.25-06 Bullet Weight Advice

madmike8659 · Jan 16, 2011

I am planning on a Mule Deer hunt in Colorado this year. I fight this battle everytime I hunt Muley's but I'd like some advice from you western natives. I have a load that is extremely accurate to 300 yards. I can consistantly shoot 4 shot groups of under 3" @ 300 yards. Bullet drop is about 6" @ 300 yards. The problem is it is a 100 grain bullet. I've tried 117 grain & 120 grain bullets but can never match the accuracy. IMO my .25-06 shoots the 100 grains the best. Just like my .30-06 shoots the 180 grains so much better. Alot has been said about bullet placement but I have changed my philosopy in the past couple of years to drilling the shoulder instead of the heart/lung area. Is the 100 grain toolight for Muleys. And if you recommend the 120 grain, do you have a load that uses IMR 4831 powder, CCI #200 primers with Nosler partitions.

Cahunter805 · Jan 16, 2011

What 100gr bullet are you shooting?? Shot placement is key and the high shoulder does great. I would recommend you try the 110gr accubonds!! Great bullet.

Twoshooter · Jan 16, 2011

I have killed alot of deer with 100gr partitions in my 25-06. This year I switched to 80g barnes ttsx's. Performed perfectly on deer at 275 yards and 75 yards. I thought 80 might be a little light but they performed great on mature bucks. The 75 yard shot blew through both lungs broadside and he took 4 steps and died. The 275 yd shot was quartering toward, went through shoulder, vitals, and ended up in the gut pile, never came out. That deer took about 5 steps before he died. I will look up both loads for you if you want them. The 80's were really moving and more accurate than the 100g partitions.

madmike8659 · Jan 16, 2011

I shoot the Partitions. Just wanted to make sure they had enough KE to break up the shoulder. The .30-06 180 grains have alot of drop at 300 yards and it gets worse from there. I have a .338 Win Mag. but I think the smallest bullet is 210 gr. and your about even with the .30-06 except the additional KE.

Coloradoboy · Jan 16, 2011

+1 to the 110 grain accubonds. I shoot them in my model 700 25-06 and they are tack drivers. I shot my last buck with them and they performed well. Id highly recommend them. Used to shoot 117 grain sierras but as far as im concerned the accubonds are tough to beat.

CoolhandMcCain06 · Jan 16, 2011

I'd try the Barnes TTSX's too. I used the 100 grain version to fill a cow elk tag this December. She never took a step after getting hit in the upper shoulder. The bullet is actually longer than the 115 and 120 grainers that I've held it up to. This might end up beating out the 100 grn Ballistic Tip that I normally shoot deer with. 52 grains of IMR 4831 was the best load out of my gun.

never_satisfied · Jan 16, 2011

+2 on the 110 grain accubonds
Out of my Browning A-Bolt with factory Winchester Supreme I shot 2" groups at 300 yards
I've killed 4 antelope and 2 mule deer with this set up

ITS ALL ABOUT MEAT-IN WITH THE TAXIDERMIST

beavis14 · Jan 17, 2011

iv'e shot several antelope and deer with a 100 grain ballistic tip out of my .25-284. there is no need to use anything more sturdy than that. my 2 cents

TOPGUN · Jan 17, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jan-17-11 AT 10:35AM (MST)[p]I'm using Hornady 117 grain BTSPs with 50 grains of IMR 4350 with 3/4 MOA or better and every antelope has gone down right where it stood. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on deer, but I go up to their 150 grain BTSP with 59.7 grains of the same powder in my 30-06, with the same accuracy and effect on all the deer I've shot. The software a friend has shows I'm right around 3000 fps at the muzzle with both rounds.

Elkhunter96 · Jan 17, 2011

With the 338 win, Barnes makes a 185 grain TTSX that would do wonderful on deer. You may want to look that one up. For your 25.06, try the accubonds or some Barnes TTSX and see how they fly in your gun.

whiskeybent · Jan 17, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jan-17-11 AT 11:27AM (MST)[p]+3 for the 110 accubonds. I Shot a mature cow elk 2 weeks a go with the 110 accubond 1 shot put her down for the count. I've aslo shot a dozen or so deer and antelope with the same result. They're also extremely accurate out my rem model 700. Great bullets!

ELKHUNTER66 · Jan 17, 2011

100grain is great if you use a goollet like berger,swift or barnes or the shirocco

CABugle · Jan 17, 2011

+4 on the 110 accubonds. I have shot several antelope with these, they do a great job. I have no experience with deer because I use a 300wsm for them.

CABugle

elkchaser60 · Jan 17, 2011

I don't reload, but mine can drive tacks with the Federal Premium, 115 grain Nosler Partitions.

BIGJOHNT · Jan 18, 2011

If you guys didn't shoot you wifes rifle then you wouldn't have to be so picking with you bullets !
Sorry couldn't resist

440sixpack · Jan 18, 2011

I would stay with 115-120 gr, you can't always make a perfect broadside lung shot.

The Hornady Interlock has been both accurate and very effective for me. don't let the low price scare you.

CoolhandMcCain06 · Jan 18, 2011

Come on John, you know my wife shoots a 6mm. It's my girlfriend that lends me the 25-06. haha

D3006W · Jan 18, 2011

This post belongs under.. Guns/shooting/etc column!

BIGJOHNT · Jan 19, 2011

Its about Mule deer isn't it !
I was hunting with a fellow shooting a 25 06 for elk . Watched him put five right in the boiler room. I thought he missed each time the elk never flinched. He was only 150 to 200 yards away. The elk finale went down, when we got to him we found all 5 shots all in the kill zone. But the bullets appeared to have just punched little holes, they went right threw without expanding.
This being said i think you are doing the right thing shooting a quality bullet. I would rather see someone shoot a 25 06 well then a big 300 RUM and flinching all over the place. I know you our going on a MULE DEER hunt and not a elk hunt. A elk can take alot more then a MULE DEER.
That being said keep your distances to a few hundred yards and shoot a quality bullet well and you should be fine.
Enjoy your hunt and make sure to post up some pictures !

TOPGUN · Jan 19, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jan-19-11 AT 08:41AM (MST)[p]BIGJOHNT---Exactly! We got a BB Cop here or something, LOL!!! Do you know what bullets he was using in that 25-06 on that elk. I have a hard time with that caliber on elk as they are one tough animal and I think a person should go to a bigger gun on them. That said, I know they will take one like he did, but a big bull can carry a lot of lead from a smaller caliber, just as you mentioned watching that bull get wacked five times. I won't go any bigger than deer with the 25-06 and then the 30-06 or bigger comes out!

lgriffiti · Jan 19, 2011

25-06 is an awesome rifle for deer-size game. I've used the 25-06 exclusively for over 25 years (on deer) now and have nothing but praise for the cartridge. I think you'll be fine with the 100gr. bullets on mule deer. That being said, bullet placement is the key. If you get good accuracy with 100-gr bullets, pick a good one and use it. Personally, my rifle (Ruger 77) doesn't group as well with the lighter bullets. I use the 110-120gr bullets. I've used Barnes, Nosler, etc. with equal results. I've always loaded IMR 4350 with the CCI 250 Magnum primers. Last fall, I loaded up the following just for fun:
50 gr. IMR 5350
110 gr. AccuBond
CCI 250 Magnum primer

I shot a 6", 5-shot group, under field conditions - at 350 yds. I can't shoot better than that.

-lgriffiti