25.06 AI favorite powers!

[jd5521]

Ran the 115 bergers over 58 grains of RL 23. Just breaking the barrel in but this freedom
Pills were running at 3470. Group was in the .3's. Stunning cartridge so far. Hoping the barrel speeds up.

 

[Nomosendero]

Smokin !!

 

[Mike Matteson]

I had loaded for 3 25/06's for years. They all liked MRP 52gr of powder with Fed 210 primer. I used 25/06, 270, and 30/06 head stamped cases for reloading. So I knew which rifle the round belong too (all chamber a little different). Never cut necks, nor weighted bass. Had to watch for case length was the biggest problem. It seem like I was trimming case all the time for length. I used 120gr nosler SPBT (no longer being made). Almost no blood shot even at close range. I would look at Nosler 115gr or Sierra 117gr SPBT. Didn't have a chronograph at that time so no velocity. Love the 26/05 and killed a lot of deer with it. Reloading has come a long way in my 58 yrs of hand loading and still on a learning curve.
SSS
Mike

 

[7stw]

Did somebody say 25-06 AI

Yup, I did, and glad I did too!

 

[7stw]

Sound like one cool rifle.

My uncle hunted with a 25-06 for 20+ years and a few years ago upgraded to the AI.

H4831sc has been hard to beat with bullets ranging from 87gr ro 120gr, accurate and fast.

Stay safe

LV, I'll probably not have to look any further then what I have, with the 4831sc. I am curious about RL16, which I have some of. I'm a monolithic bullet fan, especially when high velocity is involved. I have some 80,and 100ttsx, which ,I probably again,need look no further. Im still on cloud nine since I bought this thing, (thanks to brother Butterbean), and still getting my feet wet, on knowkedge from those that have experience with it. This thing is truly a gem. It's a wolf in sheep's clothing!

 

[7stw]

If you have a long bbl, SuperPerformance and the 80 gr Barnes will kill any deer sized game right now. Getting 4000 fps from 30" bbl.

The 80 grain Barnes, is on my hit list, but also have 100ttsx, on standby. I've killed deer with 100ttsx, in very quick fashion too, I might add. Love this thing! Thanks, and be safe!

 

[7stw]

Most under rated deer round out there

I most wholeheartedly agree. In the short time I've owned it, I realized that pretty quick. A standard 25.06 is no joke, but the added AI advantage, plus the rifle, configuration, and stock, being a gen one Sendero, really adds to the whole package.
My rifle was built in 1994, when big green, was putting out some great barrels. Action is very smooth, and trigger has no creep, breaks at 2 pounds. Very pleased!

 

[nicholasjohn]

I had loaded for 3 25/06's for years. They all liked MRP 52gr of powder with Fed 210 primer. I used 25/06, 270, and 30/06 head stamped cases for reloading. So I knew which rifle the round belong too (all chamber a little different). Never cut necks, nor weighted bass. Had to watch for case length was the biggest problem. It seem like I was trimming case all the time for length. I used 120gr nosler SPBT (no longer being made). Almost no blood shot even at close range. I would look at Nosler 115gr or Sierra 117gr SPBT. Didn't have a chronograph at that time so no velocity. Love the 26/05 and killed a lot of deer with it. Reloading has come a long way in my 58 yrs of hand loading and still on a learning curve.
SSS
Mike

The Ackley Improved design's steep shoulder is said to minimize the case stretching problem. I have a 30-06AI, and have had it or a very long time. I haven't had to do any trimming for length, so I think this may be true.

I had an old buddy ( who has since passed away ) and he used the standard 25-06 with the Sierra 117 grain boattails for EVERYTHING. He loaded IMR 4831 with this bullet, and pushed them pretty fast. This guy shot dozens upon dozens of big Oregon blacktails with this rifle, as well as a boatload of elk and a couple of Wyoming moose. He also had a 300WM that he shot a few elk with, but stopped using it because it was too heavy to carry and he said that didn't kill elk any better than the 25-06. He only found a couple of bullets in the animals, as most penetrated completely.

