While at the local gunshop, a Ruger #1 in 25/06 followed me home. Being not familiar with this caliber, I ask for some proven accurate loads for antelope, deer and possib. coyotes.

Thanks for your help.

I have posted these loads before, seems somebody is always getting a new 25-06. Good caliber to be sure. A couple of combinations that work well for me are:

Rem case
Fed 210 primer
54 grains IMR 4831
Nosler 100 grain partition
Velocity = 3400 fps


W-W case
Fed 215M primer
54 grains IMR 7828
Nosler 115 Ballistic Tip
Velocity = 3150 fps

Both of these loads are maximum in my rifle and you should work up to them carefully. Both shoot very well for me.
I have shot a number of coyotes, deer, antelope, and wild hogs with the 25-06. Both of these loads work well for those applications. I am going on another antelope hunt this fall and am not sure which one I will use.

R F

I go the other way. I use CCI Standard primers. I take 30-06 Lapua cases and neck them down to 25-06. Do a very light turn on the case neck. For deer etc I use the 115 Part and for varmints I use the 100BT. Both over Norma MRP. I've also tried RL22 with good accuracy as well. I tried lighter bullets but had better luck with the 100BT.

Rem case
Fed 215 primer
55-56 grains IMR 7828 (work up)
Hornady 117 gr BT
Velocity = 3200 fps in 24" bbl

Bullet: Nosler 120 Grain Spitzer Boat Tail
Powder: 53.3 grains of H-4831
Primer: Winchester Large Rifle
Case: Remington
Firearm: Ruger 77R
Velocity: 3076 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Accuracy: <0.75" for 5-shots, 200-yards

Bullet: Sierra 120 Grain HPBT
Powder: 52.5 grains of H-4831
Primer: Winchester Large Rifle
Case: Remington
Firearm: Ruger 77R
Velocity: 2922 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Accuracy: <0.489" for 5-shots, 200-yards

Bullet: Sierra 120 Grain
Powder: 47.7 grains of IMR-4350
Primer: Winchester Large Rifle
Case: Remington
Firearm: Ruger 77R
Velocity: 2922 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Accuracy: <0.501" for 5-shots, 200-yards

I like the 120 Sierra/H-4831 load the best.

This is some info that is from my experience. I love this cartridge.


This is out of a 26" Weatherby Synthetic Lightweight. This 90 grain X is a killer!!


90 gr X BT OAL 3.147. 54.0 IMR4831 I could not find out how far off the land but I start at the recommended from Barnes. The most accurate was the 3332 fps velocity. 3 shots 3/8"
(With 54.5 grain IMR 4831 3340fps is what Barnes says in their #2 manual)

This bullet was loaded HOT to over 3400. It was a different powder lot and a hot day (That's is why we start at below max when starting loads) but very accurate also.

115 X bullet 51.0 IMR 4831 3149fps
115 Ballistic Tip 52.0 IMR4831 3163fps
117 Hornady Boat tail 52.0 IMR 4831 3130fps
This was my comparasion test with same charge

100gr XCoated 54.0 IMR4831 3240fps 1 1/4" 3 shot
55.0 IMR4831 3333fps 9/16" 3 shot

Here is some info from shooting into wet news print.

90 Xbullet
In 8" of paper it had a 1" hole with 3 1/2" of disruption (spelling?).
16" still slmost 1" hole with 1 1/2" disruption
17" found petal
19" 1/2" hole 3/4" disruption
21" found bullet 3 pedals missing

115 Ballistic Tip

8" paper 2" hole 4" disruption
bullet A stopped under 14" and I found jacket no core
Bullet B stopped 12" found jacket with a little core

117 Hornady boattail

8" in paper 1 1/2" hole 3" disruption
11" in paper 1/2" hole 1" disruption
17" found bullet

Hcliff

Remington case
Winchester LR Primer
51 Grains RE-22
115 Nosler BT (Same for CTBT's)

This load became extremely accurate after finding the right seating depth for my rifle (just off of the lands).

Haven't hunted with it yet, but plan on trying it out on antelope this fall. I don't want to start a BT slamming thread, but does anyone have experience with THIS bullet in THIS caliber in deer/antelope hunting applications?