Velocity vs. accuracy....

[Shooter98]

I have been working up loads for my 25-06 now for a few weeks and am curious about some things. According to my load manuals and my data my loads should be in the range of 3200-3300 fps. Now, using 2 different chrono's at the range the best I've seen so far is 2980 fps. I can't figure out why I'm almost 300 fps off???? I am using the exact loads as in the manuals including brass manufacturer. I even bought some scale weights to verify my 2 scales were accurate.

Another curiousity is that the only thing I shoot is paper, except i will be doing my first coyote hunt this spring and the accuracy right now on 3 particular loads is amazing. Will trying to move velocity up improve the accuracy even more? I guess the reason I ask is because right now I'm comfortable with the loads I'm using and am wondering if I should even bother trying to bump them up.

 

[SBruce]

I would rather have accuracy, especially if it's holding good groups at long range. What bullet weight? Barrel length?

A coyote won't notice a bit if you hit em with 200 or 300'/sec less velocity, but they'll sure notice if you miss

 

[Shooter98]

I would rather have accuracy, especially if it's holding good groups at long range. What bullet weight? Barrel length?

A coyote won't notice a bit if you hit em with 200 or 300'/sec less velocity, but they'll sure notice if you miss

25" factory heavy barrel with 1-10 twist, and am using 75gr bthp's and 100 gr ballistic tips.

 

[SBruce]

25" factory heavy barrel with 1-10 twist, and am using 75gr bthp's and 100 gr ballistic tips.

That does seem slow. 25" barrel should be plenty long enough to get the advertised MV's, especially with 100 grainers and lighter.

You may just have a slightly "loose" barrel, and not actually getting/running the pressure that would normally occur with a tighter barrel. You could certainly increase the powder charge in 1/2 grn increments until you see pressure signs and then chrono that load. But if you're really happy with the accuracy where it's at, there's nothing wrong with that.

Either bullet will take care of a coyote nicely, even if it's not at the speed the books say. I shot my old 220 Swift about 300'/sec under max for most of it's life, accuracy was superb that way, and no varmint or predator within 400 yds was safe; unless I just plain missed.

 

[jmason]

25" factory heavy barrel with 1-10 twist, and am using 75gr bthp's and 100 gr ballistic tips.

I think what SBruce says is certainly sound but, do the manuals say the length of the barrel they used?

 

[Shooter98]

I think what SBruce says is certainly sound but, do the manuals say the length of the barrel they used?

Yes, all loads are with a 24" barrel. I seem to be having some issues with my bullets not seating real tight in the neck of the brass. Could that be causing enough of a drop in pressure to cause the loss in velocity?

 

[jmason]

I kinda doubt that. That's a lot of FPS on the table there. I could be as SBruce stated or maybe you got a really slow lot of powder.

 

[SBruce]

In my experience, neck tension doesn't have a major impact on muzzle velocities. Out of curiosity, what powder are you using?

 

[Shooter98]

In my experience, neck tension doesn't have a major impact on muzzle velocities. Out of curiosity, what powder are you using?

IMR 4350. I've pulled powder out of 2 different jugs both with same results.

 

[SBruce]

Out of curiosity, what powder are you using?

IMR 4350. I've pulled powder out of 2 different jugs both with same results.

Very suitable powder for the 25-06, good choice. H4350 is argueably as good and very similar.

 

[Shooter98]

Very suitable powder for the 25-06, good choice. H4350 is argueably as good and very similar.

Thank you. I think I'll quit worrying about velocity and just continue loading the most accurate loads as is.

Thanks guys.