Author Topic: 25/06 (Read 2068 times)

tanoose · « **on:** February 18, 2007, 03:19:51 AM »

My varmint rifle is a 25/06 handi rifle with a cheap 6x24 tasco varmint scope i reload using the nosler 85grain BT. This is my woodchuck to coyote rifle.And for just plain old fun at the range.My friend just moved to a rifle county in columbia county NY ,he set up a shooting shack and says shots would be from 200 to 300 yards. My scope on the 25/06 is like all my scopes and is set up with quick release so i can go to another scope sightd in with different bullets.I know alot of you guys like the 25/06 for deer so my question is if i decide to try the 25/06 on deer to 300 yards should i use the 100 or 120 grain bullets. I would be using a 4x12 leupold on top for deer. also do i need a preium bullet like a nosler or a-frame or can i use the remington PSPCL.

Doesniper · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2007, 04:00:50 AM »

The 25/06 is a hot rod. I'd use a premium bullet and would recomend the Barns Triple Shock. The last thing you want is a bullet to come apart and not finish the job. 100 or 120 should do the job fine out to 300 and beyond.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2007, 04:21:31 AM »

Either weight would work. Remington or premium bullet? If I said premium I'd be a hypocrate. I don't use premium bullet's. But in my 25-06 I didn't use 100 gr bullet's for hunting either. I did shoot a lot of them and measured velocity over 3300 fps. If the shot you get with a 100 gr bullet is fairly close, I'd think a premium bullet would hold up better. I like 120 gr class bullet's. The only bullet I ever shot deer with in my 25-06 is the 117 gr Hornady Spire Point. At just under 3100 fps, it might be a little fragile on deer up close but I've only recovered one of them. That one seem's to have bounced off a rib and went up the spine and was lodged in the neck Not a lot left of it.

Most of what I hear about the 25-06 is that 100 gr bullet's kill faster. Maybe so. And then there's those that say 120's penetrate better, I'm sure they do. I'll say this for the difference in the two, the 100 gr bullet's were more accurate in my rifle but the 117's were well under an inch. If 100's are your choice, I'd suggest premium's but haven't a clue which one. Of what you mentioned tho I'd choose the 120 PSP remington bullet. I tried some and they just didn't shoot well in my rifle. I hesitate to call them cheap but they were inexpensive.

It doesn't matter what range you shoot, the bullet MUST get inside and disrupt the vital's to kill. If it blows up in the lungs, the deer will die. If it goes in one side and out the other, thru the lung's, the deer will die. If it blow's up befor reaching the vital's, the deer will probally also die but may likely die somewhere you can't find it.

STL Cardinal Fan · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2007, 04:35:22 AM »

Glad to see we have another 25-06 fan!

As for deer hunting with the 25-06, I have killed several deer in upper Michigan with my Marlin and Ruger #1 rifles. Simly stated, the 25-06 is fantatsic for shooting those whitetails.

As for bullet choice, here is my 2 cents. I shoot Speers 87 grain TNT bullet and have never lost a deer. In fact, I have never had a deer move. I will admit, the shots were all made within 100 yards and all the shots were perfect kill shots.

I agree with Doesniper in that the Barnes triple shock bullet would work well for shooting long range and delivering much energy on impact. However, I would not be afraid to still use my 87 grain TNT Speer bullet either. Rather on worrying about so much the bullet, instead focus on the "kill zone" of the deer. If you make proper bullet placement, that deer will drop.

I read way too many articles about different bullets, guns, socpes, etc and few too many articles expressing that proper bullet placement is the key to hunting. This means, one has to spend a lot of time at the range shooting 200,300,400 or 500 yards to see how the gun will work.

Where a superior bullet comes into play is when a hunter does not get that proper bullet placement shot. When you do not get that heart, lung or head shot, you will need a bullet that will do the most damage as possible.

In closing, I would suggest using a bullet (since you reload) that will fly the best out at 300 yards. If you can only get a 4 inch group at 300 yards with a Barnes triple shock, but a 2 1/2 group with the 85 grain Nosler.........go with the Nosler.

I am just happy to see another 25-06 fan is all. I just love the round. I own a Marlin (beautiful rifle for the money, but no longer made

), Ruger #1 in stainless, Sake Deluxe left handed (no longer made, still new in box) and a custom rifle I had made up by Ahlman's in Minnesota.....

