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Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
#5927304
09/14/15 02:47 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 27
Lead Kisses
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 27 |
Tossing together a new deer rifle for this season. I've never hunted whitetail with a bullet so light. What loads have you had success with and what loads haven't you had success with? I'm most interested in what didn't work well for you. I'm thinking about trying Federal Premium Nosler Partition 115 GR if the gun likes them, or the Hornady American Whitetail BTSP 117 GR. Rifle has a 1 in 9.5" twist. Should I think about the 100 GR polymer tip stuff?
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927322
09/14/15 02:54 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,478
4Weight
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,478 |
The Hornady 25-06 SST 117 grain groups the best for me in my Weatherby. I shoot this in 270 as well.
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927331
09/14/15 03:01 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 251
Cohunter22-250
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 251 |
X2 on sst 117s they are the best shooting out of my sako
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927362
09/14/15 03:14 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,465
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,465 |
My gun likes the nosler red box 100gr partitions
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927377
09/14/15 03:24 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,539
BayouGuy
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,539 |
Be not concerned about the "light" bullet of a 25-06. The load I use is 52 grains of IMR 4831 or 53 grains of RL 19 under the Barnes 100 grain TSX BT. It's devastating on game. In my Browning B-78 either load will give me a five-shot average right at 3200 fps over the chronograph. The IMR groups are typically around one-inch for five-shot at 100 yards, with the RL 19 loads typically sub one-inch. Below is a picture of a 100 grain Barnes X-Bullet (the predecessor of the TSX) recovered from a 170 lb. buck shot at 190 yards. The deer was North bound. The bullet entered the left ham and was recovered under the skin of the right shoulder. All of the deer I've shot with the TSX were broadside. None of those bullets were recovered because they were all pass throughs. Bullet Options: http://www.barnesbullets.com/bullets/tsx/Load Data: http://www.barnesbullets.com/files/2014/11/25-06Remington.pdf
If you can't laugh at yourself, give me a call. I'll gladly laugh at you. "I keep trying to see Nancy Pelosi's and Chuck Schumer's point of view, but I can't seem to get my head that far up my [censored]." Senator John Kennedy, Louisiana
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927394
09/14/15 03:35 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,465
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,465 |
I've had good luck with 100gr tsx at 3300, I wish someone would load the 80gr ttsx
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927451
09/14/15 03:58 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,900
JJH
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,900 |
IMO, the 25/06 is about perfect for Texas deer.
I like 120s at about 3000... flat trajectory, low recoil, and good bullet performance from plain ol' cup n core bullets.
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927482
09/14/15 04:34 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 27
Lead Kisses
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 27 |
No love for the soft points? lol I'll see what Cabela's has this week.
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927781
09/14/15 02:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 182
fowlhooked
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 182 |
Ive had pretty luck with the Hornady American Whitetail. No issues at all.
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927808
09/14/15 02:58 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,013
Texas buckeye
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,013 |
Started hunting with the 25-06 last year. Took 3 deer with it, all with the hornaday sst 117 gr.
I did shoot and hit three coyotes with the rifle too, one died on the spot, other two were flank shot and ran off with good blood trails and all that but wasn't interested in tracking them so much.
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927810
09/14/15 02:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213
tShawnB
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213 |
Fed Premium 100 grain ballistics, mainly because the shoot and group well out of my 25/06 TC.
How come everybody I meet is a deer hunting expert?
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927861
09/14/15 03:29 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 650
jmh004
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 650 |
Remington Core Lock 120 grain
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5927975
09/14/15 04:43 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755 |
Killed a LOT of them growing up with 80g sofpoints.. they work fine on even big south Texas whitetails..
