reynolds357
New member
What are some of your favorites? I prefer a good blood trail for the short distance they run Loaded 87gr Bonded Norma's for years, but stash is finally depleted.
Good to hear. I have a few hundred SST 117s that I have never loaded. I am a bit paranoid about the .25-06. The last time I used anything other than the Bonded Norma's was 30 years ago. Was using the Orig Nosler Ballistic tips. On two separate days, Shot two does on shoulder. Rolled both them. Both got up and ran off with no trackable blood trail. Retired the rifle until I came up on the Norma's. They were sold in a bulk bag. Story I was told was they were overrun for .257 Wby factory ammo production. Don't know, but they were deer killing machines.Funny you should post this question, I just acquired a 25-06 last year and decided to take it hunting down to NC on a guided hunt, tried some 117gr sierra for accuracy and it wasnt what I was looking for, about a 2"group at 100, and I knew the rifle was capable of much better since I got it from my brother and he said it was a tack driver, I ordered some Hornady 117 gr sst my first load developed with imr 4831 printed 3/4" at 100yds, which is pretty good for deer, shot several groups and the first was not a fluke, so, down south I go and on the second day of the hunt a spikehorn stood broadside at 100yds and it was a pretty quick shot since the shooting lane was narrow and I hit him a bit high in the shoulder but he just flipped over backwards and DRT, I was quite impressed although since it was a shoulder shot it didnt go through and didnt ruin much of the meat either, I took the rifle back out last week here in NH and at about 7:30 ish I had a spike cross the logging road I was watching at 165 yds, had already ranged a few spots upon sitting with my laser. Well I had about 3 seconds to pop off my mitten, grab my rifle and rest it on the tree and fired quite quickly, it was a quick shot just as he was about to walk off the clearing so at the distance wasnt even sure if it was a hit. I didnt wait long and walked up the trail to where he crossed and after just a min or 2 found 1 little spot of blood confirming a hit, within 10 feet found a few more spots that were getting bigger, stopped and scanned the woods and after seeing what I thought was a deer laying beside a tree confirmed it with a look through my scope, as I was walking to where he lay the blood trail got quite obvious and there was a very large pool where he layed. All in all he ran about 25yds and piled up, the little 117 did a impressive job, entered low on the right shoulder passed threw to just under the opposite leg exploding both lungs..I was very impressed with the bullet performance and accuracy..The rifle is a older ruger model 77 with a 3x9x50 vortex scope..
I have used a lot myself in various calibers. Which ones in .25-06? Interlock? Sst? GMX? Other?I've used Hornadys in all the calibers listed below. As the box says, Accurate, Deadly, Dependable.
I started using Interbonds and GMX in 7mm with outstanding groups and devastating performance. If I had a 25-06, I'd go with CX in 90gr.I have used a lot myself in various calibers. Which ones in .25-06? Interlock? Sst? GMX? Other?
taylorce1 Why wouldnt you use cup n core?
Yes my 1/4 bore has a higher velocity than most. I a long time Reloader: I've always focused on high velocity experimentation on all my cartridges and their firearm. Max C.U.P Proof capabilities >always checked on. Since you've mentioned. Sounds good. I would like to try a Barnes bullet so to cut down on that blood shot tissue. I did find efficient helpful targeting helps. Any-wheres in the head, low in the neck, throat white patch. As owners of we all know the 25-06 is very capable of such shots out past 200 and more.taylorce1