I'm pretty new to reloading. My load I'm starting with is75gr vmax with 53gr of H4831.

I was just wondering what OAL I should seat to.
Should I seat to the same OAL as I do my 115gr BT.

My Lyman book says they tested Hornady 75gr HP bullet at OAL of 3.065. Should I use the same with the vmax. Thanks for any help.

Hello usmc1980,

A 75 grain bullet is a very light bullet for the .25 caliber. So, I don't think you will be able to seat the 75 grainer to same OAL as 115 BT.

I recommend you make up a dummy round, seat the 75 grainer part way, and use the bolt to push the dummy into the chamber (if too tight use your seating die to seat bullet a little deeper); when you extract the dummy the 75 grainer will have been seated to the lands. Now seat the bullet another .050" and load a few rounds for testing.

I take my loading equipment to the range with me.

usmc,

I seat mine at 3.18 OAL and it works well in my Savage F110 Tactical. I am also using IMR 3031 powder. That load has been chronographed at 3570 fps, and is awefully leathal on groundhogs out to 400 yds. The only reason I say 400 yds is because I haven't shot at any hogs past that range... yet.

Let us know how it works out for you.

While the 75 grain V-Max is a pretty short bullet I have been able to still seat it out pretty far in my 25-06 loads.

I load the 75 grain V-Max to an OAL of 3.23 inches. This has held the bullets in the case well even in the field while hunting coyotes and such.

Hornady suggests an OAL of 3.10 inches, that should probably work well.

My favorite load is a Remington case, a Fed 210 primer, 57 grains of IMR 4831, and the 75 grain V-Max. This gave me 3570 fps and a group of 0.53 inches from my custom 24 inch Lija barrel.

Since you are fairly new to reloading let me say that all rifle chambers are different i.e. even a pair of 25-06's will have slightly different chamber deminsions.

The method I precribed will ensure you set up for the chamber in your specific rifle.

When I first try a new bullet I seat them about one caliber deep (excluding the boat tail section).

Then go from there.

In my 25-06 I have used the 75gr VMAX with good results. If I do my part, it will keep 5 shots under .3 at 100 yards. They were seated out of the lands by about .030" The load I was using last was the max load of H4350 listed on the hogdon can. If memory serves me right, that's 58.5 grains of H4350 BUT MAKE SURE TO CHECK IT BEFORE YOU LOAD IT. Out of my 26" Hart 1:10 barrel, I got an honest average velocity of 3810 fps over 5 shots. I even checked the chrono to make sure it was right. I was using CCI 250 magnum primers and remington cases. Coincidentally, I decided not to shoot many of them as i'd like to keep my barrel for a while. I've enjoyed wonderful success with the 85gr Nosler BT at about 3400 FPS.

usmc,
What Ruck said.
I seat my 75s about .005" off the lands using 58 grains of H4350 for 3750 fps. My groups average 1" at 200 yards.
If you don't have a Stoney Point (or other) seating depth gauge, get one. It will get you years ahead in your reloading success.
For some reason, the 75 V-Max works in any 25-06 with the right load. Its effectiveness on varmints has to be seen to be believed. I'll warn you. Once you start shooting this load, you may well burn out the barrel. Or two.
It's OK, though. There are plenty of closet 25-06 barrel burners in this forum to counsel you through the process. We're here for you man!
"My name is slancey, and I'm addicted to barrel burning."