Knowing that we have a boat load of choices now days, doesn't make bullet selection easy. Many of the newer tipped bullets have dominated the premium market in the last 10 years, but I still like the tried & true design of the A Frame, and the Partition. The info. I seek, is an opinion, and your experience with these bullets, and what kind of success you've had with moa at 100, out to 500 yards. Pet loads etc.
I did buy another 25 yesterday, and maybe 2! (depending on auction results). The one I did buy is a Sako 75 Classic, 25-06. It's in 95+% condition, and the barrel looks perfect. Really looking forward to developing some loads for it. I will start with 100 gr. A-Frames, since I have a couple of boxes.
I would like to hear from some of you that have spent years developing loads for you 25's
As usual, I really appreciate it.
Note: The other gun is a 257 Weatherby, Remington 700. This could get really fun!

I've been shooting the 25/06 since 74. Got a load sheet from old man Kleingunther. His load was 120g, 52.3g H4831. Only load I've ever shot. I load the NP and have 'field tested' it. Shot one WT doe facing me @ 90+/- yds. Bullet entered just left of her neck and was found under the hide of her ham. Full length body penetration !

The .25-06 is a great cartridge. I have had one for years. I also have a .257 Roberts and I believe that the Roberts can do anything the -06 can do and do it with less powder and less noise. I got rid of the .25-06 for that reason. I get sub-MOA results at 100 yards with the 87, 100, and 120 grain bullets. The 100 and 120 grainers are adequate for just about any deer or antelope at least up to 300 yards. Beyond that I'm not good enough to even attempt the shot.
joe

I've used the 120Part and have dropped back to 110gr accubonds in front of a heavy load of RL22. Hog, deer and antelope and no issue. The bullet handles the velocity and give a great wound channel.

If you don't like RL22 then H4831 or 7828 would be something to look at.

I should qualify, that my longest shot to date, at age 58 was a nice 9 pt. WT buck, at 284 yds. Everything, especially my rest, and my prior shooting sessions etc. would have to be perfect for me to take a 3 or 400 yd shot. I would like to tinker with some longer range plinking, and silhouette shooting.

quote:

I would like to tinker with some longer range plinking, and silhouette shooting.

I'd be barking over the Nosler BT 100 grain like a hound dog with a raccoon up a tree.....it's a superbly accurate .25 cal bullet with a great BC....Also check Hornady's SST bullets.

For longer range targets and plinking try the Berger 115VLD, Nosler 100gr BT, Nosler 115gr, and the Sierra 100gr HPBT match. All can be very accurate. For hunting I prefer the 100gr Hornady interlock, the 110 Accubond, or the 120gr Speer 120gr SPBT.

Has anyone given the A frame 100 gr. a fair test for accurate loads?
I'll load some BT's, some TTSX, Sierra GK 100, and some Sierra GKHP 90's. May give the Accubond another go. I like the bullet, but struggle getting loads that shoot.

As a hunting bullet, the 120 Hornady HP has performed very well for me. Accuracy is impressive and terminal performance pretty much mimics partitions

quote:

Originally posted by tc98:
Has anyone given the A frame 100 gr. a fair test for accurate loads?
I'll load some BT's, some TTSX, Sierra GK 100, and some Sierra GKHP 90's. May give the Accubond another go. I like the bullet, but struggle getting loads that shoot.

not in the .25 casliber but A-Frames shoot very well in other calibers I've tried

TC- I've got a pretty good assortment of .257 bullets including some Berger VLD's. Let's get together one evening.
Nimrod308

I use the 100 grain TTSX in my 257 Bee. It is accurate and very effective.

Nimrod308, I'll call you to grt a loading session scheduled. I did buy the Sako 75, but was not successful in my bid for the 257 Weatherby. I may try to find another one. Or, just call it good with the 25-06.
I did find my 90 gr. Sierra HPBT GK's, and will load more of them for my model 10 Dakota. (sweet gun)!
I may go to the woods this afternoon. Doe meat!

The Nosler E-tip 100 grain bullet in the 257 Weatherby has been accurate and lethal on large Elk and Deer. Moderate loads and less than 300 yards. The lady has been doing better than the guy's lately.

Maybe 30 years of Barnes bullets in a 25-06 here. Started with the X bullet, then they made the blue XLC, lately the TSX.

IF you can find an accurate load, you will be satisfied. Some will say you do not need a premium bullet for deer size critters. So save .50 cents...

Barnes 100 gr TSX. CCI LR primers. .040" jump to lands. Enough RL22 to flirt with 3000 fps.