I also remember him telling me that the rifle shot well with the Hornady 117-grain factory loads, back when they sold them in their Light Magnum line of ammo. His 25-06 was the camp loaner rifle on hunts he outfitted in Sonora, and after shooting a bunch of big mule deer, he said that the bullets didn't hold together as well as the Sierra 117's. His clients also shot a fair number of coues deer with the Hornady bullet, and he said it was a real destroyer even on the smallish animals. He used the rest of that case to shoot coyotes and liked the way it demolished them. That's the story he related to me, anyway.

 

[7stw]

The Ackley Improved design's steep shoulder is said to minimize the case stretching problem. I have a 30-06AI, and have had it or a very long time. I haven't had to do any trimming for length, so I think this may be true.

I had an old buddy ( who has since passed away ) and he used the standard 25-06 with the Sierra 117 grain boattails for EVERYTHING. He loaded IMR 4831 with this bullet, and pushed them pretty fast. This guy shot dozens upon dozens of big Oregon blacktails with this rifle, as well as a boatload of elk and a couple of Wyoming moose. He also had a 300WM that he shot a few elk with, but stopped using it because it was too heavy to carry and he said that didn't kill elk any better than the 25-06. He only found a couple of bullets in the animals, as most penetrated completely.

I also remember him telling me that the rifle shot well with the Hornady 117-grain factory loads, back when they sold them in their Light Magnum line of ammo. His 25-06 was the camp loaner rifle on hunts he outfitted in Sonora, and after shooting a bunch of big mule deer, he said that the bullets didn't hold together as well as the Sierra 117's. His clients also shot a fair number of coues deer with the Hornady bullet, and he said it was a real destroyer even on the smallish animals. He used the rest of that case to shoot coyotes and liked the way it demolished them. That's the story he related to me, anyway.

I believe every word, as I've done alot of research on the standard 25.06, and the AI as well. The previous owner, Stacy, has killed groundhogs, and foxes at well over 500 with it. I've always been a seven mm kinda guy, but a great friend turned me into 25 caliber, and boy, this ones a keeper!

 

[HappyWarrior]

When I was a kid my best bud and I both had built 25-06s (P17 and FN Mauser) with 28" bbls carrying 1.5" Unertls, 16 & 20.
87 gr Sierra sp over a case full of 50 cent/pound 4831.
Killed 100s of chucks, crows and feral cats.
The impact sound was nasty ----- ka-thowp !
Shot over the top of a "lot rod" ---- fried a lot of paint.
My current 722 244 has a 2" Unertl. Not as destructive but gets the job done.

 

[Mike Matteson]

I started out with 100gr nosler partition and it blood shot the entry one side of the deer with a heart shot that didn't hit the shoulder to start with. They are still setting on the shelve today. I do use Accubond in other rifles and like that very much. Used it from the early 70's and until I started elk hunting. I figure it's a little light for elk. It will do the job, but light.

 

[del2les]

For the heavier bullets, I have great results with Retumbo.

 

[HappyWarrior]

I started out with 100gr nosler partition and it blood shot the entry one side of the deer with a heart shot that didn't hit the shoulder to start with. They are still setting on the shelve today. I do use Accubond in other rifles and like that very much. Used it from the early 70's and until I started elk hunting. I figure it's a little light for elk. It will do the job, but light.

The 80 gr Barnes will not do that. "I end to ended" a mature buck quartering away @250. In behind last rib out opposite shoulder, head over heels doa.

 

[7stw]

The 80 gr Barnes will not do that. "I end to ended" a mature buck quartering away @250. In behind last rib out opposite shoulder, head over heels doa.

Love it when a plan comes together! I've got some homework to do! I've got one and half boxes of 80 grain ttsx! Hehehe