I just picked up a 25-06 with a 26" 1 in 10" twist barrel and am wondering which bullet I should start loading. I'd like an accurate bullet with a decent BC. When I run the data through my ballistics program it looks like 100 grain bullets retain the most energy at 300 yards. I'd like to hear from some people who've shot antelope or deer at 200 plus yards; what kind of results did you get etc.. If you have a good load you can post I'd appreciate it. I'm considering R22 or IMR 4831 for my loads (mainly because I have them on hand).

26" barreled 25-06 is just begging for 110 gr accubond @ 3100-3150 fps ro so. That might well be the best whitetail/muley bullet going, especially at 25-06 velocities. There are lots of other good choices as well, but I'd vote for that one myself.

Well... I am shooting the 2506- a Ruger V/T with the 100 gr Ballistic Tip and RE 22. At 56 grs, I'm getting 3 shot groups hovering around the 3/4 inch mark. At 300 yrds, they open up to about 3.5-4 inches. Don't have a Chrono, so I couldn't tell you how fast they are going. Did manage to shoot over the back of a nice 4x4 two years ago at 250+ yds, so can't give you any bullet performance reviews either- all subsequent shots have been under 100 yds.

I did buy a box of the new Accubonds to try out. Of the five different H4831 loads I shot, three were under 1 inch, two of those in the .6s. I used the data out of the Nosler manual for their 115 gr Partition. I think I may be able to increase the load (52 grs) a smidge without running into pressure problems.
I'm prepping the brass for that right now.

Super Bon Bon

There are so many good .257 caliber bullets out there it is a little hard to choose.

I have to admit I sometimes cannot make up my mind between the 100 grain Nosler Partition and the 115 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip.

I have shot a couple of antelope with each and could not tell the difference in performance, which was excellant in all cases. Just pure luck, but none were over 200 yards.

My buddies and I have shot a whole pile of wild hogs with the 100 grain partition and have great success with that bullet. I have seen wild hogs shot with that bullet from 20 yards to over 500 and it just plain works.

I guess if someone really pressured me I would have to choose the 100 grain parition loaded ahead of IMR 4831. In my rifle I can get 3400 fps and that sure shoots flat. I killed a coyote last spring with that load that was measured at 522 yards.

Enjoy the new gun, R F

I have taken two wild pigs in CA with my 240 wby mag loaded with 100 grain Nosler Partitions. With a 26 inch Douglas barrel, I get over 3500 FPS using IMR 4831. This is a load LawDog gave me and it flat works. Full penetration of both pigs, one taken at about 225 yards, and the other taken at 75 yards. The partition, after all these years is still one of the best hunting bullets out there.

My favorite bullet in the .25-06 is the 115 gr. Nosler Partition. I have taken several mule deer and at least 10 antelope with this bullet, out to a maximum of about 400 yards. The load is 54.5/IMR-7828, Rem. brass, and Fed. 215 primer. Velocity is 3,025-3,100 fps. The velocity varies a little from one lot of powder to the next. I shot a few antelope with the 100 gr. partition, and it also worked fine. For some reason, my rifle (Rem. 700 Classic) will not shoot the 120 gr. partitions very well, but it should also be a good bullet if your rifle likes them. There is not a lot of difference in trajectory between these 3 bullets out to about 400 yards.

Are you guys getting complete pentration at short ranges with 100 grain bullets? I'm wondering if a premium\bonded bullet is needed in a 100 grain loads. Has anyone had any "bullet failures" at 50 yards or less with standard 100 or 115 grain bullets?

quote:

Originally posted by elkhunter:
Are you guys getting complete pentration at short ranges with 100 grain bullets? I'm wondering if a premium\bonded bullet is needed in a 100 grain loads. Has anyone had any "bullet failures" at 50 yards or less with standard 100 or 115 grain bullets?

We used Barnes 100 gr. TSX bullets in all of our .257 claiber rifles(.250 Savage, .257 Roberts, .25 WSSM, .25-06 and .257 Weatherby) last year for deer. Complete penetration at all ranges up to one nice Mule Deer buck shot at 271 yards(by my range finder) with my .25-06. Excellent accuracy in every caliber I have tried them in so far. Give them a try, you won't be sorry. Lawdog

I've had no problems at close range with every non-premium 100, 117, and 120 bullet I've tried. But I don't hot-rod them either...

I'm thinking of velocities in the 3250 fps range for 100 gr. and 3100 for 115's. That's close to the max in my reloading manual for a 24" barrel; mines a 26. I'm not sure how much more velocity I'll see from the additional length. I'll probably back them off a little if they don't shoot well.

100 grain sierra bullet is all I have ever used in 25-06 or 257 Weatherby...drops Elk like a bad habit from 50 to 500 yards. Oh and Deer too.

ps..load for the 25-06 was 51.6 grains of IMR 4350 and CCI benchrest primer.

Don't remember what I loaded the Weatherby at.

Sierra 117's have 2 things going for them.......they're not hyped and over-priced and they KILL DRT..."dead right there"! End of discussion!! GHD

Nosler 100 gr

Nosler 100 gr Partition in my .257 Ackley Improved and Nosler 115 gr Partition in my Mark V .257 Waetherby Euromark.

