The 25-06
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MachIVshooter
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I have tried many, many loads, but I always come back to the 117 gr. Sierra Gameking over a heavy charge of IMR4831 for 3,150 FPS from my 24" 700 BDL that'll put those loads sub-MOA with boring monotony.
Oh, forgot about the optics. Runnning a Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x, has always worked well for everything from long range praire dog shooting to dark timber elk hunts.
Oh, forgot about the optics. Runnning a Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x, has always worked well for everything from long range praire dog shooting to dark timber elk hunts.
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I've never loaded for a 25-06, so can't help with load data. I shoot 115 berger vlds from my .250AI at about 3050, and those performed well on our sheep, not as heavy as a whitetail tho. Accuracy is very good with those bullets, and they cause significant damage. Penetration seems about like most VLDs I've used, which is enough, but care still needs to be taken in shot placement.
I wanna try the sgks MachIVs talking about and the new hornady 110eldxs, but I haven't ordered anything since the ELDS arnt available yet.
I wanna try the sgks MachIVs talking about and the new hornady 110eldxs, but I haven't ordered anything since the ELDS arnt available yet.
someguy2800
Member
I've been shooting the 25-06 for 15 years now and have just about shot out the barrel on mine.
My favorite varmint load is the 87 grain Speer TNT with 57 grains of H4831sc and a winchester primer. I've shot over 1000 of this load. They go .6-.7 moa in my gun for 5 shots and well inside moa for 10 shots. H4831sc gave best accuracy of the powders I tested in 87-100 grain range. 've tried several 100 grain loads for deer but none worked well on game or shot as well as the. 87 gr speer. My current hunting load is a pulled 120 grain federal fusion bullet with Roader 19. Don't remember the charge at the moment but it's mild at 3050 fps from a 22" barrel. I tested IMR4350, H4831sc, and RL19 with the 120's and RL19 gave best accuracy and was the least temp sensitive in cold weather.
That fusion bullet is gold on deer but they are not currently availible as a reloading bullet. From my experience get a good boat tail 120 grain bullet preferably bonded. I would recommend skipping past the 100 grain bullets. The Barnes TSX 100gr was terrible on game and not as accurate as lead with my gun .
My favorite varmint load is the 87 grain Speer TNT with 57 grains of H4831sc and a winchester primer. I've shot over 1000 of this load. They go .6-.7 moa in my gun for 5 shots and well inside moa for 10 shots. H4831sc gave best accuracy of the powders I tested in 87-100 grain range. 've tried several 100 grain loads for deer but none worked well on game or shot as well as the. 87 gr speer. My current hunting load is a pulled 120 grain federal fusion bullet with Roader 19. Don't remember the charge at the moment but it's mild at 3050 fps from a 22" barrel. I tested IMR4350, H4831sc, and RL19 with the 120's and RL19 gave best accuracy and was the least temp sensitive in cold weather.
That fusion bullet is gold on deer but they are not currently availible as a reloading bullet. From my experience get a good boat tail 120 grain bullet preferably bonded. I would recommend skipping past the 100 grain bullets. The Barnes TSX 100gr was terrible on game and not as accurate as lead with my gun .
JimKirk
Member
I have been reloading the .25/06 since 1969 ... I have tried so many different bullets and powder combo that I can't keep up with them all ...
The load I am currently using is a Nosler Accubond 110 grain over a stiff load of IMR 7828 ... 3200 fps ...
The load I am currently using is a Nosler Accubond 110 grain over a stiff load of IMR 7828 ... 3200 fps ...
sage5907
Member
I think some of he velocities that are listed are pretty optimistic. I previously used 117 or 120 grain bullets with about 48 grains of IMR 4831 but in the last few years I have strayed to other powders which I like better. The Reloader powders seem to give more consistent velocity with less pressure spikes with heavy loads. I was having problems with the IMR. My current loads are the 117 grain Sierra GameKing or 117 grain ProHunter with 48 grains of Reloader 17, or 52 grains of Reloader 22, or 55 grains of Reloader 25. The Sierra bullets are really good and although I like the boattail, sometimes the flatbase ProHunter gives the best accuracy. I have used many bullets in the 25-06 and taken many bucks. If you shoot a buck in the lungs it will always run. If you shoot a buck at the point of the shoulder for a high shoulder shot it will go down immediately. Just follow the front leg up and shoot the buck slightly above the center of the body. A lightweight 25-06 makes a good hunting rifle when you are walking long distances. I would recommend a 3-9 variable scope so that the rifle weighs no more than 8 1/4 pounds.
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MachIVshooter
Member
WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS LOAD DATA THAT IS OVER PUBLISHED MAXIMUMS. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
I have pushed 117 gr. Sierras as fast as 3,195 FPS average from a non-AI .25-06 without flattened or cratered primers using slower powders like IMR4831 and Reloader 19, N160 and H4831. That particular velocity average was attained in my 24" barrel using 54.2 grs. IMR4831 in Winchester brass, velocity measured over a Chrony Gamma Master November 5th 2003 with an ambient temperature of 35°F, and the highest recorded velocity that day was 3,227 FPS. I also pushed 100 grain Barnes TSX to 3,585 FPS average with a load of 57.1 grs. IMR 4831, although that load was flattening primers a little. Obviously I can't recommend others use such hot loads, but plenty of us have worked up some real screamers for this cartridge.
