I built a 8 twist 25-06 with a carbon barrel at 22 inches for this season. I'm pushing the 135 berger at 2980. Made it a completely different animal!!!
I plan on a 24" barrel 25-06. Would like a 1:8" or maybe a 1:7.5" inch barrel for it. Any suggestions of a source for a good quality barrel and install?
@timk4502 I just did a xcaliber prefit for a rem 700. It shoots right at 3/4 moa which is plenty for hunting. There's a whole bunch of good smiths out there though, I'd get on it now if you want to have it by hunting season! Good luck and I hope it works out!
Any issues with total cartridge length on that load? I was considering swapping barrels on my Tikka to a 1:7.5 twist in order run 131 blackjacks but I’m concerned the cartridge length won’t fit in the mag.
@@timk4502 Completely unnecessary ... a 1:10 twist will stabilize everything from 75gr to 120. Anything heavier than that has no advantage in a .25/06.
My son harvested his first big game in Colorado (cow elk). We both shoot 25-06. He's sighted in with the 100 grain TSX, mine is the 115 grain. Anyhow, 411 yards quartering away, complete pass through and destroyed the off shoulder.
First elk hunt I used a 180g TSX in a 300 WM. About 200 yards zipped right through him. He ran a small circle then done. Awesome thing was my wife was with me about 2 miles up an beautiful mount in northern New Mexico. Great memories.
Absolutely love the 25-06. Was my first rifle and evey deer I've taken has been with a 25-06. Best groups I've got were with the factory Barnes 100g tsx.
I have had 25-06 rifles since I started hunting in the 70s. Shot a acow elk at 30 yards with 120 grn partition. Had anew 25 built on a 700 action, 26 inch Shilen barrel. Could get the X bullets to group good. Have not tried the TSX. Settled on 100 grn Swift Scirroco at 3400 fps at 3/8s group at 100yds. S h oots like a laser. Very informative video. Thanks
I've been hunting with Barnes for decades. Almost all of my hunting loads are pushing Barnes bullets, 458 SOCOM, 308, 30.06, 6.8 SPC II 5.56, 22-250, 44 Magnum, 6mm Creedmoor, and .45 Smokeless Muzzleloader.
The guy from the Backfire YT channel has a serious hang up about 6.5 mm bullets only being for deer size game and under. I would love to see the 6.5x55 Swede, 6.5-284 Norma, 6.5-06 A-Square, 6.5 Remington Magnum, and the 264 Winchester Magnum taken on an elk hunt with Barnes Bullets. If limited to only two cartridges I would like to see the Swede and the Norma tested with the 127 gr LRX Barnes, the Barnes reloading manual has velocities for the Swede maxed out at 2,733 fps because of old Swedish Mauser actions(loads can be increased in modern firearm) and up to 3,000 fps in the Norma. I purposely want to show that the older 6.5 cartridges can not only get the job done, but down big game with authority. I also wanted steer clear of the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6.5 PRC, the Swede and the Norma duplicate the ballistics of CM and PRC.
Looking at building a MAUSER 98 into a 25-06 For a birthday gift for my oldest boy for hunting whitetail and mule deer.... Really nice caliber from what I've researched and using the newer components it really opens up the variety of game it can take. Very interested in the twist rate as well. Thanks for taking the time to lay out some of the options for this caliber.
You do alot of great builds and I would love to see a build that Guy spec'd out. His classic taste with your modern skill and inclination is bound to turn out something amazing
I’ve got my 25-06 built with a 1:7.5” twist. I’m doing load development with the 133 Berger Elite Hunter. First round of shooting was awesome. Seating them long.
If you build a 25-06 give some thought to a 26” barrel and an Ackley chamber. Precision Shooting published a series on shoulder angle in relation to throat erosion in the late 1990’s. Their test data indicated a sharper shoulder reduces throat erosion due to the shoulder angle influencing the powder to burn in the case rather than eject raw kernels into the throat. The 17’30” shoulder of the 25-06 actually allows a higher count of abrasive and high velocity raw kernels into the throat. The 26” barrel is just two more inches of inexpensive velocity that a 25-06 can utilize better than many other cartridges.
“Kernels” of powder don’t cause erosion, heat does. If you want to avoid burning out the barrel, don’t shoot more than 3 shots at a time if you have a skinny hunting barrel. 25-06 is a great big game hunting round, and a barrel used for that purpose will last multiple lifetimes.
@@phild9813 I’m not proposing that heat isn’t part of the issue. Smokeless powder burning at 3500-4100 degrees certainly creates a harsh environment inside the barrel. Couple that with hard unburned powder kernels propelled by 60,000 cup of expanding gas and it effects barrel steel like coarse sand blown from a sandblaster on steroids. Reducing the amount of ejecta crashing against the bare steel helps retard the erosion. Case neck design contributes to containing the powder in the case until it is transformed into expanding gas rather than blowing it into the barrel where it burns less effectively. Precision Shooting published a series of articles on this somewhere between 1996 and 2000. If you have any friends that shoot benchrest they may still have copies. I don’t have the knowledge, equipment, or money the author had to provide more details, but the pictures of sectioned barrels and diagrams of powder retention were pretty convincing. Three shoot groups for thin hunting barrels makes a lot of sense as those barrels do heat up faster making them more susceptible to throat erosion. Certainly more shots make for a better sample size, but how many shots do you get in the field at a big game animal.
Have you built a Ackley 25-06? Hornady claims there PRC cartridges at 35° is optimal for powder burn and reduces throat erosion. What do you think about a 25-06 for the 35° instead of going the full 40 degree of the Ackley? The only thing I would be worried about is the chamber dimensions? If I did a 35° 25-06 I would have them match the chamber dimensions to the 25 creedmoor but for the length of the 25-06. Thank you tell me what you think and what's your experience with building one of these?
Thanks for the inspiration!!!! I just came back from the Whitehorse range where my 5 3/4 pound 24" Forbes 25-06 made a 0.320" and a 0.650" group at 3326 ft/sec with RL 17 (about max) and the 101 Grain Barnes LRX. With a bc of .400 the bullet keeps 2000fps to well over 600 yards at 3000 ft elevation. I usually limit myself to 525 yards where I hit 2252fps and 1137 ft pounds with 4.9 MOA of drop and 3.3 MOA of wind drift (10mph at 90 degrees). I am also going with a 300 yard zero. The LRX improves the wind drift, retained energy and drop figures quite a bit. 117 Hornady Whitetail factory has shot very well at 2990 fps and been death on caribou but excited to spice things up a bit. Give those LRX bullets a try... the extra bc is very helpful, though I'll test at long range and make sure it all works out as calculated.
