What factory loads do you like for 25-06?

[ken p]

I have a gun in this caliber on order and with what seems to be a fairly limited amount of choices compared to some of the more popular calibers, what loads does everbody like. I realize I will have to try a few to see what the gun likes but I am looking for a starting point. I will be using it for paper shooting and maybe one or two coyote hunts a year so bullet size don't matter a whole lot right know. Someday I would like to try an antelope hunt.

[ColoradoElk]

Hi Ken:

I asked the same question...

Rem, Fed and Win all offer relatively inexpensive loads, you should be able to find any of them for about $16/box. The Rem 120gr worked best for me.

The problem I had (before I started reloading) is that you are still basically talking $1/shot and I found it less expensive to buy a Savage package in .223 than shoot .25-06 at paper. It (the Savage) also works well on yotes, but not anything much larger, imo.

Good luck,
CE

[Vapodog]

The Rem 120gr worked best for me

Me too

[Superpig]

I'm a handloader but I usually try some factory stuff at first to find some once fired brass and to know what factory load is good in my gun in case I'm in a pinch. My rifle is a S&W 1500. It groups Winchester 115 gr. Ballistic Silvertips and 120 gr. Positive expanding points very well. There are also two varmint loading from Winchester. These are the 85 gr. Ballistic Silvertip and the 90 gr. Positive Expanding. The 85 gr. shot 3-4 inch groups at 100 out of my rifle and the 90 gr. didn't do much better 2-3" at 100. Federal, Hornady, Remington, & PMC all have factory ammo available for the 25-06. The Federal 115 gr. Nosler Partition also grouped under an inch out of my rifle. If your gun won't shoot the 85 & 90 gr. you might try the 100 gr. Nosler ballistic tip loaded by federal. You don't need that much bullet for coyotes but if the lighter bullets don't group well I would use the 100's before the 115 or 120 gr. on coyotes. The 100 gr. will also work well if you go on a Pronghorn hunt.

[Rangerlab]

I would also second the Federal 100gr Balistic Tips. If you are going after deer or antelope, the Federal 115 Partitions would be tough to beat. You made a good choice with the 25-06, it's a great 'yote/small big game caliber.

[swampdog_]

I had the best results with Winchester 120 gr. PXP in my Browning A-Boltas far a factory loads go .

[Mykey]

For a factory cartridge the Hornady 117grn BTSP and the Federal 115grn Partition are two excellent bullets if they shoot good from your rifle.