.257 bullet for Deer

RickF said:
And for a cheap bullet, DO NOT overlook the plain old 100 grain Hornady flat base spire point, they are a great deer bullet.
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I've used them alot in my 257Roberts. They're accurate and everything I've shot with them died (2 deer :) ) Both were pass throughs.

Same results with the 110gr Nosler AB last fall.
 
While I admittedly base this recommendation on a very limited sample size of two deer, I would stay away from the 100 grain Nosler BT's. Both times I shot deer with that bullet @ 2900 fps out of a .257 Roberts, I was left shaking my head.

Deer #1 was a small buck taken with a running shot that landed too far back (thanks to a last minute change in direction just as I was letting off the shot) and hit the ball joint of a rear leg. Penetration was no more than 4", and what I found was the bullet jacket completely devoid of any lead, resting in the hip bone. Now, yes, the deer died from that shot from extremely rapid blood loss. And yes, it was about the heaviest bone in the deer's entire body. But now matter how you slice it, that was way, way too little penetration. A good bullet should be able to reach the vitals on a deer regardless of shooting angle.

Deer #2 was an even worse experience. Shot a medium-sized buck broadside through the lungs @ 35 yards. Entrance wound showed a good deal of trauma right under the skin -- but both lungs looked like someone had simply poked a pencil through them and exited out the far side. My guess is that the core separated/disintegrated upon impact, leaving the jacket to poke a hole through the animal. In this case, I ended up with a rather long tracking job before finally recovering the deer -- which certainly had been able to run a good ways before going down.

I know that there are a lot of people who are very happy with the BT's, but I'll never hunt with the 100 grain .25 cal bullet again. Which is a shame, because that particular rifle is a fairly indifferent shooter except with a 100 grain BT, which suddenly turns it into a 3/4 MOA rifle.

For what it's worth, I subsequently switched to a 117 grain Hornady BTSP, and found it to be an excellent performer on several deer.
 
todbartell said:
TSX are cool, use them
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I don't necessarily disagree, but pushing 115gr TSX in front of 49.5gr (IIRC) of H4831sc in my 25-06 produced below-par accuracy (1.25-1.5 MOA) in my otherwise accurate M70. Or maybe it's just me ;)

I'm gonna get me some 115gr Nosler PT for deer season, what think you? Or 100gr? Or AB? :runaway:
 
I don't necessarily disagree, but pushing 115gr TSX in front of 49.5gr (IIRC) of H4831sc in my 25-06 produced below-par accuracy (1.25-1.5 MOA) in my otherwise accurate M70.
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I wouldn't judge a bullet based on one bullet weight and one powder.And since the tsx bullets are longer than lead core bullets of the same weight,some rifles do not shoot the heavier tsx weights accurately.
 
I have got a box of 117g SST's, and plan on using them this season. I am new to the 25-06 so I like to hear what others have used, and the 117g-120g bullets where the top choices on another forum.
 
I used the 100gr ballistic tip and 100gr partition to take a couple of dozen deer,a pronghorn,a mountain goat,and an elk.Two hunting partners use the 100gr partition,and the 110 gr accubond,and they have taken several deer and a moose with the 25-06.None of use have every seen the need for heavier bullets in the 25-06.
 
Fair enough.

What do you suggest I choose for this deer season then? I run a 1-10" Gaillard in my M70. Judging by your posts, I'm assuming 100gr NP or 110gr AB? And I usually push boolits with H4831sc.

stubblejumper said:
I wouldn't judge a bullet based on one bullet weight and one powder.And since the tsx bullets are longer than lead core bullets of the same weight,some rifles do not shoot the heavier tsx weights accurately.
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stubblejumper said:
I used the 100gr ballistic tip and 100gr partition to take a couple of dozen deer,a pronghorn,a mountain goat,and an elk.Two hunting partners use the 100gr partition,and the 110 gr accubond,and they have taken several deer and a moose with the 25-06.None of use have every seen the need for heavier bullets in the 25-06.
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I personally would try the 110gr accubond as they perform very well on game,and have been quite accurate in the guns that I have personal experience with.
 
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Nosler doesn't make a 110 gr Partition

BTW I load 100 gr TSX in a friend's 25-06 (Wby UL) and use H4831sc, 57.5 grs of powder for 3280 fps avg.
 
todbartell said:
Nosler doesn't make a 110 gr Partition

BTW I load 100 gr TSX in a friend's 25-06 (Wby UL) and use H4831sc, 57.5 grs of powder for 3280 fps avg.
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NP has offerings in 100gr, 115gr, and 120gr. I'm leaning towards the 115gr, but am willing to give the TSX one more try with its 100gr.

Less money in the bank, again.:redface:
 
Nosler doesn't make a 110 gr Partition
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OOps!Of course you are 100% right.I meant to post the 110gr accubond.The post has been edited to reflect that.Sitting inside the house recovering from surgery instead of being out shooting like I should be, must be getting to me.
 
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Thanks guys for all the helpful information.

I was at Epps today and picked up a box of 100gn Barnes TSX's and I will start load development with these and the Nosler 110gn AB's, and see which ones shoot the best.

I am really looking forward to tuning this rifle, and then of course to the fall hunt.

The exact caliber is a 25 Souper, Ackley Improved, based on a .243 case. My dies are coming in this week, and then I will complete forming brass and get off to the range. Right now I am favoring H4831ssc or 4350 with LR magnum primers. I will see what my results are.

I will post my results when I am done.

Thanks again for all your helpful suggestions.
 
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