My dad used to say "deer just aren't that hard to kill"
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5928001
09/14/15 05:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
80 or 100... both are good size bullets for WT.. I like 100gr loads in my .270 also
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5928004
09/14/15 05:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5928207
09/14/15 07:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,666
John Humbert
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,666 |
I've been shooting the 25-06 for some time - it's a great caliber and plenty for deer. However, I have found that most 25-06 guns can be very finicky with ammo. So, find out what works best with your gun and stick with it. Especially when you go over 100gr with the 25-06, depending on your gun, some funky things begin to happen. For example, my gun will shoot ANY 80-100gr cartridge with extreme accuracy, and I can switch from ammo to ammo brand/bullet with virtually no zero drift at 100 yards. However, once I get to the 115-120gr ammo, my gun has issues grouping. Not bad, but it is definitely there. With 120gr core-lokt, I could not get groupings tighter than 4-5", even when the gun was bolted down in a rest. I had mixed results with 115-117gr ammo. For MY gun, the HSM Berger VLD round has been excellent, with consistent 1/4" groupings from 100-200 yards. The VLD bullet packs a wallop too - and have taken several animals in the 200-300lb range - some big axis or hogs for example. However, this round is not without issues. The 25-06 moves so fast, that the VLD or ballistic silver tips rounds have a tendency to do "funky" things at SHORT distances, like 50-90 yards. I have had the Berger VLD do complete pass-thru at 80 yards and not expand. Also had them richochet off shoulder/scapulas at short range. On the other hand, at 250+ yards - they penetrate well and cause massive hydrostatic shock (think animal falls over dead without a step). But you don't want meat shots at longer distances - for example, a shoulder shot with a Berger VLD at 200 yards will mean there is no shoulder left on the opposite side.
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5928240
09/14/15 07:28 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,539
BayouGuy
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,539 |
I've had the same experience John. My gun does not like bullets over 100 grains.
If you can't laugh at yourself, give me a call. I'll gladly laugh at you. "I keep trying to see Nancy Pelosi's and Chuck Schumer's point of view, but I can't seem to get my head that far up my [censored]." Senator John Kennedy, Louisiana
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5928438
09/14/15 09:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 728
TxHunter80
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 728 |
I've shot probably 30 deer and a dozen hogs with the Federal 117 Sierra Gameking BTSP. If you are used to larger rounds, you are in for a treat. The 25-06 kills deer really quickly and effectively with low recoil, if you do your part. The Sierra is not a tough bullet and I haven't had any problems. The tougher 100 grain (Partition, Barnes, ETips) should be fantastic. I always wondered about the 100 grain soft points (ballistic tips, core-lokts, et). I'm sure they work but do they usually exit?
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5928894
09/15/15 02:18 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 18
Fish Aholic
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 18 |
I am glad some have had good luck with the 117 Sierra Gamekings. I have mixed results and want to try the 100 Grain Barnes. The 117 Sierras group well in my rifle but the take down on game from my experience has not been good. I shot a doe in the engine room and she went down immediately. Not a few min. later she gets up and runs 100 yards in the woods. I was shocked!!! Shot a few other animals with fair results. The bullet hits where I am but I have not been impressed with the "kill performance".
Any experience with the Barnes or Winchester Silver tips for deer?
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5929036
09/15/15 03:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 283
tinkerbell
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 283 |
I shoot the Winchester supreme cpx2 115 grain bullet and have for at least the last 5 years and I'm pretty sure longer. I've killed probably 25-30 deer during that time, and 40-50 pigs. Shots ranged from 8 yards to 235 yards. Always had solid groupings and good knock down power past 80 yards. Closer than 80 yards is usually straight through and a little bit of tracking. Most animals never went more than 30 yards and a bunch never took another step. I love this gun and caliber. Sing its praises to all my friends!
A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user. Theodore Roosevelt
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5929100
09/15/15 05:04 AM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 629
djs303
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 629 |
I use Hornady superformance 117 SST's. They shoot very accurate in both my 25-06's and do plenty of damage. They will damage a lot of meat on shoulder shots. Your gonna love the caliber as it hits hard with minimal recoil.
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5929193
09/15/15 12:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219
dee
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219 |
110gr Accubonds have been awesome for me.
"A vote is like a rifle; it's usefulness depends on the character of the user" Theodore Roosevelt
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5929396
09/15/15 02:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 909
Triplesnake
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 909 |
120gr Sierra HPBT Gameking over 49.5gr IMR 4350. Both my Winchester and my son's Remington shoot this load very well and it has knocked down many deer and hogs and aoudad over the years for us.
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5929635
09/15/15 04:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
TxAg
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811 |
I load 110gr Accubonds for my wife's .25-06. Shoots them tight, kills effectively.
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Re: Favorite 25-06 load for whitetail?
[Re: Lead Kisses]
#5929708
09/15/15 05:30 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034
Western
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034 |
I have a 25.06 I haven't shot since the mid 90's, bull barrel and very accurate. Worked very well with the Winchester 115g silver tips on WT.
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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