Happy hunting,

Kenny

jro45 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2007, 05:48:22 AM »

I shoot the 257 WBY and my bullets go a little faster but both the 100 gr bullet or the 120gr bullet will do the deer in. I shoot nosler partitions.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2007, 07:05:21 AM »

Tanoose:

Clean your Handi completely out with some Wipe-Out foam cleaner...Grab a box of Winchester Supreme 115grain Silver Ballistic Tips...and have fun...It will take about 5 shots to coat the bore with the Lubalux but once you do...you'll find they shoot great..They have been the best performers out of all of my 25-06 Handi's...

Mac

DakotaJeff · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2007, 07:15:59 AM »

I have a .25-06 in a Ruger #1 and love it. I bought it for the open country of South Dakota to handle everything from coyotes to mule deer. I used 115 grain Nosler Partitions on deer and they performed great. Though accuracy with the Partitions wasn't on par with the 100 grain Ballistic Tips. Those Nosler BT were great for antelope. I have not tried them yet, but the Accubonds may be worth a shot for deer. I've not tried 120 grain bullets in my gun. I know a few guys who have used 120 grain bullets out of their 25 on elk, not that I'd recommend it. I'd think for deer you'd have no trouble with 100 - 115 grain range, the .25-06 seems to be right at home in that weight range.

Gregory · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2007, 12:24:50 PM »

I haven't had a chance to take a deer with my 25/06 since I moved to the midwest (thank goodness I can use it on coyotes). But I'd pick a 100 gr, 115gr, or 120 gr for deer hunting out to 300 yds.

A 115 gr ballistic tip would be the first one I'd test.

John R. · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2007, 08:05:44 AM »

Those 87 gr. TNT HP are great VARMIT bullets, but they are NOT designed for big game use. They literally explode on impact (they are supposed to). One of these days you're not going to get that perfect shot and you're going to lose a deer. I shoot the heavier bullets out of my 25-06 Sendero (110 to 120 gr.) I definitly would not go under 100 grs. You owe it to the animal not use VARMIT bullets.

tanoose · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2007, 09:53:38 AM »

Mac11700, are those winchester's your talking about the same as the Nosler ballistic silvertips?

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2007, 01:49:57 PM »

tanoose -

The .25-06 is a great round, perhaps the ultimate dual-purpose vamint/big game cartridge. I don't have one but only because I shoot a Roberts at +P pressures instead. The Roberts is my favorite rifle.

As to bullets, I use the 75g V-MAX for varmints and have developed a variety of loads for big game, although the rifle has yet to take anything larger tahn a coyote. Here are my thoughts on big game bullets for the .25-06...

1. The .25-06 will drive any bullet faster than I like for standard cup-and-core bullets.

2. I would choose bonded bullets (AccuBond, InterBond, Scirocco II, etc.) and partitions at a minimum.

3. My own choice for the +P Roberts, in order, 120g A-Frame, 115g TSX and 110g Accubond. If going for elk its the 120g A-Frame. Doubt I'll ever use the Accubond, though as the TSX and A-Frame can handle any task I put to the Roberts. That would be even more true with a .25-06.

As to whether or not you 'need' a premium bullet, you'll never know. Even if a non-premium fails there is no guarantee a premium would have succeeded in it's place. My attitude is I'd rather have a premium fail in the belief that a standard bullet would have also failed, probably with even less desirable effect.

nomosendero · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2007, 02:02:24 PM »

I have used the following myself or was a witness to the following used on Whitetails, Mule Deer & Antelope, & I mean a bunch of kills. 100 & 115 Barnes TSX, 117 Sierra Boat Tails, 120 Nosler Partitions, 115 Bal. Sil. Tips & 125 Gr. Wildcats. All of these are very effective.
The 100TSX was effective, but the 115TSX was more devasting after 200 yards or so in the energy department, it appeared.
The Sierra is soft when pushed hard, but they allways killed good & that's what counts & very accurate.
The 120 Nos Part. is a great bullet, you aren't likely to recover one on the above animals & kill like lightning, nuff said, same for 115NP.
The 115 Bal. Tips, though a little explosive, work & the Bal. Silvertip with the little thicker jacket work well.
The 125 Wildcat are in a class by themselves in downrange ballistic per. & killing power at a distance. It is a little long for the 25-06
unless pushed hard.

Lord willing, look's like I'll be going back to Wyoming next fall, the Wildcats left nothing to be desired on the last trip, but I may for
fun load some 115NP for up close AR. Whitetail hunting & 115 BT for longer shots, with the same sight setting, just something different to do.

Some folks use 100gr. Part. for Deer & 100BT for Varmits with the same sight setting & do well.

