Load data for Berger Bullets

[Rancher49]

I shoot a 25-06 and would like to try Berger's 115 gr VLD in my rifle. I can't get my hands on a Berger Manual here in Alberta. Berger has them backloaded.
So can anyone here give me some input with regard to pet loads, what powders
work the best for you. I have been told that these bullets are kind of finicky about
seating depths. I might a that is someone is comfortable with giving me a load of yours, you can be sure that I would not shoot in until I have worked up to it.
I have been reloading since the days of Jack OConner and that's a long time.

Happy Trails everyone,

Gerry

[Joe King]

their available on Midway

Berger 1st Edition Reloading Manual

[Engineering101]

Rancher49

I have the Berger manual. They list a starting load of H4831SC of 48.5 gr for 2682 fps in a 26 inch barrel and a 54.3 gr max load giving 3022 fps, COAL 3.250", 94% full. This is listed as their favorite load for th 25-06 in the front writeup (using a Winchester WLR primer). Oddly, they don't list the primer used in the load tables.

Other loads listed:
Ramshot Magnum 53.5 gr/2778 fps 59.5 gr/3149 fps 100%
H1000 52.5 gr/2759 fps 58.5 gr/3121 fps 102%
H4350 46.5 gr/2787 fps 51.6gr/3088 fps 92%

I'd probably try the Magnum first as I've tested if for temp stability in my 338 RUM and it is very stable plus it gives the highest velocity of all powders listed.

[Rancher49]

Thanks mso much Joe.
Yes, I will try the magnum first.

Have a great day

[Michael Courtney]

Originally Posted by Rancher49

I shoot a 25-06 and would like to try Berger's 115 gr VLD in my rifle. I can't get my hands on a Berger Manual here in Alberta. Berger has them backloaded.
So can anyone here give me some input with regard to pet loads, what powders
work the best for you. I have been told that these bullets are kind of finicky about
seating depths. I might a that is someone is comfortable with giving me a load of yours, you can be sure that I would not shoot in until I have worked up to it.
I have been reloading since the days of Jack OConner and that's a long time.

Happy Trails everyone,

Gerry

H4831 was our go to powder for many years, but we've seen quite a bit of lot to lot velocity variations, from 3123 fps with a slow lot up to 3234 fps with a faster lot using 52 grains H4831 and a 115 grain VLD in 25-06. The details of our procedure are at: http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/Magaz...13_dps_red.pdf (pp. 80-83).

[Rancher49]

Dear Michael,
Thank you for refering me to the article about H4831 powder in a 25-06.
It was very informative. At present I have two lots of Rl-22 that I am going
to use with the Berger 115gr VLD. It will be interesting to see I see a lot
of variation in velocity comparing one lot with another. Maybe Hodgon's aren
the only ones that have variations in different lots.

Thanks again,

Gerry

[Michael Courtney]

I went through a few pounds of RL-22 a few years back. It was much more sensitive to temperature than H4831 and never gave the accuracy I've found attainable with Hodgdon powders in a variety of overbore cartridges. I did give speed though.

One can work around the lot to lot problem by buying 8lb canisters, but the temperature sensitivity is harder to mitigate.