Good stuff. I have been running Barnes 100 gr TSX in my Cooper 25-06AI, Kimber 25-06 and Ruger No. 1B 257 Robert’s for close to 20 years. Have shot several Mule Deer, Whitetail and Antelope in WY over the years. Great bullet, performed well for me from 60 yards to 350 yards.
I shot nosler in my 270 and loaned up some tsx to play around with one day at the range and I had no idea my rifle was so accurate so i used the txs that year for deer and it did not disappoint 100 yard shot and it dropped..
Shot a mule deer at 130yds with the 127 lrx in 6.5 prc this year. Bullet was doing about 2830 at impact and it was bang flop, like Guy says. Very impressive, massive trauma high shoulder shot. The other big plus for the Barnes bullets is way less meat loss! Eat right to the hole as they say.
I rebarreled my 25-06 Browning Abolt with a 26 inch Shilen 1-7 twist barrel to shoot the Berger 133's and the 121 Hammer Hunters. I am planning on doing load development after this deer season. I am currently using my old load with the 92 Hammer Hunter at 3500 fps with RL23. For the heavies, I am planning on trying H1000, Retumbo, RL26 and RL23
This is true. I think many people who have had bad experiences with copper were probably using the same formula they used for lead, like heavy bullets are better. From what I've learned, throw everything you know about sectional density and grain weight out the window for coppers. Choose whatever weight will get you at least 3000 fps mv. Weight doesn't really matter, nor does sectional density, because they're going to penetrate no matter what as long as the velocity is sufficient. They damage much less meat, and don't care if you hit scapula. In fact in my experience, they perform best when they hit bone.
Excellent video as always! I shot a cow elk broadside at 250 yards with a hand loaded 168 grain Barnes tipped TSX going 2850 at the muzzle from my 30-06. It was a double lung complete pass through with about a half dollar size exit hole. She walked about 15 yards then laid down. Couldn't have gone better. Very happy with the bullets performance. Im a big fan of solid copper bullets.
I read the article and appreciate the insight. The Barnes bullets definitely do best at the top end of velocity. They are long for caliber too, which helps keep the SD a little higher in a lighter bullet. I love them in my 7mm-08, and 30-06. My 7-mag never really shot them well. I suppose it's like a lot of things, it's either love or hate.
Excellent round. Never owned a 25/06 but I was intending to get one when I run across a good buy on a used 7mm mag Rem. 700 BDL. I bought it and have stuck with 7mm over the years. Good hunts. Thanks.
I personally use 185gr tipped and non tipped in a 338 rum. They're going 3,305 fps and they group the same right around .5"@ 100. Now I I'm using a 127lrx in a 6.5-300 rum and have it going 3,760 fps. According to the app it's still doing 3,000 @ 450-500yds and 2,150 @ 1000 w/1,389 ft/lbs @ 1000. It's shooting 5/8" @ 100yds but stillworking on it. It's been a lot of fun to reload for. It's definitely a hotrod, hoping to get 5-700 rds before a re-chamber. I'm in the process of testing the 153gr A-max in it as well. To everyone that are in their hunting seasons good luck and be safe.
I love the TSX, TTSX, and LRX. Killed around a dozen pronghorn, 4 mule deer, 10 elk with them so far. Plus many sick/injured animals for work. Only ever recovered one bullet, on a hard quartering away shot on a bull elk, ~325 yards (my farthest shot), great expansion, bullet stuck on offside hide. I’ve use these bullets in 223 (70g tsx), 6.5cm (127 lrx), 270win (130 ttsx and 150 tsx), 270wsm (140g tsx), and 30-06 (150g GMX). I have some others I haven’t tried yet but am anxious to: 168s and 150s in 308, 180s in 30-06, 62s in 223, and 110s in 300 blackout.
About those TSX bullets: the 250gr TSX in 9.3 @ 2400fps left copper all the way out the 20" barrel (using bore scope) but it was easy enough to swab out with Hoppe's # 8 on just a patch and no brush. Very accurate.
ROB WARREN love all the content on the 06s I have a few 3006 and one 2506 love both I have loaded barnes bullets in both with great success my best load for my 3006 is with 57.0 gr CFE 223 and 130 gr barnes ttsx bullet shoots 3/4 inch or better in my Tikka,I have yet to kill anything with it yet but I leave tomorrow to hunt white tail so I'll let you know.
I've had excellent results on Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, pigs and Black Bears with the 140 TTSX and IMR 7828ssc in 7mm Mag,3240fps and Excellent results on Mule deer, White tail and pigs with the 127 LRX and IMR7828 @ 2950 fps in 6.5-06 with 8 twist barrel !
Gavin I have a 25-06 that needs a new barrel. I’m playing with the idea of Ackley improving it with a 1/8 twist. It’s a left handed Ruger if you want to play with one your welcome to do it for me.
Dropped a warthog with my Brno .308 in it's tracks with Barnes 168 grain bullet through the vitals. I have also shot several Impalas and the lungs would look like liver when dressed. Will not use any other bullet on game, been using Barnes since 2005.
Another great video. Barnes is all I shoot anymore for big game hunting. All Barnes have proven the most accurate out all my rifles. I have shot TSX, TTSX, and LRX the last 3 years. I've taken 2 elk and 2 Mule deer with 6.5 Creedmoor 127 LRX. First elk 199 yards, second 249, mule deer 321 yards and 112 yards, every animal one and done. The LRX that took the elk at 249 hit scapula, rib, spine, rib, scapula, and came to rest under the far hide. Picture perfect 4 petals. All others were pass throughs. I also took 2 elk and 2 mule deer with 7mm 120 & 140 TTSX from a 7mm-08. The elk were 291 and 498 with the 140's, one and done, only the 498 was recovered on the far hide. That one is my longest harvest, 500 being my personal cap, and that bullet fully expanded with ~1,720fps impact velocity after hitting the elk in the neck just forward of the shoulder. All others were pass throughs. Barnes told me that most TTSX/TSX require 1800- 2200 fps impact velocity for full expansion and the LRX is designed for 1400-1600. All these harvests had minimal meat damage, but great terminal performance. Shoot more Barnes, you won't be disappointed!
I’ve been using the 115 tsx, in my 25-06 for quite a long time, I’ve never shot over 300 yards, but up close, they are amazing. I shoot them in a lot of calibers, from 223 to 375 for Cape Buffalo, never had a failure. I shot a 5x5 mule deer at 285 yards, with a 85 grain tsx, out of a 6-284, leaving the muzzle around 3500 fps, it was a perfect lung shot, he traveled close to a hundred yards, but the blood trail was over a foot wide. It was pretty amazing. He ended up scoring 204, and weighed in at 241, field dressed.
