Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 25-06 favorite loads

I have not settled on a load in my .25-06 simply because I hardly ever use it. I much prefer the .257 Roberts for the game and distances I shoot at. I loaded 75gn Hornady Vmaxs and thought I'd use it for long range sniping foxes, rabbits and crows. I've got some of the old Hornady 120gn HPs loaded up at the moment over 2217 (H1000). But I have since got a .257 Ackley with 115gn Ballistic Tips and 2213sc (H4831sc) so the 25-06 sits up the back of the safe.

3,177 FPS for 120 grain bullet with 25-06 vs. 2,817 fps with 257 +P according to Noler top load. 360 fps difference. On the prairie or in a mountain terrain, drop and wind -- that makes a huge difference.

90 gr Absolute Hammer at 3500 fps RL 16

That sounds like a dandy Fotis... Interesting!

117 interlock and 52 grains of h4831.
Rem 700 cdl. Rag hole at 100 yards.
Killed many deer with that load.

Funny thing is, I think that's actually the load that's posted on the jug of powder. Get lucky every once in a while

3177 fps is smokin for a 120 grain in the 25-06....what powder is that

I just happened to be at my bench and had a jug in reach....and you are correct. 117gr BTSP, 52gr with a Rem 9.5 primer....right on the label.

I like 115 Ballistic tips, had no trouble with 200 lb Aoudad


shell gas station open near me

Loaded to the same pressure, the difference would not be nearly that much.

You used Nosler data for the 257+P. The highest velocity shown in the Nosler load data for the 25/06 is 3009fps.

SAAMI pressure for the 257 and 257+P are well below 25/06 SAAMI pressures. But in a modern bolt action, there is no reason the 257 can't be loaded to the same pressure.

Based on the difference in case capacity, the difference in velocity at similar pressures would be about 120fps.


But I would be interested in what your load is in the 25/06 that gives you 3177fps!

I also pounded about 50 coyotes one winter with sierra 90 grain blitzings and h4831. That thing was a laser. Killed several does with that bullet too.

I agree. However, I only load 100gn bullets in my Roberts' and have had no trouble killing fallow, pigs and feral goats. Shots are rarely 100m with most way shorter than that. Then I've got a bunch of 6.5 and 7mm rifles if I do need something bigger.

So why did you reply to 25-06 favorite loads, if you don’t like it?

I like the 25/06 and would love to know the load that gives you 3177 fps with 120s.

Especially without going Kaboom.

75 or 85 gr x bullet

this was with a 75 gr bullet

Was the buck shot with these?

H4350
100TSX
CCI BR2
3275fps
Win70 FW
Dead critters fast

51-52 gr h4350
100 gr sierra pro hunter
WLR primer

Excellent accuracy in 4 different rifles so far. Unfortunately, that bullet has been discontinued, but I bought what should be a lifetime supply for me when they were on sale.

What velocities did you get?