25-06 stability of load worry

M

mccraggen

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So I have a load worked up for my 25-06 that involves a 117 grain game king, now I’m hearing that though it may be accurate at 100 it can all fall apart further down range with a 1 in 10 twist.

Has anyone had this experience with this caliber?


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Shoot it and find out for yourself. Hearsay doesn't count for much. If it's shooting well at 100 yards it's probably going to shoot well past that. Internet info will be all over the map on a question like this.
 
Yeah I never had a range with more distance to test and I just thought well if it’s sub moa at 100 then it will be right for a long way


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I think you'll be OK. I used this with Berger 115 hunting bullets @3000 fps and they say it is marginal. If you will measure the exact length of the bullet you are actually using you can get more accurate data to input.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

What marginal means is that while it may well be accurate on target at any range, the BC may not be as accurate in a 10 twist. Doesn't mean the accuracy will degrade, but if you are plugging in numbers to a ballistic calculator the drops and velocity that it calculates at longer ranges will not be as accurate. They recommend 9.25 as optimal.

If you plug in the exact bullet length you are using and it shows up as unstable then you may have to consider another bullet.
 
My .257 AI has a1 in 10 twist. Itshoots115 gr Ballistic tips just fine. I doubt you have a problem

Sierra probably has a customer service phone and would be happy to talk with you.
 
I've shot a .25-06 for 40 years, you won't have any problems with that bullet and a 1:10 twist. I used to use that bullet and can attest to the fact that it will work.
 
1 in 10 is the typical twist for the .25-06. A 117 grain bullet is typical too. Up to 3,200 feet per second. Supposed to be 75 grains and up for the velocities though.
A 120, no 117 grain data, at 2990 FPS MV, sighted in 1.6" high at 100 will be 2.8" low at 250, 7.2" low at 300, then drops like a brick to 21.4" low at 400. Lots of remaining energy at 300. Getting light but ok at 400(1100 ft-lbs) and not enough at 500(44" low anyway).
Shooting those distances with a light, small, calibre bullet is more about the shooter being able to read the wind(and all the rest of it.). The cartridge with a GameKing is plenty capable of killing deer at 1100 ft-lbs. though.
 
HiBC said:
My .257 AI has a1 in 10 twist. Itshoots115 gr Ballistic tips just fine. I doubt you have a problem

Sierra probably has a customer service phone and would be happy to talk with you.
Click to expand...
Same experience. 257AI with a 1:10". 117grs shoot great.
 
According to the Lengths list at JBM, that bullet is 1.116" long. Plugged into the stability factor estimator there, in ICAO standard atmospheric conditions, you are more than adequately stable with a 10" twist. A Sierra tech told me a stability factor of 1.3 to 3.0 was best for "hunting accuracy", and 1.4 to 1.7 was best for highest target accuracy. The estimator puts you at a stability factor of 1.603 at 2900 fps. Your altitude and the temperature you intend to use it in will affect that, so look that stuff up for your hunting area for the dates you will be hunting to get the temperature and barometric pressure averages and run the calculation again.

Also be aware that rifling pitch has tolerances and a 10" twist barrel might actually be off as much as half an inch either way (though that much error isn't too common, still, it can happen), so it is worth measuring your rifling pitch with a patch and cleaning rod.
 
Mobuck--my 22-250 would make 1/2" groups at 100 yards with Hornady 55 gr. Spire points. At 250 the groups were biiigggg. Like 8 inches. I tried a different scope. Same deal. Was going to trade the gun off, and the gun sales guy (personal friend) asked why. When I told him, he suggested a different bullet, since I hand load. Tried Hornady 50 gr V-max, 1 inch at 250 yards. I don't have a clue why. The 55 spire points were bullets from my wife's grampa, and were 20 years old or so. But that fixed everything. I damn near had given up shootin prairie dogs because I couldn't hit very reliably. Glad I tried the different bullets. So, I did experience that.
 
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I have a old box of 1/4 bore Hornaday's 120gr HP I occasionally shoot. At 200 yrds if I can keep from shaking the cross-hairs loose I can match those grouping of my 270_ 130s. Like the 270 I found the 25-06s reloading is equally/very forgiving.
 
I’m shooting the 117 game kings in my 25-06 also. I have no problems with them. Mine has a 24” barrel, using 52 gr. IMR 4831. They shoot very well out to 300 yds. (Haven’t tried any further). Grouping 1-1/8” at 300 when I do my part.
 
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