25-06 and lead bullets-does it work?

[gcrank1]

I apologize if this has been covered, if so kindly direct me to where.
As a confirmed cast bullet shooter I am wondering how well the H&R 25-06 barrel does with them. Any load data would also be interesting, though I am not a HV guy. Probably duplicating the 25-35 ballistics would be fine for me.

[yukondog]

I was wondering the same thing I'v been thinking that I would like to try cast in mine but was worryed  about leading, I'm not shore but thinking gas checked maybe?

[gcrank1]

Ive been using cast bullets in all my calibers for quite some years. I like plain base because Im frugal and dont like to mess about with the tiny little things. I have to admit, though, they work if you require higher velocity. I basically try to duplicate old cartridge lead bullet performance.
My methodology is to forget what jacketed bullet dia. works in your caliber. In fully fire-formed brass from your chamber find a cast bullet that 'comfortably' fits into that formed neck. Use as large a dia. that will, when chambered up, enter and extract freely. This fills the critical throat dia with bullet, not allowing the gas to get around it and gas cut the base. Even if more than the oft-recommended .001 over groove dia. these have always improved my accuracy.
It is the gas cutting getting by the bullet that causes the leading, like a cutting torch up the grooves.
If you dont allow that by using the proper sized 'large' dia. bullet and/or GC too and find the alloy (though I mostly use WWt with a dash of tin) you wont have leading issues.
I would refer you to the Cast Bullet Assoc. for more info. We use cast bullets in everything.

[mechanic]

My Dad loaded everything from 22 swift to 270 and above in cast gas checked bullets.  Just use a #2 alloy, gas check and work up loads as usual.  The weight and design of the bullet is more important IMO than whether it's jacketed or not as far as how well it shoots.  Just bear in mind a 25-06 in a fairly hard alloy will not expand much on game. 

[trotterlg]

I kind of doubt you will have a lot of success with a 3,500fps lead bullet.  Just my opinion, but they are usually limited to under 2000fps by most everyone.  Never know, but there is probably a good reason you can't buy lead factory loads for a 25-06.  Larry

[peternap]

I kind of doubt you will have a lot of success with a 3,500fps lead bullet.  Just my opinion, but they are usually limited to under 2000fps by most everyone.  Never know, but there is probably a good reason you can't buy lead factory loads for a 25-06.  Larry

I have to agree. I shoot cast and I cast them myself, in almost everything. I have shot cast in my 25/06.

I made the decision a while back, not to use cast in anything .30 and below. I like the killing power and flat shooting of my 25/06 but it's success is due to speed and bullet expansion. Otherwise it's just a big 22LR.

I ruffled some feathers a few weeks ago (What's new ) by saying that I consider a 30/06 a medium game caliber. I stand by that but my opinion is based on the fact that it has to have fast, jacketed bullets to preform on larger game.

The simple fact is that cast needs to be shot at lower velocities and just won't work on anything larger than coyotes in the smaller calibers..(My opinion)

If you just have to shoot cast in it, try paper patching. You can get the speeds up and have better success. The problem with getting a cast bullet to go that fast is it either has to be so hard it just punches a small hole in the animal, or so soft that it explodes on contact.
Controlled expansion is very hard to obtain out of a fast moving cast bullet.

I base a lot of my opinions on real life as well as accepted fact. That's why I don't have wounded game running around. Things I shoot fall down.

I studied martial arts from age 12 to my early 20's/ everal different styles. I have to admit that I was also a mountain kid that was in more barfights that was good for me. But they taught me real life as opposed to accepted practice. Anyone remember Billy Jack or Kung Fu

In college, there were a series of rapes on campus and I was asked along with several others, to teach a self defense course.
We went through a couple of weeks, breaking holds and blocking attacks. On the last week, when the girls were expected to be able to defend themselves. I shocked everyone by telling them they couldn't with what they'd learned.
Then I walked over to a practice dummy, pulled a Buck folder out of my back pocket and stuck it right in the sternum.. I turned around and said "Now you can".

Cast bullets in fast moving calibers look good on paper, but I like to stick with what works.

[JBC]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php

welcome to the darkside

as has been said they might not be the best big game bullet choice in .25 caliber but they are cheap to cast and can be the most frugal way to shoot a LOT of rounds for practice and fun and then just switch to jacketed for hunting (or better yet get a 45/70 barrel and cast for it and you could hunt mice to elephant depending on your loads!)

[gcrank1]

The question came to mind as I have a 25-20, but would like to shoot longer, heavier cast bullets and H&R doesnt make a 25-35. The 26" barrel suits me, though not for 3K fps loads (balance and esthetics only).
The .25s in schuetzen were/are always at a disadvantage to larger calibers when the wind is up, but otherwise can hold their own.
If it didnt pan out for such it would still make a dandy varminter with jacketed and save me making up a custom barrel.

[blind ear]

Design of the cartridge r/t design of the bullit seems to be a "dirrect inverse". eddie

edit: Tuesday
Alas, no laughs or digs. If I had been serious, I would have stated "complete inverse"   eddie
.

[lee1954]

the "Lyman cast bullet handbook" gives data on 6 different cast bullets, all for the 25-06

And is sold at Midsouth

Veral Smith also sells a book that I'd like to get  at LBT

SR4759 is a powder I was told to start with. By my .257roberts fan Uncle --- When I asked About shooting cast bullets, in the wifes bolt action 25-06  -  (it's fun, and cheep since he gave me a bunch of cast .25 cal)   I shoot them in the '  teens - FPS
 
Sorry I can't tell you about shooting cast in the 25-06 handi   DAN

[gcrank1]

All good info, guys, thanx.
What I really want to know is specifically how the H&R/NEF 25-06 barrels handle cast lead bullets.
I know proper engineering says to establish your parameters and then design to achieve those results, but Im not making a new rifle or cartridge, just trying to work with what is currently available.

[Badnews Bob]

I don't have a .25 but I shoot a lot of cast bullets outta my handies and I am very happy with the way they perform, I use cast in my .22s, 7mm, .30cal, .357/.38, .375, .44, and .45-70s. Trailboss is looking to be a very good powder for this also.