I've never loaded anything any lighter than a 115gr bullet in my 25.06 as my main purpose for it has always been for deer. We are getting more and more coyote's around here and im going to start hunting them to try and take a few out. I want to work up a good varmit load for this purpose with a bullet in the 75-85gr range. What has worked well for you in the lighter bullets from the 25.06 and what are your recommendations for a bullet and powder combination? I appreciate any and all feedback. Thank You!
Good varmit load for the 25.06
- Thread starter Guybo
- Start date
I don't load anything heavier than a flat base 100 grain bullet in my 25/06 seeing as how it likes the mid-weight bullets.
The Hornady 87 Grain Spire Point is a good varmit load but also works on small deer or antelope too.
I also load a 100 Grain noslet Partition and that's my deer bullet. Some rifles, like mine, tend to be finicky with what they will shoot. The 87 Grain load I worked up gives me 0.5" groups all day long and the Partition shoots almost as good, 0.6".
The Hornady 87 Grain Spire Point is a good varmit load but also works on small deer or antelope too.
I also load a 100 Grain noslet Partition and that's my deer bullet. Some rifles, like mine, tend to be finicky with what they will shoot. The 87 Grain load I worked up gives me 0.5" groups all day long and the Partition shoots almost as good, 0.6".
wildgene
Handloader
- Jul 4, 2011
- 1,597
- 2
50.5grs. IMR 4064 for both the Sierra & Hornady 75gr. hollowpoints & A-Max
...I've had very good results w/ both the 85gr. BT & 87gr. TNT, but hands down best large varmint load has been 53.5gr. IMR-4350/ 90gr. Sierra Blitzking (BC 0.393)...
...I've had very good results w/ both the 85gr. BT & 87gr. TNT, but hands down best large varmint load has been 53.5gr. IMR-4350/ 90gr. Sierra Blitzking (BC 0.393)...
For a load that just hammers coyotes, try the Hornady 75 grain V-Max over a stout load of either IMR 4831 or H 4350. This just drops them on the spot.
I would NOT recommend using the 85 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip for coyotes. Sounds strange, I know, but we have had bad results with them since Nosler "improved" them a number of years back. That used to be one great bullet but Nosler changed the construction in order to make it a better varmint bullet. (so they said) In my opinion it is now too soft and gives TOO much expansion. My buddies and I have seen those bullets literally blow up on shoulder shot coytes. (A BT from a 22-250 performs much better.)
Having said that, what that bullet does to a ground squirrel or rock chuck has to be seen to be believed.
I would NOT recommend using the 85 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip for coyotes. Sounds strange, I know, but we have had bad results with them since Nosler "improved" them a number of years back. That used to be one great bullet but Nosler changed the construction in order to make it a better varmint bullet. (so they said) In my opinion it is now too soft and gives TOO much expansion. My buddies and I have seen those bullets literally blow up on shoulder shot coytes. (A BT from a 22-250 performs much better.)
Having said that, what that bullet does to a ground squirrel or rock chuck has to be seen to be believed.
Runs fast enough to kill coyotes, ground hogs, antelope, and deer. 
I have no idea what the numbers are. I just know it works. I don't have a chronograph yet and in my haste to develop some loads for my rifle I never got around to measuring the speed on my Buddy's chronograph.
I have no idea what the numbers are. I just know it works. I don't have a chronograph yet and in my haste to develop some loads for my rifle I never got around to measuring the speed on my Buddy's chronograph.
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,466
- 3,584
I used the 75 v max with AA4350. 3700 fps and explosive
- Thread starter
- #13
remingtonman_25_06
Handloader
- Nov 17, 2005
- 2,806
- 403
I like the 100g nbt ahead of 58g rl22.
Shoots 5/8" on a bad day at 3375fps.
Doubles up awesome for antelope and deer as well.
Can't beat it for coyotes both near and far.
I also like the 85 nbt, but the 100g will give you a bit more Max yardage and cut on wind drift for the longer shots.
Shoots 5/8" on a bad day at 3375fps.
Doubles up awesome for antelope and deer as well.
Can't beat it for coyotes both near and far.
I also like the 85 nbt, but the 100g will give you a bit more Max yardage and cut on wind drift for the longer shots.
