Who on here has real experience loading or shooting a 25-06? Never thought I would like one, but I bought one last year and think she is a keeper! I bought a Remington 700 long range. Now I know alot of you don't like remingtons, especially the new ones, but to each his own. I put a timney trigger in it to fix the stock junk triggers they are putting in them,and bolted a vortex viper on the top. I am currently loading 100 gr Sierra matchkings in front of rl22 and this thing shoots. I guess my only problem is that I want a better bullet to shoot deer with. I killed my best buck ever this year with this set up. Matchkings aren't supposed to be hunting bullets and I know that. What bullet would you guys recommend to try? I am not looking for load data, I have about every manual there is. Good hunting bullets aren't cheap and I am so I don't want to buy 5 different bullets to try.
Sorry for such a run on post.
Thanks for any and all help!

Here are is a picture of my rifle,
a 3 shot group at 100yds,and my 2017 buck.

Its hard to beat the hornady SSt 117 gr bullet. But 100 grain sierra is also great. As you may know some guns don't like some bullets. If you can find some who also reloads a 25 cal bullet you may buy just a few of different types.

Check out Hornady. They make some hunting bullets that are match grade.

Brad

Well just saw your last post . BETTER BULLET ??? !!!!!!!!!! Don't really see how you could do that. Is the deer dead? LOL OK the one you are using shoots !!!!!!! Ain't no deer alive going to survive a 100 gr bullet put in the right spot...

I shot that deer slightly quartering away at about 250yds. Inside of boiler room was jello. The bullet didn't exit and was just shrapnel stuck under the skin in the opposite side. He ran 80 yards and dropped. Very little blood trail. I am just afraid if I hit a shoulder bone with this thin jacketed bullet traveling 3300+- fps it's gonna explode and not kill the deer. I am a decent shot under perfect conditions but nobody is perfect.

100 grain nosler ballistic tip with 53grain of imr4831 has shot a 3 shot group the size of a dime out of every 25.06 ive ever owned. They put deer down in their tracks. Usually no exit but when you field dress every thing inside is destroyed. Would never even consider using a different load in the 25.06

Bill, I have an old Remington 700 BDL in 25-06. It was I believe made in 1969 which is around the first year the 25 came out as a factory round instead of a wildcat. That gun has been very accurate since day one and I have taken quite a few whitetails, mule deer and a couple antelope with it over the years. I don't shoot it as much as I should anymore, too many rifles, not enough time. If your rifle likes them the Barnes Vor-Tx in the 100 grain tipped copper bullet is awesome. I would not be afraid to use that round for anything up to and including elk and moose.

Zim

My 25-06 barrel is about toast. Too many rounds downrange over too many years.

Most accurate bullets for me have been Sierra 100 grain GameKing/Hunters; usually something in the .75moa category. However, I've probably put more 100 grain Nosler ballistic tips thru it than anything else. They were never quite as accurate for me but 1moa was normal and they are good for upto deer sized critters. They are a fairly rapid expanding bullet; if you want extreme penetration for something elk sized probably not best option. I'd also suggest getting a similar 100 grain offering from Hornady such as SST for a comparison.

I tend to like 4350 but have used a fair amount of 4831 too.

Thanks guys! I have read alot of articles on the 25-06 and can't find a down side to the caliber. I like the fact that from 100 to 300 yards it is basically a laser beam. With a steady rest you just point and click. Kind of minimizes the the guess work for the nut behind the bolt.

I would be interested to see how a Barnes TTSX 100 gr would perform in your rifle. They have been a very accurate bullet for me and are flat out killers. I've seen a few of them recovered and they look just like advertised. Mostly they leave a1 1/2 inch exit hole pouring blood for a few jumps.

I'm a fan of any gun.

For deer hunting it isn't my first choice. I did shooot my buck with one this year just to use the last gun i bought from Dutch Elsasser.

The first 25 i bought was from Dutch also, about 30 years ago. It is a Ruger77 and i've since given it to my Niece. She kills deer with it on her farm.
I just like a little more umph for hunting.

This could be easily obtained with a heavier bullet. The case sure has the capacity for it.
6.5, or 264 diameter has lots of heavier bullets made for them, up past 160 grain. Long and skinny makes for a great bullet. Not sure why they stop at 120gr. for the 25? It's only .007 smaller, and should have bullets up into the 140-150 range.
The ballistics would be every bit as good as the 6.5, the most common long range caliber used today.

