.25 caliber suggestions for "BIG" MT deer?

[Huntrap_MT]

I need all the quality advice I can get on choosing a new .25 caliber for very large Northern bucks. I would like a caliber that has a good variety of loads that one can easily acquire, ecspecially from most stores. I am dead set on a .25 caliber, so please give me advice on only .25s, thanks!

Huntrap

[Clay Boone]

Huntrap,

I have never found anything unpleasant to say of the .25-06.
The .257 Roberts is appealing, but ammo availability seems to run far behind that of the .25-06 here.  

Best of luck to ya.  I really like the 25 cal as well.

[SingleShotShorty]

I would use Nosler partitions and shot placement is key, make sure you either neck shoot them or pur one in the old boiler room.

[grouper sandwich]

25-06 or 257 Weatherby Mag with either a Barnes X 115 grain or Nosler partition 115 grain.  From personal experience and observations of "on-game" results, I'd load the Barnes X, it's a superior bullet.

[Ron T.]

You're gotten excellent advice from all of the prior posts.

If I were doing it, I'd get the .25/06 and handload the 100 grain Nosler Partition Bullet @ 3200-3250 fps gives you a "point-blank-range of slightly over 300 yards.  That's all the "bullet" you need for deer.

"Point-blank-range" is the ballistic curve wherein the bullet never gets more than 3 inches above or below the shooter's line-of-sight which means the rifleman can "hold" dead on his target out to the maximum "point-blank-range" and never be more the 3 inches from the center of the point-of-aim.


Here’s the significant “numbers” for the 100 grain Nosler Partition Bullet for your .25/06:

25 yards =     - .18 inches
50 yards =   +  .93 inches
100 yards = +2.45 inches
150 yards = +3.00 inches (high point in the ballistic curve)
200 yards = +2.46 inches
250 yards = +0.75 inches
265 yards = ±0.00 inches (dead on)
300 yards = - 2.19 inches
311 yards = - 3.00 inches


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[woodsdweller]

i my self shoot a 25-06 but i choose to load a 120 gr. nosler partition. this cal. will suprise you if you hand load you can load 60 - 120 gr. its a great all around cal.

[agdexter]

A 25-06 is the way to go.

[HHI #4694]

I get 3,300 fps+ out of a 257 Ackley with 100 grain Barnes XBTs from a 24" barreled ULA. Less recoil and blast than the 25-06 too :wink:

[High Brass]

Althought I've never shot one myself, I've seen a few deer(some rather large) shot with a 25-06.  That would definately be my choice in 25 cal., especially if I didn't handload.

[jdt48653]

you might try the lazzeroni scramjet! (0.257)
factory load--- 120 gr
velocity      --- 3,550
energy       --- 3,219

[crow_feather]

Huntrap_MT


You left a lot of things out when you asked the question.  I checked the Road Atlas but couldn't find Redstone. If you are going to hunt in the area of Yellowstone and this is the only rifle carried, I would invest in a large can of pepper spray.  Other than that, the 25-06 is the only rifle that would seem to fit your needs.  Maybe a good Remington 700 with a stout stock - just in case.

[coyotero]

Hunt trap MT
I live just South Of Plentywood just down stream from Redstone.I have used a 2506 for 25 years in Montana.I have shot Antelope,deer and Elk with it.It is fast,flat and accurate with minimal recoil.I have used 100 grain Speers and Hornadys on deer and Antelope.Used 117 grain Hornady's on Elk.I have only recovered one bullet,a 117 gr.Hornady from a cow Elk my wife shot.331 yards,quartering slightly away.Took both lungs and the top of the heart.Broke the offside shoulder,bullet was under the skin on the offside,perfect little mushroom.I have never had to shoot anything twice with it.Bang,flop.Ranges 90ft to a little over 450 yds.Kills deer like lightening if you hit them right.I have converted lots of my huntin' buddies to the 2506 Cult.Good luck with your gun purchase.

[woodseye]

As many have already said 25-06 IMHO.

    woods