I purchased my Remington Model 700 BDL .25-06 around 1971 when I was stationed in Montana. It has made over 50 one shot kills on deer and an uncountable number of prairie dogs. I had replaced the 1980 vintage Redfield scope and needed to sight it in. I also had some test reloads to shoot off. I got the Nikon 4x12x40 zeroed with no problem. Actually my old method of bore sighting through the barrel to a spot on a tree and aligning the scope to that was within 2" at 50 yards. I used my test reloads to get it on at 100. I had the last 4 rounds of my hunting loads that I built around 1982 in my bag so I decided to try for a group on a clean target. Sawman would have fussed at me for shooting with the barrel so hot but it was closing time at Styx and I wanted to finish up.
I don't think this is too bad for 30+ year old ammo, a 40+ year old rifle, and a 60+ year old man with a smoking hot barrel. Measure it any way you want, it is just under 3/4". I have used this same load for deer since 1972 and have never found a reason to change. The Nosler Partition bullets have never failed me.
The rifle actually shoots tighter with lighter bullets that I will have to try the next trip.
I don't think this is too bad for 30+ year old ammo, a 40+ year old rifle, and a 60+ year old man with a smoking hot barrel. Measure it any way you want, it is just under 3/4". I have used this same load for deer since 1972 and have never found a reason to change. The Nosler Partition bullets have never failed me.
The rifle actually shoots tighter with lighter bullets that I will have to try the next trip.