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Old March 14, 2010, 09:26 PM   #1
Demaiter
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.257 bullets

Shooting a .25-06

What bullet would you recommend for deer and black bear. I have access to 110 grain accubonds and 100 grain partitions. Could get my hands on some tsx but in Canada they are ~$50 a box and the accubonds are $33, partitions are $37. Makes a big difference.

I know the accubond is the best choice but I want some conformation
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Old March 15, 2010, 02:24 AM   #2
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Accubonds are pretty good from all I've read, but I prefer Partitions.
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Old March 15, 2010, 12:14 PM   #3
GallowGlass
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Hunting .257 Bullet

25.06 Velocity = Berger Hunting VLD 115 gr. 100ct. $34.00 @Gunstop.com
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Old March 15, 2010, 12:41 PM   #4
taylorce1
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I like Nosler Partitions as well and the Accubonds would be my second choice. Wouldn't use a Berger for any reason, I've huneted with guys who use them. One hell of a mess to the offside of a little bitty pronghorn buck. Wasted the whole offside shoulder and most of backstraps off of it as well with blood shot meat.
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Old March 15, 2010, 03:16 PM   #5
sako2
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A 117 gn sierra boattail worked really well for me on a whitetail this season.
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Old March 15, 2010, 05:02 PM   #6
TXJohn
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You might try the 120 gr. Speer with Imr 4350 Or one of the 4831s
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Old March 15, 2010, 05:26 PM   #7
saudst
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Noslers!

Ditto on the partitions, of the choices you give. There are a few others that would work as well for deer that are less expensive.

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Old March 15, 2010, 06:26 PM   #8
Demaiter
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I've decided I'm buying a box of both

I'll do some testing and pick one. Might be a waste of a bit of money but it'll be a bit of fun.
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Old March 17, 2010, 04:14 AM   #9
Mike / Tx
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For your intended game, I wold simply pick up the 115gr Partitions and be done with it. Not sure what your powder availability is, but I would try RL-19, RL-22, and Ramshot Hunter or Magnum, probably in that order.

I have been shooting the 25-06 since around 86 or so, and have wrung out plenty of different combinations. In my rifle RL-22 has produced the best velocity and groups using the 115gr, Win cases, and Win-WLR primers. It will probably be different fir your rifle, but the best OAL was when I set the dies up for the 100gr BT at 3.250" from base to tip. I just happened to try the Partitions one day and didn't change the seating depth, and found that they dropped into nice little half in clusters at 200yds.

This rifle has consistently shot them or the 110gr AB into that size or less groups ever since. Same load for either. The velocity is a bit slower on the 110 than it could be, but the results are hard to argue with. My daughter has used both loads to easily drop hogs, coyotes, and deer out to 300yds.

Good luck with your rifle, and loads. The .25-06 is a fine caliber for a dual purpose round.
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Old March 17, 2010, 09:14 AM   #10
kraigwy
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I do most of my hunting (deer and antilope) with a 257 Roberts. I never felt the need for high price bullets.

The simple hornady SPs (87 & 120s) work great, never failed me. Although I'll probably stict to the 87s. I loaded up some 120s for my grandaughter for elk. She got a deer last fall and I found the 120s were over kill, way too much meat damage for my taste.
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Old March 17, 2010, 09:32 PM   #11
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.257R

I used to hunt with .257 Roberts and loaded 117 grain RN for it. (Hornady) At closer ranges they wouldn't always expand, just poke a hole through both sides if you didn't shoulder shoot them. I am talking 40-50 yards. I had it happen with a .243 also, but I remember that was Winchester factory ammo. Lucky I had a chance for second shots. I actually thought I missed the one deer. At longer ranges I never had a problem. Have you ever experienced this?
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Old March 18, 2010, 12:28 AM   #12
BruceM
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I really like the Sierra 117 SBT for deer in both the .257 Roberts and .25-06. In my experience, the lighter the bullet (of similar construction), the more bloodshot meat (with hits in similar areas) because of higher impact velocities and therefore, greater expansion.



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Old March 26, 2010, 06:05 PM   #13
home sick
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25-06 is a critter killer

I have shot the 25-06 for years, I have shot every thing from prairie dogs which is a bit over kill to elk which is a bit light. I have used Sierra 117 gr and Hornady 120 hp both worked well on deer size critters, I prefer the 120 gr but thats just me. I am thinking about working up some loads for the 100 and 110 gr. slugs with todays high performance bullets.
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Old March 26, 2010, 09:40 PM   #14
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I think you are right about using HP bullets. I didn't want to reload for my 6.8 SPC last year and could only find HP factory ammo at the last minute. I was leary of using it to hunt, but it really worked at close range. When I take out the .257 again it will be with HPs or HPs with a filler, and I will lighten the bullet up.
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Old March 27, 2010, 03:24 AM   #15
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I have used a .257 AI for a long time.I have mostly used 115 gr Ballistic tips.I have been happy with them on deer/antelope.Have not hunted bear.I shoot ribs.Heart-lung.I do not try any other angles.The ballistic tip has worked well.It is accurate and has a good BC.It is lightly constructed.
If I were going to shoot an elk with it(I have not) I think I would keep the range reasonable,so BC would not be significant.In that case,a 115 Partition is a bullet I would have confidence in.I suspect an Accubond would be fine
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Old March 27, 2010, 09:17 PM   #16
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HIbc

Is a ballistic tip a hollow point w/teflon filler in the nose? Green, red, or whatever color?
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Old March 27, 2010, 09:24 PM   #17
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Yes.It is a Nosler.The .257's are light blue.The Accubond is very similar.The Accubond has a tougher jacket and a bonded core.
Just to be clear,I think the Ballistic tip is best matched to lightly constructed game like a pronghorn or a deer.

I think the plastic tips are polycarbonate.
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