25-06 fast twist results

[PLHunter]

Finally got the 26 inch 1:8 twist 25-06 back from the smith. I got out to break it in and test some reloads today. I used the new Enduron imr 8133 with powder magnum primers. The bullets are 121 hammer hunters unless cutting edge is listed the cutting edge are the 115 grain cutting edge MTH. I am using a lower end Caldwell precision chronograph in less than ideal situations, so keep that in mind. The following is copied from my notes:

57.5: 2969 no serious pressure signs. Second round error. Second rd error
58.0: error. Slight cratering. 2974. Slightly cratered primer.
58.3: 3023; slightly cratered primer, easy bolt lift. 3013; easy bolt slightly cratered primer no ejector flow.
58.7: 3068; easy bolt lift, cratered primer, no ejector flow. 3062; easy bolt lift, cratered primer, possible faint ejector mark
Cutting edge 58.5: 2989; easy bolt lift, very little pressure sign
59.0: 3214? WTH?; easy bolt lift same primer cratering no visible port flow. 3122; easy bolt, cratered primer, no ejector flow
Cutting Edge 59.0: 3067, no pressure signs. 3031 no signs.
60.0: 3151; easy bolt lift, slightly cratered primer. 3156. No real pressure signs.

I shot a handful of rounds at 200 yards with no real zero. Luckily rounds were close already. Cutting edge and hammers were both within a couple inches of one another, as were the factory ballistic tips used for break in. I shot 2 rounds of 59.3 grain hammer hunters on paper at 200 and they were within 1/4 inch.

Interestingly the imr 8133 was extremely effective at eliminating copper as claimed.

The usual disclaimers apply.

 

[jjmp]

Glad you posted this thanks! Was thinking on this very subject the other day. Congrats and I hope this spurs others into telling us about theirs thks!!!

 

[Schnyd112]

121 at 3100 sounds like bad juju for anything on the other end! I know 110 accubonds at 3100 look like deer and antelope were hit by Thor's hammer.

 

[PLHunter]

Glad you posted this thanks! Was thinking on this very subject the

121 at 3100 sounds like bad juju for anything on the other end! I know 110 accubonds at 3100 look like deer and antelope were hit by Thor's hammer.

Yeah, most definitely I had this gun running 120 grain spbt at or just less than 3000 for years killing mule deer out to 300. My dad using his 25-06 at 400 plus with poor results is what got me looking into better options. He sold his, and I saw better potential with modern monolithics . Also as a note the factory rounds also had slightly cratered primers in this chamber. To my recollection I've never had anything but in this rifle since I've owned it. Even before the barrel swaps. Hodgdon's reloading data for IMR 8133 with 120 grain bullets has a max of 62 grains which in Winchester cases is max case fill without a bullet. My gun has a .2 inch longer throat to accommodate the longer bullets without taking up powder space just an FYI.

 

[johnnyk]

I am so glad the .25-06 can finally get its due. I had one for years in a Sendero and it was a deer killer. I shot 3.5-4" groups with it at 700yds with the 115gn Bergers and factory 1-10". That 8 twist barrel and those heavier, high BC bullets sound like fun and just what the quarter bore needs. Thanks for posting.

 

[PLHunter]

Okay some more information from today's shooting. This time I loaded up some 104 grain hammer hunters with IMR 7977. The following are my results:
57.4 3256, 3187
58 3236, 3267
59.5 3364
59.7 3387
60 3405
60.2 3492, 3442

As you can see I had some crazy extreme spreads. I may retry with large rifle primers just to see. The speeds reached were above expected. I wanted to hit 3400 FPS but didn't expect to hit it so soon. Recoil was light and no pressure signs were seen. Barrel temps were much better than with the 121 and imr 8133. I also tried some cutting edge 115's with the powder but velocities were all over the place. Just as a side note 80 grain Barnes with RL-17 was at 3690 and recoil was like a .223.

I did shoot the 121 hammers for group at 205 yards with 60 grains of 8133. 3 shots at 1.6 inches. Light 5-8 mph breeze. I had two 59.5 grain 7977 104's availableand a 59.7 that I shot for accuracy at 205 as well. Group was 1.8 inches. Both groups had 2 within 3/4 inch and one "flyer". Usual reloading disclaimers apply.