Vanguard 25-06

[Sixpack]

Well, my old friend came back home after almost 15 years apart...A Vanguard 25-06.  It was my fathers bought new in the early 80's and the first "big" rifle after the ole 30-30!  He loaned it to me for some of my early deer hunting until he got me my Ruger M77 MKII in .270 Win.  I gave it back to him immediately after getting the Ruger so it has resided in his gun cabinet only getting wiped down with RemOil occasionally.  He gave it to me a couple of months ago under the assumption that it will be given to my boy later in life.

So, that brings us up to where we are now.  I really haven't thought much about it until I scrolled down and started reading about everybody elses Vanguards and it got me sorta fired up a little bit.  I want to get a different stock and scope but really want to know if anybody has any recommendations on ammo, specifically the heavier 115-120 gr.  If I recall correctly, all I ever shot was 100 gr Rem CoreLokts with great results.  I was just wondering if there were any other 25-06 shooters out there and what they were loading in theres.  Also, I DON'T know squat about barrel twist rates but was wondering if it would stabilize some of the lighter varmint bullets. 

Boy, I'm getting excited about a winter project that might work out good on the 'yote population if all goes well!

[nodlenor]

I have a 25-06 but it isn't a Vanguard. Mine is a New England Ultra. So far I haven't found anything it doesn't like & I've used everything from 75gr to 120gr bullets. They all have decent accuracy.

[one eye joe]

Don't have a Vanguard, but have a Remington. Load 115-120 bullets using IMR4350 up to (and a bit past) book maximum. Have always had good results. I am presently working with the 115 Nosler bullets trying RL22 and H1000. So far, results are promising. A lot of people like 4831 in this round. I have just never had any on hand.

[Val]

I use 120 grain Nosler Partitions in my Savage  25-06. I get a chronographed muzzle velocity of 3008 fps with this round using IMR 4350. It's a very accurate load in my 25-06.

[30-06man]

I agree with Val it is one of the best bullets that you can get. I would also look into a Core Lokt Again if you had good results.

[nomosendero]

Yes it will stabilize the light bullets fine. Try some 85 gr BT's or 75 V-Maxes for Varmit bombs.

For the heavy bullets I will also tell you the 120NP is great. We shot many Whitetails, Antelope & Mule Deer with this bullet from just a few yards to near 400 & we never recovered a bullet & the kills were dramatic!! The 115TSX does the same but drops more, the BC is not good. The 100TSX is neat too. With the 120NP, I was getting over 3,200 with RL25, with your 24" tube you should get 3,100 & change. Work up slow, RL25 kicks butt in that round & Retumbo looks promising.