Yea, nice round!!!

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2007, 11:33:45 AM »

I got a .25-06 about a year ago and killed 2 deer with it last fall at about 50 and 170 yards. Both fell to 100 grain Sierra gamekings. One fell in its tracks and the other went 30 or 40 yards. Nothing wrong with premium bullets if you want 'em, but I think the gamekings or Remington PSPCL that you mentioned are fine for deer.

Try some different bullets out and see what shoots well in your rifle. Any 100 - 120 grain 25 caliber bullet is going to be designed for deer sized game. Put it in the right place and it will get the job done.

GLC · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2007, 10:06:34 AM »

I've killed some deer with the 25/06. The premium bullets are nice, use them if you like. However, I've never lost a deer to Sierra 120 HP's. They were all dead and down within about 10 yards from where they were hit. All were broadside heart/lung shots on unsuspecting deer (meaning not running and allready excited.) That's been my experience.

I wouldn't hesitate to use the Remington bullet you mention, Sierra 117 BTSP and Hornady 117 BTSP's would also do well. I've shot some 115 Ballistic Tips at targets, but not at deer and they are super accurate and would probably work well.

kudzu · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2007, 03:19:06 PM »

I've taken 6 WT this year with the 117 speer hot-cores. Very accurate in my TC pro hunter. If I was to set up for long shots's I would try the 110AB.
Really I'm waiting on NOMO to test them for me. What you waiting on NOMO. LOL

DM

nomosendero · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2007, 06:43:49 PM »

Quote from: dancoman on February 23, 2007, 03:19:06 PM

I've taken 6 WT this year with the 117 speer hot-cores. Very accurate in my TC pro hunter. If I was to set up for long shots's I would try the 110AB.
Really I'm waiting on NOMO to test them for me. What you waiting on NOMO. LOL

DM

I will tell my Wife that much is at stake & many are dependent on an Accubond test. Wish me luck!!

fishdog52 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2007, 07:08:21 AM »

You can feel confident that virtually any standard 120 grain and most 100 grain bullets will be seriously effective on NYS whitetails. At least any of the newer production bullets as there is some old stuff floating around that will not perform reliably on bog game at 25/06 velocities, such as the early Ballistic Tips when they came in boxes of 100. Premium bullets are overkill, specfically the A-Frame & the Grand Slam. I do not have it in my heart to say anything bad about the Partition, but the Solid Base bullet makes a fine whitetail round. So, go hunting with whatever bullet is accurate in your rifle & inspires the most confidence! Good luck in NY.
Get anywheres with your Whelen? That will work to!

tanoose · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2007, 09:15:49 AM »

Fishdog the Whelen has found a new home , i sold it to my brother who fell in love with it when he first saw it. The rifle was smooth and accurate but i found it heaiver then i wanted and even though i never had a problem with it i just cant go with semi -autos. Its all in my head but that jamming thing has always bothered me so i gave it away and bought a new Browning BLR in 358 winchester , this is the smoothest lever action i have ever owned and weights only 6.5 i can carry it all day long. We will both be using 35's next season . Later Tanoose

charles p · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2007, 02:59:01 PM »

If I posted how many NC whitetails I had ever killed with a 25-06, the authorities might come for me. I've had best results with 117-120. Some longer shots with 100 grain bullets have resulted in deer getting back up and running a few yards. I prefer they stay down for the count. It is the perfect round for eastern deer.

Guybo · « **Reply #19 on:** March 02, 2007, 04:18:27 AM »

The 25.06 is pure deer poison around here and kills em like lighting. I've only had a couple that i can remember out of countless kills that didn't fall in the scope when i squeezed the trigger and those couple didn't go 25yds and fell within sight. I've shot them with 85gr bullets right on up to the 120grainers with the same results.....Bang Flop! My favorite bullet is the Nosler 110gr Accubond. It's very accurate in my rifle and it's performance on game has been excellent for me. Mike

kudzu · « **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2007, 05:07:26 AM »

Guybo, NICE

See how easy that was Nomo.

DM

nomosendero · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2007, 02:56:57 PM »

Quote from: dancoman on March 03, 2007, 05:07:26 AM

Guybo, NICE

See how easy that was Nomo.

DM

Yea, maybe I don't have to buy those bullets afterall!

