Bullet for the 25-06

benhuntin · 10-06-2003, 09:55 AM

I have a Rugar #1 25-06 that i cant decide which bullet to use.
My choices are FEDERAL 115 grain nosler partition or Hornady 117 grain boattail soft point. I shoot close to moderate ranges but most shots will be 30 to 100 yards.
Some shots up to 250 yards. Im not really concerned with bullet performance at the long range. I was mostly wondering how this light very fast bullet will perform at very close ranges. I dont want a bullet that disinigrates when it hits bone at short ranges but I also dont want one that passes through with minimal expansion.
Can anyone help me out with this?

Vapodog · 10-06-2003, 10:28 AM

have no fear.....both will work well....I personally prefer Hornady' s 120 hollow point.

Mykey · 10-06-2003, 10:49 AM

Like vapodog said, you' ll be fine with either one. I' ve used them both with similar results and i' m currently using a Speer 120grn spitzer which has also given me good results.

vapodog....i' ve been looking at that hp for sometime now but haven' t tried it. What kind of performance do you get on deer with the Hornday 120 HP? Do you get pass throughs or does the bullet explode? I know it will do the job because Joyce Hornady killed a nice Elk with that bullet from a 25.06 when it was being tested so it looks pretty good. Thanks!

Vapodog · 10-06-2003, 11:26 AM

In my .25-06 the 120 HPs do a pass thru in deer....I' ve never tried elk with it.

It is my favorite bullet for the .257 calibers.

BareBack Jack · 10-06-2003, 01:01 PM

Mykey,I to have a #1 25-06 I will be shooting this season.I' m trying a new bullet the 115 gr.Silver Tip from winchester.I have high expectations for this bullet.In the past I used 115 gr Nolsers out of of my ruger Varmiter(old style).With this gun I killed my biggest mulie at 25 yds as he was running away.Droped him like a sack of potatos(I hit him between the shoulder blades not a texas heart shot).

What are the HP you guys are talking about ? You say hornady makes them,do they offer them in a factory load?
Are they like the Positive expanding from winchester?

ColoradoElk · 10-06-2003, 09:20 PM

I think the 115 NP is better. If I could choose any bullet, it would be the Barnes 100.

If you don' t handload, I believe Federal nows offers the Barnes in a factory load.

handloader1 · 10-06-2003, 10:12 PM

115 Nosler Partition. Good luck.

James B · 10-06-2003, 11:16 PM

I like the 120 grain Hornady HP. It does not blow up it made for deer and bigger game. However I like the 100 grain or 120 grain Partition even better. The Federal factory loaded 120 grain Partition shoots great in my 257 Roberts.

338 · 10-07-2003, 06:36 AM

I use the 100gr Barnes with good results. They pass through and all of the deer have died with one shot ..Bill

akbound · 10-07-2003, 06:57 AM

I haven' t tried the Nosler Partitions in .25-06 but have in a number of other calibers. They have " ALWAYS" performed just as advertised! In front of the partition expands rapidly transferring energy and shock to the target...while the rear portion holds together and gives reliable penetration. As a matter of fact I do not recall even ever recovering a Partition from a game animal. I can' t remember a single incidence that I didn' t get complete penetration!

Hornady makes a good bullet. And I have used them numerous times with good success. Whenever I want to be certain that a bullet will hold together and penetrate deep in a tough target....I nearly always use Nosler' s Partitions.