25.06 reloading help needed

[xeduk8r]

I have a new Howa 1500 in 25.06 that I am trying to work up loads for hunting deer. My gun shoots 46 grains of IMR 4831 with Nosler 120 gr. Partition bullets very accurately but I need to know if it is a good load for deer out to 200 yards or doesn't it have enough power to make a clean harvest at that distance? My gun doesn't seem to like 48 to 52 grains nearly as well. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi Xeduk
Well,I haven't got a 25.06 yet but intend to do so in the near future so I'll surely tread the same road you're on at the moment,so for a start,as with any caliber I suggest you check the powder makers' or bullet makers' manuals or sites,and in case you want to step right ahead of that why don't you try and check a New Zealand based site called ballistics studies and their knowledge base,where the site's creator(Nathan Foster's his name)details almost every hunting cartridge shot around the world.For what it's worth...Good luck with your quest.

 

[Strut]

Your load should be adequate for the use you describe. Set the point of impact at 100 yds at about 1 1/2 or 2" high and go shoot your deer. I prefer 115 Nosler Ballistic tips use a higher charge but you should be fine.

 

[KMart]

My 25-06 and others I have shot, seem to like 50.0 to 50.5 gr of RE-22 with 115 to 120 gr bullets. The velocity is plenty good to take down deer size animals at 200. Had a recent kill on an antilope at 185 yd with a 115 Berger and it was a DRT with a shot into the chest cavity.

 

[jsthntn247]

I have shot a ton of deer with the 115gr Partition all the way out to 400 yards. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a deer at 200 or a elk for that matter with the 120 partition at 200 yards.

 

[2506]

52 grs H-4831 or 49 grs IMR 4350 with 117 Sierra Pro Hunter has worked for me in many 25-06s. Both loads will do around 3000 fps in 24 to 26 inch barrels and will put the smack down on deer to a bit over 500 yards. I zero 3 inches high at 100 yards and am on the money at 300 and can hold in the hair at the top of the back out to 500 yards and drop a deer in it's tracks most of the time with my 25-06.