wondering if anyone has any recipes for a good load for a 25-06 on a mule deer hunt for ex. what gr bullet how much and what kind of powder. any help is appreciated.

Reloader 22 was always my go to powder for the 25-06. IMR 4831 worked well too.

For mule deer, hmm, bullets choices are plentiful. I think I'd go with a partition or bonded bullet for mulies and larger. TSX has it's share of doters too.


Jay

I've used the 25/06 quite a bit. Years ago, I read in a Sierra reloading manual that somewhere in the 47-50gr range with IMR4350 was their recommended accuracy load for 117-120gr bullets. That has proven to be a great combo in a number of rifles. Velocity is around 3000fps and accuracy is top notch. As to bullets, I'd start with 115 or 120gr Partitions. If your rifle doesn't like them, then the 120gr Hornady HP, 120gr Speer Hot Core, or the 120gr Sierra HPBT will work just fine.

Never tried the 100gr TSX, but some guys swear but it. good luck, be sure to post a pic of your buck!

My 26" barreled 25-06 LOVES 55 grains of RL-22. I have never shot this load across a chronograph though so I can't tell you the velocity. If I set the gun on the bags, and only touch the trigger the gun will shoot 5 shots through the same hole @ 100 yards.

This is with Hornady 100 grain soft points with a flat base.

As someone mentioned above, I would try the Barnes bullets, and make sure they shoot accurately in your gun. If they do, those would be the ticket. They say you can shoot a lighter bullet in the Barnes line than you would a conventional bullet. That extra velocity from a lighter bullet makes for a flatter trajectory.

Internet forums are typically not the best source of reliable data/recipes for reloading. Hunting tips and opinions maybe, but tested load data is available from Hodgdon/Alliant/Western Powders on-line.

This is not a slam at the experienced reloader (like me, reloading for 35+ yrs...I do it to save money hah!), but someone can post a bad load just as readily as a good one.

Thank you for your concern

120gr Nosler Partitions and 53gr of IMR-7828 or

100gr Nosler Ballistic Tips or Barnes TSX with 53gr of IMR-4350

Go to Handload's.com,Some good information

Don't hand load but I like the
100 grain TSX's loaded to 3330ft's(cpcartridge.com)
100 grain partitions loaded to 3300(nosler custom)

R22 is a good powder, depending on the bullet weight. I like the 115-120 grain bullets, but not all rifles have the faster twist rate to stabilize then and shoot them well. If so, then look at the 80-100 grain bullets.

I shoot 25.06 all the time from varmints to hogs. I have good luck (same hole) with 117gr hornady btsp and imr4831. Cant remeber the exact powder charge but had to do alot to testing to find what my ruger liked.

Sorry I just saw this and thought I would give you my recipe.

I shoot a Ruger #1
Sierra Game King 90 grain BTHP
760 Winchester Powder
Powder Weight is 52gr
CCI #250 Magnum Primers
Chrono was 3500 FPS

This is a very accurate load. I have taken White Tail, Axis, Hogs, & varmints.

I have been shooting a .25-06 for a LONG time (don't ask) and have shot dozens of mulies with it as well as a lot of other beasts. Lots of good info on here. I have used the Nosler Partitions in several weights, 115 grain TB, 117 Sierras, several different Barnes X offerings. All did the job fine. More recently I have used the 110 Accubond and it has worked well. In the process of loading the new 100 grain TTSX and going to give it a whirl. I expect it will work really well and will hopefully see something big enough to try it on this fall.

I went home with a buddy I was serving with to his home in Wyoming. His dad who is a game warden there got me in on a ranch and I was using my Ruger with Remington factory 100gr Corlok bullets. I killed a muley at 260 yards and he literally dropped dead in his tracks. The bullet was placed just behind that front leg and it did its job. I would not even hesitate to use a 25-06 on the biggest mule deer or even and elk using 100gr bullets. You have as good of caliber I feel there is anywhere. If you put that bullet where it needs to go he is going down. Good Luck!

[quote=marine0311]I went home with a buddy I was serving with to his home in Wyoming. His dad who is a game warden there got me in on a ranch and I was using my Ruger with Remington factory 100gr Corlok bullets. I killed a muley at 260 yards and he literally dropped dead in his tracks. The bullet was placed just behind that front leg and it did its job. I would not even hesitate to use a 25-06 on the biggest mule deer or even and elk using 100gr bullets. You have as good of caliber I feel there is anywhere. If you put that bullet where it needs to go he is going down. Good Luck!

I went home with a buddy I was serving with to his home in Wyoming. His dad who is a game warden there got me in on a ranch and I was using my Ruger with Remington factory 100gr Corlok bullets. I killed a muley at 260 yards and he literally dropped dead in his tracks. The bullet was placed just behind that front leg and it did its job. I would not even hesitate to use a 25-06 on the biggest mule deer or even and elk using 100gr bullets. You have as good of caliber I feel there is anywhere. If you put that bullet where it needs to go he is going down. Good Luck!