Author Topic: A good bullet for deer in .257? (Read 2524 times)

kombi1976 · « **on:** November 15, 2004, 12:51:14 AM »

Today a mate dropped in to pick up a VW engine I've been "storing" for him and he told me that in the new year there are a heap of deer to cull from a particular property. Apparently the owner only wants one species on the land and there are 2 so one lot are to bite the dust. Best thing is there's only 3 of us that are doing it and there's a proper meat dressing shed and everything.
But, as usual, the catch is using the correct bullet and as the only rifle I have that's suitable is my Enfield .25/303 I'm limited to that cal. All the bullets I have loaded for my .25/303 are either varmint bullets or are hollow points, hardly an appropriate projectile for knocking down decent sized deer. I can't use bullet weights above 100gn effectively because the barrel twist won't stabilise them and to be honest, the .25/303 really shines with an 87gn projectile. Unfortunately most of those in .257 cal are varmint bullets.
The Enfield can push a 87gn to about 2900fps and can push a 100 to around 2850fps. Any tips, guys?

Greybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2004, 03:06:38 AM »

Nosler, one of the sponsors of GBO, makes the Partition in 100 grain weight that should do just fine. They've also just recently added a 110 grain Accubond to the line up. I have some loaded up in my .257 Whby. and need to get out on my range and try them. I think both would do well for you on deer.

akpls · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2004, 05:23:40 AM »

Barnes has it's Triple Shock in 100 grain that's been getting good reviews.

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2004, 11:20:10 AM »

kombi1976,

Give the Barnes 100 gr. TSX a try. Our family took five nice bucks this year using them in various .257 caliber rifles. All one shot kills. Lawdog

Sask_Hunter · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2004, 12:46:50 PM »

id try the 100gr hornady bullet, it would hold up to the slower speed of that round. a 90gr barnes would be a good pick too.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2004, 02:33:03 PM »

Lawdog --

Since I'm planning on using the 115g TSX for mule deer in a couple weeks, that is encouraging news! Congrats!

cowpoke · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2004, 02:14:40 AM »

Nosler also makes a 115 grain partition

DannoBoone · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2004, 04:15:56 PM »

There is one .257 bullet which is "in-between" varmint and big game. What's
more, it has been around for what seems like forever. Years ago, I lung
shot two mulies and they went down just as fast as the "latest-greatest"
bullet would do now. This bullet is the Hornady 75gr Hollow Point. It will
blow up a gallon jug of water, but it will also "pass-through" a lung shot on
a deer, with devastating results to the lung/heart area. I wouldn't use them
for a shoulder shot, but lung area, head and neck shots have worked very
well using this bullet in the .25/06, for a lot more people than just me. If
this bullet is readily available for you, I'd try it in the Enfield.

Hildy · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2004, 03:24:13 PM »

Use the Barnes 100grn TSX.

It is a dimple-point bullet that uses a solid copper construction. Very good bullet expansion and penetration.

Aside from that, I have used Nosler 115grn Ballistic Silvertips on deer with great results. A softball sized entry hole and believe it or not, a smaller exit hole. I think this is due to the tip of the bullet exploding on impact causing excessive tissue damage and then the base continuing through with less fragmentation and a smaller wound channel, leaving a smaller exit.
I know that your gun will not stabilize these but I just thought I would add some of my experience.

Good luck with your load development and bullet choice

Yoda · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2004, 01:18:18 AM »

At the speeds your able to push a 100gr bullet out of your 25-303 just about any 100gr pill will work for you.. I don't think yo need to spend the extra money for the "Premium" bullets. I've had real good sucess with Sierra 100gr Pro Hunters out of my 25-06 from 100 yards out. the 25-06 speeds are a bit much for it inside 100 yards through..
Tell us a litle about distances you'll be shooting and body size of the animal in question, also what brand bullets do you have easy access to ?

kombi1976 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 24, 2004, 06:29:27 PM »

Quote from: Yoda

Tell us a litle about distances you'll be shooting and body size of the animal in question, also what brand bullets do you have easy access to ?

Well, to be honest I'm in the dark myself about the size or species of the deer I'll be hunting.
I'm guessing they'll probably be Fallow or Red deer. Fallow are about the same size as a Whitetail from what I can work out but they range from quite small animals to the odd monster. Red deer on the other hand are a good sized animal that can even get as big as a decent Mule deer. I'd probably leave a big Red to my mate who'll be packing a .303.
But all said which ever species the owner is wanting to be rid of I'm unsure. I know that if I had a choice between Red and Fallow I'd be keeping the Red.

