25-06 bullet

[YoteSmoker]

I have been really hoping to get the 115 BT to shoot well in my rifle using RL 22, IMR 4350 and IMR 7828SSC but have not been finding very good consistency. A shame, as I like the idea of using this bullet with it's high bc of .455 for coyote and deer at mid-long range.

On my shelf, I have a couple 100 count boxes of the Sierra 117 SPBT that I have never tried. Once of the boxes has a price tag marked $11.99 so they must be quite old. They bc on these is .410. Does anyone have any experience with these on game? If they don't shoot well, I know where there are a couple boxes of 115 Berger hunting VLDs. Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[Bruce Mc]

I've killed more deer, coyotes, and javelina, with the 117gr Sierra SBT than any other in combination. I loaded it in my .257 Roberts with H-4831 at 3000 fps for many years. I actually gave up this bullet for the Nosler Ballistic Tips first the 100gr and then the 115 gr. The Sierra is a great bullet if you can't get the Nosler to shoot. I'd also suggest you try some Reloder 19 with the Nosler BTs. My .25-06 has not responded well to Re-22 and slower powders.

 

[YoteSmoker]

Thanks Bruce! Since you made the switch, did you find the BT to hold together better or what was your reasoning? I read on the Sierra website they recommend the 117 SBT for ranges 200-500 and the Pro Hunter in the same weight for closer ranges.

 

[Guybo]

I have no experience with the boat tail gamekings in my 25.06 because i've never tried them. I do however use the Sierra 117gr Spitzer PH and RL22 with excellent results in both accuracy and on game performance.

 

[Bruce Mc]

I got tired of mashed and mangled bullet points and justed liked the idea of the polymer tip. They looked cool and then they proved to be really good hunting bullets. The increased B.C. was a plus. When my son dropped a 350 pound hog with a 100 gr bt from the Bob with a shoulder shot, I became convinced that the BTs could handle reasonably sized game. Though I Can't say I noticed any real difference in performance between the two. I think you would be pleased with the performance of either bullet, which ever one shoots best in your rifle. I killed my largest buck ever (154 B&C and weighed 150 field dressed) with my Bob and the 117 Sierra.

 

[DrMike]

I have used a lot of Sierra bullets over the years; they all worked as well as any cup and core bullet, dropping game with boring regularity if I did my part. I use less now because of availability where I am.

 

[1Shot]

I have killed 100+++ deer with the 117 Sierra in my 25-06s. It is my go to bullet. It usually shoots with one of these two loads in a 25-06.
This is the load I shoot in my current rifle. 49 grs IMR or AA 4350, Rem case, CCI 250 primer, 117 Sierra Pro Hunter flat base 3000 fps. 20 thousands off the lands.

This one shoot in most rifle also. 52 grs H4831, Rem case, CCI BR2 primer, either of the 117 Sierras.

The 117 Sierra is a very accurate bullet and bang flops a deer most of the time from point blank to 500 or so yards SO FAR.

 

[Guy Miner]

I'll probably never kill 100 deer in my life! :grin:

My rifle did respond very well to slow burning powders and the 115 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip (as well as the Berger VLD and the Nosler Partition of the same weight). Particularly to Retumbo, though RL-22 also worked well. 3100 - 3200 fps and excellent accuracy. The 115 Berger and the 115 Ballistic Tip kill mule deer very well. Very well. All were accurate in my rifle.

That said... Consider a good 100 gr bullet and H4350 for 3300 - 3400 fps and awesome killing power and excellent accuracy... :mrgreen:

Guy

 

[ElmerThud]

I've used the Sierra 100gn Prohunter extensively for the last 12 years, taking many many red deer, feral goat, fox at ranges between 50 and 300 yards. The performance of the bullet was excellent and I had no complaint...the kill was usually very fast indeed.

Red deer in Scotland weigh anything from around 90lbs for a hind to in excess of 23 stone for a stag. At 280-300 yards I felt I wanted just a little more terminal energy though.

In 2012 I started looking at the Nosler 110gn AccuBond for those longer range kills at between 250 & 350 yards and while it took a lot of messing around to get the load that worked just right, I found it and since have now shot just four reds - although not at extended range. Around 70-120 yards.
This season they'll get a proper tryout, so roll on September.

I use IMR4831 with the 110gn AccuBond & IMR4350 with the Sierra bullet. ATB ET

 

[DrMike]

And many of us will be watching and pulling for you to connect with those reds, ET. You've developed a good load, for sure. Wishing you every success.

 

[Vince]

Go git 'em mate!

 

[YoteSmoker]

I tried some 117s at the range last yesterday evening and had similar results. I am going to drop down in bullet weight and experiment with the 100 ballistic tip and see what happens.

 

[Horsethief]

The 117gn Hornady boat tail with 52gn of RL-19 made itty bitty shot groups. Same goes for the 115gn Ballistic Tip over 53.5gn H-4831. Rem large primers for both loads. The rifle has a 26" barrel so its making higher velocities than the 22 or 24" cousins. A real pleasure to shoot and hardly any recoil.

 

[YoteSmoker]

We have a winner! Thank you all for your advice and suggestions!
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=28360

 

[SJB358]

That 100 grain bullet should be a winner YS! Way to go man!

I have some more 115 BT's loaded for a test try in my wifes 25-06, but I wished I would have found some 100's. I have heard nothing but great things about that bullet.

 

[YoteSmoker]

In the Nosler 3rd edition1993 book, the writer said he used the 100 bt for varminting then switched over to the 100 Partition with all other components being the same. I'm thinking of keeping my rifle dialed in for the bt for 200+ yard shots on deer and using the 100 Partition for inside 200 yards for deer. Thoughts?

 

[SJB358]

Yeah. Might work. Worst case is you try and it won't work. I do the same with the 150 BT and 150 PT in my sons 7x57. Dolt even mess with the die settings.

 

[JD338]

Randy,

Good show buddy, way to hang in there and find a bullet/load that works.
FWIW, my 257 Roberts shoots the 100 gr BT and PT to the exact POI. In fact it also shoots the 110 gr AB and 115 gr BT and PT to the same POI at 100 yds.

JD338

 

[YoteSmoker]

JD, that was shot at west walker gun club