Greetings from just across the medicine line north of you gentlemen. A hunting partner had a B78 with the 26" barrel in a .25-06 which was very effective on Okanagan mulie bucks back in the day. He didn't use TSX/TTSX but another hunting partner used the 80gr TTSX in a .250AI and it worked very well on local mulie and whitetail bucks. Have killed local whitetail and mulie bucks with TSX/TTSX and Hornady GMX with 120gr and 130gr .264" bullets from a 6.5x55, 130gr and 140gr from a .270 and 168gr TSX from a .308 Norma. The wound channel is typically narrower and longer. Think perhaps Guy has seen photos of a couple recovered bullets we've found. We try to break bones with them. Thanks for the video and good hunting.
I have had lots of success with this cartridge and the 100gr. TTSX over the last decade. If I do my part, I can put a whitetail down from point blank to 400 yards. It's about 50/50 whether I have a passthrough or catch the projectile in the offside hide.
The ttsx bullet will expand at a little lower speed. Therefore giving you more range. LRX performs at even lower speed, making it the long range x bullet. I'm busy working up my load for a 1/10 savage tactical! 500 is farther than I would currently shoot also.
Also have a 116 in 25-06. Never thought of it having a lot of recoil. It’s my go to hunting rifle. Used it to pluck prairie dogs, deer and hogs. Love the caliber. Just can’t find components for it right now.
Ya, that's something I really like about the 25-06, it's got light recoil, good accuracy, flat trajectory and works well on game. What's not to like? :)
I have a 338-06, 26” barrel on Savage 110 action. For white tail I’ve been using a 185gr Barnes tsx, loaded over imr4320, Mag Win primer, velocities averaging 2950 f/ps. Hit deer behind shoulder & out through off side shoulder point. Deer still ran 70 yards before Somersaulting. Devastating damaging to internals. Love the tsx bullets.
I've gotten great performance/accuracy out of the TSX bullet out of my 300-win mag. My loads consist of 150 gr TSX bullets with a compressed load of Hodgen 1000. Velocity is right at 3300 at the muzzle. I used Barnes suggested load data and found the "compressed load" to group the best. I mainly hunt in the southeastern part of the USA for whitetail and wild hogs. I have taken several whitetails with this load combination but have found it somewhat "too strong" of a load for Mississippi/Georgia whitetails, hence the reason I mainly hunt with a .308 win now for whitetail. In regards to the 300 win/TSX load, an example of its "overpower" is one large doe (150 pounds) I took. At 75 yards I placed a perfect shot right behind her front shoulder: a perfect pass through out the other side. Upon skinning the deer I noticed a foul odor of gut. Come to find out that the energy from the bullet had ruptured her stomach: even though the bullet had entered and exited behind both front shoulders. Hence the reason why I mainly hunt wild hogs with it now. I don't really care about wild hog meat. I will say that when I do hunt with this round for whitetail, I now try to shoot the deer in the head or neck if possible. If it is a large buck with a nice set of antlers, I will of course take a shoulder shot. I've only recovered one bulletin from a whitetail with the round. I shot a 170-pound buck across a soybean field at approximately 300 yards. I hit the animal counter crossways from me headed away from me. The bullet hit right behind the rear rib cage and I found the bullet in his lower neck after skinning him. It was a perfect mushroom. I have no problem dropping 200-pound boar hogs with it. Never had one run-off since I started shooting this load out of the rifle. The TSX is a performer for sure; maybe a little bit "too good" of a performer sometimes... lol
I have always liked Barnes ammo, so I bought a box of 150 gr TTSX for my 308 Win when I started reloading, but I haven't tried them yet because Gordon's Reloading Tool (GRT) and book powder chargers were way off. I plan to load 5 at the lowest book charge and see what velocity I get to calibrate the GRT model.
Sell the 150s and get yourself some 130 tipped versions. You don't need grt. Use something in the ballpark of TAC or Varget and stop when you hit 3000 with a 22" barrel. You will be around 58k psi. Those bullets punch way above there wieght. Will go through a deer lengthwise. So why use the heavier versions
Hey, I just got a 9.3x62 Mauser back from getting some metalwork done, I’m in the process of finishing up the stock. Would love to see you guys give a bigger bore some TSX love!
Great idea! I've got a 375 H&H we could use for a test platform and I think Gavin has a 338 barrel sitting around here looking for something to do... :) BTW, that 9.3x62 is quite a cartridge! Enjoy.
I have 2 rifles in 25-06, one Weatherby Vanguard that my wife hunts with and I have a custom rifle with a heavy 26” Douglass barrel. I can’t wait to try a TTSX OR TSX load for them. Thanks for info
I have encouraged several folks to try the TSX and CX on hogs in .223. They and I have observed a significant difference in the terminal performance on hogs. The monolithic bullets drive deeper and break the hogs down much more effectively then the cup and core offerings.
The 25 06 is an underrated calibre for sure. I took my first ever whitetail with a 25 06. I have a Sako A7 soft touch that absolutely love. I harvested him with a 117 grain Sierra gameking from Approximately 85 yds. My gun is a traditional 1 and 10 twist and it's adequate for up to 120 grain projectiles. If I was building a custom I would go 1 and 8 that can stabilize the 136 grain offering from blackjack. With the right powder you're probably sitting at around 2900 and change. This means your reaching around 2700 ft lbs of energy. This is definitely getting the most out of the 25 06 in my opinion.
in Australia when i was young 303-25 were made your hunting,same deal a heck down army round, but i like the 25-06 i have a tricked rifle 26 inches the right twist, worked triger, good scope and a lot of practace.I feel in shoots as good a the new fancy rounds,
I've shot Barnes for 20 years. The Tsx, TTsx, and Lrx. I've got the most experience with the ttsx out of a 340 wby. Taken Antelope, deer and Elk with them in 225gr. The only animal to take a step once being hit was ironically the antelope. Everything else was bang flop. A note regarding jumping the bullets is all my rifles liked the. Jumped about 50 thousandths and driven at max velocity and pressure. All of them shot at .5 to .6 inch groups. Id like to see you guys do some comparison of the ttsx and the lrx at different distances/ impact velocities. Id like to see what their actually expansion threshold is. Great video too
had a buddy had a weatherby and an additional doe tag... shot the doe and was litterally field dressing it when he saw a decent buck too. shortest hunting season on record... about an hour and a half
I loaded some 6.5 cr for my nephew, and he is shooting .75 I have taken a dozen deer and a Texas hog with tsx and ttsx's in my 25-06 and 7 plains game in South Africa using 150 ttsx with 7mag.
