Author Topic: 25-06 loads for deer. (Read 1158 times)

James B · « **on:** December 10, 2004, 09:55:17 AM »

What loads do any of you use for deer with the 25-06? I shoot mostly mule deer out to 250 yards though most shots are around 200. Years ago when I had my first 25-06 I used the Hornady 120 grain hollow point which Hornady recommended for deer size game. I was not happy with the performance of those for deer. I am thinking of loading the 100 grain nosler partition. Any thoughts?

aulrich · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2004, 10:24:43 AM »

I have been hearing good things about the 100 gr barnes triple shock. I plan on giving them (the triple shock 185 and 85 reaspectivly) a try in my 338 win mag and 243. Given that i don't think the partition is a wrong choice either.

Val · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2004, 04:40:14 AM »

I'm getting excellent accuracy out of my 25-06 with the 120 grain Nosler Partitions.

James B · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2004, 08:29:41 AM »

Thanks for the replies. I have not shot the tripple shcks but have used the 120 partition in the Roberts.

Lawdog · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2004, 01:54:02 PM »

James B,

I have been using the .25-06 since before Remington adopted it and gave it their name(over 40 years now). I used to use the 115 gr. Nosler Partition for years but this year switched over to the Barnes TSX in the 100 gr. version. On large Mule Deer this year they performed flawlessly, all one shot kills with complete penetration. The 100 gr. TSX will penetrate as well as the 115/120 gr. Partitions, shoot flatter and gives better accuracy in all of my .257 caliber rifles. They also performed excellently on a wild boar sow that my son shot with his .25-06. Lawdog

James B · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2004, 10:42:18 AM »

I will give them a try as well. I love Barnes bullets but sometimes have a devil of a time scrubbing the copper out. How do you clean your rifle?

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2004, 12:48:09 PM »

James,

I use Barnes CR-10 and it works great. Just follow the instructions. Lawdog

James B · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2004, 12:58:12 PM »

Thanks agiain. I'll gey a bottle of that. I bought a box of Federal Premium factory loaded with Barnes 100 grain XLC bullets today. If they shoot and perfoerm well on deer next month then I may order some bullets from Midway and work up a load. I have four to try now when I get decent day at the range. I bought a box of 115 grain Ballistic silvertips. A box of 100 grain Remington Corlokts, the box of Federal barnes and I quick reloaded a box of 100 grain Nosler Ballistic tips with H 4831. That should give me a good varity to try out the gun. Can't wait to try it on the mule deer. I load the 100 grain ballistic tips for my wifes 250-3000. I bought her the 700 Classic the year they brought it out in 250 Savage. She loves that gun.

FOsteology · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2004, 09:01:02 AM »

I've been using the Remington 120 grain Core-Lokt with great success. Got a couple boxes of the new 100 grain Barnes Triple Shock as I hear they work extremely well on deer.

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2004, 04:36:52 PM »

My 25-06 load has been 117 grain Hornady SPBT, H4831 and a CCI Benchrest primer for two decades. Using this combo my handloads group around .25 MOA from a 26" Sendero. I have taken deer up to 385 yards with clean kills every time so far. At ranges of around 150 to 175 yards I have broken front shoulders with complete penetration of neck base and lungs.
The Hornady Custom ammo that uses the same 117 grain SPBT bullet is about as good as factory 25-06 ammo gets IMHO.

James B · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2005, 04:47:12 AM »

Thanks to all for the reply's. My hunting is on hold right now. Big storm moving across the Dakota's.

thelaw · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2005, 11:56:01 AM »

i'm surprised you've never had good luck with the hornady 120gr hp. i've been shooting them for about 12 years now out of my .25/06. my current load shoots 1" or better on most days with a velocity of 3162fps. i've never had anything move out of its tracks, with the exception of one deer and that was a bad shot on my part. the only thing i'm uncertain of with the hornady 120gr hp is its effectiveness at long range. the longest shot i've ever shot with this load was on a running coyote at 225yards. it was a lucky shot, but i got complete penetration. it always leaves a good exit hole

John R. · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2005, 05:45:05 AM »

Try 53 grs. of H-4831 with a 115 gr. Nosler Partition. It shoots 3/4" @ 100 yds. out of my Rem. 700.

Hildy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2005, 03:18:29 PM »

I used Winchester 115 grain Ballistic SilverTips on a nice buck in 2004. Entry hole in the left shoulder was almost the size of a softball and the exit was about a baseball. It also took out a piece of the heart, the lungs, and both bones in the shoulders.

I was suprised the bullet exited on that shot which was at an estimated 100 yards. Internals were in terrible shape and the deer dropped instantly. I think I'll stick with them or convert over to the 100 grain Barnes XLC.

Just my 2 cents

Hildy

longwalker · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2005, 12:05:29 PM »

I use Speer 100 Grain Spt. BT. and 56 grains of IMR 4831 With excellent results. I have used this very succesfully on Mule Deer, Antelope and White Tails. I have yet to retrive a bullet getting full penatration every time. I admit to careful shot placement and do not as a rule shot at running game. Longest shot 365 yards by optical range finder dropped the Antelope on the spot. It's my point and click gun.

Longwalker

James B · « **Reply #15 on:** May 12, 2005, 11:33:17 AM »

Thanks Gentlemen. :grin: