25-06 with 22" barrel. Powders?

[WYcoyote]

I just ordered a Marlin XL7C in 25-06 with a 22" barrel. Now I know that this cartridge would perform better in a 24" or 26", but it is what it is. I will use it as a tree stand gun and a walking light rifle.
Should I pick propellants that are on the faster burning end of the recommended loads to get higher velocities, or would the slower rate powders work without spewing unburned grains out of the muzzle?
I'm not a super velocity nut but just want to be efficient.
Different powders probably peak at certain distances down the barrel, and I'm trying to benefit from some of you members that have reloaded for shorter than ideal barrels.
Any comments or suggestions?

 

[JimKirk]

IMR 7828 behind a 115 - 120 grain bullet for about 3080-3095 FPS out of my Browning A-Bolt 22" 25/06.

For the 25/06, the slower powders will always give you the best velocity reguardless of barrel length.

I have loaded for this cartridge since 1970-71. Had two different guns.

Jimmy K

 

[NCsmitty]

The 25'06 is a rather over bore cartridge and as such, it really thrives on slower powders. There are a bunch of powders that have been around for a while that are great, as you might know if you have checked out reload manuals.
You are fortunate to have some new powders available that are real good, and might be ideal for your situation.
Alliant makes great powders and their latest Reloader series powder is Rel-17, and it is superb in the short mags and over bore rounds like the 25'06. A 100gr bullet at 3390fps from a 25'06 is outstanding.
Here's a link to Alliant's site.

www.alliantpowder.com/

Hodgdon now has Hybrid 100V, another new powder that performs in the 25'06.

www.hodgdon.com

I'll let those who load for the 25'06 chime in.



NCsmitty

 

[Ateam-3]

As JimKirk said, the slower burning powders give the best velocities. My father and I have several 25-06 rifles. Only one has a 22" barrel. Even so, IMR 4831 is the powder for all of them. We have used it almost exclusively for over a decade. It has yielded the best velocity and accuracy for us. We shoot 115 and 120gr bullets in them and we love the results.

 

[WYcoyote]

NCsmitty,
I hadn't seen RL-17 data yet, but I'll check it out.
Hybrid 100V did catch my eye as a possible good performer.

Anyone use Fed 215 mag primers? Just found some locally but can't locate standard Lg Rifle. And I don't want to pay the Haz-mat fee to have them delivered.
Would think mag primers may be OK with the slow powders and that I hunt in cold temps.

 

[NCsmitty]

Mag primers will be fine, as long as you work up from a recommended start load to avoid running into high pressures prematurely. Better safe than sorry at THR.



NCsmitty

 

[JimKirk]

Mag primers work well with the 25/06, it is a magnum of sorts. I have used Winchester, CCI and Federal magnum primers with good results.

IMR 4831 is a good powder too, I used it until I got hooked up with some IMR 7828, it has been my main powder for quite a few years now. IMR 4350 works well for lighter weight bullets, so does Reloder 19. I understand that Reloder 17 may be the top dog as far as velocity for lighter bullets 100 grs or <. I have not used RL17 myself yet, but it sure does show some good numbers.

Reloder 22 and Reloder 25 also show some good loads with the 25/06, again I have not tried them.

As with any load, always start low and work your way up, watching for pressure signs.

The 25/06 is a fine long range deer cartridge, you will be pleased with it.

Jimmy K

 

[AzBuckfever]

Although it has nothing to do with a 25/06. I plan on using the same 4350 that I loaded my previous 30/06 ammo with, to load ammo for the now shortened to 20" barrel 30/06 Hoping for good things. Should make a nice handy carry rifle.

 

[WYcoyote]

Thanks you guys.
Powders I have on hand...
H-4831
H-1000
IMR 7828
RL-22

Probably should try...
IMR 4831
Hybrid 100V
RL-19

I'm going to start with 110gr Nosler Accubonds. I'll bet one of the above will work out.
Should fill the gap between my .243 and 7mm Rem mag.

 

[JimKirk]

I would give those you have a work out as you have some of the best.

Here is a Nosler link for the 110 accubond:
http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=15&b=25cal&s=208

Jimmy K

 

[lopezni]

+1 for reloader 22. In my Sierra Reloading Manual, the best loads for 100 and 117gr bullets were achieved with reloader 22. Their test rifle had a 26" barrel however. Reloader 22 is a slow burning powder and I feel that it would allow you to dial in a good load for your barrel length, while still yielding a high velocity.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would say H4831 is probably the best all around powder for use in the 25-06. But, there are a lot of good powders around for that caliber unlike a few decades ago.

 

[uncle gheezer]

25.06 loads best i've found

sierra 120g hp #1650 51g norma MRP ww brass wlr primer coal 3.130 {3.701 with hornaday comparitor] shoots.605 group in 98 mauser with douglas barrel at 100 yds. 120g sierra #1650 42.6g H-380 same brass, primer, and seating info shoots.579 groups. both loads were worked up from data in speer #11 manual page 147. also seems to favor slightly heavy factory crimp over none.