I am working up some new 100 grain bullet loads for my 25-284 (I was shooting 117 and 120 grain bullets previously, but want to try some lighter ones on deer).

I typically use 25-06 data, and begin at the lightest load, and work up.

With 55 grains (hand weighed) RL-22, virgin brass (FL sized), magnum (win) primers, and 100 grain Sierra BTSP bullets I am getting 3500 fps.
No flattening of primers. No effort on bolt lift.

I was only looking for about 3200 fps (I am not greedy about speed).

Accuracy is 0.5 inch at 100 yards. (3 shot groups).

Should I back off?
I am inclined to do so.

Garrett

Your load should give you around 3200. That is 257 Wby velocity. Maybe your lot of RL22 is a little hot. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Higher velocity comes from higher pressure.

Ramrod,

I agree about the velocities being unexpectedly high for that load.

It seems bizarre that I am getting these results with so little sign of pressure.

I am cutting back to 53 grains of RL-22 and seeing where that puts me.

Garrett

I'd be curious to hear what you find. Most of my rifles are wildcats and most of them don't have available loading data. So I start with a light load based on a comparible vol like you do. I the plot the velocity and powder increase. It will normally form a straight line more or less. Then when that next gr of powder causes a 3-4 times increase I use that as beyond max and back off a touch. I also mic each case head before and after and stop at .0005". This was how Hornady discribed how they did it in my VOL II. loading manual.

quote:

Originally posted by N. Garrett:

Accuracy is 0.5 inch at 100 yards. (3 shot groups).

Should I back off?
I am inclined to do so.
Garrett

Garrett, how are your primer pockets after you fire this load? Are they still good and tight when you seat a new primer? If your cases will take ten or so loadings using this charge, don't drop it - if you do, you are likely to lose the 0.5" grouping ability.


(Your load is not so wild. I get over 3300 with 100-grain bullets from my 26" 6mm/.284, and over 3600 with 85 grain bullets from it. This is with Norma MRP, which is comparable to RE22. This is a 5-shot group. If I drop the charge, the groups jump open with even a 0.5-grain change!)



"It seems very difficult to impress most reloaders with the fact that every rifle is an individual, and what proves to be a maximum load in one may be quite mild in another, and vice versa." Bob Hagel, GAME LOADS AND PRACTICAL BALLISTICS FOR THE AMERICAN HUNTER, 1977

My natural reaction is don't fix if it ain't broke. BUT, a work caution: watch the termerature when you're using the loads. RL 22 is not temperature insensitive. I worked up a marginally hot load in my 284 that worked find when the weather was cool, then ran into extraction issues when using them on a warmer day.You may have to drop back a bit if you'll be using them under significantly warmer conditions.

I am inclined to agree with El Deguello as my 6mm/284 also gives the 85 gr at 3600 + and the 100 at 3350, so what's the problem with a .257 at 3500???? Sounds good to me.

I don't want to seem opposed to 3500 fps (especially in an accurate load).

The 25-284 is supposed to duplicate 25-06 ballistics, but not better them.

3500 fps is just pretty far off from all the loading data I have read for the 25-06 (with 100 grain bullets), hence my concern.

I deprimed all my fired cases and inspected them...nothing unusual.
I inside neck reamed them too, and will reload them this weekend and see what happens.

Thanks,
Garrett

This is what I was shooting in my 25-284 I finally decided on the RL-25 load. None of these loads showed any pressures in my rifle.
53.0gr RL 19 W/100gr Sierra BTSP shot real well, less than 1 inch groups showed a lot of potential.
60gr H-1000 W/ 100gr Sierra BTSP same as above lots of potential.
55.5gr RL-25 W/90gr Sierra BTSP Excellent load less then 1/2 inch groups.

Those loads are OK. I've used similar loads in my 257 AI with similar results. Go for it. AIU

Thanks for the input on my efforts.

I had finalized a load using Barnes TripleX bullets (100 grains) and 54 grains of RL-22.

Last weekend I took it to a local range that has a 200 yard station.

I shoot 3 shot groups for a number of reasons...foremost that I only load 3 cartridges into the magazine with the bolt closed on an empty chamber when not actually stalking game.

At 200 yards I was getting 2 bullets 0.5 to 0.75 inch apart, and one flyer almost 2 inches apart.

I have just started playing with a box of 120 grain Nosler Partitions to see how they group at 200 yards.

It's always something.

Garrett

How long is the barrel on your rifle? I get simlar velocties from my 25-06 with 100 gr. bullets in a 26" barrel. I'm two grains under max in most books. The 25-06 is only loaded 500 CUP under the 257 Weatherby and both are overbore cartridges. If they both have the same barrel length you should get close to the same results (100 fps less in my rifle).

Elk,

This is a 23 inch barrel, with a 1-10 inch twist.

Velocity with the Barnes TripleX (and once fired cases with inside neck reaming) is 3300 fps.

Garrett

quote:

Originally posted by N. Garrett:
Thanks for the input on my efforts.

I had finalized a load using Barnes TripleX bullets (100 grains) and 54 grains of RL-22.

Last weekend I took it to a local range that has a 200 yard station.

I shoot 3 shot groups for a number of reasons...foremost that I only load 3 cartridges into the magazine with the bolt closed on an empty chamber when not actually stalking game.

At 200 yards I was getting 2 bullets 0.5 to 0.75 inch apart, and one flyer almost 2 inches apart. Garrett

Excellent results!!

El,

Under most circumstances I would agree.

But, I really want to try and get all 3 shots into the smallest group possible.

I finished working up the Nosler loads; on Friday (this week) I will take them to the 200 yard range and see what happens.
If no big improvement, I will stick with the current loading of the Barnes Triple X.

It was a stroke of luck that a friend told me about this range. I realize 200 yards isn't all that far in the scheme of things, but it is sure nice to be able to put my hunting rifles to the test.

Garrett