.25-06 bullet for Elk?

[Fowl91]

Just wanting to hear some experience from guys who use the .25-06 for Elk, as I am wanting to reload for mine. Im thinking of either the 120gr Nosler Partition or 110gr Accubond, but im also wondering about the 115gr Barnes tsx. I understand that all will do fine with a well placed shot, but which would be a better choice to ensure an ethical and successful hunt? Ive done a lot of research on this, but im more interested in hearing first-hand experience from the guys who have seen what works and what doesn't.

Thanks

[elkhunter11]

I have killed elk with the 100gr Partition, but today, my choice would likely be the 100gr TTSX.

[bulletman]

I killed a 6-POINTER one time with a 100 grain Partition and it was an incredible kill! It just happened to be a magazine cover broadside shot though, something that doesn't happen every day!

[lannie]

110 Accubond worked for me.

[Fowl91]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I have killed elk with the 100gr Partition, but today, my choice would likely be the 100gr TTSX.

I'm curious as to how much difference there would be from a 100gr to a 115gr bullet. So why the 100gr ttsx say over a 115gr partition? I'm not familiar with barnes bullets.

[elkhunter11]

I'm curious as to how much difference there would be from a 100gr to a 115gr bullet. So why the 100gr ttsx say over a 115gr partition? I'm not familiar with barnes bullets.

From my own experiences, Partitions generally retain 60% to 70% of their weight, while the Barnes TSX/TTSX usually retain 90% to 100% of their weight, and penetrate more. I have also found the TSX/TTSX/LRX to be more accurate than the Partition, in my rifles.

[lannie]

Originally Posted by Fowl91

I'm curious as to how much difference there would be from a 100gr to a 115gr bullet. So why the 100gr ttsx say over a 115gr partition? I'm not familiar with barnes bullets.

Its close to splitting hairs in the real world. You can do the math and use it to support your choice with ballistics etc. One way that works really well is be a better hunter and get closer and put one in the boiler room. It wont matter much at all what bullet you spent countless hours debating before loading.

[Fowl91]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the advice as information. I've had good results from accubonds in my 30-06 so I'll try those and the ttsx and see what groups best to start.

Thanks

[257wbyhunter]

i used 115g silvertips out of my 257 weatherby. did not like the groups i was getting from the accubonds. dropped my cow elk like a sack of hammers.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by 257wbyhunter

i used 115g silvertips out of my 257 weatherby. did not like the groups i was getting from the accubonds. dropped my cow elk like a sack of hammers.

You mean Ballistic Silvertips I take it.
If so, to those not in the know, those are essentially Nosler Ballistic Tips.

[graybeard]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I have killed elk with the 100gr Partition, but today, my choice would likely be the 100gr TTSX.

All I use is the 100 grain Barnes Triple Shocks. You will not believe the channel it creates on an elk or deer. Nothing moves very far after being hit.
Great out to 300 and more.....

[norwestalta]

How do the gmx compare to the ttsx?

[X bolt]

Any one that you shoot out of a 30 caliber

[C Taylor]

Both my dad an I have 25-06 sakos. Mine shoots better with 100gr nosler an dads like 115gr. Find what groups best in yours. I've shot elk with both with no tracking needed.

[Chukar Hunter]

The old Hornady 117 HP drops Elk like lightening, if it goes inside the boiler room.

[257wbyhunter]

Originally Posted by Dick284

You mean Ballistic Silvertips I take it.
If so, to those not in the know, those are essentially Nosler Ballistic Tips.

yes they are. but the results between the two are like night and day out of my vanguard. i don't get it tried many different loads and powders can't get the groups out of the ballistic tips as i can with the ballistic silver tips. but thats my luck cause it is a pain to find the silvertips.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by 257wbyhunter

yes they are. but the results between the two are like night and day out of my vanguard. i don't get it tried many different loads and powders can't get the groups out of the ballistic tips as i can with the ballistic silver tips. but thats my luck cause it is a pain to find the silvertips.

Must be the coating on the ballistic Silvertips.

[Dick284]

That's back a few years, but when that herd of elk showed up while on deer stand, the 25'06 and 100gr Partition's did as prescribed exiting the bulls chest from the broad side 225yd shot. A 70 yd death run followed.

He was dead he just didn't quite know it.

[Pioneer2]

My son put a 120gr Hornady HP through the rib cage of a 3pt elk at 400 yards and it exited taking out another rib. Elk ran 50 yards and cratered.25-06 Harold

[6.5swedeforelk]

Nice to see there are still some elk hunters who have not succumbed to the ultramag "drop-em at 800yds" syndrome! Watch the breeze, stalk in close, finish the stalk in your woolen socks, if necessary. Good bullet placement & don't worry about not having the perfect bullet.
Good hunting!

[harv3589]

I am rebarreling my M70 to a 25-06 and it will be my all round rifle. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on elk and I will probably shoot the partitions.

[Powderhorn]

Have shot a number of elk with a 130 grain bullet in a .270. I never deviated from that weight. Why would you go to anything lighter? If you do, give it a double-tap.

[buckbrushoutdoors]

Originally Posted by Powderhorn

Have shot a number of elk with a 130 grain bullet in a .270. I never deviated from that weight. Why would you go to anything lighter? If you do, give it a double-tap.

Now that was educational lol they same argument could be said for a guy shooting a fast 30 cal.

Use a good premium bullet that your rifle likes. 25-06s are great mild recoiling that have a good selection of bullets. I've never personally owned one but have had several 257wbys and I always enjoyed the on game performance with premium bullets. (Tsx,ttsx)

[super7mag]

I'd see what is going to group in you rifle . Top personal choices would be either the 155-120 nos PT , or the 115 tsx, or 110 gr Accu bond . You'll need to load a few and shoot em. I got a BIL and a buddy that run the 117 gr game kings thru 257 Bees they have had darn good results.

[260 Rem]

Sounds like my 30BR sporter shooting 110gr Barnes TTSX could be an elk rifle? Accurate, fast, low recoil ...and my silly buddy got a 35 Whelan

[Pioneer2]

The 115 Partition is no slouch in any .257 either.Autopsied a cow moose that died from them last fall from a .25-06 AI..........Harold

[rottie]

Worked well didnt it Harold, the load is putting a 115 partition out at a chronographed 3291 fps. Personel bias,but I think the .257 is a often over looked caliber

I wouldnt hesitate to use the above load on a Elk

[norwestalta]

Originally Posted by rottie

Worked well didnt it Harold, the load is putting a 115 partition out at a chronographed 3291 fps. Personel bias,but I think the .257 is a often over looked caliber

I wouldnt hesitate to use the above load on a Elk

Didn't you have a mishap last year? I'm a neighbour of Eric

[rottie]

yup,I did. Not with the cooper but a 7 mag. The .257 AI worked well.
How is Eric doing ?

A stupid mis hap on my part to,could have being avoided by paying attention,just like most screw ups

[Jordan Smith]

The first bullet I'd try is the 100gr TTSX. If it shot well I'd look no further.