I backed off to 53.0 grs. IMR4831 over CCI 200s behind the Sierra 117s to get my happy 3,150 FPS accurate hunting load.
I have pushed 117 gr. Sierras as fast as 3,195 FPS average from a non-AI .25-06 without flattened or cratered primers using slower powders like IMR4831 and Reloader 19, N160 and H4831. That particular velocity average was attained in my 24" barrel using 54.2 grs. IMR4831 in Winchester brass, velocity measured over a Chrony Gamma Master November 5th 2003 with an ambient temperature of 35°F, and the highest recorded velocity that day was 3,227 FPS. I also pushed 100 grain Barnes TSX to 3,585 FPS average with a load of 57.1 grs. IMR 4831, although that load was flattening primers a little. Obviously I can't recommend others use such hot loads, but plenty of us have worked up some real screamers for this cartridge.
I backed off to 53.0 grs. IMR4831 over CCI 200s behind the Sierra 117s to get my happy 3,150 FPS accurate hunting load.
sage5907
Member
I appreciate the endeavor to get extra high velocities with a 117 grain bullet and a 25-06. When I was younger I flattened a lot of primers and was satisfied with short case life. Today I am satisfied with a velocity between 2900 and 3000 fps. It is far easier and with longer case life to push a 130 grain bullet from a 270 Winchester past 3000 fps than it is with a 25-06. So, if I wanted the extra power I would just take a 270 Winchester. A 25-06 is a good deer rifle, but a 270 Winchester is better, and a 30-06 is the best of the three. All of them will push bullets above 2900 fps and the heaver bullets from the larger calibers perform better on large deer at long distance. I have always liked a 25-06 because it is easy to make consistent hits out past 300 yards.
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Bbear
Member
I have two rifles. One is a first-year production ADL from 1969. That poor barrel is pretty much toast. Still, by chasing the lands, I'm getting 3/4" groups with the 110 Nosler Accubond and a decent dose of 7977.
The other was/is a pawn-shop rescue. No idea on how many rounds down the tube before I got it but by my records I've put 1500 + rounds down the pipe. Using the same bullet and powder I'm getting 3200 fps fairly consistently and .5-.6" groups with it.
The other was/is a pawn-shop rescue. No idea on how many rounds down the tube before I got it but by my records I've put 1500 + rounds down the pipe. Using the same bullet and powder I'm getting 3200 fps fairly consistently and .5-.6" groups with it.
I have owned and shot the .25-06 for 40 years now. It's a great cartridge for hunting, flat trajectory and very versatile.
For hunting deer I always used Sierra or Nosler bullets from 100 to 117 gr. The 100 gr works well as long as the deer are not to large. Doesn't matter if flat base or boat tail as some guns have a preference.
I always stayed with IMR 4350 and IMR 4831 as close to a max load as I could get. The .25-06 is a cartridge that is at its best with a heavy charge. Cut back on the charge and performance will suffer.
The last 10 years I've been using RL19 and 22. The velocity/accuracy is better then IMR powders.
For hunting deer I always used Sierra or Nosler bullets from 100 to 117 gr. The 100 gr works well as long as the deer are not to large. Doesn't matter if flat base or boat tail as some guns have a preference.
I always stayed with IMR 4350 and IMR 4831 as close to a max load as I could get. The .25-06 is a cartridge that is at its best with a heavy charge. Cut back on the charge and performance will suffer.
The last 10 years I've been using RL19 and 22. The velocity/accuracy is better then IMR powders.
The problem with making an ab or ib in 120grn is that the 1-10 twist .25s are stuck with would mean they would have to be very blunt. So there would be little or no bc advantage over the 110-115s.
In our current world of sliced bread, I really wish someone would give the .25s a 1-8 twist and call them the next greatest thing for long range. Just to see if people will bite.
redneck2
Member
Dunno about loads.
What is your budget for optics.?
I just got a Leupold VX-6 for my rifle I just picked up yesterday. 2-12x42, CDS, Firedot. It’s my optimum choice for deer. Clarity is incredible. I had a 4-14x40 VX-R on my previous rifle. Worked very well but I prefer the extra power range on the new scope. Got a great deal. Had a thread running in the Optics forum if you want more info.
I've looked at the .25-06, but always gravitate toward the .270 Win for Maine deer, out to 400 yards. I have two of them and finally blooded the newest one on a moose this past season, but didn't get a deer. I was very picky, since there was no room in the freezer. We also had a terrible wind storm that really messed up the woods where we hunt.
I just prefer a very high quality 1" tube no more than 42mm obj. Usually opt for US made products.
