.25-06 - What Bullet?

[nmbrinkman]

I just started out handloading/reloading and have come to a fork in the road. It seems the more research I do the more complex the decision becomes. I start withcomparing Barnes TSX vs Nosler Partitions for deer. I can hear in my head from all of the reading I've done "both are sufficient to kill a deer" ; "TSXs penetrate better" ; "Noslers have been around for 50 years. Stick with them" ; "TSXs are better at higher velocities while NP are good at all velocities". So help me out guys. With a fast shooting, small caliber .25-06, what would be the most efficient bullet? And it's not limited to these two bullets either.

 

[myfriendis410]

I shoot the Barnes out of preference although I am in the Condor zone and have to shoot nontoxic. I would load in the 110 gr. range, if Barnes has a Tipped TSX, try that one. Load right at the upper end of the book (maximum). Seat .050" off the lands.

The partition does NOT have as high a b.c. as others. If you want to use a Nosler I would strongly favor the Accubond over the Partition. It's a fantastic bullet and would be nearly ideal for the 25-06.

Show us some groups from your rifle when you shoot it.

 

[DirtyDave]

Dont leave out Hornady SST and GMX (lead-free)

 

[myfriendis410]

I agree with the Hornady SST but not the GMX; you lose a lot of velocity loading a solid gilding metal bullet--at least 200 fps.

 

[DirtyDave]

I agree with the Hornady SST but not the GMX; you lose a lot of velocity loading a solid gilding metal bullet--at least 200 fps.

Nothing wrong with the GMX if you need to use lead free. "Gilding metal" is 95% copper and 5% zinc, not much different than all copper bullets. My 30-06 groups better with the GMX than the Barnes, so that is what I use. I like the Barnes though and I have taken a Boar with the TSX, before I tried the GMX. YMMV

 

[myfriendis410]

Nothing wrong with the GMX if you need to use lead free. "Gilding metal" is 95% copper and 5% zinc, not much different than all copper bullets. My 30-06 groups better with the GMX than the Barnes, so that is what I use. I like the Barnes though and I have taken a Boar with the TSX, before I tried the GMX. YMMV

It's true that you have to go with what your gun likes, but that velocity loss is a killer for me.

 

[steglic]

I shot Hornady SST 117 gr. It is a devastating round on deer.

 

[markt800]

Dont leave out Hornady SST and GMX (lead-free)

i hate the SST!!! they blow up and ruin a ton of meat.

go barnes less fouling and all the knock down power you could dream of, and any one the that says they don't shot good has a tweeked gun!!!


P.S. buy a BOW!!!!

 

[markt800]

I agree with the Hornady SST but not the GMX; you lose a lot of velocity loading a solid gilding metal bullet--at least 200 fps.

how do you figure????

 

[nmbrinkman]

I shoot the Barnes out of preference although I am in the Condor zone and have to shoot nontoxic. I would load in the 110 gr. range, if Barnes has a Tipped TSX, try that one. Load right at the upper end of the book (maximum). Seat .050" off the lands.

The partition does NOT have as high a b.c. as others. If you want to use a Nosler I would strongly favor the Accubond over the Partition. It's a fantastic bullet and would be nearly ideal for the 25-06.

Show us some groups from your rifle when you shoot it.

You asked and you shall receive.... 100 yds.The top group I wanted to shoot from standing so disregard.. But the bottom group was using a rest bag... 115 gr Barnes TSX, 51 gr H4831 from my Tikka T3 lite .25-06

 

[myfriendis410]

how do you figure????

You can't drive a solid gilding metal bullet as hard as a cup and core bullet or pure copper. The most recent data I have is the Nosler manual and they indicate mid range load data as max for their e tip. Peak pressures are achieved much closer to the chamber and you can easily blow up a gun trying to load it up.

 

[myfriendis410]

You asked and you shall receive.... 100 yds.The top group I wanted to shoot from standing so disregard.. But the bottom group was using a rest bag... 115 gr Barnes TSX, 51 gr H4831 from my Tikka T3 lite .25-06

That ought to make a hog or deer awful sick.

 

[Mr. Luckypants]

Awesome shooting!

I would go with barnes for close hunting or still hunting. Use a Berger or even a BT for longer distances like 300yds+.

 

[Crockett]

Killing a deer sized animal is far more about bullet placement than about bullet construction. I've harvested a lot of deer with a normal soft point bullet in 6mm Remington, 87 gr Hornady SP as well as a .257 100 gr. Hornady SP. I wouldn't expect any different performance from a Sierra (which I've used on a few deer), Speer, Nosler or any other bullet from a 25-06. The .257 bullets were shot out of a .257 Ackley Improved with a chronographed velocity near that of your 25-06. All were shot with the bullets placed in the chest area to go through the lungs. All but two dropped in their tracks. One walked two steps and dropped and the other ran about 20 yards and dropped. Upon gutting them, the lungs on all of them were pulverized and essentially gone.

Not that you shouldn't use a premium bullet if you want to use it but about the only reason you'd need a premium bullet like a Barnes TSX is for larger game like elk. Hunters have been using less than premium bullets for over a hundred years with good success -- as long as the hunter did his part.

Load and hunt with whatever bullet gives you the best accuracy -- and be willing to give up a little velocity to get the accuracy. Like I said, it's all about bullet placement -- not bullet construction.

Crockett

 

[Crockett]

Here's my latest that I harvested a couple of weeks ago with a .257 Ackley Improved at a distance on 256 yards (measured with a Leica rangefinder). Bullet was a 100 gr. Hornady SP going a chronographed 3100fps at the muzzle. I could have gotten more velocity (a little over 3200 fps) but this load gave me better accuracy -- usually 3/4 inch at 100 yards.

Crockett