I just purchased a Winchester M70 Classic (CRF) in 25-06. I plan to use 100g bullets (probably Nosler Partitions) for Pronghorn, and am interested in any successful loads that have been developed. I'm also open to commentary/discussion regarding my choice of 100 grain bullets for Pronghorn (I already have those from reloading for a Savage M99 250-3000).

They well kill any antelope you hit properly.

I found the 25.06 easy to load for pick a couple of good powders go by the book shoot for group and have at it.

I had my best accuracy luck with IMR 4350. The Partitions are fine, Ballistic-tips too. Just think fast opening and you'll be OK.

I've always been a bit of a M70 fan, got an FN featherweight with grade 2 wood in .270 the other day.

You have a great antelope rile in that 26-06.

I have pretty much settled on two powders for loading the 26-06. With bullets of 75 to 100 grains I get the best results with IMR 4831. When loading heavier bullets I use IMR 7828.

I use Fed10 primers for the IMR 4831 loads but find that Fed215M primers work best for the IMR 728.

My "go to" load has for years been a 100 grain Nosler over IMR 4821. I have used it on deer, antelope, and a mess of wild hogs.

However, due to living in California I have switched to using the same load behind a 100 grain Barnes TSX. Great bullet, have never recovered one, never had to track an animal.

But, for a great antelope load consider the Barnes 80 grain Tipped TSX. When loaded over a nearly case full of IMR 4831 I get 3600 fps from my 24 inch barrel.

That 80 grain bullet just flattens antelope and shoots extremely flat.

Sorry for the typo guys, I know there is no such thing as IMR 4821. OOPS

Got a new computer and could not figure how to edit the post. I of course meant IMR 4831.

the Part wouldn't be my bullet of choice for pronghorn. I use the 110 accubond for everything I shoot with my 25-06. Heavy load of IMR 4831, 7828 or RL22. My rifle happens to prefer RL22. If I was stuck on a 100gr then the ballistic tip is plenty for pronghorn.

I have had good luck with RL-19 and 100-120 grain bullets in the 25-06.

quote:

I have had good luck with RL-19

I had forgotten about RL19. In my rifle I got good velocity but the RL22 grouped better. If you had RL19 it would be worth testing.

Partitions are great bullets, but not really needed for deer sized critters out of a 25/06. I load 100 gr. Sierra ProHunters and XMR4350. My load covers everything from groundhogs to deer.

Thank you all for the timely and helpful suggestions. I have most of the components of your recommendations in hand to start trying some test loads (IMR 4831, IMR 4350, RL19). I'll also try Nos BT and Sierra Pro Hunters. As always, all great info, and a good head start. Many Thanks!!

I use H4831 in my 25-05, with 100 grain ballistic tips.
For antelope I use mostly a 257 WBY, again with 100 ballistic tips.
The partitions will work great, but in my view they are more than you need.
Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by df06:
The partitions will work great, but in my view they are more than you need.
Good luck.

s-s,

I've obviously got a barrel that prefers the lighter pills 80-100 grs. as I've not had acceptable accuracy success with 110, 115, 117 & 120 grainers; despite trying several powders.

A tad over max, (work up) but 55.5 grs. of H4831 with 100 grain Barnes TTSX's crimped into the foremost relief groove with a LFCD will put 3 inside a dime at 100 meters - I'm statisfied.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerry:
s-s,

I've obviously got a barrel that prefers the lighter pills 80-100 grs. as I've not had acceptable accuracy success with 110, 115, 117 & 120 grainers; despite trying several powders.

A tad over max, (work up) but 55.5 grs. of H4831 with 100 grain Barnes TTSX's crimped into the foremost relief groove with a LFCD will put 3 inside a dime at 100 meters - I'm statisfied.

What velocity?

56grs or IMR4831 with a mag primer(I use Fed215) and a 100gr PAR bullets works great.
I would rather have too good a bullet than one marginal.
I used the Nosler BT bullet but was not happy.
On going away up hill shots the bullets would go in about 1" then turn and exit without killing the animal. The PAR bullets would penerate into the vitals and kill the pronghorn/deer. This also happened with 7mm and 308 bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by slugslinger:
I just purchased a Winchester M70 Classic (CRF) in 25-06. I plan to use 100g bullets (probably Nosler Partitions) for Pronghorn, and am interested in any successful loads that have been developed. I'm also open to commentary/discussion regarding my choice of 100 grain bullets for Pronghorn (I already have those from reloading for a Savage M99 250-3000).

I've been loading the 25-06 for over 25 years, my best results had always been with RL22 which I had been loading at 56gr with any 100gr pill except for Barnes mono's. A few years back I started developing loads with RL25 before any load data came about, even with my thorough pressure testing I was dumbfounded at the increase in velocity AND accuracy UNDER max pressure.
My testing revealed that it was very easy to get 100-150fps more velocity and still stay under max pressure, and max loads approached 200+fps increases, but groups shrunk around 1-2gr under max with no issues in regard to case life. My max load with 100gr pills was 60gr and I'm running 59gr with 100gr Nosler BT's in Rem brass and a Fed215 primer. This load is above 3400fps but is totally safe in MY rifle.
I have tried many different powders in the past and nothing comes close to these 2 powders for performance.

Best of luck with your new acquisition.

Cheers.

I did some load testing with RL25 and has worked excellent over my chrono and accuracy.
I will probably switch to it over the IMR4831.

Thank you. Very interesting about RL22 and RL25. I had considered RL22, but not RL25. Curious why magnum primers? . . .