Well, I just got back from my first try with the used 25-06 Model 700 I picked up a month ago. Only took 11 shots due to a pickup in the wind. After shooting 2 foulers, shot 3 117gr sierra's (Federals)into 7/8". Followed up with two 3 shot groups using 115 gr Noslers(Federal) into 3/8" and 7/16"! Not bad for a $370 investment (with 3x9 Leupold VXII)!
Anyway, I may have stumbled onto a bullet preference, and will check it out at 200 and 300 yards the next time the wind is right.
Does anyone have a good recipe for those 115gr Nosler Partitions (for deer only)? How about dies? Since I'm keeping the rifle, I need to buy some dies and though I'm a RCBS man, I'm willing to to look at other brands which turn out quality PFL sized brass.

Myself, I like RCBS, but now get Redding when able. Look for a SLOW powder for the heavy bullets and the 25-06.

Lee Collet neck sizer
Redding Body Die
RCBS Competition Seater
Lee Factory Crimp Die

You can get rid of the expander ball and don't have to lube the inside of the neck with the Lee Collet. It also yields very low runout.

When you have to push the shoulder back the Redding Body die is easy to adjust.

The RCBS Competition Seater is easy to use because you put the bullet in the side and it has a collet to hold the bullet and case in line.

The LFCD will give you more consistant bullet release, slightly increase velocity and slightly decrease group size.

I started with a set of RCBS dies and bought a set of Lee collet dies. My acuracy increased noticeably with the collet set. I had good results with AA-3100 with 120's velocity over 300 and SD's below 10.

Sounds like you have a shooter on your hands, congratulations!

In regard to dies, I too, am pretty much an RCBS fan, but have gravitated lately to the three dies sets from Redding. They have a full length sizer, a neck sizer, and a seating die.
They have worked great for me. I played with the Lee dies for a while, but moved on.

In regard to loads with the 115 Nosler Partition, I would recommend using IMR 7828 sparked by a Fed 215M primer.

My favorite dies are Bonanza - I generally get runout of less than 0.002". They cost about twice as much as a set of RCBS dies but I think the quality is worth it. My favorite load for the 115 gr. partition in my M700 is 54.5 gr. of IMR-7828, Fed. 215 primer, and Rem. brass. I have taken about 15 antelope and mule deer with this load, plus a few coyotes and 2 cow elk (both 1 shot kills). I really don't consider the .25-06 an elk rifle but it works with good shot placement.

Try 49 to 50 grains of IMR-4350 with the 115 Nosler. Tack driver in my Sendero.

Lee collet die and Accurate Arms MagPro gunpowder produce in my Colt\Sauer 25-06.

I'm using the Lee 3 die set in my savage.
Bullet powder combos-
75 V-Max and H4350
90 g Sierra and IMR 4064
117 Hornady BTSP and surplus WC 860

I have not tried the 115 Nosler, but I second the slow reccomendation. H870 is similar to my WC860, or R-22, R-25, H1000, 4831 will all work.

LEE COLLET DIES!! If you want to test them, buy some RCBS dies, whatever caliber, load 3 multiples of 5 shot group loadings from SAME LOT OF BRASS, SAME LOT POWDER, SAME LOT PRIMERS and then go to the range!! The ammo loaded with the LEE COLLET neck sizer compared to the "expander ball" design of the RCBS, will shrink your groups!!
Now to bullet choices for the 25-06.............117grain SIERRA Spitzer Boattail is all you will ever need to know about as far as 25-06 and killing stuff of deer size!! no fancy "polymer tip", no hefty inflated price! JUST "DRT" bullets(Dead Right There)!! You may want to try 53.1 grains of H4831sc and the same bullet. Little more speed and accurracy is there also! You can even substitute the bullet with the WONDERFUL, BLOOD AND GORE, 120 grain Hornady HP!! For vermin, 56-57 grains of Reloader 19 and the 85 grain Mosler BT's. Too bad that Winchester doesn't offer their "90 grain P.E.P."(positive expanding point) bullets anymore!!! You could use them with that same powder charge as the Noslers and results of a hit on a groundhog were "DEVASTATIONAL"!!
All in all, you have a fine rifle, worthy of taking about anything you want to shoot from varmints to deer(big deer included(elk) with proper shot placement!! Have fun and welcome to the world of 25-06!!
GHD..........Pastor at the church of GHD, 25-06!!! (PM me for some additional loadings for 100 grain bullets or 75 grainers) The 117's are great, the 85's are great! The 25-06 is GOD'S gift to rifledom!

GD, good to see your voice. was hopin you'd show up on PLRH.Boyd, Darryl, Ric, well it's Ric's site,all the rejects from LRH hang out over there.anyways,

just wanted to say i'd never buy RCBS dies again. there QC has fallen and can't seem to get up. heard a bunch of people complain about their dies.

if you're looking for a load, why not do a ladder with each bullet you want to shoot? saves a lot of time. Dave Wilson

Westernmassman,
I am not sure why the .25/06 has not exterminated the .243 but you will really notice a difference when you use it ... especially at long range.

My favorite powder for the 25-06 with bullets from 100-120 grs. is IMR 4831. Each rifle is different, so yours may have a different preference. H4831, AA3100, IMR4350, RL19, RL22 are all good powders that are well suited to the 30-06 class of cartridges.

Hello, I've been loading for the 2506 since I bought my first one in 1979. It is my favorite caliber, I wouldn't be caught without one. Mine shoots well with many powders, the best have been
H4831, H4831SC,IMR 4831, R22,R25,MRP and Retumbo.

Retumbo is the best I have found for heavy bullets. It gives the same accuracy as the others but provides much better velocities. Around 60 gr with a 115/117 gr bullet works very well in mine. It provides a nice full case with mild compression. As usual work up as the Hodgdon max load is 60.5.

Will try the Lee Dies. I still am skeptical about neck sizing for hunting rounds, but realize they do offer better potential for accuracy vs PFL which is the way I reload.

BTW, I have the 25-06's big brother (35 Whelen) for the real heavy lifting!

My 25,06,
Does not like the really slow powdrs. It is really acurate with RL-19 and IMR-4350.
it costs a little velocity , but not much and if the holes are right together thats good enough for me...tj3006