Ballistic Tip or 100 grain sierra flat base and IMR 4831, never had a problem with penetration, long or short range. Fact is, I prefer the 100 grain sierra flat base at short range. Sometimes the Ballistic Tip penetrates to well at very close range!

When you could get them, the best bullet every made for Deer size game in 25 cal. was the old Nosler 100 gr solid base lead tip. I still have a few 100 or so that I keep hoarded away just for hunting ammunition.

I have pretty much settled on the 100 grain Partition in all my 25's....250 Savage, 250 Ackley, and .25/.284. This bullet has performed superbly in all instances. It holds together and penetrates well, but still expands readily, even at very long range. The 100 grain Barnes X would also be really good, but I haven't owned a rifle that would shoot it well.

I have come to the same conclusions as Dale, in a previous post. Except that I use Federal brass.

quote:

Originally posted by dougw1969:
I have pretty much settled on the 100 grain Partition in all my 25's....250 Savage, 250 Ackley, and .25/.284. This bullet has performed superbly in all instances. It holds together and penetrates well, but still expands readily, even at very long range. The 100 grain Barnes X would also be really good, but I haven't owned a rifle that would shoot it well.

Doug,

I, like you, have a number of .25 caliber rifles(I'm a BIG fan of the Quarter Bores) and like you I couldn't get either the 100 gr. Barnes X or XLC's to group well in either my .250 Savage or .257 Roberts. Tried the 100 gr. TSX in both and what a difference. Very accurate in all my "Quarter Bore" rifles. Even the heavier 115 gr. TSX groups great. Lawdog

I personally like the Sierra 120 HPBT. Super accurate and kills deer like lightning in my experience.

I shoot it out of a Remington 700 with a 26" Douglass barrel. I like H4831SC loaded to about 3200 fps.

Lawdog, I haven't had a chance to try the TSX's in any of my guns yet, but plan on working on some loads once the weather gets nicer. Thanks.

since no one else has mentioned it, I'll throw out the 120gr Speer Hot Core. Been using it for about 15 years in a 257AI. Shot lots of deer and the performance has been good every time....good expansion and complete penetration.

I have shot deer in texas at 240yds and 270yds.
also dogs in Montana at over 300yds. I shoot a .257 wby and use a 120gr NP with 55grs of 4064. All one shot kills.

I load an Encore 250/3000 with a 120HPBT Sierra at 2715fps for my Wife. So far she has killed two deer, and I've used it on one (none went further than 20yards). The farthest shot was 210 yards and the closest at 40 yards (complete penatration). I also like the 100gr bullets, but the 120gr has become the favorite. Mags

quote:

V/T with the 100 gr Ballistic Tip

"V/T with the 100 gr Ballistic Tip....
Are you guys getting complete pentration at short ranges with 100 grain bullets?"

I have not. Out of a 25-06, at close range, BT do not penetrate well. The last buck I shot with one was a mess. I shot him in the nose While he was looking directly at me. The scope was screwed up and the shot went about a foot higher than intended. It did not create a mortal wound. Knocked him down and he got back up and tried to run away. I don't want to start a BT rant. They are super accurate and have their place on varmints. I am going to try the 110 accubonds next year.

What about bullets for a 1:14" twist? Can anybody comment on using 75-90 gr. 257s on deer?
thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Waterfowler:
What about bullets for a 1:14" twist? Can anybody comment on using 75-90 gr. 257s on deer?
thanks!

Only on wide open, broadside shots. Really a bad idea. Those bullets tend to break up at the velocities you will get with any .257 caliber from .250 Savage up. Lawdog

My experience on deer has all been positive so far with either the 100 grain Sierra Boattail or the 100 grain Hornady flatbase.

58 Grains of RL22 in a 26" barrel gives close to 3500 fps. These loads are great for deer or varmints and offer some very flat trajectories with sufficient penetration at close range if the bullet is properly placed. The Hornady I deliberately shot into the point of the shoulder of a doe at 25 yards to see how well it would penetrate. The bullet traversed the shoulder, went through the lungs and back into the guts before it broke up. I figure with that kind of penetration a premium bullet is not needed for deer.

I have a friend that used this bullet on deer from a 257 Weatherby loaded close to 3800 fps and always had sufficient penetration and dramatic kills. The 100 grain Partition also works very well for him.

If the game is no larger than deer, I personally believe that the 100 grain loaded to 3400+ fps (with a 26" barrel) is the ultimate load for a 25-06. BTW a 26" barrel is a definite asset in a 25-06 if you use a slower powder.

100 grain TSX in the fast .25's like the .25-06 and .257 Weatherby.

Barnes Tripleshock seems to be the most accurate at distance for me. I am a Partition fan, but the TSX is my new set of tits. 100 - 115 grain.

FWIW, I have had great luck with Sierra 120 BTHP and Nosler 115 BT. Lou

quote:

What about bullets for a 1:14" twist? Can anybody comment on using 75-90 gr. 257s on deer?
thanks!

