Looking for accuracy first and than leathality with a new load for a 25.06 This will be used for deer hunting primarily with hogs/varmints thrown in the mix. What bullet/bullet weight and powder would you recommend? I thought about H4831 and a 120 Hornady BTSP? Thanks Esox357.

Well, my go-to load for my 25-06 has been a 100 grain Nosler Partition in front of a max load of IMR 4831 for a number of years now.

I have killed a BUNCH of wild hogs with this load, and deer, antelope, coyotes, bobcats, etc.
It kills wild hogs a lot better than you would think a .257 caliber rifle would.

I have also had good luck using the 115 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip in front of a case full of IMR 7828. This has been especially good for me shooting antelope, but has dropped a few pigs as well.

Most recently I have had to work up loads with all copper bullets due to the STUPID California regulations. I am getting very good groups with the 100 grain Barnes TSX with exactly the same load I was using with the 100 grain Partition. The Barnes 100 TSX even hits the same place as the Partition.

I use Fed 210 primers with the IMR 4831 loads, and Fed 215M primers with the IMR 7828 loads.

Hornady's 120 Hollow point....end of conversation!

I am very big on the 25-06. I shoot deer and groundhogs. I fooled with a lot of combinations of powder and bullets. The best overall load for me has been 58.4 grains of RL-22 and a Hornady 100 grain spire point. This is fairly tough bullet and gives me complete penetration on deer. It is my favorite deer load. I think this load gives me 3300 and change in velocity. Outstanding accuracy.

100gr Barnes TSX with 53gr of IMR-4350 with an OAL of 3.24"

120gr Nosler Partition with 54gr of IMR-7828 with an OAL of 3.25"

I have been happy using 115 NBTs and IMR4831, but I want to try the 100 TSX and 110 Accubonds. Lou

Here is a consistant load.

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100 gr TSX with 52 gr. RL-19.

100 gr Partition w/52 gr H4350. Work up as usual.

Back when I was hunting with a 25-06,I always got the tightest groups and highest velocities with IMR-4350.My favorite load was 51.2grs. of IMR-4350 with a 120gr. bullet with chronograph velocity of 3100fps.A word of caution loading for the 25-06,because it is very overbored,take great care in loading it specificy for your rifle,weigh each charge carefully and accurately and always work up to any given load.

51.0 grs. IMR-4831 & 117 gr. sierra

quote:

Originally posted by ron williams:
Here is a consistant load.

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Good shooting.

Sometimes you just need to know what your rifle will do. The three shot groups are interesting, but what is your average over all?

quote:

This target tells me more about the rifle then any 3 shot test groups I’ve shot with it.

Mick: I agree that a group with lots of shots tells you a lot about a rifle's capability. And your rifle obviously has lots of capability.

But if we are talking about hunting rifles...where it will consistently place the first 2 or 3 shots from a cold (clean or semi-clean) barrel may be more significant that how it will group at the range with a barrel of unknown temperature (based on time/temp between shots)

IMO, multiple 3 shot groups taken on different days over time, in different weather conditions, barrel conditions, etc. are a better indication of a good hunting rifle than lots of shots at the same target with the same rifle on the same day.

quote:

Originally posted by olarmy:

quote:

This target tells me more about the rifle then any 3 shot test groups I’ve shot with it.

Mick: I agree that a group with lots of shots tells you a lot about a rifle's capability. And your rifle obviously has lots of capability.

But if we are talking about hunting rifles...where it will consistently place the first 2 or 3 shots from a cold (clean or semi-clean) barrel may be more significant that how it will group at the range with a barrel of unknown temperature (based on time/temp between shots)

IMO, multiple 3 shot groups taken on different days over time, in different weather conditions, barrel conditions, etc. are a better indication of a good hunting rifle than lots of shots at the same target with the same rifle on the same day.

I wouldn’t disagree with you.

I have a old style Ruger in 25-06 that I guess I have 20 years now. I've gotten other rifles since then but I absolutely love that Ruger. My most accurate load I found is 57.5 grs. of Re 19 with a 100 gr. ballistic tip. I know this is pretty hot but I don't have any pressure signs and I started at 55 grs. and went up in 1/2 grain increments. The only other bullet that was close to the ballistic tip in accuracy was the Hornady 100 gr. SP. Good luck and enjoy your 25-06....PaLuke

Esox

I have never used a 25-06, but I have seen a few in action.

Also I have used a 243 and a 257 WBY Mag quite a bit.

IMHO when you throw wild pigs into the mix, things change in a major way.

You can never go wrong with a Nosler Partition.

They are not too expensive, they open up at long distance, and they will not "blow up" if shot into tough game up close.

Also I have NEVER had a problem getting them to shoot very good groups in hunting rifles.

So which ever Nosler Partition shoots best in your rifle is the one I would use.

Just remember you can NEVER go wrong with a Nosler Partition, NEVER.