25-06 Best Whitetail bullets

[bassinbrian]

Just got a used, new to me 25-06, Ruger M77. This is my first 25-06, although I used one in South Dakota 20+ yrs ago on antelope. What grain bullet do you all suggest for Deer? BPS only had 117 and 120 grain bullets. Is this the normal deer load or do you go heavier? Most if no all my shots will be less than a 100yds, with some out to 300. Thanks

 

[thirdwilliam]

I shoot 117 Hornady out of my Ruger Hawkeye. The whitetail load, btsp.I have had good results

 

[KPH]

I like the 117 speed kills.

 

[Deer Assassin]

110 accubond set it and forget it

 

[Rubberduck270]

110 accubond set it and forget it

I don't usually agree with Ford racers but in this instance, I concur :grin:

A 120 gr. Partition would work well too. Sit it on a full case of 4831 and do work.

 

[DaveB]

And Graf's has Partitions in stock
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pr ... ctId/11714


Anyone happen to see the Ford GT-40 on Mecum last night? This was the original #72. Sold for 7 million. 427 cu inch monster, at Sebring 1967 I heard it in person. Honest, it would raise the hair on your arm.

 

[rukiddin]

I've tried several kinds of recipes and bullets for my 25. But to me the best load I've found is the factory federal vital shok with the 117gr Sierra gameking bullet. I'm partial to the gamekings anyways but these are best for me.

 

[Deer Assassin]

110 accubond set it and forget it

I don't usually agree with Ford racers but in this instance, I concur :grin:

A 120 gr. Partition would work well too. Sit it on a full case of 4831 and do work.

:D

 

[mr.big]

I shoot the 100 NBT and a hot load of IMR4831,,

 

[SKFOOTER]

Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 115 grain for me. If you can find them.

 

[RUGER77MAN]

I shoot federal 100 gr ballistic tip out of my ruger 77

 

[cleatus2506]

117 Hornady SST's, 110 Nosler Accubonds, and 115 Berger VLD's are all deadly in mine. All over IMR 4350.

 

[HenryCohunter]

Been shooting the 120 grain Winchester in my 25-06 for 10 years.. Now I can't find them anymore. So I'll be switching after this year I'm down to one box.

 

[Kimberman]

Another 110 Accubond vote.

 

[stringtalker]

Federal fusions, cant beat them

 

[Hunter 257W]

115 or 120 grain Nosler Partitions. You can trust the base to hold together and penetrate for the close up shots yet the nose is soft enough to open up good wayyyy out yonder where velocity has dropped off. They can't be beat.

I've yet to understand why they make these two bullets only 5 grains apart??

 

[redblood]

120 gr. nosler partitions over a max load of h4831

 

[DaveB]

I do not understand either why in some calibers the Partition weights are so close-look at 243 for example. In 7mm same thing.

I think it must be that the SAAMI twist rate for a particular caliber (like maybe a 257 Roberts) won't stabilize a 120 grain bullet but in the 25/06 it will. So actually, the 120 grain was never intended for the Roberts. The best example is the 22-250 twist rate of 1:14 will not stabilize a bullet much above 60 grains. But there are tons of bullets up to 80 grains in 224 caliber, what gives? Bolt action 223's and 1:8 twist rates is what. Its why you handload-to match a very specific bullet to your rifle.

Or, it could be that say Federal wants a Premium line of Partition bullets with a weight no one else has so they jack the weight around a few grains and that's the solution.

 

[Hunter 257W]

I do not understand either why in some calibers the Partition weights are so close-look at 243 for example. In 7mm same thing.

I think it must be that the SAAMI twist rate for a particular caliber (like maybe a 257 Roberts) won't stabilize a 120 grain bullet but in the 25/06 it will. So actually, the 120 grain was never intended for the Roberts. The best example is the 22-250 twist rate of 1:14 will not stabilize a bullet much above 60 grains. But there are tons of bullets up to 80 grains in 224 caliber, what gives? Bolt action 223's and 1:8 twist rates is what. Its why you handload-to match a very specific bullet to your rifle.

Or, it could be that say Federal wants a Premium line of Partition bullets with a weight no one else has so they jack the weight around a few grains and that's the solution.

I think your last theory is the most likely, Dave. For instance, the 257 Roberts was originally loaded with 117 grain as well as 100 grain bullets. As far as I can recall, those 117's were spitzers too so a modern spitzer that only weighs 3 grains more should be workable for the Roberts as well as the 25-06.

I'm just glad we do have such a variety of bullets available for reloading. If one isn't accurate enough in a particular rifle, try the closest weight in the same bullet "family' and see if it works better. :)