Another 25-06 question

[James B]

I forgot to ask some of you other 25-06 guys about the Hornady 120 grain HP. When I had my first 25-06 back before it was a standard caliber, I used the Hornady 120 grain HP for mule deer hunting. I sure had less than perfect luck with that bullet. However on Midway the report from hunters seem to claim pretty effective results with it. Who has used it and how did it work.

[Leftoverdj]

James, no telling how much Hornady has changed that bullet in 40 years.

[riddleofsteel]

Bullets do change. My gunsmith's son uses a 6.5-284. He was using the 120 grain Nosler BT with fantastic results on the somewhat small body deer of eastern NC. Suddenly he was getting blow thrus like he had jumped up in bullet weight. He attributed this to the fact he had been using a large group of the bullets he bought all of one lot number. When he had to buy bullets again the lot number changed and the troubles started. After having to track several lung shot deer for quite a distance he changed over to the excellent 120 grain Sierra Game King. Suddenly the quick bang flops he was used to were back. Then he found a box of the older, original lot number, Noslers that had been pushed to the back of the shelf. Sure enough some limited testing showed that the newer 120 grain Nosler BT's were harder or had a thicker jacket.
Often when I find a bullet I like I buy up a large bunch (10 to 12 boxes) all of the same lot number because of just such changes.

[James B]

Thats a good idea. I know lots can change. I might have got a bad box of the 120 HP's. I never tried them again because I was not happy with the way they worked. Asa rule it took 2 or 3 shots to anchor a good Mule deer. Thats not the norm with a 25-06. Thanks for reminding me of something I should have thought about.

[Mac11700]

James:

Have you tried shooting or loading the Winchester (C.T.) 115 Ballistic Tip  I got extreamly good accuracy out of my Ultra with them...and they are supposed to work great on Mulies...if you don't want to spring for the Factory ammo...you can get just the bullets and load your own...bullet #51050...I picked up 2 boxes of them for $14.00 each...

Mac

[ken s]

Try 117gr seirra hpbt. an no muley we raise in the badlands of ND will take more than one of these. if he does u may need a howitzer lol.
                     ken s.  

       :I payed to much for the whistle
                                            BF

[Varmitcaller]

In The last 35 years of successful deer hunting in the upper Midwest, Nebraska, Wyomng, Colorado. Etc. I love the Hornady 120 grain bullets in 25-06. Between my sons, a close friend and I. We have taken over 135 mule deer. Over 100 with Hornady 120 grain 25-05. When the kids were younger we used one rifle with three sons and we took turns so Dad could train the kids in the hunt, not just the kill. Fairly light in recoil too. When boys got older, they went to 25-06 as they trusted this round. Daughter came along and she loves her Ultra too. Wife has a custom 6.5X55 Swede. Nice light rifle. Used to use a Mark X in 25-06. Bought the Ultra in 25-06 and it took a little work to get the accuracy where I wanted it. It will group about 3/4" to 7/8" all day now if I do my part. The big thing I found was the need to seat the bullets out and that helped to a degree. Next thing that really tightened up the groups was to crimp the bullets with a seperate crimping die.

As to the talk between the 7-08 or 25-06. Out west you will not see many of the 7-08. They do not compare at long range. Since I mentioned the number, the longest shot I have seen and it was a one shot kill, was 437 measured yards with the 120 Hornady. Bullet passed thru and deer went about 2 steps and down.

Overall for varmit, deer, elk, make mine a 25-06. Thanks for letting me share my viewpoint.

Shoot straight and know thy target!

[riddleofsteel]

My own preference is for the 117 grain Hornady SPBT Interlock. It has been my .25 bullet of choice for over two decades. It is excellent on NC white tail deer that I have killed from point blank range to pushing 400 yards. I have never failed to recover any deer fairly hit with this bullet. Plus I have enough of the same lot number to outlast both of my 25-06 barrels. The best part is I bought them over 20 years ago and like prime real estate they are worth more with every price increase.