25-06 ammo
I just got back from the rifle range with my .25-06. I had two boxes of bullets with me. The first box I had were Federal Classics in a gray and blue colored box in 117 grains and they say SIERRA PRO HUNTER SOFT POINT on them and just to the right of that it says 2506BS. I bought these about 4 years ago.
The second box I had were Federal Premium Vital Shok in a black and orange and gold colored box. 117 grains. This box says GAMEKING BTSP SIERRA(the SIERRA is green color) to the right of this it says P2506C. I bought these last October.
The first box the Federal Classics hit exactly where I aimed at 100 yards dead center. I shot 2 times and my little finger could touch both holes at the same time. The top hole touched the top of my finger while the bottom hole touched the bottom of my finger.
The Federal Premiums got me the exact same results, my little finger could touch both holes. However they were exactly 3 inches to the right.
What is the difference in these 2 bullets that causes a 3 inch difference?
Wich one of these would work best for black bear? Both boxes say they would be good for antelope, mule deer, white-tail deer and black bear.
Do they still make the Federal Classics I was talking about? I can not find them anywhere.
The second box I had were Federal Premium Vital Shok in a black and orange and gold colored box. 117 grains. This box says GAMEKING BTSP SIERRA(the SIERRA is green color) to the right of this it says P2506C. I bought these last October.
The first box the Federal Classics hit exactly where I aimed at 100 yards dead center. I shot 2 times and my little finger could touch both holes at the same time. The top hole touched the top of my finger while the bottom hole touched the bottom of my finger.
The Federal Premiums got me the exact same results, my little finger could touch both holes. However they were exactly 3 inches to the right.
What is the difference in these 2 bullets that causes a 3 inch difference?
Wich one of these would work best for black bear? Both boxes say they would be good for antelope, mule deer, white-tail deer and black bear.
Do they still make the Federal Classics I was talking about? I can not find them anywhere.
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I have owned a Winchester model 70 25-06 for the last 10 years and I had Federal Classic Sierra Pro-Hunter Soft Point ammo for it in 117 grains. These bullets worked great for deer and antelope. I am on my last box off ammo though. I have looked all over a 300 mile radius for this same ammo and can not find it. A place that is 180 miles from where I live will order it for me but that is a pain. I was thinking of switching to Remington ammo in a 120 grains. Would this be a good choice? I can usually find the Remington 120s where ever I find 25-06 ammo. 0 -
to the best of my knowledge they are two different type bullets, as far as construction is concerned. another thing is lot# of powders, different powders,primer lot#,etc.
i have always suggested to my customers by at least two box's of ammo with the same lot#0 -
The Sierra ProHunter is a flat base bullet and the GameKing is a boattail. Not much difference in flight until you get past 300 yards +/-. Both are designed for light to medium game such as deer and antelope in the 25/06. 0 -
what does boattail mean? 0 -
briguy,
Boat Tail
Flatbase
Best.
ADDED:
Here is the link to the Federal Premium Ammunition website:
http://www.federalpremium.com/products/rifle.aspx
Select the cartridge from the list to see all of the variations in loads available. You will note that Federal has replaced the Sierra Pro Hunter with the Speer Hot-Cor SP (flatbase) while retaining the Sierra GameKing BTSP. I suggest looking at the Barnes Triple Shock bullets instead.
As to your sighting problem, two shots each from two loads is hardly a test although it suggests that there may be trend. Accurate assessment of a particular load should be based on 20 or more shots. I'm also guessing that the space between the two shots is a reference to the width of your little finger not the length.
Without a thorough examination of your shooting set up as well as testing each of the variables that exist in a rifle/scope system, it's nearly impossible to provide you with anything except a WAG. It's not unusual for a rifle to like or dislike particular loads, sometimes as significantly as you report. Many times this is due to a variable that most wouldn't even consider such as boat tail vs flatbase or bullet construction. Other times it's a barrel that heats up or touches the sides or bottom of the stock. Then you should check the scope base, rings and the scope itself for solidity and repeatability. The last part is to examine your rifle rest and bench. If it's not solid and your hold isn't repeatable, you'll get a sight shift. A simple thing such as placing the rifle forearm in the exact same place each time on the bag or rest or making sure that the sling swivel isn't on the bag or rest can make a big difference.
Spend some time examining your shooting and the set up.
Best.0 -
briguy,
I typically get different points of impact with different bullets. 3" seems a little extreme though. So here's some other things that affect it.
It could be parallax. The point at which the crosshairs and target are equally focused. You will typically have parallax issues in every scope that doesn't have a parallax adjustment. 3" though is well within the kill zone. To eliminate this as a suspected problem go out and shoot 2 groups of each type ammo but don't raise your head from the rifle. Have your range buddy (kids) lift and cycle the bolt.
A lot of people go out, shoot a group, change position on the rifle with another group an not notice that their point of impact will be affected. Totally eliminating parallax is a difficult thing to do. but it can be mostly eliminated.
Different powder charges also affect point of impact just like bullets do. Both affect the harmonic vibration of the barrel. Whether it be length of bearing surface or length of pulse caused by the powder charge going off it affects POI. Even though the barrel doesn't move nearly as much, I liken either to how a diver goes off the diving board. It's an exaggeration of course. The depth it goes and how much it springs back up vary, but if consistent each time to the same weight and run, the result will be consistent. That's what you are looking for is the same result.
Wind, unless 20 plus mph probably wouldn't be a 3" factor @ 100 yds. An inch maybe with 10 mph winds
Anyhow, that's part of the fun of shooting. Finding all these idiosyncratic things and eliminating them one by one until one day you come up with the most near-perfect groups you've ever shot.0
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