Would love a 25-06 custom build with a medium heavy 26 inch barrel with a 1 in 8.75 inch rate of twist on the Remington 700 action set on an Oryx chassis... Zeiss, Burris, or Leopold optics.
Have used Barnes 120 grain TTSX handloads in my 280 rem Browning Abolt rifle. Very accurate and have taken several whitetails to date. Started handloading the Barnes 127 grain LRX bullets for my 6.5 Creed rifle last year. Plan to hunt with it this year using that load.
I'm very new to this and trying to improve my understanding, please pardon my ignorance. If you would please excuse me for asking a basic question, what is the significance of the twist rate exactly?
I can use the nosler partition bullets for anything in North America . The Sierra pro Hunter has proven many times that for deer hunting and elk hunting both in 30 caliber using the 180 grain. The partition bullets are superior on Buffalo and Moose.
I've always had a "Quarter Bore" obsession and plan to build a 1:8 25-06 AI for a 2025 Wyoming Pronghorn hunt. I already have a Remington 700 Long Range 25-06 and Winchester 70 Super Shadow 25 WSSM with 1:10 so I want to see how far/fast I can push the newer high BC bullets with the AI.
I use a 235 gr TSX in my 375 Ruger @ 2850 fps I have harvested about a dozen or so deer with this combo from point blank to about 250 yards. I recovered one bullet on a frontal slightly quartering shot that hit the right shoulder and ended just poking through the hide on the left flank. The bullet looked perfect and this combo has performed amazing. I also use 110 gr TTSX's in my 308 and handload for a buddy that i hunt with but use 130 gr TTSX's in his. Close to a dozen with these two bullets as well - they have both been excellent
I’m currently building a 25-06 with a 1 in 7 26 inch barrel on a Remington 700 bdl action. I’m building it around the Berger 133gr elite hunter bullets.
I would love to see you guys do something w the Barnes monolithic bullets in the 270 wsm or if not that the 6.8 western since from what I can tell there's not much difference in the two cartridges beyond bullet weights
I don't have a 25-06, but I do have some 53gr .224 TSX projectiles to try in Grandpa's 22-250 Remington 700. Going to get some of the 168gr 30cal TTSXs to play with in the 30-06 700 and maybe try a load for the M1.
I suspect that plenty of hunters will be using the new Hornady CX bullet this season. It replaced their GMX line. We should get some interesting feedback. I've been told by a few guys who've used the CX "You will get exits."
Build the 25-06 with an 8T. I put a used Krieger that was a 25 Super that we cut and rechambered in 25-06. It was a 9T. It is to this day a flipping accurate with both the 110 ELD X and the Speer 87 TNT. IMR 4451 FOR THE 87'S AND 110'S. THE 110'S ARE SLOW WITH 4451 BUT SHOOT SO DAMN GD. Thanks much
Would love to see .300 WSM testing. I’m working on one with both Elk and Deer loads. Would be great to see results of a heavier weight and a lighter weight, to see how they’ll perform with the respective animal. Thanks for the content gentlemen. I always enjoy hearing other’s hunting stories.
Great game bullet, but not a great long range bullet, I haven't tried the new long range bullet yet, but I've used the TTSX bullet in 25z06, 270, 30-06, 7mm STW, and 300 win mag, I've recovered several from elk, and recovered 2 from an 30-06 out of 3 in a bison my wife shot, every one but 1 was exact perfect 4 prong expansion, the one out of the Buffalo had 2 pedals broke off from heavy bone, I used to guide and I advised them for people all the time, but they just don't stabilize well on long range, but I may have to try the new ones now.
Great video as always boys! I love these hunting stories. I would love to see a Barnes TSX vs Hornady CX comparison. Unfortunately here in California we have to shoot lead free and I'd love to see more on the subject.
My has used the factory load Weatherby 127gr LRX with her 6.5 rpm 111yd shot on her first deer ever a whitetail doe and then this year shot a whitetail buck within 150yds with the Browning X-bolt 6.5PRC with the Barnes 127gr LRX. So far both firearms really like the LRX. The Browning put a 3 shotgroup at 100ys .416” group.
My dad used a Ruger M77 in .25-06 for elk. Used 120 gr. Partitions, said he used it because out to about 400 yards he just had to pull down on the animal and squeeze the trigger.
My first elk was with a 25-06 (ruger m77 mark 2) with 120 grain partitions and it worked great. Only a 60 yard shot but the 6x6 bull went down within 30 yards. My brothers first elk was also with a 25-06 but ackley improved and fast twist with the Berger hybrid at 480 yards. Still put the bull down just about like any other caliber. His gun has taken animals past 700 yards and targets at over 1000 so the cartridge is definitely capable.
I just loaded up some 168gr. 30cal. in my 30-06. Wicked accurate,we here in Wi. don't have to shoot copper yet,but I think it's coming. I cant wait to hunt with them this weekend our white tail opener. Great video as always. By the way the powder was imr 4451, really like this powder.
Have loaded Barnes in 223 55 and 62 grain but have switched over to Hammer Hunter bullets in 60 and 70 grain in my 223 which will be used in the upcoming Kansas Whitetail season. I have been working up a load with the 70-grain 3200 fps using Power Pro Varmint grouping very well at 100 yards .884 on a very windy day. 18" 1:8 twist Barrel. hammers will shed their pellets at 1800 fps and higher
For the most part I've had difficulty getting good accuracy out of the copper bullets; the gun either likes them or it don't. The one deer I shot with a 120gr copper bullet was out of my buddy's 6.5 CM. The deer was a doe at 225 yards, and it didn't take a step; even though, the shot was back about 8" from point of aim.
Love my 25-06 in the Savage 110lh tactical shoots great with anything I put in it. Had a Browning A bolt that wouldn't shoot less than a inch and a half group but would put the first shot in the same hole everytime.. BUT my favorite 25 cal is my 257STW used only for big game and so no lost game and 10 yards is the farthest Amy deer has made it. Usually they drop in their tracks. I shoot a Nosler 100gr at 3900 fps and group is around 3/8 inch for 3 shots at 100 yds.
I've had people tell me to thread my H&R 25-06 with 24 inch barrel my go to for mule deer 🦌 and Antelope pronghorn hunting out to 500 yard's. Desert 🏜️ hunting.
Using 7mm SAUM and 150gr TTSX, I have yet to take a big game with it yet but can't wait to see the results, friend of mine use them and that's what convinced me to. Really efficient bullet at close to medium ++ range
Just loaded some 85gr tsx for my buddy's 243cal. Took me about a month overall to finally decide my components. Went with IMR 4064 powder and that's all I will say for now because I'm new to the copper alloy world even though I've been reloading for about 27 years. We have yet to kill a animal with these loads yet but will report back and then share more reloading data. Would love to see and here more on the Barnes family of copper alloy bullets.