Any of the Vx2+ leupolds with a power range between 2-20 should work well with a .25-06.
I prefer 3-12s and 4-14/16s for hunting guns, so my .250 AI has a 4.5-14x44Bushnell on it.
Personally I think id go with MachIVs recommendation of the 4.5-14, or Rednecks 4-14. Course those match the power ranges of the scopes i like so theres obviously some personal bias.
I also owned a Leupold MarkAR 6-18x40 that was a very good scope for the cost, ive seen those pop up for around 250-300 bucks from time to time, and at that price I consider them a good buy. More power on the low end than I like tho.
I prefer 3-12s and 4-14/16s for hunting guns, so my .250 AI has a 4.5-14x44Bushnell on it.
Personally I think id go with MachIVs recommendation of the 4.5-14, or Rednecks 4-14. Course those match the power ranges of the scopes i like so theres obviously some personal bias.
I also owned a Leupold MarkAR 6-18x40 that was a very good scope for the cost, ive seen those pop up for around 250-300 bucks from time to time, and at that price I consider them a good buy. More power on the low end than I like tho.
someguy2800
Member
You have a pretty fast barrel compared to the velocities I get.
someguy2800
Member
I have come to the exact same conclusions after 15 years with the 25-06. I'm not going to sell mine but don't know that I would buy one again. One thing I will add is that a 120 from a 25-06 will have alot less wind drift than a 130 from a 270.
Every time I look at 25-06 I keep coming to the conclusion that it doesn't do anything I couldn't do as well or better with a fast twist 243. The 243 shoots the same, or similar bullets weights 100-150 fps slower, or bullets 10gr lighter to the same speed. On larger game the 25-06 looks slightly better at the muzzle, but the higher BC 243 bullets pass it at 250-300 yards. With lighter bullets and smaller varmints 243 wins easily.
Technically possible and it would work, but why reinvent the wheel. In the real world of today, rifles and good loads are already available in 24, 26, 28, 30 and 33 caliber. No reason it couldn't be done with 25 and 27 calibers too. Someone could fill an even smaller niche with 23,and 29 calibers. We don't have those yet. But I just don't see the market. The 25-06 and 270, even 30-06 will slowly become less relevant as a new generation of shooters move toward more modern rifles and loads. Short action rifles firing high BC bullets in fast twist barrels at moderate speeds are the future. And to be honest I think it is a better trend than the magnum craze of previous generations.
Technically possible and it would work, but why reinvent the wheel. In the real world of today, rifles and good loads are already available in 24, 26, 28, 30 and 33 caliber. No reason it couldn't be done with 25 and 27 calibers too. Someone could fill an even smaller niche with 23,and 29 calibers. We don't have those yet. But I just don't see the market. The 25-06 and 270, even 30-06 will slowly become less relevant as a new generation of shooters move toward more modern rifles and loads. Short action rifles firing high BC bullets in fast twist barrels at moderate speeds are the future. And to be honest I think it is a better trend than the magnum craze of previous generations.
So I am going to list the top bullets mentioned here, and the the top powders. Please feel free to add to this list as we go.
Bullets:
117 Gameking
117 ProHunter
110 Accubond
87 Speer TNT
Powders:
H4831sc
IMR4831
RL19
RL17
RL22
RL25
N160
IMR7977
IMR7828
Bullets:
117 Gameking
117 ProHunter
110 Accubond
87 Speer TNT
Powders:
H4831sc
IMR4831
RL19
RL17
RL22
RL25
N160
IMR7977
IMR7828
sage5907
Member
When you look at the 25-06, 270 Winchester and 30-06 they are relatively in-expensive to shoot and ammunition and components are available almost anywhere. There are thousands of rifles chambered for these cartridges in use throughout the country. I don't buy the idea that a new generation of cartridges is going to overtake the country. That prophecy has failed many times over the years. Many cartridges have come and gone, all of which were to be the ultimate answer to the shooting and hunting industry. Just how many rifles do you think are currently in use for the 6mm Dasher, 6X47 Lapua, 6.5 Grendel or 6.5 Creedmoor? They all use long skinny bullets at modest velocity. I have friends in the precision long range rifle competitions and they are continuously jumping from one cartridge to another. When the low velocity of some cartridge is dis-satisfying they jump to something different like the 6.5 SAUM. Never satisfied. The shooting industry is slow to change. rizbunk77 could have picked any rifle but he chose the 25-06.
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cdb1
Member
Stated this before but I do not like the recoil of a 25-06. I’ve shot a number of them over the years and the recoil on all had a sting to it for lack of a better term. A sting I don’t feel shooting the same model rifle in .270 or 30-06.
I also feel the same as jmr40, “Every time I look at 25-06 I keep coming to the conclusion that it doesn't do anything I couldn't do as well or better with a fast twist 243”.
I also feel the same as jmr40, “Every time I look at 25-06 I keep coming to the conclusion that it doesn't do anything I couldn't do as well or better with a fast twist 243”.
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