I came on LRH to post an update about testing Factory Ammo in a Fast Twist 25-06 and saw this post.
There will be a couple Factory Rifles soon in 25-06 with 1:7.5" twist barrels. Like the rest, I figured we should get ahead of this as much as possible and help knock out the preliminary testing on what Factory Ammo might do in a fast twist blank.
We tested a 1:7" which should provide a worst-case scenario for any pressure issues that might arise from some of the hotter factory ammo offerings.
In the 7 types of ammo we tested we did not see bullet failures even at really high RPMs and we did not have any pressure issues to speak of.
to save some time I'm just going to copy the test from our FB post tonight with the pictures to follow in 2-3 posts.
While the 25-06 may not be the most efficient cartridge in the world, dies are readily available, brass is everywhere, and you will be able to shoot whatever ammo you want for short range varminting to true blue Long Range Hunting if you're launching the 131 ACE. In the post to follow this there will be energy graphs of the bullets shown in the lineup.
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***25-06 Factory Loads Tested in 1:7" Twist***
Last week we shot 7 types of common Factory Ammo out of a 1:7" 25-06.
Since we recommend 1:7.5" for 25-06, this 1:7" test should serve as a worst case scenario for our goal of pressure testing factory ammo.
This range is 100 yd indoor range that charges about $35 per hour. If you can catch this place during the slow hours a guy could get a decent amount of quality testing done. This testing was done sharing the bench with a 458 Socom, a lot of ARs, and other hunting rifles - that is only to say, take whatever accuracy you see here and add a charitable margin to it.
The 1:7" twist barrel and SAAMI reamer shot all of the seven types of ammo with zero reportable pressure issues and satisfying accuracy for a bull sporter barrel. After the first few groups the barrel stayed very warm and was pretty hot to the touch near the end.
Again, this may not serve as the best accuracy testing, but it definitely leans towards the worst case scenario for Fast Twist, High Velocities, and hot barrels that contribute to bullet failure.
Of all the targets we saw zero bullet failures on the paper targets at 100 yds.
RPMS -
- 85 gr Federal Prem Nosler Ballistic Tip: 377,382 RPM
- 100 gr Fed Prem Nosler Ballistic Tip: 339,222 RPM
- 107 gr Hornady Internlock: 306,102 RPM
- 90 gr Winchester Expanding Point: 358,251 RPM
- 85 grain Winchester Supreme CT BT: 368,125 RPM
- 115 gr Winchester Supreme CT BT: 320,400 RPM
- 110 gr Hornady ELDX: 332,434 RPM
- 131 ACE @ 3140 fps: 322,971 RPM
Energy:
- 85 gr Federal Nos BT @ 3669 fps = 1100 # inside ~550 yds
- 100 gr Federal Nos BT @ 3298 fps = 1100 # inside ~550 yds
- 107 gr Hornady Interlock @ 2976 fps = 1100 # inside 575 yds
- 90 gr Win Expanding Point @ 3483 fps = 1100 # inside ~330 yds
- 85 gr Win Supreme CT BT @ 3579 fps = 1100 # inside ~550 yds
- 115 gr Win Supreme CT BT @ 3115 fps = 1100 # inside ~ 575 yds
- 110 Hornady ELDX @ 3232 fps = 1100 # inside ~675 yds
- 131 ACE @ 3140 fps = 1100 # a shade over 1100 yards!
Wind Deflection - ran at only 5 MPH!
- second best bullet 47% more Wind Deflection at short range to 700 yds
- most bullets with 90-100% more Wind Deflection at short range to 700 yds
- At longer ranges the effect is more pronounced (72% and 215%)
Hit Percentages on 6" Vital Sized / Coyote Sized Targets:
Please see the Shot Simulation image and zoom in to see Hit % for 6" targets. This simulation was ran with a 1 MPH Wind Certainty, which some guys can call and many cannot.
To simplify things, I like to think of this as how many successful coyote shots would you make if everything went perfect before you squeezed a round off.
I only ran the Hit %'s out to 900 yards to keep the Shot Simulation inside ethical hunting ranges and since many of the bullets listed apart from the 110 ELD X and the 131 ACE would not be useful beyond this range.
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In essence, for the recreational shooter and hunter the Fast Twist 1:7.5" 25-06 Rifles that will be coming out in the next year should have no issues running factory ammo when the need arises. In some cases and for a lot of varminting and close range hunting uses, some of this ammo is very good!
You should be able to shoot these Factory Rifles with the shorter range Factory Ammo for coyotes and deer, but also load up 131 gr ACEs for Longer Range Hunting and enjoying target shooting out to and past 3/4 mile!
More testing to come!
My next range trip will be waterline testing 25 Creedmoor at 600, 800, 1000, 1300, and 1500 yards.