150 grain BARNES TSX dumped my mulie at 275 out of my 3006 RugerM77 Mark2, like a stone! MAJOR trauma in the cavity, blew up both lungs and dislodged the heart!! I am a believer in BARNES TSX!!
Just worked up some 168gr TTSX in .308, similar velocity at 500 yards but carrying more energy with the heavier projectile. It was the best grouping bullet in my rifle over the ELD-X, ELD-M, CX, and Sierra's. I've yet to try the ABLR, but they're in the mail 👍
I used the TSX in my 270 last year to harvest a deer at 30 yards and an elk at 430 yards (rangefinder confirmed). They didn't expand on the deer, but still did a great job and dropped him in one shot. Did great on the elk as well. Broke the shoulder and lodged in the other side ribs.
More than likely did expand. At close range occasionally they will loose there petals and have a caliber sized exit. The fact it went down is pretty telling though.
Im planning on build a 25-06A2 with a 1:8 twist. Theoretically i should keep it around 100 fps slower than the 257WBY with syandard bullets, and if i get the itch, load up to 133 gr.
I don't have a hunting story yet...I have a remington 700 BDL 270 I inherited from my uncle and I've loaded up some 110 grain TSX bullets over some IMR 4064. I haven't had a chance to shoot a deer with it yet but should within the next week. I paused to watch this specific video because of how close the bullet is you're talking about to what im using. Thanks, as always, for the great content
I built a 8 twist 25-06 with a carbon barrel at 22 inches for this season. I'm pushing the 135 berger at 2980. Made it a completely different animal!!!
I plan on a 24" barrel 25-06.
Would like a 1:8" or maybe a 1:7.5" inch barrel for it.
Any suggestions of a source for a good quality barrel and install?
@timk4502 I just did a xcaliber prefit for a rem 700. It shoots right at 3/4 moa which is plenty for hunting. There's a whole bunch of good smiths out there though, I'd get on it now if you want to have it by hunting season! Good luck and I hope it works out!
Now re-chamber it to 25-06 ACKLEY IMPROVED.
Any issues with total cartridge length on that load? I was considering swapping barrels on my Tikka to a 1:7.5 twist in order run 131 blackjacks but I’m concerned the cartridge length won’t fit in the mag.
@@timk4502 Completely unnecessary ... a 1:10 twist will stabilize everything from 75gr to 120. Anything heavier than that has no advantage in a .25/06.
My son harvested his first big game in Colorado (cow elk). We both shoot 25-06. He's sighted in with the 100 grain TSX, mine is the 115 grain. Anyhow, 411 yards quartering away, complete pass through and destroyed the off shoulder.
Excellent! Congratulations.
Did you hit bone on the opposite shoulder?
@@hikenmikes8262 complete pass through
Very underrated caliber , long time user absolute deer hammer
Asked about this Caliber 3 weeks ago. Thank you Gavin and Guy!!! definitely need a 25-06 now thanks to you Guy!
See how well we listen? 😂
@@Ultimatereloader Gotta thank your love of silencers for how well you listen!
Have been shooting these for years. They have worked great out of my 7 mag and 7mm/08 and 257 roberts
First elk hunt I used a 180g TSX in a 300 WM. About 200 yards zipped right through him. He ran a small circle then done. Awesome thing was my wife was with me about 2 miles up an beautiful mount in northern New Mexico. Great memories.
Used both the TSX and TTSX in my 243 for whitetails, and they've worked wonderfully every time.
I have my grandfather's Remington 25-06 just like the one in the video. Now I have a 4-12 leapold on it and it's taken a lot of deer. Awesome video
Excellent! I hope you get some more deer with that rifle. I enjoy using "family guns" that have been around for a couple of generations or more.
Absolutely love the 25-06. Was my first rifle and evey deer I've taken has been with a 25-06. Best groups I've got were with the factory Barnes 100g tsx.
Yes!! Neck down the 7 PRC and send it! The 25 cal is my favorite.
That is a great idea!!!!
Do it
It already exists . It’s called the 257 weatherby and it will likely still destroy a necked down 7prc
I have had 25-06 rifles since I started hunting in the 70s. Shot a acow elk at 30 yards with 120 grn partition. Had anew 25 built on a 700 action, 26 inch Shilen barrel. Could get the X bullets to group good. Have not tried the TSX. Settled on 100 grn Swift Scirroco at 3400 fps at 3/8s group at 100yds. S h oots like a laser. Very informative video. Thanks
I've been hunting with Barnes for decades. Almost all of my hunting loads are pushing Barnes bullets, 458 SOCOM, 308, 30.06, 6.8 SPC II 5.56, 22-250, 44 Magnum, 6mm Creedmoor, and .45 Smokeless Muzzleloader.
The guy from the Backfire YT channel has a serious hang up about 6.5 mm bullets only being for deer size game and under. I would love to see the 6.5x55 Swede, 6.5-284 Norma, 6.5-06 A-Square, 6.5 Remington Magnum, and the 264 Winchester Magnum taken on an elk hunt with Barnes Bullets. If limited to only two cartridges I would like to see the Swede and the Norma tested with the 127 gr LRX Barnes, the Barnes reloading manual has velocities for the Swede maxed out at 2,733 fps because of old Swedish Mauser actions(loads can be increased in modern firearm) and up to 3,000 fps in the Norma. I purposely want to show that the older 6.5 cartridges can not only get the job done, but down big game with authority. I also wanted steer clear of the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6.5 PRC, the Swede and the Norma duplicate the ballistics of CM and PRC.
Looking at building a MAUSER 98 into a 25-06 For a birthday gift for my oldest boy for hunting whitetail and mule deer.... Really nice caliber from what I've researched and using the newer components it really opens up the variety of game it can take. Very interested in the twist rate as well. Thanks for taking the time to lay out some of the options for this caliber.
You do alot of great builds and I would love to see a build that Guy spec'd out. His classic taste with your modern skill and inclination is bound to turn out something amazing
I’ve got my 25-06 built with a 1:7.5” twist. I’m doing load development with the 133 Berger Elite Hunter. First round of shooting was awesome. Seating them long.
I been playing with Barnes copper muzzleloader bullets for a while
25-06 with 115 Barnes tsx behind reloder 22. Been using that combo as my go to deer / hog rifle for two decades
If you build a 25-06 give some thought to a 26” barrel and an Ackley chamber. Precision Shooting published a series on shoulder angle in relation to throat erosion in the late 1990’s. Their test data indicated a sharper shoulder reduces throat erosion due to the shoulder angle influencing the powder to burn in the case rather than eject raw kernels into the throat. The 17’30” shoulder of the 25-06 actually allows a higher count of abrasive and high velocity raw kernels into the throat. The 26” barrel is just two more inches of inexpensive velocity that a 25-06 can utilize better than many other cartridges.
