I have been working with a friend to develop a load for his Savage .25-06 and am having difficulty working up a load that will group well. We have tried Hornady, Sierra, Nosler, and Barnes bullets in 100 and 117 gr weights. We have tried RL19, RL22, IMR4350, and Varget powders.

The best combination we have found was the 41 grs of Varget with Sierra 117 gr Game King bullets, but this was only a 1.6" group at 100 yds.

We were about to think it was the rifle when my friend bought a box of Winchester factory loads shooting 110 gr Accubond bullets. We got a 6 shot group of .8" at 100 yds with them.

I know that the powder Winchester uses to produce their ammo isn't available to the public, but I was wondering if any of their commercial powders with Accubonds would give similar results. The next question is, which one? I haven't been able to find much data for Winchester powders in the 25-06. What little I have found would suggest Winchester Supreme 780 as a possibility? Any suggestions?

I have an old vintage 70's Savage single shot bolt 112J 25-06 with a 26" heavy barrel. It really likes the Hornady 75 grainers and My dad was able to get 10 in the same hole at 100. Very consistent and accurate so it is very well cared for. The Gun was purchased too kill small stuff at long range so I never developed a heavier load. I have shot factory 100, 115 and 120's with very good success.

Which model Savage is it? Barrel length, etc... Have you glassed the action to the stock, this is a must do as they tend to swim around a bit. If your getting .8" groups now bedding should get you there.

IMR 4831 is the go to powder for this cartrage.
Both my 25's like to run hard, with max loads. they both shoot equally well. the parker hale will digest about anything.. the winchester model 70 xtr loves the 75gr loads.
I shoot 100gr nosler bt imr 4831 51grs. wlm primers.
3/4moa.
this load is a handloader developed load for the model 70.
copied after Ken Waters load for a remington 700. He settled on 54grs for 3395f/s where the winchester reached that velocity at 51grs.
Dave

With the heavier bullets the following powders give excellent performance in the .25-06....accuracy is something you have to see for yourself:

1. Alliant Reloder-25
2. Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy)
3. IMR 7828 (and SSC)
4. Alliant Reloder-22
5. Hodgdon Retumbo

quote:

1. Alliant Reloder-25
2. Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy)
3. IMR 7828 (and SSC)
4. Alliant Reloder-22
5. Hodgdon Retumbo

I've used 1,3 & 4 with great results.

I loaded 51.2grs of IMR-4350 with 117-120gr bullets in mine.I got groups under 1" and my velocity was around 3050fps.A word of caution about the 25-06,pressures can rise very quickly with this overbore round,so as always work up slowly with your loads.

A couple of us loaded up with WXR when it was at a good price at the begging of the year. It seems to be very close to Ac 3100 burning rate. This should make it ideal for a 25-06 with heavier bullets. Most of what we are trying it in has done great. Sorry but I got rid of my 25-06.Sorry ,Charlie. roger

49.0 grains of IMR 4350 and the 117 grain Sierra Sp BT is a great test load for the 25-06. In over 30 years of messing with them, I have seen very few 25-06's of any manufacturer that didn't shoot this load acceptably. Another load to try which gives a bit more velocity using the same bullet or the 120 grain Hornady is 53.1 grains of H4831sc. CCI-200, CCI BR-2 or Federal 210 Gold Match primers have all worked well in these loads.
bartshe..........did you replace your 25-06 with a 260? GHD

I would look to H4831 and RL-22

quote:

Originally posted by groundhog devastation:
bartshe..........did you replace your 25-06 with a 260? GHD

actually it was a beautiful black walnut and maple laminated stock with a concave cheek section that tended to line you up with the scope pretty good. It was the improved version and quite accurate. It produced a couple bullet failures on mule deer so I reverted to my .257 Roberts. Gave it to an avid ,younger hunter about 10 years ago. I'm sure with the proper bullets it would have been a winner. This is based on the fact that my 6mm x.270 IMP with Barnes' original bullets( made by Fred for me) was a fantastic meat getter.
My rendition of a properly designed medium capacity 6.5 rifle will probably be completed early next year; one that even will adequately handle heavy bullets without infringing on the powder room. roger
PS Do you ever hear from William Middleton?

My "go to" 25-06 load for the past 35 yrs has been 52.3g H4831 w/ a 120g Partition & Fed 210 primer. It has shot very well in a slightly tuned Rem 700 and WILL penetrate beyond belief .

I've had good luck with H1000 and 115 bergers and 117 pro hunters in a TC pro hunter.

My two favorite 2506 powders are re19 and 4831 short cut. Favorite bullets are the 117 sierra flat based spitzer and the 115 ballistic tip and the 115 partition. Ive got a couple 2506s and have owned a couple more and can about guarantee you that if 4831 sc and a 117 seirra or bt wont shoot the gun wont shoot period.

I've been concentrating on the heavy weight bullets for my 25-06; those weighing 115 to 120 grains.
Three powders deliver accuracy in the 1/2" for 3 shots range at 100 yards.
They are 7828, RL-22 and H-4831SC. All three powders are equal in terms of accuracy.
The 120 Speer, and the 120 Sierra are the most accurate bullets tested, although I do get good groups with the 115 Sierra, and one of the 117 grain bullets but I don't remember which one off the top. It's in my range notes.
Good luck with your 25-06.

Don

What hivelocity said! IMR4831 gets it done in both of my 25/06. One is a 110fp Savage that has shot 100gr SMK's into an inch at 200yds. The other is a plain-jane Vanguard that has shot 110 Accubonds into cloverleafs at 100yds.I say"has shot" because old hands and old eyes can't do it every time. Neither load is MAX.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

I have loaded a test group using 7828 and we're going to try them today. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

We went to the range yesterday to try the loads I had worked up. We had great success! The gun loved the combination of 110 grain Accubonds pushed by IMR7828 powder. We had two 3/4" four shot groups at 100 yds.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

Red,

Glad to hear the 7828 worked for you.
Before last summer, I had never used any of it. A guy on another forum suggested that I try it in the 25-06. I did, and all I can say is wow, it sure shoots with all of the 115 to 120 gn bullets.

Don