My 25/06 is a rem 700 with a 24" barrel and is going to be used strictly for deer and antelope. I have shot some hornady interlocks with mediocre results. I am thinking about loading some BTips or accubonds. What would you use?

What velocity? If you're pushing over 3k definitely the AB.

I like 117 SGK's in my Bob at 2850.

I'm shooting 100gr TSX's in my Tikka and they are great on deer.

I reload for my 25-06 and have had good luck with 115 grain Nosler Partitions over H4831SC. I'm sure AB's would work fine as well.

Unless your deer are armor plated, try the Hornady 120HP. It was designed for big game (elk) with the .25-06 and performs extremely well in my .257 Weatherby. Accurate with deep penetration and ample expansion.



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I have shot quite a few antelope and some deer with 100 grain ballistic tips in my 25-06 and 257 weatherby. Chest shots bring a real fast death. If you miss the chest, there will be meat loss.
That bullet has been very accurate for me.

My Dad gave me a Rem 700 25-06 in 74. I've loaded the 120 NP since it came out. H4831 has been the only powder I've used. Will penetrate a WT lengthwise.

I have been using the 110 AB in my 257DGR on deer with no disappointments so far. I have shot 12 different bucks, 50-300 yards, all fell within 20 yards, most were DRT. Velocity is right at 3100fps.

I don't think a premium bullet (bonded, partition, etc.) is needed for deer. I'm loading Sierra 100 gr. Pro-hunter in both my 25/06 and 257 Roberts.

I have used a 25'06 for 20+years. I use NP120 & Sierra 120HPTs with INR4350. I am hunting with a Sauer 202 110AB & RL22 this year but haven't shot anything yet

quote:

Originally posted by rnovi:
What velocity? If you're pushing over 3k definitely the AB.

I like 117 SGK's in my Bob at 2850.

My Roberts shoots the same bullet ( 117 Sierra Game King) at 2925 average fps, I have not yet had a Mule Deer or an Antelope stop that bullet all shots have exited. Pin point accurate as well.

I've greatly lessened my use of the .25-06 ever since they started making 130 grain .25 bullets out of "unobtanium". I found that weight in that cartridge to be perfect for my mule deer shooting. But I've now moved to the .270 Winchester with 130 gr. bullets. The .270 destroys more meat but one has to do with what one HAS to do with.

120gr Hornady HP has worked very well for me. Great accuracy and terminal performance.

My 25-06 Remington success bullet for deer sized game has been (w/H-4831 & in order of preference):

1. Barnes 100 gr. TTSX
2. Hornady 90 gr. GMX
3. Sierra 90 gr. GK HPBT

Good Luck with your choice.

I am with Gerry. The 90 grain Sierra is a tough cup and core and the one I have recovered from an animal looked like a bullet add with a perfect mushroom. The 100 grain TSX is probably my favorite just because of the accuracy I have gotten and they are very effective in penetration and tissue damage. I also like the 117 Sierras, but they seem softer than the 90 grainers.

I had shoot some animals with .25-284 by this year. Its basicly same than 25-06 so i think result is quite same.
So i had try 110gr A-bond, 100gr B-tip, 100gr E-tip and 100gr sierra MK for game and all work basicly same.
E-tip is ofcourse most hard of those bullets and penetratio and meat damage of wildboar was smallest. Its anyway working well but accuracy was so poor that im not use those more.
Other bullets working basicly so much same way that after way is allmost impossible say what of those 3 bullets has used. Even that sierra match king work so well that i propably use that bullet for hunting at future. Sierra accuracy was best but difference with B-tip is really small. Both accuracy is really great. Accubond work also on game fine but accuracy are not so good than B-tip and sierra.

Test game had been white tails, wild boars, roe deers, predators and many kind birds. Anyway for this size game absolutely best caliber so long that i had try.

quote:

Originally posted by willimon1:
My 25/06 is a rem 700 with a 24" barrel and is going to be used strictly for deer and antelope. I have shot some hornady interlocks with mediocre results. I am thinking about loading some BTips or accubonds. What would you use?

SW Kansas, eh? Sounds like you could have some longer shots at some fairly big-bodied deer. Regardless, they're just deer and not Sherman tanks. "Non-premium" bullets will do just fine, but shoot whatever is most accurate in your rifle.

My load for my .25-06 (used for fair-sized deer at potentially longer ranges in West Texas) is a 115 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip propelled by IMR-7828SSC. As I own quite a number "deer" rifles and like to shoot different ones from time to time, I've only taken one deer with this combination, but it resulted in a full penetration of the chest cavity and left lung tissue clinging to the tree behind the deer. I also took several javelinas earlier this year with it, and although those relatively small animals don't require a lot of gun, all fell in their tracks.

