115 berger in 25-06 help

[112Savage]

So yesterday I loaded up 12 rounds of 25-06 varying seating depth per the sticky at the top of this thread.
Load is as follows: 58 grains Retumbo
New WW brass
CCi 200 LRP
Berger 115 VLD
Results:
-0.01 = bad vertical 2"+ group
-0.05 = well triangulated 1.5"- 2"group
-0.09 = bad vertical 2"+ group
-0.013 = first two shots about 0.75" and last shot went very high

The reason I started at 58 grains is this rifle shot very well 0.50" out to 500yds with the 117 grain sierra gameking loaded here 0.01" off rifling. This is a safe load with the 117 and 2.5 grains less than max.
My question is where do I go from here? Do I start powder development with the -0.013" seating depth, or try jamming the bullet to do powder development and then step the bullet backwards? I'm thinking that due to the vertical I need to increase powder charge.

What say you? Thanks ahead of time.

[Elkhunter1983]

For my 25's the bullet seems to shoot the best backed off about .030'' off the lands. I stopped at 58 with Retumbo because it started to become a compressed load after that and didn't really gain anything in velocity and the obvious pressure reasons. I have found that the load is extremely consistent (ES of 6). I would just experiment a bit and back off your powder or try seating your bullet down a bit more. Its a grand experiment when you switch bullets.

[112Savage]

I wanted to edit before anybody said anything. The 117 grain Sierra were shooting 0.5 MOA out to 500. I don't want to seem crazy. I first used the 100's but found the 117's shot better at distance. Now with the berger i'm trying to compensate a little more for my inability to read the wind.

I'm thinking about jamming them and working up powder because none of the groups I shot were spectacular, so maybe I need to tweak the other major variable first.

As I've said in another post I want to try the bergers in my 264WM but I wanted to use them in something thats a little bit less of a fire-breathing powder eating monster. (albeit not that much less of one)

[Elkhunter1983]

I have gotten very good groups out of the 25 with the bergers using both H4831SC and H1000 as well, the slow burners seem to be the ticket.

[RangerBrad]

I have been loading the 115gr berger in my 25-06 also using 54 gr of H4831sc. I have tried diffrent loads and distance off lands but have not been happy with my groups either though their far better than 2 moa however they seem to be inconsistant with some flyers. I have found the bearing surface on these bullets to be very inconsistant. and I've tried everything I can think of and my es is still in the 30-40fps area. I have thought of switching to a diffrent bullet with a more consistant construction however, I sure do like these bullets terminal effect on game.

Not trying to high jack the thread but, if any of yal know of a bullet in this caliber with more consistant contruction I'd appreciate it. Brad

[112Savage]

thanks for the replies guys. I might load up some with varying charge weights tonight. Unfortunately I can't shoot them this weekend due to a wedding, but maybe next week. If no good results come from the retumbo work up, I may try H1000 or RL22.

My rifle really did well with the Sierra 117 BTSP with 58grains of Retumbo. It also dropped a good size doe right in her tracks with a double lung to off-side shoulder shot.

[sll]

I have settled with 55.5 grains of RL22 and 115gr Bergers in my 25/06. Never chronied it or tried on any game yet but it wads holes in targets better than anything else I have tried. Both RL22 and RL25 have been exellent performers in the 25/06's I load for. I was using 110gr Accubonds but decided to try the Bergers and have been impressed with accuracy.