Anyhow, good caliber when used right. I'd be on them like stick on a skunk if they'd make heavier bullets and a barrel with a 1/7-8 twist. MONEY! LOL

I shoot a Kimber 84L in 25-06. Is my go to gun for deer and antelope. I use Nosler 100 grain Ballistic Tip bullets, IMR 4350 powder and CCI BR2 primers. I use the hunting ballistic tips not the varmint ones. I kills like lightning and groups are great. Scoped with a Leupold VX-2 4x12x40 LRD.

I ran a 25-06AI (Ackley Improved) for years.

I can't say enough about how pleasing it was (it was stolen).

That rifle liked the 100pgr NPT and getting 3400fps and 115gr NPT to 3200fps was a walk in the park, and there was no need for extreme pressures to get it there.

A quick killer of Whitetails both near and far.

AGREED.!!!

I certainly agree Zim. Many moons back when I guided mule deer and elk clients I saw quite a few 25's brought out for the deer and they did great. I had a guy for deer one day with a 25 when we came across a terrific bull elk, licenses had both back then. After a careful stalk we decided a neck shot was the option at nearly 300 yards, it folded that elk where it stood.
Nothing other than possible man eaters in North America I wouldn't go after with a 25-06.

Osky

I know a guy in town that likes them

I have killed a ton of elk with 25-06 hit where they live.

Don't forget the Roberts either.

Loaded up for todays iron, it's a Rock Star.!

A buddy of mine is a huge fan of 25-06. He shoots the Winchester ballistic silvertip 115 gr and swears by them for their accuracy and putting deer and hogs down quickly.

My buddy has 5 of them and swears by them so I bought a left handed savage and with Winchester 115 accubond bullets 5 shot group you cover with a nickel at 200 yrds

Well i have owned several 25-06's over the years in various different makes-models. I feel that the 100 gr. bullets may be fine up to 300 yds. after that i feel its best to move to a heavier bullet gaining better ballistic coefficientcy and the sectional densities for larger game will be there at all ranges.
The 25-06 my wife shoots now is spittin' Sierra 117 gr. BT Gameking's. And it shines with H4831sc at about 3/4 capacity. On elk, the bullets hold up good. She has take 4 cows in the last two years and not needed a second shot except for one this season. When these bullets are used up on gophers this spring we will be loading up some 120 gr. Nosler Partitions and some Hornady SSt 117's. The best grouper will win. Only because i feel these bullets perform better on elk/mule deer. She will never shoot over 500 yds. with that particular rifle and these bullets will do just fine.
I am not a fan of the solid copper frangible stuff or the Barnes line, but that is just my opinion based on experiences.

Anyone use they’er 25 for coyote ? I’ve been told they handle a 70 gr. bullet pretty well !

I'm a fan of 25-06. Have tipped over just about everything from Alaska moose and brown bears to coyotes with it. In my opinion, the all-purpose rifle. Did have problems shooting little Sitka black-tailed deer with it, as head shots invariably blood-shot a lot of neck meat. Slowed it down and increased bullet weight, and had no problems afterward. Tack-driver.

Jack

I shoot one all the time. It’s a great caliber. Great all round gun. Started all 4 of my boys shooting with it.

I have one that I use for my long range coyote rifle. I shoot 50 grs. of 4350 behind a hornady 75gr hp. I've fooled a few that stand out there and think they are out of range. Not much fur damage either.

Baloney,,,been using 100 gr Game Kings and ProHunters for over 40 yrs! From elk down to woodchucks...cept mine come out of
a .257 Ackley.

Don't forget to join the rest of us at www.handloadersbench.com and www.accuratereloading.com

Hope this helps

I love nosler 100 and 120 grain partition bullets

Mr Whitaker,

The are certainly a lot of good bullets available for the .257" bore. A lot more than what we were offered 20 years ago, that's for sure.

I found the Sierras to be rather "soft" in the 25's. YMMV.

Now, I prefer 2 holes, one in and one out.

On the cheap, and very robust is the 100 gr NBT. On broadside shots I have always gotten an exit.
There is however a lot of stress on a bullet when it impacts at high velocity.
Therefore, if I was looking for a good all around Deer bullet, I would look to the 100gr TTSX, the 100/115gr NPT, and the 110 NAB. And in no particular order. I could hunt the rest of my life with any of those in full confidence as long as the accuracy is there.

I think you are right on track velocity wise with your choice of RL22.

