25CM Load Data

[Northkill]

I use Benchmark in my 25 souper with 110gr SBD2s. I know it's not a creedmoor but it's close and might give you somewhere to start. I'm at 39.4grs.

What velocity are you hitting with that combo?

 

[Bghunter338]

What velocity are you hitting with that combo?

 

[Bryan M]

I do have some H4831SC. Will give it a go once I get my rifle from the GS.

This powder is too slow burning in a 2.5 CM with a 110 grain unless you have a really long barrel. Probably the load would be compressed to get velocity. It might work decent with a 135 bullet but it is still a bit too slow burning. Staball 6.5 would be better with a 135 grain as it is between H4350 and H4831sc.

 

[Eric H]

Thank you all. I have over 40 different powders to choose from.. May look at faster burning powders due to the barrel will end up at about 18". Don't want a flame coming out the end of the can when fired.

 

[Eric H]

View attachment 632922

Benchmark works well. Getting 2975 out of my 308.

 

[Bryan M]

I would like to see more on this thread. Any numbers with Berger 133,135's or Hornady 134, and not internet folklore? I've heard of 2900 plus, this doesn't seem possible from the mind of a 25-06 and 270 owner. I'm kicking around a fast twist on my 25-06 or keep it for nostalgia purposes and utilize the good brass 25 creed?

A NRL shooter I follow uses 43.6 grain of Staball 6.5 with a 135 Berger or Hornady. If I remember right, the speeds were at or just over 2900 fps with a 26 inch barrel. H4350 is probably the favorite CM powder, due to its stability and consistency, but may not produce the highest velocities. If you want a bit more velocity or a different recipe, use Staball 6.5, N555 and R16 with the 135 in a 25 CM. I have tried all these powders in my 6cm with a 115 Berger, which is similar to a 25 cm with a 135 and all loads with these loads were 0.5 or more grains than h4350. I will be loading for my new 25 CM and 135 Berger this winter and will test all of them thoroughly. N550 would also give very high velocity but I have not used it in a CM cartridge. I did use N550 in my 243 Improved shooting a 109 Berger and it is a bit fast burning and caused pressure a bit fast. Staball 6.5 worked better in my 243 improved than H4350 or N550. I know of people using R17 in some CMs and it gives good velocity, but it is impossible to find. Of all the Staball powders, I find Staball 6.5 to be my favorite. Staball HD is a bit too slow for all of my cartridges (It is not bad in a 7mm Rem with a 175 or 180). Staball Match works well with a 77 SMK in a 223.

 

[Petersen]

25cm - 135berger - 41.5 h4350 - 2800fps without even trying. 23inch brux barrel and alpha brass. This is just a barrel break in load and velocity was was taken at sub 50 rounds. Have over 100 on it now and 1 deer taken so need to check velocity again and complete a pressure test.

OP I ran 110AB in my 257AI - similar case capacity but slightly more than the CM case - I was able to 3000 without pressure in a 22 inch barrel but settled on a 2950 load cause I was short on time for a hunt. That was with H4831sc around 50g IIRC

Yep. 25CM very similar in my 24 inch brux. 42.2 H4350 w/133 Berger. Avg. 2888 under 1/2 moa. Using Peterson SRP brass w/BR4s. Fun cartridge.

I tried a few powders. N550, hybrid100v, rl16. All did decent but H4350 was the easiest for velocity and accuracy,

 

[jasonco]

I used QuickLoad and a 10 Shot load development to settle on my load. First I entered all my measurements (Case Length, Case H20 Capacity, COAL -.005" Off the lands). Then found max charge and loaded that minus 10 charges in 0.20gr steps.

In doing so, I settled on a VERY Accurate load (40.10grs H4350 and Hornady 134gr ELD-M @ .005" Off The Lands going 2770-2785fps with very low ES & SD) that shoots in the .3s-.5s depending on the guy behind the rifle! LoL

FYI.. 26" 7.5 twist barrel.

This is a conservative load, and I could get low to mid 2800s but accuracy was compromised. I do however, want to test Vhitavuori powders which seem to project alot faster speeds per QuickLoad. We'll see though, no sense in messing things up at the moment. Maybe when I rebarrel this I'll experiment with it further.

I used to run Berger 135s and those shot great as well, but when I tried the Hornady, I was able to get the same of better performance for half the price and therefore I switched my bullet. I want to get my hands on the new ATips they make for 25cal.

This is my journey with the 25CM, Hope this helps somebody.

I'd say this is a reduced load, with the 26" barrel, extra safe even.

 

[Jim’s Hunt]

Why not use 6.5 creed load data for a comparison

 

[Bryan M]

Why not use 6.5 creed load data for a comparison

Yes, it is a good points as a 120 or 125 Copper in a 6.5 CM is very similar to a 110 Copper in a 25CM. For sure the loads will be close, maybe 0.5 to 1 grain less with the 25 CM over the 6.5 CM.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I have two 25CMs. Both 26".

Lapua 6CM SRP necked to .257
42.4gr H4350
135 LRHT
2986fps

Alpha 25CM SRP
42.6gr H4350
133 Elite
2975fps

 

[Bryan M]

I have two 25CMs. Both 26".

Lapua 6CM SRP necked to .257
42.4gr H4350
135 LRHT
2986fps

Alpha 25CM SRP
42.6gr H4350
133 Elite
2975fps

Those loads would both quality for the NRL Hunter matches no problem as I think the minimum speed to get the 380,000 power factor is around 2825 to 2850 with these bullets. I have the alpha SRP for my 25. Do you prefer it or the Lapua 6CM necked up?

 

[Bullbuck]

Alpha 25CM srp 42.0gr H4350 133 Elite 2850fps 24in barrel