Just got in a box of 85gr ballistic tips and want to work up a load. Anybody have pet loads they wouldn't mind sharing? thanks.

I used to shoot the 85 grain Ballistic Tip in my 25-06 and found them to be quite accurate. However, Nosler choose to "improve" them a few years ago and I quit using them. The newer versions of this bullet expand TOO much in my opinion. I quit using them because I had problems with them blowing up on the shoulders of coyotes and not even getting inside to the vitals. (The coyotes had to be shot again.) I had other times when a coyote was shot a little far back in the ribs and the animal was virtually torn in two. On the other hand, what those bullets will do to a rock chuck or rabbit has to be seen to believe.

In my rifle, I had best luck with either IMR 4831 or H 4350 when shooting the 85 grain BT.

With IMR 4831 try working up to around 55 or 56 grains. A load of 56 grains in my gun gave around 3500 fps.

With H 4350 a load of 53 grains also gave velocities of about 3500 fps.

Hope this helps.

RL19 is another dead ringer for the 25/06 & a 85gr BT. Mine love it.

quote:

RL19 is another dead ringer for the 25/06 & a 85gr BT. Mine love it.

+1 My load was just a touch above the Nosler book.

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:

quote:

RL19 is another dead ringer for the 25/06 & a 85gr BT. Mine love it.

+1 My load was just a touch above the Nosler book.

+2
56gr rl19 GET R DUN
h4831 2nd choice