Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles .25-06 shooters...

I've owned a couple .25-06 rifles over the years, but never did much with them in that way of hunting or load development. I just picked up a 24" Encore barrel to try, mainly for my 12yr old to possibly use this deer season. I was able to snag several boxes of Hornady #2540 100gr pointed soft point Interlocks, and plan on ordering either 115 or 120gr Nosler Partitions to try. First of all, how well do the 100gr Interlocks work on 150-200lb deer? Also, is there really any significant difference in performance between the 115 & 120gr Nosler Partitions at .25-06 velocities? I seem to remember a thread possibly here on the forum comparing the two, but haven't been able to find it.

I have plenty of H414/760, H100v, 4000MR, 4350, and should have a pound of Norma MRP somewhere, so I should be set powder wise. Any tips or suggestions with the .25-06?

The 25.06 is my favorite caliber and i've been shooting one for around 30yrs. My go to powder is RL25 & RL22 but i have used 4350 with good results as well as other powders. Lots of people use a 100gr bullet from the 25.06 with good results on game but i've honestly never shot anything under 110grs in all those years that i've used one. My favorite bullet is a Speer 120gr flat base Hot-Cor and it's performance on deer has been excellent for me over the years. I don't think you'd see much difference in the 115 - 120gr partition other than velocity and i'm sure one would kill as effectively as the other. The 25.06 is a fast flat shooting caliber with mild recoil that hits the target hard. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Mike

Not a 25-06 but I have a 257 WBY and use 100 TTSX in it. They work great on whitetail and would think they would be great in your 25-06. You may even look at the 85 gr version to help reduce recoil if that is an issue.

The 100gr Hornadys work great in my 257R at 3000ish. Curious to hear how they work at 25/06 velocities...

49.0gr of IMR4350 behind a 115/117gr bullet has proven accurate and effective in several 25-06s.

With that said, a lighter bullet will certainly reduce felt recoil. To me, one of the worst things a mentor can do to a young shooter is start them on too much gun/recoil... a recoil-induced jerk is a tough habit to break. I can’t imagine that a properly placed 85-100 gr [non-varmint] bullet wouldn’t effectively bring down any deer in North America.

I have an old 25-06. I like 115 grain Ballistic tips with IMR 4350. Mines a Husky action built by Iver Henriksen.

I have had 3 25-06 rifles. I shot 100 grain pills out of them all and they all killed like lightning. Very little recoil as well. I use 55 gr. RE 19 and 100 TTSX's now and they work fantastic.

The 100 grain Interlocks worked very well on deer from my buddy's 257 Weatherby. Putting one of the 4350 type powders under them will be a sure way to quick success in the 25-06.

Mine has done it's best with AA3100. It's not made anymore, but I am told that IMR 4831 is very close, so if I were to start over that's the powder I'd try first.

I load RL 22 and 115 ballistic tips in my buddies rifle.

100g hornady Interlock
100g partition
100g Barnes TTSX

117g sierra
117g Hornady btsp and flat base

115g Ballistic tips
115g partitions

120g Speer btsp
120g partitions

All work just fine

R#25 with a fed 215 in winchester brass in all weights will give excellent accuracy, and about 100 fps faster than the 4350 and R#19 loads I have tried.

R#22 with 115's shure shoots some small groups!

R#23 and R#26 with cci 250's I am is going to impress a tad better than R#25, time will tell.

The Hornaday will work well in the 25-06 I reload these. Both of the partitions will work well I don't think you will see much difference on game between the two. For deer I would probably start with the 115s for larger game the 120s or whichever shot better. I have been loading R26 mostly and R16 with 85 grain bullets. H4350 will work well and some of the other powders should too. Have not tried MRP but R22 works well for everything 100 grains and up so MRP should too.

I would try loading down some for your son and have him wear plugs and muffs when he shoots and plugs when he hunts. I got in the habit of not wearing them hunting and my ears have suffered from doing that.

I really wanted a .257 Roberts or .250-3000, but finding one has proven difficult....then again, the .25-06 will do everything either will and more!

My Encore 25-06 has the 24 inch barrel. I have tried H and IMR 4350, H4831 and RL19 behind Hornady 117s. Best accuracy was with RL19. It has performed well on S. Miss deer. Longest run after being hit has been approx. 30 yards.

I have a bunch of 115gr. BTs to try someday, just haven't got around to it. The Horndays have worked well and I've got a ton of them.

I shoot a 25-06 Weatherby Vanguard. It thrives on the 100 gr Hornady interlocks. First season I took it out I took an antelope on 1 hunt and a 4x3 mulie buck. I've shot other bullets like the 117 and 120 gr. But my best groups were with the 100 gr and a dose of IMR 4350.
You can load it down or up so it's versatile.

If you load a 100 gr Ballistic tip to 257 Roberts velocities your son will be at no disadvantage in the woods and definitely will enjoy the recoil better.
GreggH

So far with 115 Ballistic Tips (silver tip & standard) & the .525 ogive Partitions from SPS, RL23 is the hot setup in my rifle. Too bad I'm down to the last 1/2 lb of it.

If you chose to go lighter, both RL22 & H4831SC both seem to work very well with 100 gr Ball. Tips & the now discontinued Sierra FB spitzers respectively.

All with either Fed 215 or WLRM primers & bullets seated about .020" short of touching.

That 100grn TSX is unbelievable in either cartridge. Of course, any bullets that is not highly frangible is. If I don't shoot the TSX, it's a 115grn NP.

one of my dads woodchuck hunting buddies used a Savage 112 in 25-06 and it was a very accurate rifle indeed.

I shoot 100gr Hornady Interlocks with 4350.

MD load.

Fast and accurate.

25-06 might be my favorite caliber