25-06 Ackley Improved

had it out last weekend forming cases..now waiting on some talley one piece extented rings so I can install a scope. My existing ring/base setup wouldnt' let me install a Leupold VX2...arrgh !!
 
My Mauser 98 custom (Epps) with a 25" bbl gets 3550 with 100gr Sierra boattails over RL-17.

One thing I did find with this cartridge is that loads can become overpressure real suddenly, and so working up in smaller increments that other -06 based cartridges might be a very good idea.

For forming brass I load up annealed 25-06 brass with IMR 4831 and 117 gr Sierra's. They loaf out of the muzzle around 3000 fps, but would still be okay for black bear or something like that, if someone wanted to bring home game while forming brass.
 
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Some of us have a fairly high post count for a reason. Seriously though, give XBR a shot if you have some.
 
update: did some working up yesterday. Looks im finding home around 61gr RL-22. with 100gr. Sierras. Ill have to do some tweaking to switch to Barnes TSX for November but things are looking pretty good now. didnt' manage to Chrony...damn thing was not cooperating at all. I should be getting around 3500 fps in 25" barrel (give or take 50 fps).
 
OK. I have a 25-06 AI. Rem 700 custom. RKS 20X10:1 gain twist barrel. 120 gr bullets, 60.0 gr H1000, F210 primer, 3160 fps, brass life excellent. The improved version solves a lot of issues the standard case has. The standard 25-06 works brass forward into the neck area and every time the cartridge is fired, new load data is required to keep up with changing brass. My only problem with this rifle is the twist. I wish I would of had the brains to go with a 1:8 twist. I built a 25 WSSM with a 1:8 Pacnor barrel for 1000 yd BR shooting, 135 / 145 gr bullets in this rifle are awesome. I like 25 caliber rifles. Also have a 250-3000 AI, the 25 WSSM, and a new reamer waiting for a 1:7 bbl that will be a longer bodied-longer necked WSM case to shoot 150 gr. 25's.

R-22 is a superb powder and it develops high velocity, but it also develops a lot of heat. A couple rifles I tested this summer proved there are better choices. In a 7mm Rem Mag custom 65 gr of R-22 was showing great accuracy but after 3 quick shots the barrel was too hot to touch. Switching to 73.5 gr Retumbo increased velocity and shot strings of 10 rnds doesn't get barrel too hot to handle. My 6.5-284 and 6.5X55 were burning R-22 replaced with H4350. Better groups lower barrel temps.
 
yeah my barrel was getting pretty hot when I was working up....I was trying to let it cool down in between 3 shot groups as much as possible..by the time I got to 61.5 gr. The group opened up to nearly 2" from sub MOA on the 61gr. load. I think it was part pressure and partly because of the heat affecting harmonics. Im happy with the accuracy and Illl have to try to chrony again when its not so sunny out. QL Guestimates the 61 load @ 53253 PSI....but Im quite sure its higher than that.

Its not often I can work up a hunting load and call it done after shooting less than 12 loads....those broughton barrels can shoot!
 
Leaving for Deer hunting trip on sunday..did a bit more shooting this weekend. Finally got a chance to tweak a load the Barnes 100gr. TSX BT. Tried 60, 60.5 and 61gr. of RL-22 and settled on 60.5 - the group was .7" @ 100 yards, That's just one group but its good for my needs and then some. In anxious to see how they will perform on game....ive got some pretty high expectations for them. Ill have some of the plain Sierra SP's with me for the trip as an option...POI was the same.
 
When I built my 25-06 I considered going the AI route, back before AIs were de rigeur. I decided against it and don't regret the decision. Now with new powders I don't think there is a real benefit to going AI. I've got a pound of RL25 that I bought to try with heavy bullets in my 300WM and will be trying in my 25-06 when I get back to loading for it.

Mine has a 26" (or is it 26.5"...damn, that I means that I haven't played with it enough) Gaillard barrel so the RL25 and Retumbo loads are particularly interesting.
 
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