I was looking at the Nosler #5 manual and noticed some loads for the .25-06 that approximated .250 Savage loads (around 2800 fps muzzle velocity for a 100 grain bullet with less than 40 grains of powder). A couple of the 2800 fps loads were listed as the most accurate loads for those two powders. From what I've read, best accuracy for a cartridge often comes with a powder that fills the case to around 90% full, so I am wondering how those .25-06 loads from Nosler compare to loads that better fill the case.
Of course every rifle is its own situation, but I was wanting to find out what experience was out there because if there are ACCURATE .25-06 loads that approximate a .250 Savage and/or .257 Roberts, then that makes my decision on a 25 caliber easy (especially considering upside potential for the cartridge and ammo availability). Thanks.
I've got a .25-284 that I shoot 87 gr. Rem PL's in with somewhere between 39-42 grs. of H4895. Shoots just as well as my hunting ammo, .7-1.0 MOA. They even shoot almost to the identical zero as my hunting ammo. Something that both it and my reduced .280 loads do.
The trick is to use something faster than IMR 4350. Or least that's the advice of others that I've read. I've used both IMR 3031 and H4895 reduced down to 2/3's of the maximum loads for very nice accuracy in my .280. When you drop down to something much under 80% of the case's capacity, I've found that magnum, not standard primer loads are more accurate.
The classic powder for this sort of thing seems to be either H or IMR 4895. But apparently there are many others. For really reduced loads, Speer often recommends SR 4759. The old Dupont Guide I have says that the top load for IMR 4895 with 100 gr. bullet is about 43 grs at 3100 fps. in the 25-06. I'd cut that a couple of grains and try loads that are one grain less at a time until I got the accuracy and velocity levels I wanted. E
I've got a .25-284 that I shoot 87 gr. Rem PL's in with somewhere between 39-42 grs. of H4895. Shoots just as well as my hunting ammo, .7-1.0 MOA. They even shoot almost to the identical zero as my hunting ammo. Something that both it and my reduced .280 loads do.
The trick is to use something faster than IMR 4350. Or least that's the advice of others that I've read. I've used both IMR 3031 and H4895 reduced down to 2/3's of the maximum loads for very nice accuracy in my .280. When you drop down to something much under 80% of the case's capacity, I've found that magnum, not standard primer loads are more accurate.
The classic powder for this sort of thing seems to be either H or IMR 4895. But apparently there are many others. For really reduced loads, Speer often recommends SR 4759. The old Dupont Guide I have says that the top load for IMR 4895 with 100 gr. bullet is about 43 grs at 3100 fps. in the 25-06. I'd cut that a couple of grains and try loads that are one grain less at a time until I got the accuracy and velocity levels I wanted. E
Ditto this excellent advice.
Wayne
I have a rem 700 25-06. I was after loads to approximate 257 loads so as to preserve the barrel while practicing or for young shooters. Loads of 4064 with both the 100 hornady and 120 speer were less than one inch and right at 2900 for the 100 and 2775 for the 120. I am going from memory but I believe it was 40 gr for the 100 and one or two gr less for the 120. They were mild in my gun but start below and work up.