HillBillyFarmer · « **Reply #22 on:** March 05, 2007, 05:09:43 AM »

The 25-06 is my go to gun for almost everything! I stand by the cartridge 110% for varmint and deer hunting. I'm another upstate NY hunter and believe me there's no shortage of meat in my freezer or fine pelts hanging on my wall. I've tried various different rounds in my rifle, but for a factory offering the Federal 100gr barnes triple shock bullets shoot mighty fine. My uncle swears by the Federal 117gr BTSP (boat tail soft point) in his rifle and he hasn't any shortage of freezer meat either.

jim dab · « **Reply #23 on:** March 15, 2007, 05:23:53 PM »

I've owned two of them shot a lot of deer with one of them. Started out using Barnes X but I had trouble with accuracy and felt It wasn't doing enough damage inside. Sorry The first bullet I tried was a 117 Hornady BT, well a antelope doe needing two fallow up shots at just over 150 yards cured me of that notion. I use the Barnes the rest of the season. I was having a 358 STA built and I asked the gunsmith if he had any suggestions for the 25-06. "120gr. Hornady HP you think they were hit with lightning." The HP made me a little nervous buy I tried them on a couple of does broad side first. He was right maybe the best non priemuims on the market then. Real good accuracy in the 22" barrel. I wouldn't use them on 300lb White-tails but 150-200lbers sure. Burnt the barrel out of it playing with varmit rounds though. The other one was lifted out of my house before hunting season. Now what kind of a person would steel a mans rifle BEFORE hunting season. I've bought a 257 Weatherby before hunting season last, shot 120 NP's did a lot more meat damage than the 25-06. Haven't found the right bullet yet I guess or maybe the 25-06 is a better deer rifle if your looking to eat some of the animals you shoot.

My two cent plus is if your shooting smaller deer well any medium quilty that shoots accurate should be fine.

Have fun it's a great cartridge. I had some 115 Trophy Bonded on the reloading bench for the last one. They'll get a try in the 257 but you know they should run real well in a 25-06. I'm a big TB fan.

Jim
Alberta

Lone Star · « **Reply #24 on:** March 16, 2007, 04:01:19 PM »

Moderators - why is a .25-06 thread get in the MEDIUM BORE forum?

.

nomosendero · « **Reply #25 on:** March 16, 2007, 05:49:29 PM »

Quote from: Lone Star on March 16, 2007, 04:01:19 PM

Moderators - why is a .25-06 thread get in the MEDIUM BORE forum?

.

Good point, I started responding & did not even notice where it was.

41 mag · « **Reply #26 on:** March 17, 2007, 03:03:05 AM »

For the situation you describe, I would suggest the following.

If you chrono your loads it will be easy enough to get pretty close to the impact velocities at ranges out to 500yds. Not that your going to shoot that far but it helps to have an idea.

For the 100gr loads I would suggest that you try and limit the impact velocity to around 2800 fps. In my experience, this is where they seem to have a breakover charistic, in that they tend to have the overexplosive effect that folks refer to. At or under around 2800fps they seem to preform very well in most cases. For varmints, you can run them as fast as you feel necessary, but for deer a little slower muzzle velocity isn't going to hamper you as much as the faster will hurt.

The newer 110gr AB is a great bullet from what little tesing I have done with it. It has taken several hogs, and a few yotes to ranges out to 250yds very cleanly and effectively. THese were loaded to 3150 from my rifle. THis is not a top end load for some but it worked for me and was under 1/2" at 200yds from my rifle.

On the 115gr PT's up through the 125gr Wildcats, I genrally ran top end velocities and can't say that I ever had a bullet blow up on deer or hogs from several feet out to 450yds. The PT's in 115gr or 117's or various 120 all gave excellent under 1" groups and did very well on all game taken. The 115's getting the knod for the all around load in my rifle. I shot enough of the Wildcat's to determine that they shot extreemly well and took out several hogs with them with very adaquit results. The ones that were shot under 100yds were totelly rolled over, literally, and the two that were taken out around 200yds were bang flops. I never had the chance to use them on deer, but would not hesitate.

THe powders I had the best luck with were in no certian order, H-4831, Imr-4831, H-4350, IMR-4350, RL-19 RL-22. I used primiarliy Win. cases, and Win-WLR primers almost exclusively. I did use the CCI BR2 in a 100gr Seirra load with IMR 4350. This load was recemmended by Sierra.

I really enjoyed shooting mine, as I am sure you will as well. Pick a bullet whcih shoots the best groups, don't get overly caught up in breaking velocity records, and go get your deer. Myu daughter has mine now and I am sure that the 110 AB or the 115 PT will keep the tradition going for many years to come.