Anyone got any good varmint loads using 85 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips in their 25-06?

Nosler lists a starting load of RL19 at 53.0 grains / 3360fps and max load 57.0 gr. / 3600fps in manual #5. My load is listed below and will shoot under an 1" in light barrel Mtn. rifle.

Load Name: .25-06 85 gr NBT VT
Bullet Mfg: Nosler
Bullet Type: #43004 BT-V
Bullet Caliber: .257
Bullet Weight: 85
Ballistic Coeff: 0.331
Powder Mfg: Alliant
Powder Type: Reloader 19
Powder Weight: 56.000
Primer : CCI 200 LR
Case Mfg: Federal
Case Length: 2.487
Comparator OAL: 2.659

I saw the loads in Nosler's manual and know of a few others that use RL19.I have no RL19 at the time but do have 5 pounds of RL22.Did you ever try any of it?I would also be interested in loads using 4350 and 4831.

I have shot the 85 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip quite a bit in the 25-06. It is very accurate in my rifle and has a good Ballistic Coefficient.

A couple of loads that I can recommend will be listed below. These used Remington cases and Fed 210 primers.

Try working up to either 55 grains of IMR 4831 or 53 grains of H 4350 with the 85 grain BT. These are both quite safe in my rifle, but who knows what will happen in yours. In fact, I shot quite a lot of ammo loaded with 56 grains of IMR 4831 but found the primer pockets did not last too long with that much powder.

In regard to your choice of bullets, I feel compelled to say that it is a great bullet for small varmints but not worth a damn (in my opinion) for use on coyotes.

What that 85 grain bullet will do to a ground squirrel or jack rabbit or big old fat marmot just has to be seen to be believed. BUT, I have seen several real disasters when they were applied on coyotes. If a coyote is shot in the shoulder there is a good chance that bullet will blow up on the surface and cause a huge surface wound but not kill the coyote without a follow up shot. Interesting, because any of the .224 caliber Ballistic Tips work great when shooting coyotes with a 22-250 Remington or Ackley Improved.

R F

4064 is a very good powder in the light weight 75-87 gr 25-06 loads.it my come 50-75 fps short but it will drive nails.

Mr. Big,
I noticed good results when firing new brass with 87 gr. TNTs over min. load of 4064. I might have to go back and visit this powder and bullet combo again and work it up.