25/06-115 gr Berger VLD Hunting help

[Oklahunter1]

I am trying to work up a hunting load for my 25-06 with the Berger 115 gr vld hunting bullet. I am shooting a Browning X-Bolt with a 1 in 10 twist. I followed Berger recommendation and loaded .005", .048",.085" and .125" off the lands. I loaded 4 bullets(I am a little short on powder and bullets so only loaded 4 instead of 6) for each distance and used 51.0 gr H-4350. I have attached the different groups I got. The .005" and .048" were shot with used brass and the .085" and .125" were shot with new brass. I'm not sure where to go from here. Any help from the experts would be appreciated.

 

[birddog 68]

Hello Oklahunter1. I'll start off by saying that I am in no way a expert but have loaded 3 different Berger loads in 2 rifles. To do a fair test all brass should be on the same firing. It looks like you're having some type of inconsistency in the reloading process or your shooting. Usually having 1 or 2 flyers in a 4 shot group tells me that there's inconsistency in there somewhere. My experience with Berger tells me that their recommendations for load development works. I would check your scope and mounting,start your test over using the same fired brass and shoot off a steady rest. I assure you that they will shoot way better than your results show.

 

[ARlife4me]

10 twist is too slow. You need an 8 or faster? Go on their site and check stability with their resource center.

 

[birddog 68]

If I'm not mistaken it tells you on the bullet box the recommended twist rate.

 

[OG10]

according to according to Berger your twist rate is less than optimal according to hogdon your powder charge is high how did you come up with this load ?

 

[waspocrew]

1:10 is fine for the 115 in the 25-06. They worked great in my 25-06 a number of years ago.

I'd keep things consistent - use all fired brass, not a mix of new and fired. I've never tried H4350 in the 25-06, but had great results with IMR 4831! I'd go with a slower powder - either 4831 flavors, RL-22, IMR 7828 etc.

 

[imartin]

Looks like an issue with the bedding in your rifle. Or scope/bases/rings.

 

[imartin]

Are you letting barrel cool between shots?

 

[xsn10s]

Here's a link to Berger's barrel twist calculator. At sea level looks like you're marginally stable which could cause your group sizes. I'd shoot a few groups out at 300 yards to see what happens.

Twist Rate Stability Calculator

Our newly updated Twist Rate Stability Calculator not only tells you what your SG is, but it also lets you know if you are reaching your optimized BC.

bergerbullets.com

 

[hicountry1]

Imr7828, or rl22 with that weight, is what I used

 

[birddog 68]

I'd shoot a few groups out at 300 yards to see what happens.

I'm not too sure this would be helpful seeing the groups are 5" at 100 yards

 

[birddog 68]

according to hogdon your powder charge is high how did you come up with this load ?

^^^^ this

 

[xsn10s]

I'm not too sure this would be helpful seeing the groups are 5" at 100 yards

The largest group I saw in the pictures was around 3 inches. Most of the others look to be around 1.5 inches. I have a 30-06 that shoots around 1.5 inches at 100 yards and the same group at 300 yards. It helps rule out if he has a stability issue or something else. For sure it won't hurt anything to shoot out at 300 yards.

 

[xsn10s]

A recommended twist rate on the box is just that, a RECOMMENDED twist rate. The barrel twist rate calculator estimated a 1-9.25" twist was needed, which is still just a recommendation. Shooting at 300 yards could illustrate if he has an obvious accuracy issue at distance. Pick the best group as per how far off the lands, load three, shoot at 300 yards. That's what I'd do. YMMV.