25-06 N160 Sierra 117gr sp hunting loads

[howard01233]

Just seeing if many other people having good results with.
25-06 117gr Sierra sp with Vit 160 47.2gr giving 2742fps sako 85 ss
The variation in speed between 47-47.5 gr was only 2740-2744 =4fps
Got to do a couple of seating depths variations and 5 shot groups plus 400yard plus
Would like to see if similar combo about

 

[finnbear270]

Spot on 46 Grains for me.

 

[Chris J]

I have the same rifle and use the same bullet. I worked my N160 loads up to 50.5 gr which pushes them a little faster than that. Very good results. I prefer H4831 of which I have plenty of stock put by, but the N160 load is there ready for when I run out. I have some 120gr HPBTs worked up to try at the next range day. Once we can get some stalking done, I'll see what the terminal ballistics look like. Seating depth does seem to have a quite pronounced effect on my loads. I have varied between 3.11 and 3.15 I believe and it's certainly affected the grouping. Probably dues to my higher charges.

Yes they're a bit faster but as I have .243, 7mm, several .224's I wanted something to fill a gap as it were. They're about 2900 over the chrono. I could effectively replicate a 100gr .243 but there no real point in doing that. I'd have 3 rifles doing basically the same thing.

 

[howard01233]

I have the same rifle and use the same bullet. I worked my N160 loads up to 50.5 gr which pushes them a little faster than that. Very good results. I prefer H4831 of which I have plenty of stock put by, but the N160 load is there ready for when I run out. I have some 120gr HPBTs worked up to try at the next range day. Once we can get some stalking done, I'll see what the terminal ballistics look like. Seating depth does seem to have a quite pronounced effect on my loads. I have varied between 3.11 and 3.15 I believe and it's certainly affected the grouping. Probably dues to my higher charges.

Yes they're a bit faster but as I have .243, 7mm, several .224's I wanted something to fill a gap as it were. They're about 2900 over the chrono. I could effectively replicate a 100gr .243 but there no real point in doing that. I'd have 3 rifles doing basically the same thing.

48.2 off the top of my head Lyman I know these are guide figures top end.
Going to do another chrono speed test once allowed back out. These were the top end recommendations, weights are middle row 2nd photo

 

[Chris J]

Glad to see someone keeps good records. I used to shoot between 300 and 400 rounds of pistol ammunition per week back in the day. I have records of every singe round I loaded. Dunno why I have kept them, but I guess it demonstrates that I am meticulous. I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds in my lifetime and treated each one with the same care. Every round goes over the scales. I used to go the range almost every week to test and adjust but now very rarely. All my loads are worked up and proven. Then of course the whole powder tsunami hit us. And then the lead free debate. So it looks like I shall probably be headed to the range a little more often in the future. I've not really been using the .25 that much recently. I got another 7mm-08 and as with all new rifles, it becomes your favourite. For a bit.

 

[howard01233]

Glad to see someone keeps good records. I used to shoot between 300 and 400 rounds of pistol ammunition per week back in the day. I have records of every singe round I loaded. Dunno why I have kept them, but I guess it demonstrates that I am meticulous. I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds in my lifetime and treated each one with the same care. Every round goes over the scales. I used to go the range almost every week to test and adjust but now very rarely. All my loads are worked up and proven. Then of course the whole powder tsunami hit us. And then the lead free debate. So it looks like I shall probably be headed to the range a little more often in the future. I've not really been using the .25 that much recently. I got another 7mm-08 and as with all new rifles, it becomes your favourite. For a bit.

The 7mm-08 keeps pop up on many debates great caliber.
To be honest I just love making rounds find it interesting.

 

[Chris J]

It's funny that some rounds are very forgiving. I find that .308 and .243 or example could be loaded with a teaspoon and they'll shoot well enough. But others such as the 25-06 I have found much harder to dial in as it were. I can take Sierra boat tails and flat based bullets, load up a series of trial loads in each and the flat bases simply don't work at all. My 7mm rem mag on the other hand simple won't digest boat-tails at all. As you say, understanding all of this is fascinating. Much easier if you have a back garden that 100 yards long of course.

Good luck with the loading. Great round, great rifle.