Help choosing hunting bullets for .300WM and .25-06

[wombat13]

I'm working on hunting loads for two rifles, both Rugers, one in .300WM and one in .25-06. I've had the .300WM for several years and found one load that is superbly accurate in my rifle: 165 gr. TSX over a heavy charge of IMR 4831. So, if you were going to develop another hunting load, what bullet and weight would you try? I'm thinking I've got a lighter weight, flat-shooting load, so maybe I should find a heavy weight hunting load like a 180+gr in maybe a Pro-hunter or Partition or some other heavy, flat base bullet. I'm leaning toward a flat base because finding an accurate load has been tricky over the years in this rifle and posters in the Reloading forum suggested a flat base might be more forgiving.

I have a question along the same lines for my new .25-06. If you had to choose two bullets/weights for hunting, what would you choose? Maybe a 115 gr Partition or TSX for white tails and larger (dream of taking my daughter on an elk hunt someday) and an 80 gr TTSX or 85 gr ballistic tip for whitetails and smaller?

 

[Decoy80]

I have no experience with the 25-06 but have some with the 300WM.
A 180gr Nosler Partition over IMR 4350 gives good results for me. A nice large wound makes a deer lay down most times and helps as otherwise you have to look for or drag one further.
I load on the light side for easy shooting. I load for a BAR and the light recoil is easy on me and my action. I am a better shooter with lower recoil loads.
I'm just a critter and pain will make me flinch.

 

[Patocazador]

The most accurate load I've ever had with a .25-06 is 51.5 grs. of IMR 4831 with a 117 gr. Sierra Pro-Hunter. It gave a 1/2" three-shot group at a 100 yds. The load I hunt with is 52,0 grs. of IMR 4831 with a 100 gr. Nosler Partition. It gives groups under 1" but is not as accurate as the Sierra load. I have substituted a 115 Nosler Partition for the Sierra Pro-Hunter and got 3/4" groups.

I don't use any large magnum calibers because excessive recoil destroys the accuracy in my hands. Those large magnum calibers knock the snot out of me. The biggest thing I shoot is a .35 Whelen.

 

[wombat13]

The most accurate load I've ever had with a .25-06 is 51.5 grs. of IMR 4831 with a 117 gr. Sierra Pro-Hunter. It gave a 1/2" three-shot group at a 100 yds. The load I hunt with is 52,0 grs. of IMR 4831 with a 100 gr. Nosler Partition. It gives groups under 1" but is not as accurate as the Sierra load. I have substituted a 115 Nosler Partition for the Sierra Pro-Hunter and got 3/4" groups.

I don't use any large magnum calibers because excessive recoil destroys the accuracy in my hands. Those large magnum calibers knock the snot out of me. The biggest thing I shoot is a .35 Whelen.

Thanks for your suggestion. Why did you switch from Pro-Hunter to the Partition? Why do you hunt with the 100 gr. Partition if the 115 gr Partition shot nearly as well as the Pro-Hunter?

Btw, according to Chuck Hawks' rifle recoil table, the recoil on your .35 Whelen is about the same as my .300WM.

 

[wombat13]

I have no experience with the 25-06 but have some with the 300WM.
A 180gr Nosler Partition over IMR 4350 gives good results for me. A nice large wound makes a deer lay down most times and helps as otherwise you have to look for or drag one further.
I load on the light side for easy shooting. I load for a BAR and the light recoil is easy on me and my action. I am a better shooter with lower recoil loads.
I'm just a critter and pain will make me flinch.

Thanks for your suggestion. Do you use the Protected Point or the Spitzer? I'm thinking maybe the 180 gr. Protected Point Partition and the 180 gr. Pro-Hunter might be good choices.

 

[Captcurt]

I'm working on hunting loads for two rifles, both Rugers, one in .300WM and one in .25-06. I've had the .300WM for several years and found one load that is superbly accurate in my rifle: 165 gr. TSX over a heavy charge of IMR 4831. So, if you were going to develop another hunting load, what bullet and weight would you try? I'm thinking I've got a lighter weight, flat-shooting load, so maybe I should find a heavy weight hunting load like a 180+gr in maybe a Pro-hunter or Partition or some other heavy, flat base bullet. I'm leaning toward a flat base because finding an accurate load has been tricky over the years in this rifle and posters in the Reloading forum suggested a flat base might be more forgiving.

I have a question along the same lines for my new .25-06. If you had to choose two bullets/weights for hunting, what would you choose? Maybe a 115 gr Partition or TSX for white tails and larger (dream of taking my daughter on an elk hunt someday) and an 80 gr TTSX or 85 gr ballistic tip for whitetails and smaller?

My go to gun is a 300WSM in a Model 10 Savage Sierra. It is a 6 1/4 lb rifle with a 20" barrel. Loves a 165gr Accubond over 64 gr of IMR-4350 and a 150gr Accubond over 66gr of the same powder. Both work wonders on whitetails from 20 to 400 yards. Haven't played with the 25-06 yet but have shot some of the light Ballistic Tips in 7mm TCU and 243. An 85gr BT at over 3500 fps is just asking for trouble. The Barnes might be ok but from what I have seen with my 243 a BT will blow all to pieces, especially if you hit bone. I ruined a shoulder on a small Bambi and blew the guts out of a coyote with a 90gr. The bambi was quartering to me a little. The bullet hit the shoulder and cratered sending shrapnel through the lungs. It was pretty messy and the deer ran 70 yards. I would stick with 100gr or bigger.

