25-06 - which bullet for Kentucky whitetails?

[bsmith]

I've been lurking here for a while and now need some advice. I'm looking for a bullet recommendation for a 25-06 for medium sized whitetails. My son (11) will be using the gun in October for our Youth weekend. Shots will range from 50 - 200 yards. I have a really accurate load worked up with 100gr BTs and 4350. I also have a couple boxes of 110 gr Accubonds to try with the 4350 and RL22. I'm worried about the BTs getting through the shoulders at close range? I read somewhere that hunters were having issues with the BTs disentegrating at close range. Will both bullets expand enough on an up-close chest/lung shot? Will the BTs get through the shoulders?

Thanks in advance for any replies, this is a great place to learn!

 

[FOTIS]

The first generation of BT's were in fact quite frangible. Nosler looked into this and they beefed up the BT. Lots of hunters report great expansion and penetration with the 100 gr BT in the 25-06 on mule deer and I know it works great on antelope. Since your shots are under 200 yards you might be better served by the 110 AccuBond. which will not come apart. As far as expansion goes no problems with either since they both expand to 1600 fps or so. Here is a quickload calculation with RL 22 and the 115 gr BT (program has not be updated to include the 110 so you can sub the 110 in there).

Cartridge : .25-06 Rem.
Bullet : .257, 115, NOS BalTip 25115
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.250 inch or 82.55 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch or 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-22

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 78 44.00 2445 1527 28584 10113 88.0 1.589
-18.0 80 45.10 2508 1606 30514 10465 89.5 1.549
-16.0 82 46.20 2571 1689 32594 10808 90.9 1.510
-14.0 84 47.30 2635 1773 34802 11140 92.2 1.472
-12.0 86 48.40 2699 1860 37185 11459 93.4 1.434
-10.0 88 49.50 2763 1949 39726 11764 94.5 1.390
-08.0 90 50.60 2827 2040 42450 12054 95.6 1.347
-06.0 92 51.70 2890 2133 45369 12326 96.5 1.306
-04.0 94 52.80 2954 2228 48470 12579 97.3 1.267
-02.0 96 53.90 3018 2325 51762 12813 98.0 1.228
+00.0 98 55.00 3081 2424 55279 13025 98.6 1.192
+02.0 100 56.10 3144 2524 59038 13215 99.1 1.156 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 102 57.20 3207 2626 63058 13380 99.5 1.122 ! Near Maximum !
+06.0 104 58.30 3269 2730 67361 13521 99.8 1.089 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 106 59.40 3332 2834 71970 13635 100.0 1.057 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 108 60.50 3393 2940 76912 13723 100.0 1.027 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 98 55.00 3235 2672 66895 12722 100.0 1.097 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 98 55.00 2871 2105 44159 12575 92.4 1.316

 

[Guy Miner]

bsmith - yeah, I agree with Pop. I too hunt with a .25-06, but for mulies, and the range is usually 150+, but yes, I've been concerned too about a short range shot and the little .25 cal bullet either blowing up or at least over-expanding on a close range hit. I think the AccuBond, or at least the heavier ballistic tip is a good choice, just to make sure the bullet gets in there. Heck, I don't have any hesitation about using the Partition on deer for that matter.

Regards, Guy

 

[bsmith]

Pop & Guy - Thanks for the info. Our local shop has 115 and 120 partitions but no BTs over 100gr. I guess I'll be loading the ABs and hopefully we'll see how they do. Thanks again!

 

[JD338]

I also agree with Pop and Guy, go with the 110 gr AB. The 100 gr BT is a little light for close up shoulder shots. The 100 gr PT would also be an excellent choice.
Best wishes to your son on the youth hunt. Post some pics. :grin:

JD338

 

[buckfever]

If you go with the 110 gr Accbond 50 gr of IMR 4350 works great groups of .5 to.75 @ 100 yards are the norm should work great in your 25-06.

 

[bsmith]

JD338 - Thanks for the info. I'll have the camera ready.

Buckfever - 4350 is what I use with the 100 BTs. It worked better than 4831. Dime size groups of 5 shots at 100. There's no where close by to shoot longer than that. I'm going to work up some loads this week and next, shoot them at 100, and then take more of the best loads to South Dakota with me on my muley bowhunt. I'm going to make some time to take some 200 and 300 yd shots on a nice range near my parents. Maybe sneak in some PD shooting if time permits. I haven't deer hunted with a rifle since 1979. I'm really looking forward to this!

Thanks for all the help!

 

[ps300wm]

As stated above the 110 AccuBond is hard to beat. In the past I shot 120gr. pt's. Since having switched to the 110 AccuBond I have shot a few deer , then an antelope in New Mexico last weekend. Penetration will not be an issue. All I can say about expansion is based on wound channels. Because all have been complete pass throughs. RL22 really works well in my gun.

 

[nomosendero]

The 120PT is an incredible penetrator & why not, it has roughly the same SD as a 140 gr. 270. I killed several Deer & Antelope with great results. I have seen good results with the 115BT also & adaquate penetration. The 125 Wildcat carrys well too!!

 

[bsmith]

Thanks for the info! The local shop had some 115 partitions for $16.99 so I bought both boxes. Seemed too good to pass up. Question though, are the "seconds" labeled differently so you can tell they're seconds? We should be set for this season. I still have 8 full boxes of 100 gr BT in the cabinet. Now all we have to do is get out there and shoot! Thanks again.

 

[honkeetonkin]

One more vote for the 120 Partition. Fantastic penetrater.