Good advice.
“Kernels” of powder don’t cause erosion, heat does. If you want to avoid burning out the barrel, don’t shoot more than 3 shots at a time if you have a skinny hunting barrel. 25-06 is a great big game hunting round, and a barrel used for that purpose will last multiple lifetimes.
@@phild9813 I’m not proposing that heat isn’t part of the issue. Smokeless powder burning at 3500-4100 degrees certainly creates a harsh environment inside the barrel. Couple that with hard unburned powder kernels propelled by 60,000 cup of expanding gas and it effects barrel steel like coarse sand blown from a sandblaster on steroids. Reducing the amount of ejecta crashing against the bare steel helps retard the erosion.
Case neck design contributes to containing the powder in the case until it is transformed into expanding gas rather than blowing it into the barrel where it burns less effectively. Precision Shooting published a series of articles on this somewhere between 1996 and 2000. If you have any friends that shoot benchrest they may still have copies. I don’t have the knowledge, equipment, or money the author had to provide more details, but the pictures of sectioned barrels and diagrams of powder retention were pretty convincing.
Three shoot groups for thin hunting barrels makes a lot of sense as those barrels do heat up faster making them more susceptible to throat erosion. Certainly more shots make for a better sample size, but how many shots do you get in the field at a big game animal.
Thats what i did and its only 50 fps slower than my ruver no.1 28 inch 257 weatherby
Have you built a Ackley 25-06? Hornady claims there PRC cartridges at 35° is optimal for powder burn and reduces throat erosion. What do you think about a 25-06 for the 35° instead of going the full 40 degree of the Ackley? The only thing I would be worried about is the chamber dimensions? If I did a 35° 25-06 I would have them match the chamber dimensions to the 25 creedmoor but for the length of the 25-06. Thank you tell me what you think and what's your experience with building one of these?
Thanks for the inspiration!!!! I just came back from the Whitehorse range where my 5 3/4 pound 24" Forbes 25-06 made a 0.320" and a 0.650" group at 3326 ft/sec with RL 17 (about max) and the 101 Grain Barnes LRX. With a bc of .400 the bullet keeps 2000fps to well over 600 yards at 3000 ft elevation. I usually limit myself to 525 yards where I hit 2252fps and 1137 ft pounds with 4.9 MOA of drop and 3.3 MOA of wind drift (10mph at 90 degrees). I am also going with a 300 yard zero. The LRX improves the wind drift, retained energy and drop figures quite a bit. 117 Hornady Whitetail factory has shot very well at 2990 fps and been death on caribou but excited to spice things up a bit. Give those LRX bullets a try... the extra bc is very helpful, though I'll test at long range and make sure it all works out as calculated.
7mm PRC necked dowm to a 27 would be awesome. The powder capacity is more than a 6.8 western, with enough mag length left to seat your bullets out.
Good stuff. I have been running Barnes 100 gr TSX in my Cooper 25-06AI, Kimber 25-06 and Ruger No. 1B 257 Robert’s for close to 20 years. Have shot several Mule Deer, Whitetail and Antelope in WY over the years. Great bullet, performed well for me from 60 yards to 350 yards.
I shot nosler in my 270 and loaned up some tsx to play around with one day at the range and I had no idea my rifle was so accurate so i used the txs that year for deer and it did not disappoint 100 yard shot and it dropped..
Congrats!
I rebarred a tikka with a heavy 1:7.5 twist 24" barrel 25-06. Using 133 bergers. Shoots good. Berger supplies loading data for it.
131 Blackjack bullet in a 25-06 AI with a 24" or 26" barrel with 1:7.5 twist seems to be the best possible .257 caliber offering.
Shot a mule deer at 130yds with the 127 lrx in 6.5 prc this year. Bullet was doing about 2830 at impact and it was bang flop, like Guy says. Very impressive, massive trauma high shoulder shot. The other big plus for the Barnes bullets is way less meat loss! Eat right to the hole as they say.
I rebarreled my 25-06 Browning Abolt with a 26 inch Shilen 1-7 twist barrel to shoot the Berger 133's and the 121 Hammer Hunters. I am planning on doing load development after this deer season. I am currently using my old load with the 92 Hammer Hunter at 3500 fps with RL23. For the heavies, I am planning on trying H1000, Retumbo, RL26 and RL23
That long barrel should produce excellent velocity. The fast twist & heavy bullets is shifting the 25-06 into a true long range proposition.
I have the same barrel, I am very pleased. I can share my experience with it if you are interested.
This is true. I think many people who have had bad experiences with copper were probably using the same formula they used for lead, like heavy bullets are better. From what I've learned, throw everything you know about sectional density and grain weight out the window for coppers. Choose whatever weight will get you at least 3000 fps mv. Weight doesn't really matter, nor does sectional density, because they're going to penetrate no matter what as long as the velocity is sufficient. They damage much less meat, and don't care if you hit scapula. In fact in my experience, they perform best when they hit bone.
Excellent video as always! I shot a cow elk broadside at 250 yards with a hand loaded 168 grain Barnes tipped TSX going 2850 at the muzzle from my 30-06. It was a double lung complete pass through with about a half dollar size exit hole. She walked about 15 yards then laid down. Couldn't have gone better. Very happy with the bullets performance. Im a big fan of solid copper bullets.
I read the article and appreciate the insight. The Barnes bullets definitely do best at the top end of velocity. They are long for caliber too, which helps keep the SD a little higher in a lighter bullet. I love them in my 7mm-08, and 30-06. My 7-mag never really shot them well. I suppose it's like a lot of things, it's either love or hate.
Sectional density is defined by weight and diameter. Nothing to do with length.
Good video on the 25-06. Awesome caliber to load for and hunt with.
Thanks! My favorite open-country deer cartridge.
Excellent round. Never owned a 25/06 but I was intending to get one when I run across a good buy on a used 7mm mag Rem. 700 BDL. I bought it and have stuck with 7mm over the years. Good hunts. Thanks.
I personally use 185gr tipped and non tipped in a 338 rum. They're going 3,305 fps and they group the same right around .5"@ 100. Now I I'm using a 127lrx in a 6.5-300 rum and have it going 3,760 fps. According to the app it's still doing 3,000 @ 450-500yds and 2,150 @ 1000 w/1,389 ft/lbs @ 1000. It's shooting 5/8" @ 100yds but stillworking on it. It's been a lot of fun to reload for. It's definitely a hotrod, hoping to get 5-700 rds before a re-chamber. I'm in the process of testing the 153gr A-max in it as well. To everyone that are in their hunting seasons good luck and be safe.