I would not change a thing. Those Seirra MK bullets flat out kill deer size game. I had a couple different 25-06. Re-barreled the last one into a 6.5-06 ackley. I use a 123gr. Seirra MK w/54.5gr IMR4350.. it’s a deer killing machine. And I’ve shot several with it. Every bullet performed flawlessly.

Better than the .243? A necked down .30-06 vs. a necked down .308... the .243 certainly has a bigger following, right or wrong, IMO...

I shoot a Handi Rifle in 25 06. It has performed excellent. I reload and make my 25 06 cases from 270 cases. the rifle is accurate and performs on deer outstanding.

I am probably making a mountain out of a mole hill with worrying about the bullet. I have used them for a while in my 22-250 and don't think any coyotes noticed they weren't hunting bullets. I am gonna try some of your suggestions though. I have always used a 30-06 or 7 mag to kill deer. Never worried much about them running off then.

One observation I did notice while working up loads is that the faster I ran them the tighter they grouped. I stopped before I got to the max book load so don't think I was hot rodding this thing. I got over the speed obsession. Just wondered if anyone has ever noticed that too with a 25?

As a cartridge the 25-06 is very capable of extreme accuracy, It can way outperform the many cartridges, let alone most shooters abilities. It is one of my "if i could only own one gun" picks but not my personal top choice, mainly because i am an elk hunter first. But that is mostly because of where i live. Yes-the 25-06 is more than capable of this but your thread was about a deer round. One thing i should mention is if you have it reamed to an Improved chamber ( 40 degree shoulder) you will have less pressures, and much longer case life, and some gained velocity. The decreased pressures will also slow down on throat erosion or barrel burning.

Yes, almost to the rifle. A good bulky powder giveing high load densities (and high velocities) have usually given me the best accuracy.

I load for a lot of cartridges, some mine, some families, and some for friends. And this has been a common thread among them.

Now, I do NOT push my 1926 Savage 99, or my pre 64 Win 94. But in modern iron, I am not afraid to run up to 64000psi.

Have had 2 and regret selling them!
Nosller partitions will handle coyotes to moose.

That's the same discussion we had 2 months ago about my 6 mm. Reason I went to a 270 or a slug gun in really thick stuff because of no blood trail. The farm I hunt is so thick if I use the 6mm I shoot them in the neck. NTR NO TRACKING REQUIRED !!!
It may be hard to find a bullet that will shoot and give you an exit wound. Good luck.

LOL NOT KILL THE DEER ???? You shoot him in the shoulder with that bullet and I will assure you he is dead. If you hit him and it explodes in his shoulder you will do the number one thing required to kill a "big " game animal. YOU WILL break him down in his front end.

I know just shoot smaller deer !!! Don't take as much to get through them . LOL

I have used my 25.06 Thompson Encore on moose, elk, caribou, mule deer antelope and whitetail deer. my barrel loves Barnes TSX and TTSX bullets and I love the way they put game on the ground.

I have NO PROBLEM with the Seirra MK exiting on deer. Enters hardly a mark. And exits with a very large hole. Usually taking a large portion of the lungs out that hole. Well placed shot on the scapula, anchors them on the spot.

I expect i have kille almost 100 deer with my 2506. Most fell right in their tracks. One nice buck got away however and we found his skull very close by this season.

It is a great round and perfect for whitetail. I recomment a 24 inch barrel. A long barrel can be noisy in a box stand. Only drawback. Mine is on a heavy stock too. Great gun for shooting over fields.

I have one in a Browning SS A-bolt...very fine caliber we've taken deer and lopes with it, either 100gr. Or 117 grain fed or Winchester bullets ... Excellent performance!!!

Ditto.

We were loading 51.5 grains of H 4831 behind a Sierra 117 grain spritzer flat base. They seemed to group much better for us then the boat tails. Never had to trail a deer with it. So much shock it turned everything internal to jello.

I have over 2 dozen deer rifles but only use my 25-06. My last 5 deer dropped right in their tracks at ranges from 75 yards out with factory federal ammo. I do not think there is a better deer round except maybe for the 257 Weatherby

I don't know why anyone is hung up on using 100-grain bullets in a 25 caliber. A 6mm has a better bc. Use the 25 to its best capabilities with the 115-120-grain bullets. Unfortunately, there is not much on the market beyond 120 grains. I'll stick with my 7 mags and 6.5s.