The now discontinued 85 grain Barnes X in 25-06 works great in my Colt/Sauer. I don't know what twist it has but I doubt it's as slow as 1:14"

I've had a 120 HPBT Sierra blow up on a whitetail's shoulder at 30 feet. She ran away and another hunter downed her some minutes later.

I have also had good success with the bulk Remington 100 grain old style
CoreLoct bullets.

onefunzr2

could you share a little more info on the Sierra HPBT that blew up...cartridge, velocity, etc. Not trying to argue, just tryin to learn from your experience. I've had very good success with that bullet in a 257 and 257AI and have heard good things about it from others.. thanks, Jim

With my custom quarter-bore....

Great success with 100 gr. Partitions on whitetails the past 15 years. IMR-4831/3375 fps. .75 moa/ 5 shots. 100gr BT's group less than .5/5-only for varmints/predators, though....

Tried original Barnes-X 100's and had poor accuracy back in the early 90's.

Working loads on 100 and 115 gr. Barnes TSX's. So far, good accuracy with both.
115's--RL 22, 3100 fps
100's--IMR 4831, 3150fps and working up.

Sako

Have a 25-06 in a T/C encore,this is the results of the second time taking it to the range.
Anyone else have an Encore with a 25-06 barrel if so how does yours shoot.
Went to the range today and shot my 300 wsm,223,22-250New Rem SPs I had just gotten and my encore 25-06,I haven't had the 25-06 barrel long and this was the second time I had taken it to the range,the first time the only bullet I got to do good was the 120 gr hornady HP.Well today I was very surprised that several loads did so well.The bullets and loads I used was: 117 gr Hor.sst/52 gr IMR 4831,100 gr sierra match/56gr IMR 4831,120 gr Horn.HP/52,53 and 54 grs IMR 4831,and 58 grs R-25.
At 100yds all shot one inch or less except the 120 using 54 grs/IMR 4831 and it was about 1 1/2 in.
This is what amazed me: Buddie shot a 3-shot group @ 300 yds of 1 in.using the r-25 load,I shot one 3-shot group using the same load 1/2 in.2 in one hole and the other one 1/2 in above the 2.Shot a group using the 117 sst/52gr I4831 less than an inch,shot another group using the 100 sierra match/56 gr I 4831 at 1 in.
I had gotten the 25-06 barrel to try out because I had bought the Encore as a 50 cal muzzleloader and it was so accurate that I wanted to try a reg rifle barrel with it just to see how it would shot Boy was I elated at these groups.

I'm going to try and work up loads for my 257 Weatherby and the 100gr TSXs, it seems like the perfect bullet for Weatherby velocities. Having said that, I've kiled upwards of 50 deer with the 257 Weatherby and the 100gr Hornady (Weatherby factory or handloads loaded to factory equivalent)at ranges from 25 yards to 354 (measured yards). I also shoot right at the point of the shoulder. All have been dramatic (as in "dead right there")one shot kills with complete penetration. I guess the little 100gr Hornady doesn't know it's not a super premium bullet, but boy it works for me. jorge

quote:

onefunzr2

could you share a little more info on the Sierra HPBT that blew up...cartridge, velocity, etc. Not trying to argue, just tryin to learn from your experience. I've had very good success with that bullet in a 257 and 257AI and have heard good things about it from others.. thanks, Jim

Rifle used was a Rem 700 in 25-06. It was stolen in 1981 and I threw away all my reloading records for it but I think I was using a max load of H4831. I was hunting in Meeker Hollow, Potter County, PA one December when I came upon this doe who had her head stuffed into/feeding on some mountain laurel. She had no idea I was that close so I could take plenty of time for my shot. I placed the crosshairs on her front shoulder, adjusted for the scope being 1 1\2" higher than the barrel and squeezed the trigger. She bounded down the far side of the mountain in a split second. I was dumbfounded! I have never used another Sierra bullet for deer hunting, only varmints and paper punching.

Perhaps the 120's now made in Sedalia, Mo are less apt to blow at point blank range than the old ones from Santa Fe Springs, CA. There are so many other bullet choices available, I'm not going to take any chances ever again. The Rem 100 CoreLoct I used at about 50' a few years ago on another doe didn't go to pieces. But I won't be using them any more either cause I have so many Barnes 85 X bullets leftover from my plains game safari to Namibia. I have supreme confidence in them as they have a stellar record of dropping game in their tracks.

I have 24 of the Sierras remaining. Want them for free? Just pay postage. I'll be glad to get rid of them.

I shoot the Hornady 120 gr Hollow Point Inter Lock and enough RL25 for 3125 fps and it is so consistant in its performance that it is boring.

I haven`t tried it yet but I agree that the new 110 Accubond at about 3250 should be even better,but I aint tried it yet to say for sure.

I haven't checked the speed yet but I am shooting 58 grs R-25 with the 120 Hornady BTHP> 26 in barrel.How many grs to get you to 3125?and barrel length?

onefunzr2

thanks for the info...makes you wonder if Sierra has changed the bullet design since your experience.

The Hornady I shoot is Flat Based HP.I shoot 59.5 grs through a custom 26 inch bbl with a long throat.