Who on here has real experience loading or shooting a 25-06? Never thought I would like one, but I bought one last year and think she is a keeper! I bought a Remington 700 long range. Now I know alot of you don't like remingtons, especially the new ones, but to each his own. I put a timney trigger in it to fix the stock junk triggers they are putting in them,and bolted a vortex viper on the top. I am currently loading 100 gr Sierra matchkings in front of rl22 and this thing shoots. I guess my only problem is that I want a better bullet to shoot deer with. I killed my best buck ever this year with this set up. Matchkings aren't supposed to be hunting bullets and I know that. What bullet would you guys recommend to try? I am not looking for load data, I have about every manual there is. Good hunting bullets aren't cheap and I am so I don't want to buy 5 different bullets to try.
Sorry for such a run on post.
Thanks for any and all help!

Here are is a picture of my rifle,
a 3 shot group at 100yds,and my 2017 buck.

Its hard to beat the hornady SSt 117 gr bullet. But 100 grain sierra is also great. As you may know some guns don't like some bullets. If you can find some who also reloads a 25 cal bullet you may buy just a few of different types.

Check out Hornady. They make some hunting bullets that are match grade.

Brad

Well just saw your last post . BETTER BULLET ??? !!!!!!!!!! Don't really see how you could do that. Is the deer dead? LOL OK the one you are using shoots !!!!!!! Ain't no deer alive going to survive a 100 gr bullet put in the right spot...

I shot that deer slightly quartering away at about 250yds. Inside of boiler room was jello. The bullet didn't exit and was just shrapnel stuck under the skin in the opposite side. He ran 80 yards and dropped. Very little blood trail. I am just afraid if I hit a shoulder bone with this thin jacketed bullet traveling 3300+- fps it's gonna explode and not kill the deer. I am a decent shot under perfect conditions but nobody is perfect.

100 grain nosler ballistic tip with 53grain of imr4831 has shot a 3 shot group the size of a dime out of every 25.06 ive ever owned. They put deer down in their tracks. Usually no exit but when you field dress every thing inside is destroyed. Would never even consider using a different load in the 25.06

Bill, I have an old Remington 700 BDL in 25-06. It was I believe made in 1969 which is around the first year the 25 came out as a factory round instead of a wildcat. That gun has been very accurate since day one and I have taken quite a few whitetails, mule deer and a couple antelope with it over the years. I don't shoot it as much as I should anymore, too many rifles, not enough time. If your rifle likes them the Barnes Vor-Tx in the 100 grain tipped copper bullet is awesome. I would not be afraid to use that round for anything up to and including elk and moose.

Zim

My 25-06 barrel is about toast. Too many rounds downrange over too many years.

Most accurate bullets for me have been Sierra 100 grain GameKing/Hunters; usually something in the .75moa category. However, I've probably put more 100 grain Nosler ballistic tips thru it than anything else. They were never quite as accurate for me but 1moa was normal and they are good for upto deer sized critters. They are a fairly rapid expanding bullet; if you want extreme penetration for something elk sized probably not best option. I'd also suggest getting a similar 100 grain offering from Hornady such as SST for a comparison.

I tend to like 4350 but have used a fair amount of 4831 too.

Thanks guys! I have read alot of articles on the 25-06 and can't find a down side to the caliber. I like the fact that from 100 to 300 yards it is basically a laser beam. With a steady rest you just point and click. Kind of minimizes the the guess work for the nut behind the bolt.

I would be interested to see how a Barnes TTSX 100 gr would perform in your rifle. They have been a very accurate bullet for me and are flat out killers. I've seen a few of them recovered and they look just like advertised. Mostly they leave a1 1/2 inch exit hole pouring blood for a few jumps.

I'm a fan of any gun.

For deer hunting it isn't my first choice. I did shooot my buck with one this year just to use the last gun i bought from Dutch Elsasser.

The first 25 i bought was from Dutch also, about 30 years ago. It is a Ruger77 and i've since given it to my Niece. She kills deer with it on her farm.
I just like a little more umph for hunting.

This could be easily obtained with a heavier bullet. The case sure has the capacity for it.
6.5, or 264 diameter has lots of heavier bullets made for them, up past 160 grain. Long and skinny makes for a great bullet. Not sure why they stop at 120gr. for the 25? It's only .007 smaller, and should have bullets up into the 140-150 range.
The ballistics would be every bit as good as the 6.5, the most common long range caliber used today.

Anyhow, good caliber when used right. I'd be on them like stick on a skunk if they'd make heavier bullets and a barrel with a 1/7-8 twist. MONEY! LOL

I shoot a Kimber 84L in 25-06. Is my go to gun for deer and antelope. I use Nosler 100 grain Ballistic Tip bullets, IMR 4350 powder and CCI BR2 primers. I use the hunting ballistic tips not the varmint ones. I kills like lightning and groups are great. Scoped with a Leupold VX-2 4x12x40 LRD.

I ran a 25-06AI (Ackley Improved) for years.

I can't say enough about how pleasing it was (it was stolen).

That rifle liked the 100pgr NPT and getting 3400fps and 115gr NPT to 3200fps was a walk in the park, and there was no need for extreme pressures to get it there.

A quick killer of Whitetails both near and far.

AGREED.!!!

I certainly agree Zim. Many moons back when I guided mule deer and elk clients I saw quite a few 25's brought out for the deer and they did great. I had a guy for deer one day with a 25 when we came across a terrific bull elk, licenses had both back then. After a careful stalk we decided a neck shot was the option at nearly 300 yards, it folded that elk where it stood.
Nothing other than possible man eaters in North America I wouldn't go after with a 25-06.

Osky

I know a guy in town that likes them

I have killed a ton of elk with 25-06 hit where they live.

Don't forget the Roberts either.

Loaded up for todays iron, it's a Rock Star.!

A buddy of mine is a huge fan of 25-06. He shoots the Winchester ballistic silvertip 115 gr and swears by them for their accuracy and putting deer and hogs down quickly.