25/06 loads for deer

[wind drift]

would like info. on 25/06. bullet type for mule deer. t/c encore 26 tube.

[Lone Star]

It is difficult to beat the 120 Hornady HP.  Designed for the .25-06 in 1972, it performs great on all appropriate game.  I've used it in my .257 Weatherbys too, I just can't fault it.  If you just have to use a "premium" bullet be my guest, but don't expect one to do any better on deer than the Hornady.


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[Nimrod71]

I prefer the 120 gr. Sierra Game King.  Hornady are good and I have used them in the pasted.  I changed to Sierra after chasing white tail deer shot with 130 gr winchester bullets.  It may be just personal choice, or if like everything else whatever bullet you can find.  I can tell you one size not to use, do not use a 90 gr. bullet.  I lost one of the biggest deer I have ever shot by using a 90 gr. h.p.  I shot the deer dead in the center of the chest at about 20 yards.  The deer hit the ground, blood and hair went everywhere, then in a fast it was back on its feet and heading for the river swamp.  I tracked the deer for over and hour before calling in help with a pair of beagles.  We never found the deer.  I sold the rifle the next day.

[Grumulkin]

I've taken one deer with this load.  The bullet hit the posterior aspect of the left rear leg as the deer was departing the area and still killed it.  It's not the shot I would have preferred but with this bullet, it still worked.

[wind drift]

grumulkin l would like to know if the case length will work good in my 26'' barrel. im just geting into the reloading game and any info. would be great. thanks

[bubba]

sierra 117 boat tails.  IMR 4831 51.4 grains deadly on white tails. THye drop in their tracks out to 200 yards holding dead on

[Grumulkin]

Rather than "case length" I believe you mean cartridge overall length abbreviated COAL.  The answer is yes your COAL would probably be similar.

The way I set up dies for Encores and Contenders is to start with the bullet deliberately seated too long.  I progressively screw the bullet seating stem down in small increments thus seating the bullet deeper in the case until the length is such that the action will easily snap shut with the cartridge in the chamber.  The resulting COAL will be such that the bullet is just off the lands.

Also, bear in mind that different cases, different powder lots and different primers can make a difference in cartridge pressure.  Start low and work up.  The load where the best accuracy is obtained is the one to use.  Typically, if you start a load low, as the powder charge is increased, the groups will get smaller to a point and then start to widen out again.  Stop where they're the smallest.

[wind drift]

Grumulkin thanks for the info. Do you know anywhere i can order the 115 vld midway are on backorder for a while. I live in S.A. TEX.   

[ms]

You need to talk to dee.

[wind drift]

MS who is dee and do i get ahold of him. Thanks for any info.

[Grumulkin]

I looked at several of the mail order sites I frequent and it appears all are out of the 115 gr. .257 caliber Berger VLD.  I have no doubt, however, that they'll be restocked so keep checking.

In the meantime, you could get other bullets weighing around 115 grains and begin load work-up with them.