Accuracy tests?...relative to twist rates?.....I'd prefer the 120 grain pill, but the group opens up and a woodchuck at 380 yds needs most bullets touching at 100 yds.

Yep, been my experience. Most factory guns have a 1-10 twist and with the longer bullets they can become unstable.

Notice in my first post i said if they made a heavier bullet and made guns with a faster (1-8 would be my go to) twist, they'd have something.

I personally just don't like bullets in the 100gr. range for deer hunting. Just me, i know you can kill deer with less and i have.

Alot of this depends on the style of hunting you do also. Blind hunters don't need what brush hunters need and then throw in the hunters who drive and shoot running deer.
Lots of variables to consider.

I've never found that majic gun that the deer just falls over at every gunshot.

my browning x-bolt likes barnes 100gr.pills.shoots nice little groups.

Ttt

Y’all shooting these deer in fields where you can watch them drop? No exit for me means no blood to trail. Brush gets thick down here and wondering around looking for a deer isn’t something I enjoy. They don’t make a CoreLokt in 25-06? They always seem to exit on everything I’ve shot. Someone mentioned those Barnes VORTX, those have worked for me in .308. Had to get away from SST’s…yeah they kill but you have to find the deer to confirm, lol.

I had some bad experiences with the 115 grain Winchester Supreme Silver Tips. Shot behind the shoulder and no exit, no blood trail. I see a lot of guys swear by the 115 grain nosler partition but you can’t find them on any ammo website in stock. All say on back order. Like WB, I have to have a blood trail.

120 grain Remington Core Loks anchored plenty of deer for me. Most of my deer are face shot at 50’ish yards in the brush. The round works well in the early alpine deer season and 300 yards wasn’t any kind of issue.

I call it a smaller 300 WinMag.

Mines a savage 110. Working on reloads now. So far 100 gr sierra spbt is showing promise with upper loads of imr 4350. I have a bunch of speer 120 gr flat base and boat tail to try and some Hornady 117 grainers also. RL-19 is looking good too.

My Ruger likes the 117 Hornadys so that’s what I feed it. Seems to work fine

I have an older rem 700, shoot a few animals with it but its got a mid weight barrel contoured and is heavy

I shoot the same rifle. But I shoot 100 gr Sierra Gamekings and it shoots them great. Im a big fan of Sierra bullets.

Nosler 110 Accubonds for a premium round. If you really want to work on the cheap however the Speer 120 btsp has been a tremendous bullet

Anyone try reloader 19?

I have a 25-06 Ruger rifle with a Timney trigger that shoots almost one hole groups with every bullet I have tried.

I have shot the Berger 115 gr bullets for a while and they work very - just can't find them now.

I have shot a few coyotes with the 75 grain Hornady Ballistic tips. - not a fur bullet. Does a great job on groundhogs.

I have tried Varget, H100 and 4831. Settled on Varget with 4831 very close. H100 is on my rifle did not like.

The Scapula Shot!!! The Best

That is what happens with the 100 grain nosler ballistic tips.

There are so many good factory rounds and bullets to reload with nowadays.
When I first got my 25-06 I did not reload and was limited to Remington 120 core loks
which were a plenty good load for deer. The first few boxes I bought had a too long coal
for my rifle and caused a bit of grief.

Zim

Broomchaser was that the normal ballistic tip(varmint) or the one for deer hunting?(there’s two different ones)

Have 2 of them. Weatherby MKV Ultra-Lightweight and Rem 700 BDL.

I'm not a huge fan. They're OK. Only deer I've shot with the .25 were with handloaded Barnes TTSX 100 grainers over IMR-4350. Not the most authoritative kills. Too stout in the construction for whitetails, maybe ??

I much prefer the .308 Win over the .25-Oh for shooting deer.

100 grain.

It looks like the 100 gr BT comes in a varmint and hunter variety. Looks like the tips are different shades of blue?

Yeah it's easy to get those mixed up

Parker-hale 25-06, bought it used, when I was posted in Saskatchewan. 200 yards like a laser in the wind, back to my 30-06 in the bush in Ontario but keep it around for coyotes on the farm.

One of my most regrettable gun sales was selling my browning stainless abolt in 25-06. At the time I thought my 257 wby would do everything the 25-06 could and more but I was mistaken. 25-06 can do everything the 257 wby could. Very underrated chambering imo.

When yall test a rifle for the best load, do you clean the barrel between each group testing?