25 DTI and 117 Grain Hornady Round Nose

I had some of these bullets that I planned on playing with when the weather got warmer. Seems that is never going to happen here in Minnesota this year. May 2nd and it is snowing today!

Anyway, my 25 DTI as I have posted before has a MGI adjustable gas tube on an 18 inch barrel. All of the loads listed below are with LeverEvolution and I SERIOUSLY CAUTION using anything listed below without an adjustable tube or block ---- because the port pressures are significantly higher than other powders.

In general, the 25 DTI does not have enough case capacity to do much with these bullets and I would consider them only "woods" bullets for ranges less than 100 yards. Although, the velocity of these loads are a couple hundred feet per second faster than a 25-35 out of a 24 inch barrel.

USING LEVEREVOLUTION AND WINCHESTER SMALL RIFLE PRIMERS. OAL = 2.20 INCHES.

(Outside Temperature during test = 10 degrees)
28.0 Grains - 2310 fps -- 3 shot group = 1 1/2 inch
28.5 grains - 2325 fps -- 3 shot group = 1 1/4 inch
29.0 grains - 2416 fps -- 3 shot group = 1 inch
29.5 grains - 2440 fps -- 3 shot group = 3/4 inch
30.0 grains - 2493 fps -- 3 shot group = 1/2 inch
(outside temperature 45 degrees and extremely windy. Not good for shooting groups)
30.0 grains - 2553 fps -- primer flattening
30.2 grains - 2567 fps -- primer flattening/slight crater
30.4 grains - 2580 fps -- primer flattening/cratering
30.6 grains - 2592 fps -- primer flattening/major crater
30.8 grains - 2616 fps -- primer flattened/heavy crater/swipes ---HOT< HOT< HOT

The groups sizes above varied between 1 1/2 inches and 1 inch. Since this bullet would only be used for deer at ranges less than 100 yards --- that is totally acceptable.

NOTICE THE VELOCITY INCREASE FROM 10 DEGREES TO 45 DEGREES. ALSO THE FIRST LOADS MAY HAVE BEEN USING REMINGTON 7 1/2 PRIMERS. THE WINCHESTERS GIVE ME HIGHER VELOCITY.

My pick would be something between 29.5 grains and 30.0 grains. CAUTION ---- USE THIS DATA AT YOUR OWN RISK.