H4831. Load them in a .270 and the difference is not nearly as significant. Hmmmmm. Lot to lot variation is always a variable to consider, but darn the difference is pronounced in the 25-06.
#12
Yesterday, 09:43 PM
Sav-1Shot
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MO.
Posts: 5
..My Shilen bbl. likes 53.1grs of RL-19, 210M prs with Nosler 100gr BT's..3@100...Is min. of deer easy..lol..
#13
Yesterday, 11:18 PM
langenc
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Montmorency Co, MI
Posts: 374
My 30-06 likes RL 22--59 gr w/ 165gr bullets. That is not the fastest in the box but I like the accuracy.
#14
Today, 09:16 AM
david dumas
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 416
I had a Sendero in 25-06,,,,,,,, it loved 117 Sierria's with H4831SC, it shot the 100 gr Sierria just as good but the light bullet didn't handle wind very good so I stuck with the 117's,,,,,,,, I still wonder why I let that gun go,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
the wind is my friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
DD