RE-25 in 25-06 AI

.25AOD

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2007
Messages
142
Location
Northern CO
Been playing around with the 115 grainers in the 25-06AI lately and I really like how hard they hit compared to the misc. 100 grainers I've tried. I have some 125 grain Wildcats on order and I'm really looking forward to giving those a try. Currently I'm shooting around 57-58 grains of RE-22 behind the 115 Noslers or Bergers for around 3250 FPS. I'm thinking about 60-62 grains of RE-25 should give a little more velocity. Groups are currently averaging right around 1"-1.5" at 200 yds.
Anyone out there shoot RE-25 in an Ackley case? How does it compare in performance to RE-22 in your experience with the heavy-for-caliber bullets?
 
Yes, I am! RL25 kicks butt with the heavier bullets in this
round. I get 3,250fps with the 125 Wildcat with 59.5 gr. of RL25. It is a Sendero with the Kirby treatment. Please work up slowly!
 
nomo,
Have you figured a BC for this bullet out of your rifle? I'm guessing it's probably about the same as the 115 Berger (around .525)... but I'm looking forward to the increased energy. I can't believe how much harder the 115s hit than the 100s, I'm expecting the same increase going to a 125. Also, I'm guessing you have a 26" pipe on the Sendero? I'm shooting a 26" Douglas SS Match #5 bbl on my Rem. 700. If I can get 3200+ I'll be smiling from ear-to-ear baby... although not too many critters will feel the same!!
 
<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre> Cartridge : .25-06 Ack Imp.
Bullet : .257, 115, Berger VLD
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.400 inch or 86.36 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch or 660.4 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-25

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 78 49.60 2562 1676 28010 10523 94.9 1.685
-18.0 80 50.84 2627 1762 29887 10832 96.1 1.644
-16.0 82 52.08 2691 1849 31893 11120 97.2 1.603
-14.0 84 53.32 2756 1939 34036 11384 98.0 1.563
-12.0 86 54.56 2820 2030 36327 11623 98.8 1.524
-10.0 88 55.80 2883 2123 38776 11834 99.3 1.480
-08.0 89 57.04 2947 2217 41396 12017 99.7 1.436
-06.0 91 58.28 3009 2312 44200 12170 99.9 1.393
-04.0 93 59.52 3071 2408 47204 12291 100.0 1.351
-02.0 95 60.76 3132 2505 50423 12400 100.0 1.311
+00.0 97 62.00 3192 2602 53870 12506 100.0 1.272 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 99 63.24 3251 2699 57577 12608 100.0 1.235 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 101 64.48 3310 2798 61547 12707 100.0 1.199 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 103 65.72 3368 2897 65769 12802 100.0 1.165 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 105 66.96 3426 2997 70272 12894 100.0 1.132 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 107 68.20 3483 3097 75085 12982 100.0 1.100 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 97 62.00 3322 2818 66118 12063 100.0 1.171 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 97 62.00 2994 2289 42925 12821 98.2 1.406
</pre><hr />
 
<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre> Cartridge : .25-06 Ack Imp.
Bullet : .257, 115, Nosler BalTip 25115
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.400 inch or 86.36 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch or 660.4 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-25

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 78 49.60 2568 1684 28197 10526 95.0 1.680
-18.0 80 50.84 2633 1770 30094 10833 96.2 1.639
-16.0 82 52.08 2697 1858 32121 11119 97.2 1.598
-14.0 84 53.32 2762 1948 34279 11381 98.1 1.558
-12.0 86 54.56 2826 2040 36603 11617 98.8 1.519
-10.0 88 55.80 2890 2133 39080 11826 99.4 1.474
-08.0 90 57.04 2954 2228 41731 12005 99.7 1.430
-06.0 92 58.28 3016 2323 44569 12155 100.0 1.387
-04.0 94 59.52 3078 2420 47610 12274 100.0 1.345
-02.0 96 60.76 3139 2517 50870 12382 100.0 1.305
+00.0 98 62.00 3200 2614 54366 12486 100.0 1.267 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 100 63.24 3259 2712 58122 12588 100.0 1.229 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 102 64.48 3318 2811 62149 12686 100.0 1.194 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 104 65.72 3376 2911 66433 12780 100.0 1.159 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 106 66.96 3434 3011 71007 12870 100.0 1.126 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 108 68.20 3491 3112 75897 12957 100.0 1.094 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 98 62.00 3329 2830 66739 12044 100.0 1.165 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 98 62.00 3002 2301 43309 12815 98.3 1.399
</pre><hr />
 
Well so far I have only used the mentioned powders in the standard 25-06. However RL-22 and the 115gr PT's were my go to load for over 15 years. My load was 56.5grs with the OAL of 3.250 going 3150fps for 1/2" groups @ 200yds. This load shot scary accurate and always did the job.

