.25 cal opions-chat

[choprzrul]

I've shot 4 deer with my 25-06 with outstanding terminal performance. 90gr Absolute Hammers over RL-16 going 3640 fps at the muzzle. The buck I shot fall '22 was a bang flop without a single twitch @ 60 yards. This fall's buck at 125 yards went maybe 15 yards at the most. 2 does I have shot in the past ran in a circle for about 30-35 yards and piled up.

I'm going to use my 270 WSM this coming fall with 122gr Hammer Hunter Tipped (HHT) going 3373 fps at the muzzle. 11 shots total for load development to find a load that gave me a 0.4" group.

 

[nakneker]

25-06 is a fantastic round, I bought my first one from a guy in deer camp who had shot his buck the previous day and didn’t like all the meat it had blood shoot on the front quarters which was a selling point for me. With the right bullets it’s very capable and so my first thought is why not just go back with 25-06 if you have the dies and brass it would make sense. That being said it’s always fun to try new cartridges.

I built a 6.5-06 improved on Sako action, it also had some impressive terminal performance and was accurate. Easy to reload for, I regret selling that one.

The 25-06 doesn't gain much when improved, at least the one I had didn’t, I don’t remember the numbers but the gain was minimal.

The new .25 caliber heavy bullets change things if your wanting to dial a deer but if it’s under 500 yards the standard .25 caliber bullet offering do a good job. I’ve used Partitions, Barnes and CorLokts, all three did a great job. Keep us posted on your choice.

 

[Grit338]

I would be all over RL26 but impossible to find, also RL 23 can work but I’ve not found it to be as consistent as 26, also h4831 seems to be the Swiss Army knife of powders for the 25cal heavy’s
also on the 25-06ai I shoot a 7.5 twist 133 Berger’s with the new stabal hd an it does seem that you can pick up quit a bit of speed with the ackley but truthfully the 25-284 is the way to go.

 

[284winner]

I would be all over RL26 but impossible to find, also RL 23 can work but I’ve not found it to be as consistent as 26, also h4831 seems to be the Swiss Army knife of powders for the 25cal heavy’s
also on the 25-06ai I shoot a 7.5 twist 133 Berger’s with the new stabal hd an it does seem that you can pick up quit a bit of speed with the ackley but truthfully the 25-284 is the way to go.

I use 26 in my 25-284. I've never tried it in the 284. 6 and 6.5 I have. RL17 and H4350 is the go to for my SA284. I lucked into a couple 8lb jugs of 26 last year when it started showing up. Also found a seller selling 1500 of the 131 Blackjacks. First time I've ever hit the lottery. One could argue that total purchase bordered on applying for a loan.

 

[Grit338]

I hope rl26 comes available soon I’d really like to work up some loads for the 25-284

 

[YBPS]

I am a big fan of 25x47 with 133’s. It’s not fast but at 2940 it’s perfect for deer and it killed 4 cow elk last year.
A full case of H4350 works great

 

[Grit338]

I can’t quit get that speed out of mine but yeah it’s a deer slaying cartridge, also it an the 25 cm makes a great varmint round with 10 twist an 90gr bullets you can run them in the 3400 pulse fpc range ive got a 25 cm that I built just for this it a lot of fun

 

[284winner]

I am a big fan of 25x47 with 133’s. It’s not fast but at 2940 it’s perfect for deer and it killed 4 cow elk last year.
A full case of H4350 works great

Fast is relative. I always strive for 3000 fps with most bullets in most cartridges. Seems to be the sweet spot as a minimum velocity. Your 2940 is on the heels of 3000 fps. No slouch really with the 133 high BC pill.