Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Suitable bullet for antelope

A few days ago, I posted a question about suitability of the Combined Technology 85 gr 25 cal bullet for antelope. That thread had 20 responses all over the map.

In the meantime, a friend gave me some of Barnes Triple X,100 gr 25 caliber bullets.

How would this bullet be for antelope at 3100fps.

I would appreciate your input.

Centex Bill

I'm quite certain both bullets will kill an antelope pretty dead.



Travis

CB

Antelope aren't big animals.

Put a bullet where it should go and don't worry about it.

A 100 gr barnes at 3100 will work wonderfully.

It will kill stuff a lot bigger than antelope. I use it in my 257 Bob at about 2700 fps on deer. Whitetails just hate it.

I'm pretty sure they'll work well if put where needed. That's why I go with what the barrel of the rifle prefers because accuracy is my first concern. My .25-06 has always preferred heavier stuff and the 117 gr. Sierra Pro-Hunters have become my standard 25 cal. bullet. Try various loads/bullets and you may be glad you did.

Most any bullet from a suitable caliber that hits the heart/lung area is going to work just fine

Don't overthink the brand choice.
Pick the one that's most accurate in your rifle

That combination has worked well for me.

Just aim properly and squeeze.

donsm70

I agree with the earlier posts.

A suitible caliber/cartridge for the animal being hunted (which you obviously have) with any accurate bullet that expands placed in the vitals will make for said animal expiring quickly.
Don't overthink it, just get an accurate load with a bullet that gives you confidence.

The 120gr Sierra GK out of my .260 performed exceptionally well several years ago in Wyoming. My friend was shooting his .223 with 60gr Hornady SPs, I was also impressed with the performance of those bullets.

Doesn't take much bullet to kill an antelope.

120 sierra GK? Don't see that on sierras website. 120gr PH perhaps.?

Pro hunter. You are correct. My bad.

Wyoming is not a lead free states so you can skip the Barnes.
NBT, Prohunter, or other good cup and core bullet in the 100-120gr range will work fine.

I'd load the 117gr NBT's over some H4831 and go kill antelope.

I used the 85 gr ballistic tip, which I believe is the same bullet sans black coating, last week in my 257WBy to shoot two big bull caribou. First bull was at 389yds first shot slushed the lungs and the second broke both shoulders, both exited. Second larger bull was around 250yds, didn't range it, high lung shot taking a rib on each side dropped him like a lightning bolt, recovered the tip and the jacket under the hide. Both bulls were soup between the ribs and I will use the 85s again for game up to caribou size. Starting speeds were 3800 and change. I'm certain that antelope will not give those bullets any trouble.

I've put in for a New Mexico antelope tag for several years and have yet to draw one.

But when I do I'd feel confident launching either a 115 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip or a 100 gr Barnes TTSX from my .25-06.

As others have said, I'm sure whatever shoots well in your rifle will put a speed goat down just fine.

Unlike elk, antelope are easy to kill (probably easier than deer). For a 25-06, I would shoot any bullet that your gun liked over 100 grains. You do not need the expensive premium bullets, but I would not shoot the light varmint-type bullets either. I would suggest a Hornady Interlock 117 if you can find them. I have never seen a rifle that did not shoot Interlocks acceptably well. I loaded some Speer 120s that shot really well at 2900+ fps, also.

The premiums are fine, if that is what you want and your guns like them, but not necessary.

Other posters got it right; pronghorn just aren't that hard to kill & you should let your rifle tell you what it likes.

This buck did not care one lick for the 100 gr Hornady @ 3250 fps from 197 yds. Entered left shoulder quartering sharply away, exited brisket whereupon he took an instant dirt nap. As you can see in front of him & to the left of the photo, it performed beautifully:



My son was 8 in that pic & turned 12 this past Saturday. He has a buck tag and we're going back in a few weeks & he'll be flinging a 100 gr Horn of his own from his 257 Roberts, and I'll be using exactly the same rifle/load that took down the buck in the picture.

Good luck; shouldn't be hard to find something that works!

Either should work fine. I currently shoot deer and antelope with an 80 gr Barnes TTSX out of my 243. I've yet to have any critter complain.