Need some help, loading for 25-06 and having a tough time getting a decent group with a certain bullet. I talked with the guru at the company and he made several suggestions in order to improve my groups. His suggestions helped but I now have another question. Are the targets groups shot indicative of a certain problem? Example several of my targets yesterday were strings that were vertical. Is this my shooting, my reloading , my rifle , powder type , give me some ideas? Thanks Daniel

Vertical stringing is often not the right powder charge yet.

Horizontal stringing is wind (beyond 100 yards) or poor trigger control.

I'll add, the .25-06 seems to be a common "problem cartridge". People I know have told me about pickiness in the cartridge. And THF members that have trouble, seem to frequently be having trouble out of a .25-06.

Assuming the problem isn’t bedding, and if you aren’t at max load, I’d increase the powder charge incrementally till I started getting nice round groups.

First thing to do is take yourself out of the equation. Let someone else shoot a couple of groups with the same rig and loading; if it still strings, you know you've got mechanical problems of some sort. I'd first change the powder load you're using; then go to a different powder; then bullet type and weight. If none of this eliminates the stringing, you may have to have the action accurized; the action rebedded; different weight barrel. It can be a long and expensive trip, that's why I always try to remove myself from the shooting bench first! In my personal experience, I've been able to fix the stringing by 95% of the time by experimenting with different powder loads, powders and bullets. Let us know what you find out, please!! If you get advice from Fireman or Chad, take it to the bank! These guys have enough experience working up loads and fixing problems that they will have some good, solid recommendations for you.

Ive also had problems with my browning 25-06 looking into getting a new barrel on it and switching to either a 280 or 280ai.

Ok, Thanks. Jason you may have turned the light on for me. The last & stoutest powder charge was the nearest to being a round group. So I will load up some with small increments upwards. Daniel.

With 4 different load books, I still have a couple grains to reach max load in one book. The gun will shoot as I have a load that will print 3/4 inch groups regular but not the bullet I want to use. Reason for the new load is I need a tougher bullet for increased chance of blood trail, (entrance & exit).

Max charge is whatever your rifle tells you it is.

There's been lots of combinations of cartridge/bullet/powder that I was loading for that there was no published data for. So, I went and found out for myself where the right powder charges was and in some cases found maximum. Also, there are many known good and safe loads that are above every publication's maximum.

What's your current load data?

Mine liked the old Hornady 117gr Interlock over a bunch of H4831

I feel your pain. I have a 25-06 built on a 700 action that has been trued and the lugs lapped, Douglas air gauged barrel with 11 degree crown, Timney trigger, and a Pacific Research stock that's been pillar bedded. Took me FOREVER to find a bullet/powder/load combination that would shoot under an inch.

The most reliable load that I have found is 54+ grains of H4831 and a 115 Berger VLD. Has been good in several rifles.

The load that shoots 3/4 in groups is 115 Bal. Tip with 50 or 51 gr of RL-22. I am trying to get Nosler 115 gr Partitions to shoot. Last loads were with RL-17 but i am going back to the 22.

If you have RL 23 give that a try. Load data is basically the same as RL 22. I use RL 23 in my 280 with 150 BT's 2900 fps + and with very good accuracy.