.25-06 hunting load - Page 2

eldermike · March 25, 2013, 08:31 PM

100 grain partition is all I use on deer.

steveNChunter · March 26, 2013, 02:46 AM

How far out can you shoot the 100 partition and still get full expansion? I thought that was a pretty tough bullet.

hooligan1 · March 26, 2013, 05:16 AM

Wow Flashole that's what I'm talking about!

TheBear · March 26, 2013, 09:05 AM

80 gr Barnes TTSX....didnt work for me. the all copper bullets need very fast twists to give good accuracy, 1in10 could be fast enough, my gun has a 1in8 twist and they didnt work for me though.
+i remember the barnes ttsx being pretty expensive...

steveNChunter · March 26, 2013, 01:32 PM

@the bear- what powders did you try? If a 1:8 isnt fast enough I dont know what would be. thats a fast twist for a .25-06 IMO. Im guessing thats not a factory barrel

TheBear · March 27, 2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

@the bear- what powders did you try? If a 1:8 isnt fast enough I dont know what would be. thats a fast twist for a .25-06 IMO. Im guessing thats not a factory barrel

Thats right, its not a factory barrel, its not a factory rifle, its a converted bruenner bolt action rifle with a 22" match barrel with 1in8 twist (i mostly use pretty heavy bullets).

I used N160, Varget, imr4350 and imr4895. I think n160 gave the best results with the 80 gr Barnes TTSX bullets but accuracy wasnt even close to the 100gr sierra gameking. Maybe my rate of twist is too fast for light bullets, most bullets under 90gr gave poor results with my rifle...

why do you want to use such a light, all copper bullet anyway?

steveNChunter · March 27, 2013, 03:47 PM

I like the velocity it would give me and I figured the ttsx would be about the only 80 gr. bullet that would hold together when it hits a deer shoulder at around 3500 fps. I may be thinking all wrong about it, if so I'm open to other ideas. I'm looking for the best balance of accuracy, reliable expansion/weight retention, and velocity. Basically I want to have it all.

But doesnt everybody?
I know there's give and take when it comes to all those things but hopefully I can find a good balance. Any sharing of knowledge/personal experience is greatly appreciated.

steveNChunter · March 27, 2013, 06:04 PM

deleted post

steveNChunter · March 27, 2013, 07:52 PM

Ok I think I've finally come to my senses and decided to keep it simple with a 100 grain load. I'm afraid some of the tougher premium bullets like the partition may not fully expand if I dont squarely hit the shoulder bone. NC deer arent exactly huge, a deer over 200 lb. is a monster around here.

I think a flat base bullet will suit me better than a boattail since most of my shots will be from 50-200 yards, with maybe a 300 yd opportunity every now and then.

I'm now considering the 100 gr sierra pro-hunter or speer hot-cor.

Preferences?

Colorado Redneck · March 27, 2013, 11:58 PM

For mule deer, antelope, white tail--these work fine. I had doubts after reading negative reports about the BT but shot a nice 4 point mulie at about 150 yards a few years ago- thumb size entrance hole and tennis ball exit hole. The Ruger I was using has a 24 inch barrel, and the chronied velocity is about 3300 fps. 25-06 is a fine hunting caliber.

steveNChunter · March 28, 2013, 04:25 AM

Iv'e been considering the ballistic tip as well but like you said, I've read a few negative reports. Have you ever shot anything at close range with it? My only fear with it is that it might explode on a shoulder at 50 yards. Other than that I like it. Seems to be a very accurate bullet with a high BC.

IMR 4831 seems to be the powder of choice for most 100 gr loads, although I've found a few loads that use Ramshot Hunter and get some impressive velocity.

Colorado Redneck · March 28, 2013, 08:42 PM

Nope---My son shot a doe antelope in the neck at about 125 yards with that same load---of course that was the end of the doe. So I can't speak from experience on hitting something hard at close range. The newer ballistic tips are a bit more durable, I think. They are extremely popular so it seems unlikely that there is much chance of a "blow-up" by hitting a shoulder on a white tail.

steveNChunter · March 29, 2013, 05:01 AM

I think I'm going to try the 100 gr Nosler ballistic tips first.

But I'm still not sure which powder to start with. I cant decide between IMR 4350 or 4831. I dont know if it makes any difference that I have a bit of a short barrel (22"), if so it seems like the 4350 would be better for me since it burns slightly quicker. Ive heard the whole "barrel length affects the burn rate needed for the powder" thing is a myth but then again some people swear it makes alot of difference.

