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.

 

[Nimrod]

I couldn't get the Bergers to shoot in my Savage .25/06, I switched to the Nosler BT 115, they shoot great so far.

Bob

 

[big honkin jeep]

RL 22 has been the ticket for my 25-06s (Savage 111 sporter and 110FP) It's given me the best accuracy as well as the highest velocity of the powders I've tried in both rifles. Prior to discovering the Magic of RL22 my best loads were with IMR 4350. I never had much luck with Retumbo but also tried RL19, IMR4831, H4227. All with various bullets from 75gr to 120gr. I was getting very good results with the IMR 4350 with 100gr NBTs and 110 gr Accubonds easily sub moa and but with a 110gr accubond over 51.5gr of RL22 and a CCI BR2 primer in Winchester brass I'm getting Great results from both rifles and it smacks white tails like a hammer. Max load with the 110 is 53.5gr. It's just a bonus the 110 AB performs great on game and is more cost effective than some of the other bullets on the market.

 

[beretzs]

RL 22 has been the ticket for my 25-06s (Savage 111 sporter and 110FP) It's given me the best accuracy as well as the highest velocity of the powders I've tried in both rifles. Prior to discovering the Magic of RL22 my best loads were with IMR 4350. I never had much luck with Retumbo but also tried RL19, IMR4831, H4227. All with various bullets from 75gr to 120gr. I was getting very good results with the IMR 4350 with 100gr NBTs and 110 gr Accubonds easily sub moa and but with a 110gr accubond over 51.5gr of RL22 and a CCI BR2 primer in Winchester brass I'm getting Great results from both rifles and it smacks white tails like a hammer. Max load with the 110 is 53.5gr. It's just a bonus the 110 AB performs great on game and is more cost effective than some of the other bullets on the market.

That is great info. I just picked up a 25-06 for my wife and plan on running the 115 BT for deer and probably the 115/120 PT for her for elk. I love RL22/25 for cartridges in which they work. I usually do very well with them. Again, thanks for the info.

 

[sll]

That is great info. I just picked up a 25-06 for my wife and plan on running the 115 BT for deer and probably the 115/120 PT for her for elk. I love RL22/25 for cartridges in which they work. I usually do very well with them. Again, thanks for the info.

Then you will like this caliber as all 25/06's I have loaded for shot both RL22 and RL25 very well. IMR7828 works like a charm in it also. Don't be afraid to experiment with loads heavier than book max if your rifle does not show any pressure signs when working up (slowly of course). When I got to some very stout loads, mine it started coming into it's own.

 

[112Savage]

I worked with both the 100gr SMK and GK's with 52.6 grains of R22 with impressive accuracy. This is quite a light load, and with the higher BC 117's and 115's I can go almost as fast but with less wind drift, so I changed. The other thing I noticed was Change in POI between summer groundhogs and winter deer season which bothered me when shooting longer ranges.

 

[beretzs]

Then you will like this caliber as all 25/06's I have loaded for shot both RL22 and RL25 very well. IMR7828 works like a charm in it also. Don't be afraid to experiment with loads heavier than book max if your rifle does not show any pressure signs when working up (slowly of course). When I got to some very stout loads, mine it started coming into it's own.

Great information. I am looking forward to working with it. I have QuikLoad, so I will be experimenting with it. Even have some 7828 to try as well. Thank you for the info. I will post up with what I make out with.

 

[112Savage]

I finally got out today to test some more loads. Today's platter had three charge weights from 58.5-59.5 and two different seating depths (3 rounds for each).

The three best performers were:
58.5 grains seated -0.13 two rounds side by side with one about 0.75" away
59.0 grains seated +0.01 two rounds stacked vertically with one about 0.75" away
59.5 grains seated +0.01 two rounds in one hole with one about 0.50" away

So what I'm seeing here is
1. my assumption that more powder was needed was true.
2. No excessive pressure signs.
3. I want to see if fireformed and collet neck sized brass will improve accuracy
4. 59.5 grains is where i want to explore.
5. I need to chronograph and see long range performance.

Thank ya'll for your help. I will update as soon as possible. The chronograph results may cause me to reconsider powder choice. I'm hoping for 3100+fps.