However, if your rifle happens to shoot a 110 Accubond, 117 Sierra, or whatever better than the 115 BT, then any of them should do fine. I would advise sticking to the heavier bullets in this caliber and using slower powders for a better velocity/pressure ratio. H-4831 is the fastest I'd consider, with IMR-7828, RL-22, and RL-25 likely doing better.

You do not mention how old your rifle is. The newer rifles will have a 1:10 rifling twist which will handle the bullets listed above.
Barrels with a faster twist rate ( Varmint rifle) will not stabilize the heavier bullets. I found this out the hard way as my 120 grain bullets exploded in the air.

I have shot deer with just about every make and weight above 100grs out of my standard Rem 700 BDL in 25-06. I eventually settled on RL-22 for my powder, and the Nosler 115gr Partition for my bullets. I simply find them to work equally as well at 30yds as they do at 400, delivering drop dead performance. You get almost the best of the heavy and light bullets, your getting the penetration of the heavier ones with almost just as much velocity as the lighter ones.

quote:

the Hornady 120HP It was designed for big game (elk) with the .25-06 and performs extremely well in my .257 Weatherby. Accurate with deep penetration and ample expansion.

Yours must be a LOT different than the ones I have been shooting in my 25-06 AI. My fireform loads are only running around 3000fps and those Hornady 120gr HP's will bust a coyote open like a watermelon, not to mention ruin most of both shoulders on a hog. I have had discussions with others who were using them in their 257 Bob's and had similar results as I did. They shoot awesome, but I would hesitate to say big game or deep penetration with them in the same sentence.

quote:

Barrels with a faster twist rate ( Varmint rifle) will not stabilize the heavier bullets. I found this out the hard way as my 120 grain bullets exploded in the air.

I'm not sure how fast or what type bullets you were using, but this doesn't sound right to me...

Just saying this as my 25-06 AI has a 28" Broughton 1-9 barrel on it. I'm shooting 120gr Rem CL's, 120gr Hornady's, and 120gr Noslers to 3350fps pretty easily and getting great results with them and haven't had ANY issue with them blowing up mid air. Now those Hornady's, they hold together great even at the higher velocity, but as mentioned above, they haven't held up to well for me on critters.

quote:

I've greatly lessened my use of the .25-06 ever since they started making 130 grain .25 bullets out of "unobtanium". I found that weight in that cartridge to be perfect for my mule deer shooting.

Alberta, I know what you mean. Man I wished I had picked up a BUNCH more of those Wildcat's back when I had the chance. Those are some mean mama jama's. I'm considering placing an order through Matrix, but I'm getting such great results from the old Nosler Solid Bases I have, I really don't want to change anything. Even the oldest grandson reached out with one to over 300yds the other day, on his 13th birthday no less, and dropped his first 10pt buck.

quote:

...Yours must be a LOT different than the ones I have been shooting in my 25-06 AI....They shoot awesome, but I would hesitate to say big game or deep penetration with them in the same sentence...

I can't control your use of words in one sentence or in twelve and don't intend to try. All I can recount is the experience I have had and that of many others....try doing a search. But anyway, good luck with whatever works for you.....

quote:

Barrels with a faster twist rate ( Varmint rifle) will not stabilize the heavier bullets. I found this out the hard way as my 120 grain bullets exploded in the air.

This of course is backwards from reality. Varmint barrels normally use a slower twist more appropriate for shorter, lighter varmint bullets. Faster twists are required to stabilize longer, heavier bullets so bullet stability is not the issue. Either the poster is confusing terms, or he has problems other than twist rate.



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I have used the 100gr Sierra game king to take Mule deer and the 117gr for Elk. I used a Barnes 100gr XLC on an Antelope and it worked as well. Not as accurate as the newer TSX or TTSX but more accurate than the X bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by Rapidrob:
You do not mention how old your rifle is. The newer rifles will have a 1:10 rifling twist which will handle the bullets listed above.
Barrels with a faster twist rate ( Varmint rifle) will not stabilize the heavier bullets. I found this out the hard way as my 120 grain bullets exploded in the air.

Would be interesting to know where you studied physics.

Also, Remington introduced the 25/06 in 1969 in their M700. It had a 10" twist. Wondering what "older rifles" you are referring to.

quote:

Originally posted by TX Nimrod:
Unless your deer are armor plated, try the Hornady 120HP. It was designed for big game (elk) with the .25-06 and performs extremely well in my .257 Weatherby. Accurate with deep penetration and ample expansion.


