Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints You guys have a 25 cal bullet preference?

I'm shooting the 80gr TTSX out of my 250AI, but I need a varmint bullet to go along with it. You guys have a preference?

BTW, I'm sure this has been covered, but I had no luck searching.

Thanks,

Dan

I like the 75 gr. Sierra, Speers, and Hornadys...they are all hollow points, I guess...the cheaper the better in my 25/06.

The 90 grain Sierra HP is very accurate for a heavier varmint bullet.

They all shoot very accurately once a good load/seating depth is found.

I think the 75gr. Sierra HP is the most explosive. I've always liked that pill.


Travis

Hornady V-Max 75 grain. Favorite in 5 out of 6 .257 rifles - 2 250 Sav, 2 Bob's, 1 LT Bob. 25-06 prefers the 75 grain Sierra Varminter.

i like the 75 vmax, but admit that, that's where i started and never found a reason to change...

have been tempted to try the sierras, but feel no compulsion to experiment...

i have run the sierra 90 bthp, and agree that it's a good shooter, although not a real varmint bullet... the 90 gameking and the 100 ballistic tip are good candidates for an all around load...

guessing that you're twisted tighter than 1/14"?

Thanks guys. I was leaning towards the 75 Vmax, but wasn't sure if there was something better.

Another vote for the 75 Gr. VMAX. You will not top that bullet for varmints. Shot many a prairie dog and results are spectacular to say the least. And VERY accurate in my Kimber Montana.

There are 3 .257" varmint bullets that have always treated me right:

75 grain VMax
75 grain Sierra HP
90 grain Sierra BTHP

If you want to go with 1 bullet weight for both varmints and medium game, these 3 bullets have worked well for me:

87 grain Hornady SpirePoint for varmints
87 grain Speer TNT for varmints
87 grain Speer HotCore for medium game

JEff

I haven't played around much recently, mostly because I tried the 75 V-Max and can't imagine something better.

I have used the 75 gr Sierra HP and the Hornady version.
I could never tell the difference on prairie dogs.
whelennut

Me too. I tried an H414 load with them when I first got my .25-06 and the first group with it was 3/8"...so I never changed it. Prairie dogs explode!

My rifle loves the 87g TNT at 3600 fps with a max load of IMR 4350 and a Win primer.

I'd be looking for something with about the same BC and length as the TTSX.

Dupe loads, are a good thing.

That's right in line with what I was thinking. I'm guessing one of the 87gr bullets would be pretty close seeing how the TSXs are usually a bit longer than traditional bullets.

Another question...

How do the bullets you guys are recommending do on something that you're not looking to explode, say a nice putty tat or Wiley coyote?

I've only shot them out of the 25-06. Not real "fur friendly" out of that round.


Travis

That's about what I figured. I'm shooting them out of a 250AI, so not a real burner, but not a slow-poke either.

75 gr VMax, Horn HP of the same weight, and maybe if you're looking for similar weight the 100 gr Speer HP would be worth checking out? That thing pops fist-sized holes in 'yotes all day long at 3330 fps!

Another vote for the 87 grain Speer TNT.
Shoot them outta my 25BR,250AI and 25/06 on desert dogs......shots into the shoulder can be messy but have never lost a coyote.......shots in the chest or aft of the front legs work fine.

Probably the MOST Baddass long range 25 cal varmint slug is the new 90g Sierra Blitzking.

At 3,500FPS in a 25-06 (which is doable with a 90g slug), the slug should have about a .400 BC.

When you run the downrange numbers on it, it is a pretty damn awesome. as to trajectory you will not have to hold off of a coyote out to 400 yards with it.

Slipped into the neck or lung area of a Deer or Antelope it should drop them like lightning as well.

check out the 85GR NBT compared to the 80gr ttsx i shoot both tailored the vol to the same ballistic curve in my 257 roberts

You can't go wrong with the 75 grain V-Max.

I can't believe more folks haven't mentioned the 85g NBT. The thing flies about 3500 out of my 25-06 and is pure dynamite on groundhogs.

Back in the days when I used a 25-06 for coyotes, I found that the Speer 87gr TNT was both accurate and had a devastating terminal performance. Now a days the Varmint Grenade is probably better but it didn't exist back then for me.

Dan, the 87g Speer is a very accurate bullet with 54-56g of IMR 4350 and win primer, usually around 3600+ area.

The Sierra 90g BTHP and the Sierra/Speer 100g bullets also do a great job on coyotes.

About 53.0g of IMR 4350 with the Sierra 90g BTHP is very accurate and 51.5g-52.5g with the 100's are usually very accurate.

If you like stomping on the gas, the 100's with a max load of R#19 and Win primer will be in the 3450 fps+ with really great accuracy. Guns are wierd as to which 100g they will like. My rem 700 prefers the Speer 87g and the Speer 100g BTSP.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I ordered some of the 75gr Vmaxes to see how they'll do. If they won't shoot I'll try one of the other suggestions.

-Dan

I intend to give the Sierra 70gr Blitzking a run

Whatchu runnin for the big critters these days?

85gr X bullet, 110gr Accubond and 100gr XLC, depending on rifle.

Dan,
If they don't I can send you some 85 BT's. Got a few of them...

Appreciate that. I'll give ya a holler if they don't shoot.

I have tried the 87 Speer TNT HP in my 250-3000 and found they need more velocity to regularly expand. When they do they are awesome. The Hornady 75 V-Max as recommended is the most explosive and very accurate. It has the same BC as the Sierra 87 SP/Spt.