Good luck with your A-frames, I am sure you can get them to shoot. I suppose if I had started with them. I would be extolling their virtues.

I shoot the 257R, and one of my favorite bullets is the 120 Hornady Interlock HP. I plan on using it this summer on a free range Axis hunt.

Ditto on the Hornady 120 HP, in my .257s it shoots very well and terminal performance is excellent. Some folks mistakenly believe this is a soft varmint bullet because of the hollow point...not so. It was originally designed as an elk bullet for the .25-06.


.

Sure wish I could find some. My stock is getting pretty low!

quote:

Originally posted by olarmy:
Sure wish I could find some. My stock is getting pretty low!

Sign up for product notification on Midway and they will send you an email when they are available. I think they are showing Overdue on stock status so they should be coming in soon.

Thanks. I'll give that a try

The 100gr Scirocco has shot superbly in a 25-06 of mine and as well as a friends rifle.

For African game try the 115 TSX. Works very well.

I like the 100 grain Barnes tsx.
Accurate and deadly on a Mule deer. I push them at about 3100 from my Roberts....tj3006

I use the 100 gr. Sierra Pro-Hunter in both my 25/06 and 257 Roberts, it's a combo deer / coyote load.

I appreciate all the feedback, and experience offered. I really wanted some Hornady 120 HP's, but can't find them anywhere.
I have found some Sierra GK 90 gr HPBT, and the same in 120's. Also have some 100 gr. A-Frames, Nosler AB 110's, Nosler BT 100, and 120. If I can't get settled on a couple of loads with these, I've got issues! : )
Anyhow, thanks again!

Don't leave out the 117 Sierra's.
I shoot the Gameking 117 in my Roberts at 2925 fps and it is deadly on Large Mule Deer Bucks and Antelope and Coyotes. The bullet shoots 1/2" and some times smaller groups than that and I've not recovered a bullet all pass throughs. Last Mule Deer Buck I shot with .257 was 326 yards away quartering towards me, hit him in the arm pit as he was stepping forward and exited at the last rib on the opposite side. He dropped in a blink and never moved. Same story on several others. I was seriously thinking of taking this rifle and bullet combo to Africa on a plains game hunt when I went last June but my rifle has no serial number on it so decided to take another rifle instead.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
Don't leave out the 117 Sierra's.
I shoot the Gameking 117 in my Roberts at 2925 fps and it is deadly on Large Mule Deer Bucks and Antelope and Coyotes. The bullet shoots 1/2" and some times smaller groups than that and I've not recovered a bullet all pass throughs. Last Mule Deer Buck I shot with .257 was 326 yards away quartering towards me, hit him in the arm pit as he was stepping forward and exited at the last rib on the opposite side. He dropped in a blink and never moved. Same story on several others. I was seriously thinking of taking this rifle and bullet combo to Africa on a plains game hunt when I went last June but my rifle has no serial number on it so decided to take another rifle instead.

The 117 SGK in my M7MS Bob is just spectacular. I get 2,850fps and haven't found a load or bullet I like better in that gun.

Gonna load some 117 GK's, but cannot find any Hornady 120 Interlock HP's. Anyone have a source, with these on the shelf?

I have used the 250-3000 and the 25-35 for the last almost 70 years as best I recall.. In the 250 I like the cup and core bullets for deer size animals, WW Silvertips, Rem corelokts in 87 or 100 gr. The speer 100 gr FB and the Nosler Bal. tips..They all work . The super bullets work OK, but tend to hold together to much, and animals run quite a long ways sometimes.

In the 25-35 I have no choice but to shoot factory 117 gr. WW and that may be over?? HOrnady makes a fine 117 RN and it works like a charm in the 25-35 with 30 grs. of H380 at 2360 FPS in my 20 inch barrel. this bullet is an awesome killer in my 250-3000 btw at about 2600 FPS is my guess but have not chronographed it. Its a decent elk load at up to 200 yards on broadside shots.

In the 25-06 I might be inclined to use the heavier 117 to 120 gr. bullets and would opt for a premium bullet like a Nosler partition or GSC or Barnes for mule deer or elk.. two years ago I shot a couple of whitetail with the 120 gr. Sierra in factory persuasion with a borrowed 25-06 and they hit the dirt at the shot in both instances..

Have not used the 25-06 a whole lot, but I suspect its probably about the most perfect Mule Deer, Whitetail deer and Antelope caliber there is.

Thanks For the info., I have only had the quarter bore bug for a year or so, and am really enjoying the prep, and loading. Just got my 25-06 brass today, and should have dies etc. Monday.
Have a great weekend!