Ill probably use Winchester large rifle primers, although I've considered trying LR magnums.

March 26, 2013, 02:46 AM	#27
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	How far out can you shoot the 100 partition and still get full expansion? I thought that was a pretty tough bullet. __________________ DEO VINDICE

March 26, 2013, 05:16 AM	#28
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,586	Wow Flashole that's what I'm talking about! __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

March 26, 2013, 01:32 PM	#30
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	@the bear- what powders did you try? If a 1:8 isnt fast enough I dont know what would be. thats a fast twist for a .25-06 IMO. Im guessing thats not a factory barrel __________________ DEO VINDICE

March 27, 2013, 03:47 PM	#32
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	I like the velocity it would give me and I figured the ttsx would be about the only 80 gr. bullet that would hold together when it hits a deer shoulder at around 3500 fps. I may be thinking all wrong about it, if so I'm open to other ideas. I'm looking for the best balance of accuracy, reliable expansion/weight retention, and velocity. Basically I want to have it all. But doesnt everybody? I know there's give and take when it comes to all those things but hopefully I can find a good balance. Any sharing of knowledge/personal experience is greatly appreciated. __________________ DEO VINDICE

March 27, 2013, 06:04 PM	#33
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	deleted post __________________ DEO VINDICE Last edited by steveNChunter; March 27, 2013 at 07:36 PM.

March 25, 2013, 08:31 PM	#26
eldermike Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 545	100 grain partition is all I use on deer.

March 26, 2013, 09:05 AM	#29
TheBear Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2011 Posts: 303	80 gr Barnes TTSX....didnt work for me. the all copper bullets need very fast twists to give good accuracy, 1in10 could be fast enough, my gun has a 1in8 twist and they didnt work for me though. +i remember the barnes ttsx being pretty expensive...

March 27, 2013, 07:52 PM	#34
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	Ok I think I've finally come to my senses and decided to keep it simple with a 100 grain load. I'm afraid some of the tougher premium bullets like the partition may not fully expand if I dont squarely hit the shoulder bone. NC deer arent exactly huge, a deer over 200 lb. is a monster around here. I think a flat base bullet will suit me better than a boattail since most of my shots will be from 50-200 yards, with maybe a 300 yd opportunity every now and then. I'm now considering the 100 gr sierra pro-hunter or speer hot-cor. Preferences? __________________ DEO VINDICE

March 27, 2013, 11:58 PM	#35
Colorado Redneck Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: Northeast Colorado Posts: 1,993	100 gr Ballistic Tip over IMR 4831 For mule deer, antelope, white tail--these work fine. I had doubts after reading negative reports about the BT but shot a nice 4 point mulie at about 150 yards a few years ago- thumb size entrance hole and tennis ball exit hole. The Ruger I was using has a 24 inch barrel, and the chronied velocity is about 3300 fps. 25-06 is a fine hunting caliber.

March 28, 2013, 04:25 AM	#36
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	Iv'e been considering the ballistic tip as well but like you said, I've read a few negative reports. Have you ever shot anything at close range with it? My only fear with it is that it might explode on a shoulder at 50 yards. Other than that I like it. Seems to be a very accurate bullet with a high BC. IMR 4831 seems to be the powder of choice for most 100 gr loads, although I've found a few loads that use Ramshot Hunter and get some impressive velocity. __________________ DEO VINDICE

March 28, 2013, 08:42 PM	#37
Colorado Redneck Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: Northeast Colorado Posts: 1,993	Shot anything close? Nope---My son shot a doe antelope in the neck at about 125 yards with that same load---of course that was the end of the doe. So I can't speak from experience on hitting something hard at close range. The newer ballistic tips are a bit more durable, I think. They are extremely popular so it seems unlikely that there is much chance of a "blow-up" by hitting a shoulder on a white tail.

March 29, 2013, 05:01 AM	#38
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	I think I'm going to try the 100 gr Nosler ballistic tips first. But I'm still not sure which powder to start with. I cant decide between IMR 4350 or 4831. I dont know if it makes any difference that I have a bit of a short barrel (22"), if so it seems like the 4350 would be better for me since it burns slightly quicker. Ive heard the whole "barrel length affects the burn rate needed for the powder" thing is a myth but then again some people swear it makes alot of difference. Ill probably use Winchester large rifle primers, although I've considered trying LR magnums. __________________ DEO VINDICE