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If shooting one deer with that bullet makes me an expert, I absolutely agree. I used it on a high shoulder shot deer at 100 yards with my 257R. Zipped right through both shoulders with an exit the size of a dime. Killed the deer like lighting and didn't ruin a lot of meat. The 115 Ballistic tip is also a tough bullet that opens nicely. I've actually shot 2 animals with that bullet so I'm really an expert on that one.

add me to the list of approvals of the 120 Hornady HP.....it's a true big game bullet in the .25-06

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
add me to the list of approvals of the 120 Hornady HP.....it's a true big game bullet in the .25-06

+1

I've taken lots of deer with the Hornady HP in a 257AI that doesn't like partitions. MV is about 3050fps. Only recovered one, and it had traversed a mature buck from stem to stern. It looked like an advertisement for Hornady. Can't imagine them acting like a varmint bullet.

Folks, my intent wasn't to start a spitting contest about the Hornady HP. I was simply saying that in my experiences shooting critters they haven't given me the results I was looking for. While dead is dead, the plain ol CL's bored through both shoulders of several hogs up into the 250 pound range and left a nice 1-1.5" hole, and did the same at about 30yds on some that were only in the 50'ish pound range. Nothing bloodshot, nothing massively torn apart, like I experienced with the Hornady.

Sorry, guess I should have stated it differently.

Now if your talking accuracy with them, then they are awesome, driving right into the same little 1" or so groups that both the 120 Nosler SB and the CL both shoot into at 300yds which is why I use them to fire form with. I learned that IF I shoot a hog I put it in the ear hole, and well the yotes, whatever they give me.

Ya know there are a LOT of great bullets for this caliber, not as many or in as many weights as I would like, but enough to satisfy most anyone. That said, we can probably all agree, they aren't all up to the individual task we in our minds put them up to. Some work fine for us some don't.

quote:

Originally posted by Mke / Tx:
Folks, my intent wasn't to start a spitting contest about the Hornady HP. I was simply saying that in my experiences shooting critters they haven't given me the results I was looking for. While dead is dead, the plain ol CL's bored through both shoulders of several hogs up into the 250 pound range and left a nice 1-1.5" hole, and did the same at about 30yds on some that were only in the 50'ish pound range. Nothing bloodshot, nothing massively torn apart, like I experienced with the Hornady.

Sorry, guess I should have stated it differently.

Now if your talking accuracy with them, then they are awesome, driving right into the same little 1" or so groups that both the 120 Nosler SB and the CL both shoot into at 300yds which is why I use them to fire form with. I learned that IF I shoot a hog I put it in the ear hole, and well the yotes, whatever they give me.

Ya know there are a LOT of great bullets for this caliber, not as many or in as many weights as I would like, but enough to satisfy most anyone. That said, we can probably all agree, they aren't all up to the individual task we in our minds put them up to. Some work fine for us some don't.

Mike,

Not a spitting contest. Many of us had great experience with how the bullet performed. We are relaying our experiences so the OP can make his own decision.

quote:

olks, my intent wasn't to start a spitting contest about the Hornady HP.

Mike, I don't see it that way at all. It's simply that we don't all see the same situation the same way......this don't mean one is right and one is wrong......simply that they might have different parameters for their vision.

I once told Steve Hornady about a corelokt bullet in a factory loaded 7MM Mauser that killed a medium size whitetail buck even though the jacket totally separated from the core. I called it a bullet failure.

He replied; "At what point in the death of the deer did the bullet fail?".....making his point completely clear.

To me, if the jacket separates from the core it's a bullet failure......period!....To him, if the animal died it's a successful bullet.....we simply have different parameters.

To this day, I use almost exclusively bonded or partition bullets to prevent the separation as I'm wanting exit holes to aid in tracking if necessary.....and I've never had a bullet separation of a 120 Hornady HP.....so in my world it's a "premium" hunting bullet without the premium price.

No spitting contest intended.....

quote:

Originally posted by Mke / Tx:
Folks, my intent wasn't to start a spitting contest about the Hornady HP. I was simply saying that in my experiences shooting critters they haven't given me the results I was looking for. While dead is dead, the plain ol CL's bored through both shoulders of several hogs up into the 250 pound range and left a nice 1-1.5" hole, and did the same at about 30yds on some that were only in the 50'ish pound range. Nothing bloodshot, nothing massively torn apart, like I experienced with the Hornady.

Sorry, guess I should have stated it differently.

Now if your talking accuracy with them, then they are awesome, driving right into the same little 1" or so groups that both the 120 Nosler SB and the CL both shoot into at 300yds which is why I use them to fire form with. I learned that IF I shoot a hog I put it in the ear hole, and well the yotes, whatever they give me.

Ya know there are a LOT of great bullets for this caliber, not as many or in as many weights as I would like, but enough to satisfy most anyone. That said, we can probably all agree, they aren't all up to the individual task we in our minds put them up to. Some work fine for us some don't.