As far as easily available bullets go I can get anything within reason. For instance I can either buy off the shelf or order in Barnes, Nosler, Hornady, Speer, Woodleigh, Remington & even Berger but my recent choices have been Sierras simply because they were good value for money and pretty reliable on the game I've been shooting so far. I'm toying with trying out the Nosler 100gn B/T Hunting or the 100gn Silver Tip but perhaps I should just get Core-Lokts or Pro-Hunters.

Yoda · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2004, 01:36:31 PM »

With critters that size you might want to stick with the 100gr Nosler Partition, I've never been a fan of the Barnes X Bullet in the .25, remember they are longer to make the weight.. The New barnes TSX might work out, but I have never shot them..
I run 100gr Patitions in my 25-06, they kill Very, Very well both inside and beyond 100 yards

kombi1976 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2004, 01:19:23 AM »

It was because of those facts that I was a little reluctant with the 25/303. Fortunately I'm buying a 1941 K98 Mauser sporter in 8x57 around Christmas so I'll probably be using that and saving my 25/303 for foxes and other smaller game.

shortshot · « **Reply #13 on:** December 01, 2004, 05:52:12 PM »

Don't short-change yourself with the 25/303. Since you are culling an excess amount of animals, you have a perfect opportunity to gain experience with the 25/303 and a different variety of bullets. Load up a few cartridges each with different brands and weights of bullets and try them out on the deer and see for yourself how each one performs then let us know the results. Your success with the 8x57 won't interest us that much, but you may want to kill a couple with it also to compare with the 25/303.
Good luck on your hunt.
Cheers
Vernon

adirondacker · « **Reply #14 on:** December 23, 2004, 01:30:08 AM »

sierra makes a 117 grn spitzer boat tail in their game king series that i use in a m77 mark II ruger 257 robts.getting 2600 to 2700 fps at the muzzle from that lenght barrel.i have killed several whitetail deer in the 135-155 {dressed weight} range.great bullet performance.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 26, 2004, 04:19:30 AM »

Quote from: shortshot

Your success with the 8x57 won't interest us that much, but you may want to kill a couple with it also to compare with the 25/303.

Thanks, shortshot, good sense of humour :wink:
But perhaps I will lug the old 25/303 out to see what damage she can do.
I suspect however that the ratio will be somewhat reversed i.e.:

8x57 lots : 25/303 a couple :-)

Merry Christmas & a happy New Year

old06 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2005, 04:38:41 PM »

I would go with the 100 grain Nosler partition I had good sucess with them a few years back they replaced a supply of 100grain Norma dual core that worked very well in my 2506 I setteled on the 115 grain Nosler Partition since my rifle seemed to group better. Good luck and happy hunting

pastorp · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2005, 07:35:14 PM »

Kombi, I'm a great fan of 25 cal. deer rifles. I have hunted quite a bit with the 250savage in a custom rifle based on a pre64 winchester action. The velocities I got with a 100gr bullet were simular to yours with the 25/303. My favorite bullet was a 100 gr remington core-lock, I bought these in bulk, and loaded them to about 2800fps. This bullet worked well on mule deer as well as our smaller blacktails here in southeast alaska.

I would buy a thousand 100gr core-locks and load them up and never look back. Its all the rifle you will need. IMO of course. Regards, Byron

kombi1976 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2005, 03:46:30 PM »

Well, pastorp, as it happens I remembered I have some custom loaded 100gn Taipan SPs I bought when I first got the rifle and they should perform well so long as the shot placement is good.
Goodness knows why I forgot about them, they're there staring me in the face every time I open the ammo compartment of my gun locker.
It's probably because I usually use the 90gn Sierra GameKing BTHPs, which incidentally will get another outing culling roos next week.
But if I had a barrel that would stabilise 115gn bullets I'd have less concerns.
One day I'd like to have a 257 Ack.Imp., both because of it's relationship to that great old round, the 7mm Mauser, and because it's a serious performer.
On a sidenote, Taipan are an Australian bullet manufacturer who use machinery that is over 100 years old to produce a tradtional style bullet.

flintlock · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2005, 04:21:06 AM »

I'd try those 90 gr Sierra GameKing BTHP...I've used that bullet in .243 in 85 gr for a few years now...between me and a couple of buddies we have killed about 30 whitetails with up to about 175 pounds...One of the Sierra newsletters points out that these bullets are harder than the softpoints that they make and do a fine job on medium and big game...check out www.sierrabullets.com Newsletter is Volume 7 Number 4...I get pass throughs on lung shots and it will penetrate both shoulder blades on high shoulder shots...Sounds like you might already have loaded up what you need....I'm also jealous...sound like you are in for a good time!!!
Good Luck