 

[Patocazador]

Thanks for your suggestion. Why did you switch from Pro-Hunter to the Partition? Why do you hunt with the 100 gr. Partition if the 115 gr Partition shot nearly as well as the Pro-Hunter?

Btw, according to Chuck Hawks' rifle recoil table, the recoil on your .35 Whelen is about the same as my .300WM.

I don't trust Sierras like I do Partitions. Partitions always expand and almost always exit leaving a better blood trail. I have seen Sierras from Federal Premium .30-06 loads all in pieces inside a whitetail.

My .35 Whelen loads use 180 and 200 gr. bullets not 225 or 250. Believe me when I tell you that my reloads don't belt me like a .308 Norma or a 300 Win.

 

[wombat13]

My go to gun is a 300WSM in a Model 10 Savage Sierra. It is a 6 1/4 lb rifle with a 20" barrel. Loves a 165gr Accubond over 64 gr of IMR-4350 and a 150gr Accubond over 66gr of the same powder. Both work wonders on whitetails from 20 to 400 yards. Haven't played with the 25-06 yet but have shot some of the light Ballistic Tips in 7mm TCU and 243. An 85gr BT at over 3500 fps is just asking for trouble. The Barnes might be ok but from what I have seen with my 243 a BT will blow all to pieces, especially if you hit bone. I ruined a shoulder on a small Bambi and blew the guts out of a coyote with a 90gr. The bambi was quartering to me a little. The bullet hit the shoulder and cratered sending shrapnel through the lungs. It was pretty messy and the deer ran 70 yards. I would stick with 100gr or bigger.

Thanks for the suggestions. I certainly would not plan to use an 80 or 85 gr ballistic tip on deer, so I guess I misstated what I was thinking. One bullet for deer and larger and one for smaller than deer. Wouldn't the small ballistic tip be good for coyotes or other vaunts?

 

[wombat13]

I don't trust Sierras like I do Partitions. Partitions always expand and almost always exit leaving a better blood trail. I have seen Sierras from Federal Premium .30-06 loads all in pieces inside a whitetail.

My .35 Whelen loads use 180 and 200 gr. bullets not 225 or 250. Believe me when I tell you that my reloads don't belt me like a .308 Norma or a 300 Win.

Why have you settled on the 100 gr partition for hunting rather than the 115 or 120? Sounds like the 115 offered better accuracy.

 

[JeffG]

52,0 grs. of IMR 4831 with a 100 gr. Nosler Partition

THAT....right there. That's the best 25-06 load I have ever shot, also. Put down a 12 pointer with a front on chest shot. It exited the ham.

 

[Decoy80]

Wombat, I can't recall the exact particulars on those 180 gr. Nosler Partitions. It has been well over a year since I loaded for the 300 WM. Maybe closer to 2 years.
I bought those from Shooters Pro Shop on sale they were blemished and came loose in a bag. I haven't had any negative results with blems from them and only occasionally have noticed some discoloration. I have not bought any of the factory seconds from them. My reasoning on that may not be right but a blemish is just that. It's just a thing that may not be the exact shade or is tarnished a little,not a defect that would or could affect it and impede it's performance.
Seconds have other unknown issues they don't specify and any number of things in that category can easily foul up a shot.
Try some of the Noslers and any others you find of interest until you figure out the combination that does best for you, as the shooter, the rifle , and meets your demands.
When I loaded hot the extra felt recoil showed up in a larger group at 100yds. I have bought a chronograph but when I loaded those 100 rounds of 300wm was prior to getting it and just guessing I think speed is between 2500&2750 using the 180`s. I have not been blasting my good hunting bullets away as I have been busy playing with other firearms. Even loading using blems is not cheap in 300 wm. and once dialed in the rifle stays in the safe until gun season.
Good luck loading,safe and happy shooting,Roe

 

[wombat13]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I picked up one box each of 100 gr and 115 gr partitions. I'll try the 100 gr with one IMR 4831 since both Patocazador and JeffG vouch for the combo. I think I'll try the 115 gr with IMR 4350 since Nosler lists that as the most accurate powder for 115 (unless you all suggest otherwise). It would be great if I can find a good load with either powder since I've got plenty of both.

Unfortunately, my LGS did not have the 180 gr .308 partitions and said they don't normally stock the protected points, so I'll have to buy online.

 

[Patocazador]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I picked up one box each of 100 gr and 115 gr partitions. I'll try the 100 gr with one IMR 4831 since both Patocazador and JeffG vouch for the combo. I think I'll try the 115 gr with IMR 4350 since Nosler lists that as the most accurate powder for 115 (unless you all suggest otherwise). It would be great if I can find a good load with either powder since I've got plenty of both.

The 100 gr. is close enough in my gun. A quarter of an inch at 100 yards doesn't make you miss the deer. It also kicks a little less.

I really like IMR 4350 but IMR 4831 is more accurate in my fluted barrel Model 77 Ruger. I use 4350 for .257 Roberts Ackley Imp. and 7x57 AI also.

Your gun may like 4350 better than 4831. They're all a bit different.