25-06 bullet drop

[jjaleman85]

Hi,
I've been reloading 25-06 rounds with 50gr of IMR 4350 with a 117gr Hornady BTSP.
I can get amazing groups at 200 yards but when I fire at 300 yards the bullet drops almost 20" which is not normal for me. I used to shoot Winchester's Ballistic Silvertip 115gr from the store and I only had to deal with a 7"+/- drop.
Any comments on this?

Thanks!

 

[sbhooper]

It looks to me like you had better shoot the loads over a chronograph. If the rifle is sighted in the same a 100 yards for both, then the Hornady load is a lot weaker. 20 inches of drop at 300 yards is like shooting a 30-30 or something. You have some issues there somewhere.

 

[Hookturnr]

sounds like your handload is noticeably slower than the factory loading...crono your load and go from there..

 

[RT2506]

50 grs of IMR 4350 with 117s is MAX for the 25-06. I am shooting 49 grs IMR 4350 with 117 Sierras right now but have shot 117 Hornady BTSP and they both run 3000 fps out of my 26" 25-06. I sight my rifle 3" high at 100 yards and at 200 it is 3 1/2" high and at 300 yards it is 3/4" low and at 350 it is 3 1/2" low.

 

[Hookturnr]

You need to go to a slower powder when shooting the heaviest bullets in the 25/06. Try going to 4831 to get the speed and pressure curve up. I'm running 56gr. or so( load data isn't handy) of 4831 pushing a 115gr vld just under 3000 out of a 22" barrel. I used to run the 117 sst with around the same charge and the same velocity. You might even want to try a slower powder like H1000 or RL22. A chronograph will definitely help with your load development as well.

 

[jjaleman85]

I'm gonna try the chronograph... I'll try different powders to see which one works better and has better trajectory.By the way, I'm shooting a Sako AV with a 22" barrel... Love that rifle!

 

[Hookturnr]

The 25/06 I'm loading for now is a Browning A Bolt II....great mountain rifle. I know where you're coming from on the AV, I have one in 7 mag that's a hammer!