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2005, 10:14:48 AM »

I have been using the excellent Hornady 117 grain SPBT Interlock in .25 for several decades. I get match grade accuracy if the rifle and shooter is up to the challenge. Performance on game from groundhog size to deer size is superb. I have never failed to recover any animal fairly hit plus the price is right.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 15, 2005, 12:35:59 AM »

Quote from: flintlock

I'd try those 90 gr Sierra GameKing BTHP...I've used that bullet in .243 in 85 gr for a few years now...between me and a couple of buddies we have killed about 30 whitetails with up to about 175 pounds...One of the Sierra newsletters points out that these bullets are harder than the softpoints that they make and do a fine job on medium and big game...check out www.sierrabullets.com Newsletter is Volume 7 Number 4...I get pass throughs on lung shots and it will penetrate both shoulder blades on high shoulder shots...Sounds like you might already have loaded up what you need

An interesting piece of info, Flintlock. I must say I've always felt very comfortable using that particular load. Some other guys in town also use them on roos with their 25-06s and have said they're a really effective bullet.
The only reason I began to question the strength of them was when I went to shoot some pigs mid way through last year. We only ended up geting 7goats but the hollow point concerned me. I didn't want it to open up too quick. As such I loaded some 120gn Hornady HPs and found out the thard way the 25/303's barrel twist isn't up to anything over 100gn. They keyholed horribly. They also shed their cores, some a goat shouldn't do to a bullet like that.
But I'll try the 25/303 on a smaller deer and see how it turns out beforemaking any big judgements.Which sort of cartridge is your 25 cal?

Quote from: flintlock

....I'm also jealous...sound like you are in for a good time!!!
Good Luck

Thanks. I'm looking forward to it. It's been about 12 months since I've shot roos. The ones I was going to shoot last year disappeared into the bush everytime I decided to go looking and with my friend have 20 tags there should be plenty of fun. I'll post some pics for you to look at.
BTW, roo carcasses are really only good for dogfood. Anyone own a dog? :shock: :-D

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 21, 2005, 01:28:46 PM »

Back to the question, for 25 years the plain old Hornady 100gr Spire points have been my best bullets in both a 257 Roberts and 25-06. Some may be marginally more accurate, but are not the game bullet the Hornady is. At speeds from 2800-3300fps, reliable expansion and complete penetration.

arbee · « **Reply #23 on:** January 28, 2005, 05:32:15 PM »

hey kombi ... i use 100gn sierra`s in my 257 roberts on those type of animals and never been let down...

kombi1976 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 29, 2005, 05:12:25 PM »

Quote from: arbee

hey kombi ... i use 100gn sierra`s in my 257 roberts on those type of animals and never been let down...

Arbee, do you mean deer or roos?
Those GameKing 100gn SBTs certainly look good but I think I'll be sticking to the 90gn BTHPs.
They seem to work a treat in the Enfield and a 25/303 just doesn't have the power a Roberts does, especially on the SMLE action.
Also, the BTHP design is quite similar to the MatchKing design which kinda explains why they're so accurate.

BTW, I went out on the kangaroo shoot last Tuesday night.
We only bagged 3 in the end but then a mate, who bagged the first roo, hadn't pulled a trigger in 12 months and usually only hunts bunnies and foxes with a .22LR and he was using my 25/303 for the first time.
As such we chased roos across the property without him really being able to get a comfortable fix on them.
I tried to knock over a couple with my 8mm Mauser but with only open sights it was impossible for me to get a good shot in the half light.

Finally I got impatient, told my other mate who was spotlighting to drive instead of me, gave my first mate the spotlight and hopped in the bed of the pickup with the 25/303 myself to try my luck.
We saw 2 roos which had run away from before that night about 150yds away in a paddock.
I lined up on the bigger one, a buck, and put him down with a spine/heart shot.
He didn't even kick.
The second roo, a female, bounded away a few hops and then returned to look at the buck.
Dumb move....she copped a raking heart shot, hopped about 10yds, kicked once & died.
This all happened with about 30 seconds.
2 roos, 2 rounds.
We called it a night at that point.
As usual the 90gn BTHPs did the damage and the Enfield performed flawlessly.
Here's a pic:

Note the silly Sherlock Holes deer stalking hat my folks brought back from Baker Street, London :-D
The roo on the right is the buck and you can see a small blood flow from the entry wound just below it's forearm. The roo on the left is the female and the BTHP caused quite a chest wound going in.
I was really pleased with these 2 shots considering they were taken offhand off the back of a pickup at 150yds.
Best thing is I still have 17 tags left to fill.
I'll send some more pics when I head out next.