I love the TSX, TTSX, and LRX. Killed around a dozen pronghorn, 4 mule deer, 10 elk with them so far. Plus many sick/injured animals for work. Only ever recovered one bullet, on a hard quartering away shot on a bull elk, ~325 yards (my farthest shot), great expansion, bullet stuck on offside hide. I’ve use these bullets in 223 (70g tsx), 6.5cm (127 lrx), 270win (130 ttsx and 150 tsx), 270wsm (140g tsx), and 30-06 (150g GMX). I have some others I haven’t tried yet but am anxious to: 168s and 150s in 308, 180s in 30-06, 62s in 223, and 110s in 300 blackout.
About those TSX bullets: the 250gr TSX in 9.3 @ 2400fps left copper all the way out the 20" barrel (using bore scope) but it was easy enough to swab out with Hoppe's # 8 on just a patch and no brush. Very accurate.
Hnt26 with 280ai, modern meets old-school. Could be an awesome Wyoming rifle
It certainly could!
Good gun, I love mine, hunted with it for years. I love the 100 grain out to 400 MAX.......
That is exactly what that calibre is designed for and it does it well, most hunting isn’t really done any further then a few hundred meters/yards.
ROB WARREN
love all the content on the 06s I have a few 3006 and one 2506 love both I have loaded barnes bullets in both with great success my best load for my 3006 is with 57.0 gr CFE 223 and 130 gr barnes ttsx bullet shoots 3/4 inch or better in my Tikka,I have yet to kill anything with it yet but I leave tomorrow to hunt white tail so I'll let you know.
Only Barnes I've taken game with was the Barnes ttsx 35 whelen, worked incredible. The match burners run great in my 6.5cm too.
I've had excellent results on Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, pigs and Black Bears with the 140 TTSX and IMR 7828ssc in 7mm Mag,3240fps and Excellent results on Mule deer, White tail and pigs with the 127 LRX and IMR7828 @ 2950 fps in 6.5-06 with 8 twist barrel !
Ttsx bullets are used slower in the 450 bushmaster. I am stuck in a straight wall area under 1.8 case length
Gavin I have a 25-06 that needs a new barrel. I’m playing with the idea of Ackley improving it with a 1/8 twist. It’s a left handed Ruger if you want to play with one your welcome to do it for me.
Dropped a warthog with my Brno .308 in it's tracks with Barnes 168 grain bullet through the vitals. I have also shot several Impalas and the lungs would look like liver when dressed. Will not use any other bullet on game, been using Barnes since 2005.
I use Barnes LRX in my 300WSM, 270 and 25-06. I have been very impressed with the performance
Another great video. Barnes is all I shoot anymore for big game hunting. All Barnes have proven the most accurate out all my rifles. I have shot TSX, TTSX, and LRX the last 3 years. I've taken 2 elk and 2 Mule deer with 6.5 Creedmoor 127 LRX. First elk 199 yards, second 249, mule deer 321 yards and 112 yards, every animal one and done. The LRX that took the elk at 249 hit scapula, rib, spine, rib, scapula, and came to rest under the far hide. Picture perfect 4 petals. All others were pass throughs. I also took 2 elk and 2 mule deer with 7mm 120 & 140 TTSX from a 7mm-08. The elk were 291 and 498 with the 140's, one and done, only the 498 was recovered on the far hide. That one is my longest harvest, 500 being my personal cap, and that bullet fully expanded with ~1,720fps impact velocity after hitting the elk in the neck just forward of the shoulder. All others were pass throughs. Barnes told me that most TTSX/TSX require 1800- 2200 fps impact velocity for full expansion and the LRX is designed for 1400-1600. All these harvests had minimal meat damage, but great terminal performance. Shoot more Barnes, you won't be disappointed!
I’ve been using the 115 tsx, in my 25-06 for quite a long time, I’ve never shot over 300 yards, but up close, they are amazing. I shoot them in a lot of calibers, from 223 to 375 for Cape Buffalo, never had a failure. I shot a 5x5 mule deer at 285 yards, with a 85 grain tsx, out of a 6-284, leaving the muzzle around 3500 fps, it was a perfect lung shot, he traveled close to a hundred yards, but the blood trail was over a foot wide. It was pretty amazing. He ended up scoring 204, and weighed in at 241, field dressed.
That's a big buck, congrats! Amazing how well the small, light TSX & TTSX bullets work on game.
Greetings from just across the medicine line north of you gentlemen. A hunting partner had a B78 with the 26" barrel in a .25-06 which was very effective on Okanagan mulie bucks back in the day. He didn't use TSX/TTSX but another hunting partner used the 80gr TTSX in a .250AI and it worked very well on local mulie and whitetail bucks. Have killed local whitetail and mulie bucks with TSX/TTSX and Hornady GMX with 120gr and 130gr .264" bullets from a 6.5x55, 130gr and 140gr from a .270 and 168gr TSX from a .308 Norma. The wound channel is typically narrower and longer. Think perhaps Guy has seen photos of a couple recovered bullets we've found. We try to break bones with them. Thanks for the video and good hunting.
Howdy! Yes, they surely do penetrate well.
I have had lots of success with this cartridge and the 100gr. TTSX over the last decade. If I do my part, I can put a whitetail down from point blank to 400 yards. It's about 50/50 whether I have a passthrough or catch the projectile in the offside hide.
The ttsx bullet will expand at a little lower speed. Therefore giving you more range. LRX performs at even lower speed, making it the long range x bullet. I'm busy working up my load for a 1/10 savage tactical! 500 is farther than I would currently shoot also.
Also have a 116 in 25-06. Never thought of it having a lot of recoil. It’s my go to hunting rifle. Used it to pluck prairie dogs, deer and hogs. Love the caliber. Just can’t find components for it right now.
Ya, that's something I really like about the 25-06, it's got light recoil, good accuracy, flat trajectory and works well on game. What's not to like? :)
I have a 338-06, 26” barrel on Savage 110 action. For white tail I’ve been using a 185gr Barnes tsx, loaded over imr4320, Mag Win primer, velocities averaging 2950 f/ps.
Hit deer behind shoulder & out through off side shoulder point. Deer still ran 70 yards before Somersaulting. Devastating damaging to internals. Love the tsx bullets.
This bullet has given me the best sub MOA groups from my 25-06.
