Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles .25-06 as a Predator Rifle

The title pretty much says it all.

I have pretty much always hunting Coyotes with a .223. Most recently a 16" DPMS Oracle that I have customized somewhat to suit my needs. While it shoots really good it is not a long range gun.

Since I did not have a Deer Rifle I purchased a .25-06 thinking it would make a dandy deer rifle and would also work as a second rifle for Coyotes, especially longer range coyotes when needed.

I am hoping to use one load for both Deer and Coyotes. So far I have just been shooting Remington 120gr. Pointed Soft Point Core Lokt Factory Ammo but plan on starting to load for this rifle once I can get through the snow to the rifle range.

For Bullets I purchased a couple boxes of 115gr. Berger Match VLD Hunting Bullets.

Are these bullets going to do what I want them to do?

For those of you using the .25-06 on Coyotes what are you using?

Any and all information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Larry

Larry, I load worked up max loads of H-4831 w/85g BT's for yotes (don't worry about skinning them!) and max I-4350 w/100 gr. Hornady Spire pts. for deer. Just sight it in 2" high at 200 yds. and don't hold daylight unless YOU KNOW the dog is over 350 yds. Don't use the max. 85 g BT's on deer, they will make a hell of a mess-Muddy

One load?
Do you want to blow up coyotes or skin them out for fur?
For coyotes, I used 75 V Maxes because the furs were not prime and I wanted them dead right now. Those worked.
For elk and deer, I had a couple of boxes of Federal that came with the gun, maybe 118 grains softnoses. Those worked until I ran out.
But if I was going with one load long range for both deer and dogs, I'd be looking at a tipped bullet around 100-15, GMX or something substantial that won't blow up. The Bergers might be fine for dogs, but I'd double check with Berger if they are good for deer.

Thanks guys

Not really worried about skinning them, just want them dead. My son in law is a cattle rancher that has a coyote problem. I was out there the last full moon (February) and can attest to yes he has a coyote problem.

As per the Berger 115gr. Match VLD Hunting Hollow Points, that is what Berger recommended for Whitetail Deer and Pronghorns. When I asked they said they'd work great for Coyotes too.

The bullets I bought are not the VLD Match Bullets but rather hunting bullets with a bit thinner jacket than their match bullets from what I have been told.

Most of my hunting coyotes will be done with my .223 and I am just looking for a second gun and one with longer range capabilities.

Larry

you might want to try the 100 grain nosler ballistic tips as a dual purpose load. that bullet is designated as a hunting bullet not a varmint bullet like the 85 grain is, so is tougher.

sierra also has a 100 grain game king bullet that would be a nice dual purpose.

the 120 grain gameking is a good one too, but will not shoot quite as flat as the 100 grain ones.

Before I switched to 115 NBT for my deer hunting, I ran 100 gr Ballistic Tips for coyotes and Partitions for deer......I worked up both loads to the same POI so I was good with either bullet. And Partitions will kill coyotes.....just like BT will kill deer.

Bottom line: the .25-06 will be a great coyote killer.....it is a great dual purpose round.

I like mine.

Burt2506

Bet your Bergers will work fine.

I shot a deer with a 25/06 and 100 grain Nosler B.T. once. Won't be doing that again. Also hunted a 250 Ackley for awhile.
I think the fast 25's blow the crap out of stuff. I'm sure there's 100 people here that will tell me I'm wrong.

I've had very good luck with 100gr NBT On Deer.Sure they would work fine on coyotes to. Very flat shooting and does some damage when it gets there. (Not saying anyone is wrong). Just my personal experience.

For a pure coyote load the Hornady 75 grain Vmax or HP are amazingly accurate and fast. Think laser beam fast. I used that on ground hogs for a while and it was devastating. My old gunsmith used the 75 grain HP to test .25-06s that came into his shop. He said if the rifle wouldn't shoot accurately with them that something was wrong with the rifle.

The bergers should work fine for both. But as others have mentioned don't overlook the 100gr ballistic tip. It's fast and flat out of an 06'. Any bullet that will kill a deer will kill a coyote but not always vise versa. Find a load that is accurate and tough enough for your deer and antelope, and every coyote in the country will be in trouble. Coyotes don't fair well with .257 no matter the bullet. My choice would be the 100gr or 115gr ballistic tip myself. Enjoy your 25-06 they are awesome!!!

Thanks guys

My only previous experience with anything .25 Caliber was a 14" SSK Custom Contender Barrel in .250 Savage. I used the Hornady 75gr. Hollow Points in it for varmints and Nosler 100gr. Ballistic Tips for Whitetails.

This is all new to me. When I ordered bullets every place I checked was out of the Nosler Ballistic Tips so I did a little checking and reading and ended up buying the Berger Hunting Bullets.

Now I just need to find some powder. Scheels in Fargo where I generally buy my powder is out of about everything. I do have some brass and primers on hand already though.

Larry

Scheels in Bismarck has quite a bit of powder about 2 weeks ago. You can run anything from 4350 to Retumbo in a 25-06.

if you can find them the 75gr.v-max will blow them suckers up in a hurry,the 85grs as well.

I am in northeastern SD so Bismark would be quite a drive for me. I am sure Scheels in Fargo will be getting some in, hopefully in the not to distant future.

Larry