Winchester 25-06 ammo question

[sa doc]

I recently bought a TC Encore in 25-06. I tried several factory rounds(I don't reload), and it seems to be most accurate with the Winchester 120gr "positive expanding point".  The Federal Fusion 120gr also grouped well. I got horrible groups with both 100gr and 120gr Remington's.
Has  anyone tried the Winchester's on deer sized game? If not, how about the Federal Fusions?
I tend to waste quite a few rounds on coyotes while deer hunting. I don't want to spent $33 a box on the Federal Premium's with the Nosler  Partition's bullets everyone recommends, but want something that will still be reliable on deer( about 200lbs max where I hunt).
Thanks
Scott

[257 roberts]

I've used it, its awsome on deer( I now use a 257 Roberts)

[kudzu]

I shoot the fed. 117 speer hot cores thru  my 25-06 encore pro hunter. groups were around the 9/16 range. Never over .75. also shot this round in Stevens 200 25-06. Sold this gun to a female friend who has taken several deer with one shot kills, with one being a nice buck at over 250 yards. I've taken several WT with my pro hunter with the hotcores and am very pleased. I've not shot any deer over 150 yds. with mine but with the accuracy and other results I've seen, I wouldn't think twice about 300 yrds with this round on 200lb WT. (this comment is not to start a debate on how far for a 25-06. this is just my prefrence. If I'm going over 300 , I will take a differant rifle).
Midway has this round for 21.99, the same as the Fusion.

[kudzu]

Not a big fan of moly or lubalox either.

[sa doc]

Thanks for the advice. I've been looking for the 117gr Federals, but nobody locally seems to carry them. I'll try Midway.
Scott

[squirrel_hunter6]

sa doc,

The Winchester 120 grain Positive Expanding Point is the most accurate bullet I have ever tried in my 25-06. I have shot four deer with that load. Two broadside, one neck, and one quartering away shots. The bullet did a lot of internal damage every time and the exit hole was always the size of a quarter.

[SuperstitionCoues]

Another load you might try from Federal is the 117 gr. Sierra Boat Tail.  I have been shooting that one (either factory Federal load or my duplicate hand loads) for almost ten years now, and have never had a group larger than 1" out of my Ruger M77MkII .25-06.  I think it is a winner.

I would really suggest handloading for this one, though.  This gun is the reason I took up handloading.  Where I am, I have to drive 20-30 minutes to get either the Federal or Winchester ammunition that my weapon likes.  Another load that I found mine really likes is one that I rolled myself.  Try a 117 grain Hornady BTSP or better, the 117 gr. SST with Winchester primers.  Rl-22 or H4831SC seem to be preferred.  My groups come in at about 3/4", and the calculated energy (I don't have access to a chronograph) is on par with the factory stuff.

Now, staring my third back surgery (a fusion this time) in the face, I want to reduce my loads and soften the recoil.  I am in the process of investigating a 100 grain Hornady load.  It should be potent medicine for Coues whitetail and Arizona  muleys once I am done.