Load data for Berger Bullets

[Rancher49]

I shoot a 25-06 and would like to try Berger's 115 gr VLD in my rifle. I can't get my hands on a Berger Manual here in Alberta. Berger has them backloaded.
So can anyone here give me some input with regard to pet loads, what powders
work the best for you. I have been told that these bullets are kind of finicky about
seating depths. I might a that is someone is comfortable with giving me a load of yours, you can be sure that I would not shoot in until I have worked up to it.
I have been reloading since the days of Jack OConner and that's a long time.

Happy Trails everyone,

Gerry

 

[Joe King]

their available on Midway

Berger 1st Edition Reloading Manual

 

[Engineering101]

Rancher49

I have the Berger manual. They list a starting load of H4831SC of 48.5 gr for 2682 fps in a 26 inch barrel and a 54.3 gr max load giving 3022 fps, COAL 3.250", 94% full. This is listed as their favorite load for th 25-06 in the front writeup (using a Winchester WLR primer). Oddly, they don't list the primer used in the load tables.

Other loads listed:
Ramshot Magnum 53.5 gr/2778 fps 59.5 gr/3149 fps 100%
H1000 52.5 gr/2759 fps 58.5 gr/3121 fps 102%
H4350 46.5 gr/2787 fps 51.6gr/3088 fps 92%

I'd probably try the Magnum first as I've tested if for temp stability in my 338 RUM and it is very stable plus it gives the highest velocity of all powders listed.

 

[Rancher49]

Thanks mso much Joe.
Yes, I will try the magnum first.

Have a great day

 

[Michael Courtney]

I shoot a 25-06 and would like to try Berger's 115 gr VLD in my rifle. I can't get my hands on a Berger Manual here in Alberta. Berger has them backloaded.
So can anyone here give me some input with regard to pet loads, what powders
work the best for you. I have been told that these bullets are kind of finicky about
seating depths. I might a that is someone is comfortable with giving me a load of yours, you can be sure that I would not shoot in until I have worked up to it.
I have been reloading since the days of Jack OConner and that's a long time.

Happy Trails everyone,

Gerry

H4831 was our go to powder for many years, but we've seen quite a bit of lot to lot velocity variations, from 3123 fps with a slow lot up to 3234 fps with a faster lot using 52 grains H4831 and a 115 grain VLD in 25-06. The details of our procedure are at: http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/Magazine/jan_13_dps_red.pdf (pp. 80-83).

 

[Rancher49]

Dear Michael,
Thank you for refering me to the article about H4831 powder in a 25-06.
It was very informative. At present I have two lots of Rl-22 that I am going
to use with the Berger 115gr VLD. It will be interesting to see I see a lot
of variation in velocity comparing one lot with another. Maybe Hodgon's aren
the only ones that have variations in different lots.

Thanks again,

Gerry

 

[Michael Courtney]

I went through a few pounds of RL-22 a few years back. It was much more sensitive to temperature than H4831 and never gave the accuracy I've found attainable with Hodgdon powders in a variety of overbore cartridges. I did give speed though.

One can work around the lot to lot problem by buying 8lb canisters, but the temperature sensitivity is harder to mitigate.

 

[Speck]

As for seating depths, don't be scared to jump em a long way. I was always under the impression with Bergers that they needed to be jammed or just off the lands. Not always the case, in my 308 that I hunt with (TC Icon Precision Hunter) im shooting the 168 VLD with Varget powder and jumping them .140 to the lands and its shooting half inch groups at 100 yards (5 shots).

 

[ViperXXX5]

Here are some 115 VLD loads that work well for me. Both loads are at 3.310 OAL. Not bad for a Marlin XL7!gun)

54.5 gr. H4831sc @ 2976 fps.
50.5 gr. H4350 @ 3060 fps.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I just ordered a Berger manual from Berger on Monday.....Said it was in stock, but haven't gotten a second confirmation email saying it has shipped. Seems a but odd I' e already gotten charged for it, but haven't seen that second email. Hole it shows up soon. Guess I should send the CS guy an email.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Just sent Ryan @ Berger an email, and awaiting a reply as to whether or not they were currently out of them. I will relay my findings.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Just got Ryan @ Berger's reply email. He says that the manuals ARE in stock, and they are ready for shipping, and that mine has already been shipped.

Just thought I'd pass along the info that they are in-fact in stock on Berger's website.

Midway also them available.

 

[Caper]

Gerry,

I've been trying to put togather a load for my 25-06 as well with the 115 vld's. I tried H-1000 and I've tried all sorts of loads and seating but never got the grouping results I got with 115 nosler ballistic tip using 53gr of Reloder 22 that were usually around 1/2 inch! Tried Reloder 22 with the 115 bergers seated in the lands .005 and voila! 53gr gave 1/2- 3/4 groups, 54gr mostly 3/4 groups, 55gr all shot 1/2 and better! one group pretty much shot one hole! 56gr shot between 1/2 & 3/4.
Note# I was using plain old winchester cases and fed 210m primers.
I never speed tested it yet to see what kind of ES im getting.