What do you guys recommend for bullet weight for white tail when reloading 25-06

100gr bts and aa2700 rem 9 1/2 and good scope

Because I've had bad experiences with 120 grain bullets and smaller cup and core in my 25-06 IMP on mule deer, I recommend nothing but premium bullets in that cartridge. If not, a 20 yard shot can be a disaster. roger

Anything from the 100gr up to 120's will work just fine.

Powders from H-4350 through RL-25 all work depending on bullet weights chosen.

Stick with standard primers, never had the need for any of the magnums.

I found a good balance between speed and penetration using the 115gr Partition loaded with RL-22 in Win cases using Win WLR primers. I was getting 3150 from my rifle with the load and accuracy was wonderful running about 1/2" - 3/4" at 200yds.

The thing about the 100gr loads is that they are moving so fast for the fragile bullets, that up close shots generally ruin a bit of meat.

100grain partitions in front of as much IMR4350 as your rifle is happy with.

AD

I use 115 gr. Berger VLDs over RL-22.

I find it interesting that when it comes to
.257 diameter bullets, so many will use less than 120 grainers but when the caliber is increased two thicknesses of a human hair (.007) the bullet weight must be 140 grains and more.

IMO the 120 grain bullets in either caliber are ideal for whitetail and the superb 120 grain Hornady HP is as premium as it gets in the .25-06. I've had similar success with 120 grain Northfork HP in the 6.5 caliber (swede)

I dont have a 260 but 120gr in a25/06 is an over kill for these little whitetail here in the east the 100 gr does a respectable job. hit right, you will not have to chase them down. A friend hunts exclusively with 25/06, even elk 120gr coreloc. he calls it the 1 step load.
I like a bit more energy when it comes to elk so I would use a 270 with 150 or a 30/06 with 165, a partition or maybe a solid but thats another story.

49.0 grains of IMR 4350 and the 117 grain Sierra Spitzer BT(GameKing) or 53.1 grains of H4831sc and either the 117 grain Sierra SBT or the 120 Hornady HP. I would be willing to bet that one or both of those loads will perform well in your rifle for accuracy and I am 100% SURE that they will perform when they get to the deer! GHD

I load RL22 with Sierra 100gr Pro Hunters or for the thickets I use IMR4831 with 100gr Swift A-Frames.

i use a 117 sierra b.t.and 51.0 grs of IMR 4831, only because it is very accurate. and i us a 120 gr. sierra in my .260 rem..

To add some background:

from left to right

1. Mule Deer, northern Nebraska, .257 Roberts 100 grain spire point.....85 yards

2. Springbok, RSA, .25-20 60 grain HP....60 yards

3. 8-point whitetail, Chippewa Falls Wisconsin, .375 H&H, 270 grain spire point...400 yards

4. 10-point whitetail, 6.5 X 55, SW Nebraska, 120 Northfork...120 Yards

5. 10-point whitetail, SW Bebraska, .257 Roberts, 100 grain Silver tip semi spitzer...90 yards

6. Pronghorn, Cody Wyoming, 120 BT .264 Mag...425 uards

Had the trophies taken with the .257 Roberts been at a lot greater distancem I'd have much preferred a heavier bullet to carry the energy farther. That said.....the 100 grain bullets do, in fast, kill nicely.

That is one handsome mule deer mount. What was it's spread?
Sure looks like you're heating a lot of ceiling and roof this yearroger

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I find it interesting that when it comes to
.257 diameter bullets, so many will use less than 120 grainers but when the caliber is increased two thicknesses of a human hair (.007) the bullet weight must be 140 grains and more.

IMO the 120 grain bullets in either caliber are ideal for whitetail and the superb 120 grain Hornady HP is as premium as it gets in the .25-06. I've had similar success with 120 grain Northfork HP in the 6.5 caliber (swede)

Good point ,VD. My thinking , however is in a different direction. Using your premise , why isn't there a 25 caliber 147gr.** bullet available. Years past that's what I would have used in my 25-06 IMP.for mule deer. Just FYI, the IMP version added little in increased perfomance.
** the 147gr. 257 is the porportioal equivalent of the 156gr. 6.5. roger

quote:

he 147gr. 257 is the porportioal equivalent of the 156gr. 6.5.

Hey I got some .257" - 142gr RBBT ULD's, but your gotta have a fast twist to keep'em pointed in tha right direction. They sure do make a whack when they get there too.

Now the .257" - 125gr RBBT ULD's are the ones that really rock.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
why isn't there a 25 caliber 147gr.** bullet available. Years past that's what I would have used in my 25-06 IMP.for mule deer. roger

Probably because the .25 calibers weren't made with twist rates to stabilize longer bullets.

The 6.5s were military rounds and were made for much heavier bullets and had considerably faster twists.

The same situation applies to the .270 and 7mm cartridges.....the 7mms can shoot 175s with their 1-9 twists and the slightly different diameter .270 twists were all 1-10".

Even the early .257 Wetherbys were 1-12" twist and didn't even handle the 120 grain bullets.

I think my argument is still valid.....if the 120 is good for the .25-06, then it ought to be equally as good for the 6.5 cartridges at the 3,000 FPS mark.

120 all the way.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
That is one handsome mule deer mount. What was it's spread?
Sure looks like you're heating a lot of ceiling and roof this yearroger

None of these mounts will make the books so I haven't measured any of them.....I had them mounted only because I liked them!

The ceiling and roof are sprayed with 6" of hi-density polyurethane.......and is actually well insulated.

I use a heat pump for heat and it circulates the air nicely. I also use the area above the rooftrusses for storage of goose decoys and other of life's necessities.

The 110 gr nosler accubonds out of a 25-06 work for me.
GWB

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bartsche:
I think my argument is still valid.....if the 120 is good for the .25-06, then it ought to be equally as good for the 6.5 cartridges at the 3,000 FPS mark.

Don't doubt that for a moment.In fact there is no arguement here. Just processing the information in a different light. Guess I'm saying, in my opinion, the 25-06 would more readily come into is own with a heavier well designed bullet. roger

I have ordered some 115 grain Noslers, and am having trouble locating the right powder and charge weight. Keep in mind I am just starting out reloading so be patient with my endless questions please. Thanks all.

+1 to the 110gr Accubond and whitetail. My little 25wssm has acocunted for a whole lotta bang flop with that bullet. So much so I don't bother w. the TSX in 25cal anymore.

Can't wait to try it out in 25-06 (still at the smiths!). And this from a 30-06 & 270 kinda guy!

I am also a fan of the 110 AB. A hunting partner loads these for his son and they have been awesome on whitetails here in GA and an antelope at 400ish yards in Montana--(my Buddy used his sons gun for the lope)

GW, what kind of scope is that on your 25.06?

quote:

Originally posted by Fish30114:
I am also a fan of the 110 AB.

I think you folks have talked me into trying a box of them!....at least for the .257 Roberts!

Fish,
The scope you reference is a Leica, 3.5 x 10 x 42, 30mm tube. I am a Leica fan and have the 10 x 42 BA binocs and the lrf 1200 rangefinder. When I had the opportunity to pick the scope up at a very attractive price I jumped on it.
GWB