25-06 115 VLD retumbo loads

axialmillipede

axialmillipede

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One thing about the 25-06, is that you rarely find guys that have owned them, and dont like them. I got my 25-06 redone last year, after living a hard life with me packing it around the mountains. Its a stainless Remington 700, I got a New Lilja 26" barrel, HS precision stock, Timney trigger, with a nightforce NXS scope, blueprinted the action, the whole shebang. I mainly use it for Sheep and Deer. So far, I love it, but havent got the chance to kil anything with it yet, other than coyoties. But, we all know how it goes with reloading. I can't seem to force myself to just pick a load and stick with it. Like usual, I'm searching for that holy grail load. For years i shot the 100 gr nosler partitions, but lately, i switched to the berger 115 vld's and so far I love them. I started with IMR 4831, tried H4350, and my latest load has been Retumbo, and I have to say, I'm impressed with the combination. It started to group pretty nice at the higher end of the scale with the retumbo, and thats where I think I am going to stay. Best group so far has been 58.8 grains. I'm consistently under 0.5 MOA, and can hit the 0.3 range from time to time if the loose nut behind the trigger can do his part. I chronographed it yesterday and averaged 3130 fps. I had another node at 60.0 grains, but it wasnt quite as good, so I am sticking with the lower one. I am using Norma brass and Federal 210M primers. I started with nosler brass, but found they all had the primer pockets too shallow, causing the primers to sit proud by about 0.005-0.008. No big deal, but not really what i would expect after paying that much. I think the last step is to do the OAL test with this current load. Anyone else out there tried a similar recipe for the 25-06? any advice or tips for chasing that last little bit of accuracy??? Any advice on the OAL test with the VLD? other good results out there with retumbo and the 25??
 
Thats a great combo! I have used it for years! Both the 115 VLD and the 120 partitions shoot great with Retumbo! I have managed to take moose, elk, deer, bear, etc. kills VERY quickly!
 
That sounds like a great rig you have put together there.

Now I'm going to offer a suggestion....you can decide whether you want to follow it up or not, your choice entirely. :)
Dump those VLD's for hunting big game!! Find another High BC true "Hunting" bullet. [Like the Nosler LRAB]

If you have to get into the vitals through some bone, that VLD is likely to let you down, particularly at closer ranges.

The 25-06 is very capable, but should not be handicapped by an inferior bullet for taking game. Save those wonderfully accurate Berger VLDs for targets.

Regards, Dave.
 
Eagleye said:
That sounds like a great rig you have put together there.

Now I'm going to offer a suggestion....you can decide whether you want to follow it up or not, your choice entirely. :)
Dump those VLD's for hunting big game!! Find another High BC true "Hunting" bullet. [Like the Nosler LRAB]

If you have to get into the vitals through some bone, that VLD is likely to let you down, particularly at closer ranges.

The 25-06 is very capable, but should not be handicapped by an inferior bullet for taking game. Save those wonderfully accurate Berger VLDs for targets.

Regards, Dave.
Click to expand...

I agree with Dave, in my 257 wby I had issues with less than 2" of penetration on broadside shots with no bones encountered. Shots were between 100 and 200 yards. I'd stick with a good tough hunting bullet that can handle the impact.
 
Dave,

Thanks for the suggestion. I have been looking for good bullet options, and I will keep looking around. The main reason I went with the Bergers, is I can always get them. The main problem is that most of the great bullets, like the Nosler LR accubond, are not available in 257, and even if they are, nowhere around has them. If you know of any other good ones that are available in 257, I am open to suggestions. I want to get my load all ironed out by september!
 
I just picked up a 25/06 and am thinking the 100gr swift sirocco's should fit the bill. Anybody use these yet?
 
Had a few 117-120 grain pet loads through the years for my sako 25-06. Retired them all about 5 years ago when I started to load Barnes 100 gr TSX boat tails. Bug hole groups at 200 yards, biggest animals taken with aforementioned were bull caribou though. Bang flops...
 
I shot a coyote at 70 yards or so with a 115 vld in 25/06. Broadside center mass just be hide the leg. He didn't get up but the bullet didn't make the second lung. That was a 30 lb dog.
I have a fondness for the Hornady 117 gr interlock btsp. Very accurate in my rifle. 51 grains of imr 4831 gets me 3100-3150 fps 15' in front of my 22" tube. Until recently I got well under an inch groups at a100 yards and it's a great game bullet for close or far shots. My barrel is just over 1600 rounds thru it. Best part is hornadys are cheap. Haven't recovered any from animals but water jugs sand and wet paper leave on average 60-70 grs of bullet with wide wounding very apparent
Partitions got expensive and hard to find
 
Last fall I acquired my first 25-06 a freaking long gangly 28" barreled stainless T/C Prohunter accuracy with the factory ammo that came with it and my reloads was all over the place so I sent it to Guntech and had him shorten the barrel to 24".

Got it back and used up the remaining factory ammo with much better results but I still wasn't happy I then walked into Wholesale Sports and they had a 25% off clearance sale on some rifles I eventually took home a Rem 700 XCR 11 RMEF rifle in 25-06.

I've bought several bullets to try but I unfortunately just haven't had time to reload so this thread is a welcome sight.

I have Retumbo - RL17 - IMR4350 etc powders on the shelf I wanting a load for 90gr Sierra Blitzkings and 120gr spitzers plan on shooting coyotes in the winter and hunting alpine in the fall for trophy coastal blacktail.
 
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