So, who likes the 25/06 AI?

L

Landrum

New member
I've got a Ruger MKII 25/06 that has never been particularly accurate. Oh, it's shot some good groups in its day but it has been really picky about what loads it likes. So, I was thinking about making it a 25/06 AI. I'm just going to go ahead and order a new barrel for it and go from there.

Bottom line: If you have one, what do you think of it? What bullets does it like? What types of velocities are you getting from it? What twist rate did you go with? I'm going to order a 26 inch barrel, btw. You know, I'm just wanting to get some positive reinforcement from those of you who have had one built. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif

Landrum
 
Let me know how it works out if you build one, I am thinking of doing the same thing, Are you buying the new barrel as an upgrade? I thought that the rem 25-06 could be re-chambered for the AI. Don't know for sure.
 
Hello Landrum, You might have seen my post on the thread "big guns" there you will see my 25-06 Ackley Improved. My Sendero started out life as an ordinary 25-06 Remington, after literally shooting the throat out of that rifle.

My project started in June of 2006. I ordered a Lilja 1-10" twist. A 1-10" will stablize any conventional bullet for the 25-06 Rem. or improved version, Including 115 VLD bullets. I ordered a Rem. Varmint, or "Sendero" taper. I like this profile because it allows you to shoot a few rounds before it gets too hot. The barrels finished length is at 26".

My rifle is setup to shoot mostly varmints. My smith throated the barrel for the 87 grain Speer TNT. While its an inexpensive bullet it does shoot well. With my throat set up so short, I can shoot 100 grain bullets and under. Since the 115 VLD bullets have a short bearing surface it will fit these too. (While they may not group in my rifle)

While the 25-06 A.I is no .257 Weatherby, it kinda fills the gap between the two cartridges. My varmint load shoots an 87 grain TNT at 3600 f.p.s. I have tried the 75 grain V-Max while its my favorite bullet, it dosn't shoot great out of this particular barrel (3-groove rifling). You should top out at 3900-4000 fps with this bullet.

My long range accuracy load uses IMR-4350 with a 100 grain Sierra Matchking. They shoot good pretty consitently. This load has been cronographed at 3300 (with low E.S.), Now that is nowhere near maximum but that's where I found it to shoot the best.
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I have tried the VLD bullets in this rifle but haven't had success yet. I haven't given up yet. This bullet has the best characteristics for long range shooting. VLD's are known to be "finicky" on seating depth. They like to be seated on or "jammed" into the lands. Also Berger has reavealed that later this year they will possibly introduce two new bullets for the .257 caliber, a 125 VLD and a 125 boattail. These bullets will make the 25-06 an even more aweseme longrange deer round because VLD's can be used for hunting bullets. There is controversy on using match bullets for game, but if you don't believe they work, Order Berger's Free VLD hunting bullet for yourself.
 
Here is some bi-pod shooting that I did on a Sunday afternoon. I was shooting by myself with no spotter, wind was about 5 miles an hour. 100 grain MK.
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Here's my rifle sighted in for long range at my mountain shooting spot.

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I'm working up loads on my 25-06AI right now. RE22 and 110 Nosler Accubond. No chrony data yet. Just trying to find the 'accuracy sweet spot'.

Mine is built on a M70 with a 27" magnum sporter RKS barrel.
 
Fantastic Shooting Flybuster
At that range you were probably subsonic, with only about 882 fps left.
I only have a 3x9 Leupold on my 26-06 without extra sighting reticles, but I'd have to hold over the target almost 23 feet high, assuming the rifle was sighted in for a 200 yard zero, and not accounting for the wind.
Even if you have better glass, that's one hell of a series of shots.
 
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I also have a 25-06 fairly new
I am concidering haveing rechambered to 257 weatherby
I am uncertain of the twist in the factory barrel tho
But a thought
Nothing really wrong with the 25-06 just thinkin
BTW why not just get yours rechambered?
 
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Fantastic Shooting Flybuster
At that range you were probably subsonic, with only about 882 fps left.




Thanks, I figure my 100 Grain Matchking (B.C. 395) load going 3300 goes subsonic (est. 1210 fps) around 1100 yards, ballistics program says 1200. I am above 4000ft elv.

Things start to go crazy after 1100 yards, not really consistant at 1220 with this bullet. Now if I was shooting those VLD'S that would be a different story for sure.
 
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Birddog2,I get about -240 inches of drop at 1000 yards. I dial my scope from 200 yards to 24 inches of elevation on the Dial. Should get you in the ballpark. Winds a whole different story. Try about 96" of wind for 10mph.
 
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You will run into lack of barrel length as the #1 problem in getting great speeds out of a 25-06 AI. In fact, with a 27" barrel, w/std. 25-06, I run 100 gr. Nosler ballisic tips at just over 3600 fps. Tells me I don't need more case capacity, just more barrel length to consume all that slow burning powder!
 
I truly do not use all the case capacity on any of my loads. But, I personally don't want a barrel over 26" either.

The way I see it, the cheif benifit is less case stretching. With the moderate loads I am shooting I rarely have to bump the shoulders back. Even on my soft Norma brass.

I don't doubt you get your 100 grain bullets that fast, but how safe is that?
 
Great shooting, Flybuster. Can't wait to stretch mine out a ways. So far I've only shoot paper at 100. Oooh, and a coyote at 417, it works OK. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Depends on your purpose, A .257 Roberts is a fine cartridge so Is the .257 Weatherby. I know there are alot of Weatherby fans, but the .257 Weatherby just looks funny to me long ostridge neck and hideous belt. My friend just built one. I would like to have a .250 Ackley built just to shoot the 75 grain V-Max.
 
Jack O'Connor stated it nicely, in one of the older Speer reloading manuals. Basically, he said that if your primer pockets don't open up prematurely, if your brass doesn't stretch excessively, etc., then in your gun, that load is just fine. I always liked that approach; it makes sense. A couple hundred brass will commonly outlast my barrel, so I guess its not too dangerous... And if you are concerned about barrel wear, what the heck...they are making more barrels, as we write! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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And if you are concerned about barrel wear, what the heck...they are making more barrels, as we write! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif



Nope, just worried about getting the best shooting loads.
 
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