25-06 what to feed it?

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Bluffton Bill

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Just got back from the gun shop with a shiny new stainless Ruger in 25-06. Now I'm left with the dilemma of what to feed it. I've always tended to shoot a little bigger stuff ( I actually traded off a migraine inducing .300 win to complete the deal) and this is my first foray into the 25 cal realm. On the way out, I grabbed a box of 115 gr. Ballistic Silvertips to load up, but decided that they may be a little to frangible on closeup shots. Since then I've picked up some Hornady SST's. Anyone want to share their pet loads:D ? I was thinking of starting with RL 22 or H4350. Anyone have any experience with the Ballistic Silvertips, I've only tried the Ballistic Tips (a little to explosive for my taste).

What about loads for yodel pups. Any suggestions on something (other than FMJ's) that won't rip the fur to shreds?
 
RL 22 is a good choice of powder, but give the polymer tipped pills the toss. I personally use 100gr. TSX's on everything but that's because of my slow final twist on the RKS barrel.
I did do some load development for a buddies 25'06 and settle on 115gr. Partitions at just over 3100fps with RL22 and a mag. primer. He says they kill deer like the hammer of Thor.
Another consideration could be the 110gr. Accubond bullet although it's polymer tipped it has a bonded core, and should give a better reputation than cup/core and ploymer bullets.
As for yotes well you are going to have a tough time finding a .25cal. pill that will stay in a dog at any given distance. With that being said I have had a few 75gr. V-Max's stay in yotes when I was sure they'd exit, so I'd consider that bullet your best comprimise short of a FMJ, of which Barnes is the only manufacturer making 25 cal FMJ's.
I load my 75's with Varget, but a couple of buds use 4350.
good luck
 
First, need to know what you're hunting. Second, the SST's are NOT a "hold together, expand and penetrate" bullet.

I just bought a 25-06 as well. I think it is my fifth 25-06.

I'll have two loads. The first, a 75 grain V-Max loaded with Ramshot Hunter or H4350 loaded close to 3700 fps. I've used this before on coyoyes, trust me...NOT a fur saving load! In fact, I doubt yo will find a fur friendly load in the 25-06 unless you load it way down...just way too much bullet weight and energy expanding through the coyote.

The hunting load that has worked in several other rifles will be either the 115 grain Nosler Partition over about 53-54 grains of RL22 for close to 3200 fps. OR, the 100 grain triple shock over 56-57 grains of RL22 for 3400 fps or thereabouts. I've had incredible "luck" with the 115 NP load, but am going to use the 100grain TSX at 3400 fps if the rifle cooperates.

Come to think of it, that 100 grain TSX may be the best compromise. It will fry any deer or moose you point it at, and just may minimize the fur damage as well, as it's not blowing the front end of the bullet off while going thru the animal.

For what it's worth, I've had better luck with magnum primers than standards in this case. Hope this helps.
 
One of the fellows here in town hunts with a 25/06 forever and his wife as well. Together they have shot scores of deer (and 1 moose) with the 100gr Nosler Partition. It would be my first bullet to try based on his results.



.
 
Big stuff, partitions, TSX's and A-frames. Due to the extreme speed of the 25-06, I'd avoid cup and core bullets (including bonded ones). Certainly they will work for you, but a more sturdy bullet will increase your margin of error.

For pelts, go get a different gun. A 25-06 will never be the most fur friendly caliber around, even with FMJ's (due to the speed, and the liklihood that these will tumble and fragment). Maybe try some reduced loads if you want, but for the dedicated fur hunter, keep it to a 22-250 or smaller.
 
Thanks for the tips.

I thought the SST's were simply an interlock with a pc tip? I've had exceptional luck with interlocks.

As for TSX's, maybe not. I'm a lazy SOB and trying to scrub out a bore after shooting them has never been my cup of tea. I also seem to really lose accuracy after 8-10 shots (not all at once:rolleyes: ) they just seem to foul up the groups to fast for my liking. Maybe the 115 or 120 grain partitions will do the job. Fairly solid, and should be a good compromise on deer and coyotes. About 2950 to 3100??? Why would you really worry about them staying in a coyote. 25 cal hole in.....grape-sized hole out. Not to stir the pot (ok I'm gonna stir it), but the whole idea of minimizing fur damage with a 22 cal completly expanding and then not leaving the carcass seems a little to good to be true. Looked at the aftermath of 223 and 22-250 varmint jobs and it was more like a grapefruit sized entry wound. I mean it must happen once and a while, but consistantly? Guess there is only one way to find out:D

Thanks for tips guys,

Have yourselves a merry Christmas!
 
Bill,

In my experience...
- The interlock is a good bullet. However, the SST is a polymer tip over a hollow point. MUCH more explosive than a standard interlock.
- TSX's. When you talk about bad fouling, you're talking about early generation Barnes 'X's that did copper foul a lot. The grooves on the TSX's greatly minimize that. Trust me...try em.
- The NP probably WILL be easier to work up a load with, less fussy. Although again the grooves on the TSX's make them much less fussy than the old solid shank X bullets.
- Grape-sized hole out? You will see, I'll reserve my "told ya so!". Seriously, an explosive bullet in a 25-06 will rip holy hell out of a coyote. As you said...try em and see.
 
I dont think 25-06 and fur friendly go together in the same sentence :p

Id load up some 85 gr Ballistic Tips over a bunch of 4350 or 4831 and let em rip.

110 grain Accubonds for deer would be my preffered load, along with a 100 grain Triple Shock XBT. H4831 or RL22 would be a good place to start. TSX dont foul much, nothing like the older X bullets
 
I took a coyote yesterday with a 264WinMag using a 95grain Hornady V-Max at 155yds and was shocked at how little damage there was to the hide on the far side.There were 3 small holes in the far side with the biggest one being about half the size of my thumbnail.(think of your thumbnail split in half lengthwise)The other 2 were pin hole with peices of the jacket still stuck in the hide.(all together in an area no bigger than a quarter)
Keep in mind this is the first broadside shot I have had on a yote with this bullet and the next may be a terrible mess.These bullets are flying on average 3250fps using IMR 4831.
So if I were going to suggest a POSSIBLE fur friendlier bullet,I would say the V-max (If they are available in .25cal)
 
25 cal 75 gr vmax is available

for the record I shot two coyotes last febauary with the 6.5mm 95 gr Vmax @ 3325 fps, and it just destroyed them
 
It's been my experience that a 25-06 will devastate a 'yote, nearly separating them into two pieces. I have a couple taxidermists in the family, and they swear by the 17 rem for fur-friendliness. (and 22 short for dispatching critters in traps)
 
I have used the 120 gr Hornady Hollow Point a bit. Before you get all worked up about a HP for big game, touch base with Hornady. This bullet is designed specifically for hunting big game.

It is a very flat shooting bullet when launched at 3200 fps. I have used it on sheep and got complete pass through with dollar size exit hole.

Going to use it on coyote this winter and will report back. :D

Ted
 
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I have read that the 120 grain Hollow Point was designed with elk in mind. Given that it should be reasonable on a coyote, unless you hit the shoulders. Then, nothing is going to be good!
It's one of the bullets I want to try in my new 25-06 this spring to see how it shoots.
 
hey there west of the 5th'er!

i have found that the barnes x at close range is an fmj,
i called a she-wolf in to forty yards and the holes where just that...holes. not the best choice for small game. that and massive velocity from wby 257.
the 25's are not real sweet until they slow down a bit, well ok..alot..but hopefully its +300yards away by then.
for the ultimate in fur friendly, i have used my 17hmr with great success on 100yard and under yotes, but it too has limitations.
 
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