25-06 100gr bullets experience wanted

[Unclecroc]

I recently aquired an old 77v tang safety 25-06 and I’d like to get a load developed using a 100gr bullet. Particularly the nosler ballistic tip and the Sierra gameking.
I’d like to hear some first hand experience with these bullets on deer, especially at high velocity impacts (3000+). How was the penetration? Yes I am expecting meat damage and I’m ok with that.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Sorry, I have used the .25-06 for decades, but I always used the 117- and 120-grain bullets on deer. My rifle never shot the 100-grain bullets well with its old barrel (the lede was very worn on it). But I am curious to see what some others have used.

I just found three boxes of 100-grain Core-Lokts from about 1994 and I plan to use them up doing some field practice with that rifle.

 

[2Stamp]

Only 100gr I've shot out of mine are Barnes (and it's slinging those at 3350ish). Mine shoots the 115BT and 115 berger so well I haven't wanted to go smaller on a cup/core.

Both the Barnes and Noslers have killed quite a few animals, to include elk. The bergers were just reloaded for last fall but haven't been shot at an animal yet.

 

[Castle Rock]

The 100 Ballistic Tip is spectacular in both 25/06 and 257 Weatherby

 

[6mm Remington]

Not a bullet on your list but the 100 gr. Nosler Accubond would be a good one if you wanted to shoot 100 gr. bullets in your 25-06. All ever shot in my wifes 25-06 was 120 gr. Nosler Partitions. They worked great and shot great. You might consider the 100 gr. Accubond. They are such a great bullet.

 

[Unclecroc]

Only 100gr I've shot out of mine are Barnes (and it's slinging those at 3350ish). Mine shoots the 115BT and 115 berger so well I haven't wanted to go smaller on a cup/core.

Both the Barnes and Noslers have killed quite a few animals, to include elk. The bergers were just reloaded for last fall but haven't been shot at an animal yet.

I shoot the 115 BT in another 25-06 and it does great. I want to shoot woodchucks and deer with this rifle so I’d like to try something lighter and faster.

Not a bullet on your list but the 100 gr. Nosler Accubond would be a good one if you wanted to shoot 100 gr. bullets in your 25-06. All ever shot in my wifes 25-06 was 120 gr. Nosler Partitions. They worked great and shot great. You might consider the 100 gr. Accubond. They are such a great bullet.

I wasn’t aware nosler made a 100 accubond only the 110. I’ve heard great things about the 110 especially in a 257 weatherby.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I’ve used several different factory loadings from 115, 117, and 120 grain bullets with various performances. I started reloading and loaded up some 110 grain Accubonds and love them.

 

[westslopelaker]

I've shot 4 elk with 100 grain ttsx in 25-06, all within 150 yards. None made it more than 25 yards.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Growing up my brother and I shot 25/06. Always had the best luck with the 117gr game king, but he did kill one or two with the 100gr. Even with the 117 you will likely not have an exit or find any visible bullet fragments if you take an archery distance shot.

 

[saltfork]

I recently aquired an old 77v tang safety 25-06 and I’d like to get a load developed using a 100gr bullet. Particularly the nosler ballistic tip and the Sierra gameking.
I’d like to hear some first hand experience with these bullets on deer, especially at high velocity impacts (3000+). How was the penetration? Yes I am expecting meat damage and I’m ok with that.

I killed quite a few whitetail with the 100 gr ballistic tip out of my 25-06. I don't remember the velocity, this was 20 plus years ago. My rifle has just a 22 inch barrel, so probably not top end speeds. It killed deer fine. Most of the shots were within 150 yards or so, with some as close as 30 yards. Put it behind the shoulder and it kills fast

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

The 100 Ballistic Tip is spectacular in both 25/06 and 257 Weatherby

What powders do you like with this combo?

 

[Castle Rock]

H4350 and H 4831

 

[CodyB]

Barnes 100 TTSX and RL22 is spectacular in my 25-06. Tons of deer, antelope, and several cow tags have been filled in the last 18 years with that combo for me and others.

 

[Slickhill]

I shot a bunch of stuff with a 257 Weatherby. The old 100 Hornady was a good bullet but they’re discontinued. The 100gr Nosler SB was good too, not sure if they reintroduced it when they brought back the Solid Base line.

Far and away my favorite deer bullet and maybe a fit for your needs is the 85gr Ballistic Tip. They’re tougher than most people think but they’ll absolutely liquify the contents of the chest cavity of a deer. Good idea to keep them off the shoulders if meat loss is a concern.

 

[Rich M]

I shot 1 deer with 25-06 maybe 40 years ago. 100gr Core Loct I believe. The shot destroyed the shoulder and never entered the ribs. Doe fell, got up, ran straight at me, about 30 yds and fell over. Put one nape of neck.

The lungs were totally bloodshot. The hydrostatic shock did a job on her.

 

[noKnees]

I have shot the 100g BT out of a 250AI at around 3050 for around 15 years or so. Probably killed 30+ deer with it and two black bears. all but a handful at sub 100yd ranges. Good damage and almost always exits, even on shots with a good amount of bone in the way.

 

[Unclecroc]

I killed quite a few whitetail with the 100 gr ballistic tip out of my 25-06. I don't remember the velocity, this was 20 plus years ago. My rifle has just a 22 inch barrel, so probably not top end speeds. It killed deer fine. Most of the shots were within 150 yards or so, with some as close as 30 yards. Put it behind the shoulder and it kills fast

I typically shoot for the ribs anyway or a headshot if I’m feeling froggy at close distances. Sounds like I’ll be gtg.

I have shot the 100g BT out of a 250AI at around 3050 for around 15 years or so. Probably killed 30+ deer with it and two black bears. all but a handful at sub 100yd ranges. Good damage and almost always exits, even on shots with a good amount of bone in the way.

Great report!

 

[Unclecroc]

I shot a bunch of stuff with a 257 Weatherby. The old 100 Hornady was a good bullet but they’re discontinued. The 100gr Nosler SB was good too, not sure if they reintroduced it when they brought back the Solid Base line.

Far and away my favorite deer bullet and maybe a fit for your needs is the 85gr Ballistic Tip. They’re tougher than most people think but they’ll absolutely liquify the contents of the chest cavity of a deer. Good idea to keep them off the shoulders if meat loss is a concern.

My hunting partner shot the 85 ballistic tips this last summer on woodchucks and it was pure carnage on them. One instance hear took the head clean off at the shoulders of a standing chuck at 100 yards. Them things are nasty.
I also talked to a fella who used a 90 blitzking for deer hunting and swore by them.
I’m amazed and intrigued by these reports of the effectiveness of varmint bullets on deer.

 

[saltfork]

I've also used the 85 Nosler on a few deer. It was explosive, and turns their lungs into jello. It was a fast killer, just didn't shoot very well in my rifle.