This is gonna sound cheap on my part, but I am gonna have to find a cheaper alternative to my federal premium nosler partitions. They have gone up to 25 bucks a box this year. I hate to do it, and if there is no better choice out there, I will fork over the money. I don' t know much about ballistic tips, just the stuff you hear from guys that love or hate them.....they blow up if you hit bone....they are not effective at close range....they are the only bullet I will ever use....performance was devistating, deer never took a step. I am looking for an accurate bullet that gives reliable performance, and that doesn' t cost 30 dollars a box by the time I get it shipped. Thanks for the help.

I' ve never been a fan of the plastic tip bullets for deer hunting but i know a lot of guys who swear by them. The partition is a premium bullet and they aren' t cheap no matter where you buy them. If the partition shoots well in your gun then i personally would pay a few extra dollars and stick with them. Another good factory bullet is the Hornady 117grn btsp. It' s a little cheaper and it' s a proven bullet in both the accuracy and performance on game department with the interlock design it employs.

I shoot Federal Classic 117 gr. SP,or this year it will be the Hot-Core,I have also shot Hornady Coustom 117gn BTSP with good results also.

Let me add, that while by no means wealthy, I have never been afraid to spend the extra money for what I am convinced is superior hunting equipment. It' s just that I want to find out what else is out there, and the pros and cons of possibly switching. Also, this is primarily an open country whitetail rig, but I need something that will anchor a big ol hog as well. If the ballistic tips are as " fragile" as some would have you believe, then I don' t know if that is what I am looking for.

I use the Federal premium Barnes X in 100gr .. They work well .. But don' t rember what they cost ..Bill

I am not for sure that Hornady has SSTs for 25-06, but if they do and there not as expensive, go with them. You will not be dissapointed. It is a hard hitting ballistic tip that penetrates.

Core-Lokts at $14 are better than BTs at any price. I shoot .25-06 ALOT and IMHO Barnes X at 100 grs is the best available, but I reload. You didn' t mention how much, or what you hunt. If you could give more information on how you hunt that would be helpful.

Well, new development guys. My buddy convinced me at work tonight to let him work up some handloads for my 25-06. According to him, and I believe anything he has to say concerning this subject, with a little trial and error we will be able to really see what my rifle will do. He has everything we will need except for the bullets and the caseings, and I have saved most of my casings, so I guess we will give it a shot.

Great you have found a buddy who will reload for you. I would still sugest you giving either NBT or SST' s a go. The SST does come in 117 25 cal bullet BTW. I have a buddy who uses a 2506 and all he uses is 117 NBT or SST. Hasn' t complained once about performance and shoots dimes on paper, very accurate with his handloads.

I have used both bullets in a variety of a calibers and they are my choice when deer or antelope or on the card. They also have been the most consistant accuracy wise and that includes factory or hand loads.