Mike: no spitting contest from here, either. Just sharing experiences. Guess I'm surprised that your experience is so different. But it's also been my experience that if any given bullet is discussed on the interweb, performance varies widely.

Here are the two loads I'm shooting in my 700 25-06 along with the chronograph data

100 Nosler BT
53.0 H4350
Fed 210
WW 25-06
3333 fps
3.221" LOA


110 Nosler AB
58.0 RL25
Fed 210
WW 25-06
3116 fps
3.233" LOA

Still thinking that RL-22 might be the better overall than RL-25 for the 110 gr. AB. Still working on that load.

The 100 gr. load will put 3 into an inch at 200 yds if I do my part. The load is from the Nosler website which shows a greater charge weight of H4350 as compared to the Hodgdon supplied data.

For a cup-n-core bullet, I had great luck with the Speer 120 SPBT and IMR4831 (about 52-52.5gr if I recall)
I'm now shooting the Nosler AB as where I'm hunting I have the chance at some larger game than whitetails and wanted better penetration. I'm using RL-19 in one rifle and H-4831 in the other. Both rifles with their respective loads are sub-moa @ 100 yards.

I like heavy for caliber cup and cores in 1/4 bore. I have never had a problem with them on deer sized game, so my philosophy is dont fix it if it isnt broke. I have even killed a few mulies with the 115 gn BT. But the truth is they make me nervous because I know how aggressive their expansion is.

I like the plain vanilla variety. I wouldn't hesitate with either the 120 gn Speer, 117 gn Sierra or Hornady and such as long as they will group.

Save the "unobtanium" for stouter critters. Perhaps I should qualify that opinion with the fact that I am NOT a shoulder shooter. I go for the lungs.

quote:

Originally posted by willimon1:
My 25/06 is a rem 700 with a 24" barrel and is going to be used strictly for deer and antelope. I have shot some hornady interlocks with mediocre results. I am thinking about loading some BTips or accubonds. What would you use?

I have had very good success with the 100gr BT on medium size deer, and excellent success when I switched to the 110gr Accubond as soon as they were available, even on 600+lb sambar stags.
Accuracy is excellent and I'm running 57.5gr of RE25 in Rem brass and Fed 215 primers. Velocity is a staggering 3266fps, average of 10 shots. This rifle shoots consistent .25MoA off a steady rest out to 600yrds, in no wind. RE22 is another good powder, try 56gr, it shoots really well, too.

Cheers.

I use the 80 TTSX in my 25-06 at 3690 fps. I have only shot antelope with it so far. Just about aim right on to 300 yards.

I have 2 25-06's one does like the hornady 120 [so does my 257 bob] the other does not.
I have tried the speer 100 gr btsp controlled expansion bullet and while accurate enough I definitely need to keep the shots behind the shoulder.
the first rifle is a plain jane ruger with a jewell trigger, and the second is a mauser actioned custom rifle built around the lighter [85-100gr] bullet weights.
anyone reloading for the 25-06 needs to take a look at using RL-19.
it gives super nice extreme velocity spreads, decent velocity without any surprises, and good consistent groups.

I used the 25-06 for six years almost exclusively. After trying speer sierra 120s which in my opinion lacked penetration I tried the nosler partition 115 gr and was completely satisfied.

bbell: which Speer 120 I'd you use? The SBT or the Hot Core. Thanks

In the last 25 years I have hunted nearly everything from groundhogs to mule deer with a 25/06. I never found the need for a bullet heavier than 100gr.For longer ranges I shot nosler Bts. For close ranges the sierra prohunters. If I had to pick one it would be the nosler.

In looking for an accurate long-range hunting bullet for my Vanguard I tried Bal Tips Accubonds Partitions Pro Hunters and Game Kings in weights from 100 to 120. My best performer was the 100gr Partition. With a near max charge of IMR 4831 it will shoot MOA out to 300yds.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

I've been hunting deer sized critters for over 35 years with my .257 Ackley pushing 115 gr Ballistic Tips, 117 gr GameKings, and 120 gr Hornaday HP bullets at 2900+ fps. All have worked great on everything from prairie dogs to elk.

I shot 4 bighorn rams with 117 gr GameKings, and they all were DRT. I shot my Dall ram at 206 yds with a 117 gr GameKing and he also dropped dead in his tracks. There was a 1/2" exit hole behind his off shoulder. When we were packing out I shot a Wolverine, also with a 117 gr GameKing, and the exit hole was about the size of my two fists.

On another Montana unlimited unit bighorn sheep hunt I came across a large 6x6 bull elk that I couldn't pass up. A 117 gr GameKing shot behind his shoulder at about 75 yds hit a rib, shredded his lungs and did not leave his chest cavity. He simply collapsed, dead.

Pick the bullet that is most accurate in your rifle, put into the right spot, they should all work well.