Picked up a Ruger #1 in .25/06 along with some Sierra 117BTSP Gamekings. I see that Sierra has dropped the Pro Hunter versions of the 100 & 117gr ,257 bullets -- that's a shame.

I'm going to attempt to find a good load for this rifle with these Sierra's..I feel like they will work fine for Tx Whitetail and our hogs.

Anyone have any experience with these 117gr Gamekings? In either the 25/06 or 257wby

gamekings are my goto for hunting bullets in moderate calibers .. but a 25-06 is a bit on the hotside for them .. i would try tsx/ttsx at -0.65 off and a medium book load of your preferred powder to start

They'll work fine for whitetails and hogs. I used to use this bullet in a fast .257 Roberts which clocked around 2950 fps, not so far off of what most .25-06's are running.

I currently use the 115 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips in my own .25-06 with a charge of IMR7828SSC. My 24.4" Sako digests 54 grains and yields 3145 fps with this load. Of course, with a different gun and different bullet you should back off from this amount some bit and work up to match your rifle's specifics. However, this same load has worked beautifully in three different .25-06's for me.

the 19$ a box 100g speer controlled expansions do just fine.
keep them off the bones.

loaded the 117 sierra and 120 speer
51.0 grains IMR4831 win. primer

The most accurate load I've worked up for my 25-06: 120gr Nosler Partitions, 50.0 grains IMR4831, CCI LR primers

My brother has used the 117s on Mule deer with his 257 Weatherby. Didn't do to much damage but he never hit large bone. I've shot them out of my 25-06 Rem I can't remember if I was using IMR 4350 or 4831 with them. I would have to look in my manual again for the information.

I see Hornady no longer lists their 120 gr. HP, which is a shame. My Ruger #1 would launch these at about 3100 fps and they worked amazingly well on our large mule deer and antelope. They penetrated far better than you would expect from an HP. When I use up the last of my stock I will have to find something new.
C.G.B.

I was at Sportsmans warehouse this weekend and noticed that Speer has a 120gr 25 Cal bullet. Might give them a try.

that sucks about the Hornady 120's too.
my Ruger 25-06 and the little win featherweight in 257 Bob both shoot that bullet very well.

I'd have to double check my stock, but I'm probably okay as far as hunting goes.

Palladin8

quote:

I was at Sportsmans warehouse this weekend and noticed that Speer has a 120gr 25 Cal bullet. Might give them a try.

Palladin8
i shot/loaded this bullet 15-18 years ago.. shot real well

somewhere around 49gr IMR4350 with the 117gr Sierra has worked well for me in several 25/06s