25-06 load with 115 gr Berger and IMR 4955?

[MudRunner2005]

I am getting ready to order a Cooper-52 in 25-06 AI and am wondering what the twist rate is for your rifles? Everything I have read suggests that for the Berger 115gr VLD, 1 in 9 is optimum.

I shoot them in a 1:10 twist with perfect results... But I'd check with Berger first.

 

[philsummers21]

Any updates on how the 4955 did. Tried H1000 and 7977 and wasn't happy

 

[mechengr]

I shot the first groups with this powder a few weekends ago. Virgin Norma brass with 115 VLD's .020" off the lands where they normally shoot well, CCI 215 primers and IMR4955. Ran charge weights from 53.3 to 54.2, I'd say they were all pretty stiff loads as primers were fairly flat and slight ejector marks.

Not sure if it was the loads or the sporter weight barrel but the groups all held two within .5" and a third that opened the whole group to 1-1.5 inches. Unfortunately I didn't record whether it was always the third shot that flew off wild...

Not sure of velocities since I didn't shoot groups with the magnetospeed attached. Migh be worth a revisit someday, but for now I'm moving past this powder, at least in my rifle. I've got a lot of other applications I plan to try it in though

 

[RT2506]

I have tried a lot of powders in the 25-06 over the past 25 or so years but none of the newer IMR ones. IMR or Accurate 4350 or H4831 or the SC version is hard to beat. Yes you may get just a little more velocity out of some but the accuracy is not there. I have killed a few hundred white tail deer (did crop damage control for 15 years) out to a little over 500 yards with 117 Sierra Pro Hunter with 49 grs of either IMR or AA 4350 (they shoot the same in my rifle), Rem case, CCI 250 and average 3000 fps and 1/3 MOA out of my 26" #6 SS Shilen barrel Rem 700. 99% of the time it is BANG FLOP on deer. I have read on other sites where people have had good results with the 115 VLD using Retumbo. I have never tried this bullet. I have always been and "if it ain't broke don't try to fix it" kind of guy and I have a few hundred 117 Pro Hunters in my stash.

 

[philsummers21]

Well I spent last two days at the range with the 25-06 and 4955. My rifle seems to love it over H1000 and 7977. Better velocity and better groups. I tried 54.5 and 54 just while doing seating depth. So far I have 1/2" groups with both but the 54.5 was a touch hot. Will test tomorrow but 54 grains with a .010 jam and .090 off the lands both produced 3/4" groups @ 200. Playing with ththe powder charge tomorrow. And velocity is right around 3200. 130fps faster then h1000/7977

 

[philsummers21]

Settled on 53.8 grains. All touching @ 200. MV was 3167 average out of 10 shots with a 11 FPS spread. Tested it out to 850yards and still held a group so I'm happy.

 

[Brian Wheeler]

I have tried a lot of powders in the 25-06 over the past 25 or so years but none of the newer IMR ones. IMR or Accurate 4350 or H4831 or the SC version is hard to beat. Yes you may get just a little more velocity out of some but the accuracy is not there. I have killed a few hundred white tail deer (did crop damage control for 15 years) out to a little over 500 yards with 117 Sierra Pro Hunter with 49 grs of either IMR or AA 4350 (they shoot the same in my rifle), Rem case, CCI 250 and average 3000 fps and 1/3 MOA out of my 26" #6 SS Shilen barrel Rem 700. 99% of the time it is BANG FLOP on deer. I have read on other sites where people have had good results with the 115 VLD using Retumbo. I have never tried this bullet. I have always been and "if it ain't broke don't try to fix it" kind of guy and I have a few hundred 117 Pro Hunters in my stash.

Very interesting. I developed the same load in the late 70's. IMR 4350 49 grains 117 Sierras or 120 whatever. Has always been good to me as well. Very accurate. Many groups around .25 inch.

 

[SDMOL]

I have a Sendero 26" 1 in 10. Have had good results with the 115 Berger using Retumbo and N165.