25-06 & IMR 4895
- Thread starter DEFCON
- Start date
Colorado Pete
New member
.25-06 likes the slower powders to reach top velocity. You can probably use 4895 just fine, but you will give up some speed (reaches pressure peak sooner than slower powders). If you are shooting lighter bullets as RC stated above your velocity loss will possibly be a little less than with the heavies. Ramshot Big Game is quite a bit slower than IMR4895, I've used it in .270 & .243. It is more in the range of burn speed that you want for the .25-06, although I think it is still on the faster side.
This round likes 4350/4831/RL22 sorts of speed best, again the issue is top velocity - not accuracy or safety.
This round likes 4350/4831/RL22 sorts of speed best, again the issue is top velocity - not accuracy or safety.
years ago, the 25/06 had a reputation for emploding, I don't know why.
With IMR 4895, your case would be less than half full, not a good thing if all the powder is up against the bullet in the case leaving a lot of air space between the primer and the bullet.
They really don't understand why some guns will emplode, but it relates to using faster powders in cases that are less than half full.
My bringing up this "emplosion" may or may not apply in this case...
No doubt that the 25/06 really shines with 4350, 4831, R#19, R#22, and R#25.
With IMR 4895, your case would be less than half full, not a good thing if all the powder is up against the bullet in the case leaving a lot of air space between the primer and the bullet.
They really don't understand why some guns will emplode, but it relates to using faster powders in cases that are less than half full.
My bringing up this "emplosion" may or may not apply in this case...
No doubt that the 25/06 really shines with 4350, 4831, R#19, R#22, and R#25.
My 2-cents
If you do switch powders, which it sounds like you should--
remember that there are TWO 4831 powders: Hodgdons and IMR.
Of the two, the IMR has a faster burn rate, and you should be careful to not mix the charge amounts between the two. My first reloading manual, almost 30 years old, did not show the two powders as being different. I must have popped a half dozen primers right out of the back of my 25-06 when I used IMR powder with "Hodgdon" charge amounts. It really makes an action hard to open.
As said above, the 25-06 likes slower powders, so now I use only H-4831sc, which is the same as H-4831. It gives me nice groups and they say it's less temperature sensitive.
Last weekend I tried loading some lighter loads. I compared all my reloading books and took the lighest published starting load. This drops the velocity by at least 400 to 500 fps. So far the loads are still accurate with no detectable ignition problems, their more fun to shoot and I think they'd still put down a deer or coyote with dispatch. For long range shooting I'll still push them harder with more powder, but it was fun to look at the difference.
If you do switch powders, which it sounds like you should--
remember that there are TWO 4831 powders: Hodgdons and IMR.
Of the two, the IMR has a faster burn rate, and you should be careful to not mix the charge amounts between the two. My first reloading manual, almost 30 years old, did not show the two powders as being different. I must have popped a half dozen primers right out of the back of my 25-06 when I used IMR powder with "Hodgdon" charge amounts. It really makes an action hard to open.
As said above, the 25-06 likes slower powders, so now I use only H-4831sc, which is the same as H-4831. It gives me nice groups and they say it's less temperature sensitive.
Last weekend I tried loading some lighter loads. I compared all my reloading books and took the lighest published starting load. This drops the velocity by at least 400 to 500 fps. So far the loads are still accurate with no detectable ignition problems, their more fun to shoot and I think they'd still put down a deer or coyote with dispatch. For long range shooting I'll still push them harder with more powder, but it was fun to look at the difference.
220_Swift
Retired PM Staff
Quote:
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I'll be ordering some h4831sc before I load any.
Thanks
Send me all of your IMR4895. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifI use it in every rifle I have,204,220Swift,223.243,25-06,270,and 30-06.Maybe not the best for all those calibers but they all shoot way better than I am capable of.
I don't have to remember what rifle uses what powder and I never run out.Every time I buy some bullets I buy a can of powder.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I'll be ordering some h4831sc before I load any.
Thanks
Send me all of your IMR4895. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifI use it in every rifle I have,204,220Swift,223.243,25-06,270,and 30-06.Maybe not the best for all those calibers but they all shoot way better than I am capable of.
I don't have to remember what rifle uses what powder and I never run out.Every time I buy some bullets I buy a can of powder.
dogduster204
New member
i use ramshot hunter for the 25/06. 55.5gr 100gr barnes triple shock, 4 shots all touching,measures less than 3/4
kyotekiller25
Well-known member
For 75-85g bullets, its not exactly a bad choice, but its not the greatest either. However it certainly will work, and I'm sure it'll work just as well as any other powder.
You might sacrifice 100-200fps, but I'm sure it can still be worked up to an accurate load and no coyote is gonna know the difference of 100-200fps from a 25-06, let alone any chambering.
I've used everything from IMR-4895 to Retumbo from my 25-06 from 75's to 125's.
I do however prefer, IMR or H4831, and RL-22 in my 25's.
You might sacrifice 100-200fps, but I'm sure it can still be worked up to an accurate load and no coyote is gonna know the difference of 100-200fps from a 25-06, let alone any chambering.
I've used everything from IMR-4895 to Retumbo from my 25-06 from 75's to 125's.
I do however prefer, IMR or H4831, and RL-22 in my 25's.