I have shot both eh 125 and 130 Wildcat's through the rifle and used both the 22 and 25 for the limited sesessions. If you work up slow you should be able to tweak the load into around 1/2" at 200 yds easily. THe impacts of these bullets is awesome, and I doubt you will look back once you get your load developed. I got the 130's to just over 3100fps with my standard 24" factory tube so you should be able to get where you want to be with some careful measureing.

I don't have any data up here with me, but here is the very first groups I shot with the 130's with them seated without changing my die from the 115's. I know there was some differences as the profiles are different, but I was just looking for the velocities at the time.
This was 100yds with the 130's and RL-25,


This was the exact same load at 300yds,


I can tell you that the 130's do a number on a hog, and should work equally well or better on deer or elk. I might be building me a new 25 in an AI version this year, but need to get some other issues covered first. Good luck with yours and have fun.
 
I agree with nomosendero, as both the 125 ULD, and 130FBBCHP work well in my 25/06AI.(Shilen 10 twist barrel)

I am not aware of any factory .257 barrels with a 9 twist or faster.

However, I am aware that Lilja have made an 8 and 7.5 twist for Kirby, and Krieger like all other cut barrel makers with CNC equipment, can make any twist you like. As an example, I am using a 7 twist Krieger barrel in my 257 Weatherby, which enables me to shoot the Wildcat 156 grain ULD.

I know you will enjoy the 25/06AI, as I have had over 20 years of fun with the case. Brian.
 
Thanks for those helpful answers. I might just give'em a try. Bet their wind buckin sons of guns.

Wow, a 257 weatherby with a 156 bullet, sounds impressive I would like to hear more about this.
 
The Wildcat 156 grain ULD is the best wind bucking bullet that I have used so far. However, apart from the 100 grain .224, I have not yet used Richard's other heavy ULD bullets in other calibres, so I am in no position to claim it is the best.

Testing of the 156 grain bullet in the 257W (26 inch barrel)with Norma brass only produced 2,880 to 2,900 fps. This was disappointing as earlier chronographing of this bullet in my 25/06AI (24 inch barrel) produced 2,830 fps. So if you take into account the extra 2 inches of barrel, the 257W only produced about an extra 20 fps from the extra 19 grains case capacity.

My fears that the Norma brass was soft, appear to be correct, as the Remington 300 Winchester Magnum brass when necked down to 257W is consistently producing between 2950 and 2970 fps with 1 grain less powder. Once I have fired at least 6 shots with each 300WM case, I will feel confident that the pressures I am using to produce 2950 fps are sustainable.

Several weeks ago, I tested the 142 grain Wildcat ULD in my 257W for the first time. Unfortunately this bullet (J4 jacket) came apart at velocities ranging from 3,050 to about 3,150, which surprised me as Kirby had earlier predicted that I should get to 3250 without problems, which was based on his experience using an 8 twist.

However, after doing the maths, 3,050 fps in a 7 twist produces 313,714 rpm, while 3,300 fps in an 8 twist only produces 297,000 rpm, so I guess my results with the 142 are predictable.

I hope to test the 125 grain ULD (J4 jacket) in the next 2 weeks, and it will be interesting to see if it holds together, and what velocities are achieved.

I hasten to add that the 156 grain ULD is a tough bullet, has delivered excellent accuracy, and has not shown even a hint of coming apart. Hope the above helps. Brian.
 
For me I probably ought to stay with the 125, But that is suprising that the Weatherby only gave you 2950, with the 156. Still not bad though! They say Norma brass is soft. I use it in three guns, have had no real problems. I found out today that my throat is too short for even the standard nosler 115 grain. So it will be alittle while till' my throat wears and lengthens out enough to use some wildcat 125's.
 
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