I've gotten great performance/accuracy out of the TSX bullet out of my 300-win mag. My loads consist of 150 gr TSX bullets with a compressed load of Hodgen 1000. Velocity is right at 3300 at the muzzle. I used Barnes suggested load data and found the "compressed load" to group the best. I mainly hunt in the southeastern part of the USA for whitetail and wild hogs. I have taken several whitetails with this load combination but have found it somewhat "too strong" of a load for Mississippi/Georgia whitetails, hence the reason I mainly hunt with a .308 win now for whitetail. In regards to the 300 win/TSX load, an example of its "overpower" is one large doe (150 pounds) I took. At 75 yards I placed a perfect shot right behind her front shoulder: a perfect pass through out the other side. Upon skinning the deer I noticed a foul odor of gut. Come to find out that the energy from the bullet had ruptured her stomach: even though the bullet had entered and exited behind both front shoulders. Hence the reason why I mainly hunt wild hogs with it now. I don't really care about wild hog meat. I will say that when I do hunt with this round for whitetail, I now try to shoot the deer in the head or neck if possible. If it is a large buck with a nice set of antlers, I will of course take a shoulder shot. I've only recovered one bulletin from a whitetail with the round. I shot a 170-pound buck across a soybean field at approximately 300 yards. I hit the animal counter crossways from me headed away from me. The bullet hit right behind the rear rib cage and I found the bullet in his lower neck after skinning him. It was a perfect mushroom. I have no problem dropping 200-pound boar hogs with it. Never had one run-off since I started shooting this load out of the rifle. The TSX is a performer for sure; maybe a little bit "too good" of a performer sometimes... lol
I have always liked Barnes ammo, so I bought a box of 150 gr TTSX for my 308 Win when I started reloading, but I haven't tried them yet because Gordon's Reloading Tool (GRT) and book powder chargers were way off. I plan to load 5 at the lowest book charge and see what velocity I get to calibrate the GRT model.
Sell the 150s and get yourself some 130 tipped versions. You don't need grt. Use something in the ballpark of TAC or Varget and stop when you hit 3000 with a 22" barrel. You will be around 58k psi. Those bullets punch way above there wieght. Will go through a deer lengthwise. So why use the heavier versions
Hey, I just got a 9.3x62 Mauser back from getting some metalwork done, I’m in the process of finishing up the stock. Would love to see you guys give a bigger bore some TSX love!
Great idea! I've got a 375 H&H we could use for a test platform and I think Gavin has a 338 barrel sitting around here looking for something to do... :) BTW, that 9.3x62 is quite a cartridge! Enjoy.
I have 2 rifles in 25-06, one Weatherby Vanguard that my wife hunts with and I have a custom rifle with a heavy 26” Douglass barrel. I can’t wait to try a TTSX OR TSX load for them. Thanks for info
I have encouraged several folks to try the TSX and CX on hogs in .223. They and I have observed a significant difference in the terminal performance on hogs. The monolithic bullets drive deeper and break the hogs down much more effectively then the cup and core offerings.
I just loaded Barnes newest the LRX. I'm going for hogs with my 6 ARC in Texas. I'm headed out on Friday. I hope they keep the date.
The 25 06 is an underrated calibre for sure. I took my first ever whitetail with a 25 06. I have a Sako A7 soft touch that absolutely love. I harvested him with a 117 grain Sierra gameking from Approximately 85 yds. My gun is a traditional 1 and 10 twist and it's adequate for up to 120 grain projectiles. If I was building a custom I would go 1 and 8 that can stabilize the 136 grain offering from blackjack. With the right powder you're probably sitting at around 2900 and change. This means your reaching around 2700 ft lbs of energy. This is definitely getting the most out of the 25 06 in my opinion.
in Australia when i was young 303-25 were made your hunting,same deal a heck down army round, but i like the 25-06 i have a tricked rifle 26 inches the right twist, worked triger, good scope and a lot of practace.I feel in shoots as good a the new fancy rounds,
I've shot Barnes for 20 years. The Tsx, TTsx, and Lrx. I've got the most experience with the ttsx out of a 340 wby. Taken Antelope, deer and Elk with them in 225gr. The only animal to take a step once being hit was ironically the antelope. Everything else was bang flop. A note regarding jumping the bullets is all my rifles liked the. Jumped about 50 thousandths and driven at max velocity and pressure. All of them shot at .5 to .6 inch groups.
Id like to see you guys do some comparison of the ttsx and the lrx at different distances/ impact velocities. Id like to see what their actually expansion threshold is. Great video too
I'm trying to work up some Barnes 175g LRX for 308. I'd love to see you work some up and how seating depth tests go. Thanks for the amazing content!
had a buddy had a weatherby and an additional doe tag... shot the doe and was litterally field dressing it when he saw a decent buck too. shortest hunting season on record... about an hour and a half
I loaded some 6.5 cr for my nephew, and he is shooting .75
I have taken a dozen deer and a Texas hog with tsx and ttsx's in my 25-06 and 7 plains game in South Africa using 150 ttsx with 7mag.
Would love a 25-06 custom build with a medium heavy 26 inch barrel with a 1 in 8.75 inch rate of twist on the Remington 700 action set on an Oryx chassis... Zeiss, Burris, or Leopold optics.
1in 8 is probably the best twist for the 25/06 and with that long neck will handle those extra long booo- lots.
When I build one will probably do 1:8!
Blackjack ace 131grain!!!!
Have used Barnes 120 grain TTSX handloads in my 280 rem Browning Abolt rifle. Very accurate and have taken several whitetails to date.
Started handloading the Barnes 127 grain LRX bullets for my 6.5 Creed rifle last year. Plan to hunt with it this year using that load.
I'm very new to this and trying to improve my understanding, please pardon my ignorance.
If you would please excuse me for asking a basic question, what is the significance of the twist rate exactly?
I can use the nosler partition bullets for anything in North America . The Sierra pro Hunter has proven many times that for deer hunting and elk hunting both in 30 caliber using the 180 grain. The partition bullets are superior on Buffalo and Moose.
I've always had a "Quarter Bore" obsession and plan to build a 1:8 25-06 AI for a 2025 Wyoming Pronghorn hunt. I already have a Remington 700 Long Range 25-06 and Winchester 70 Super Shadow 25 WSSM with 1:10 so I want to see how far/fast I can push the newer high BC bullets with the AI.
6.5-06 AI with 1in8 twist, love this round.
Built a 25-06 lilja 3G,1:8 twist, rem 700 action, magpul stock using 133g Hunter elite Berger.
That must be working very well!
I use a 235 gr TSX in my 375 Ruger @ 2850 fps I have harvested about a dozen or so deer with this combo from point blank to about 250 yards. I recovered one bullet on a frontal slightly quartering shot that hit the right shoulder and ended just poking through the hide on the left flank. The bullet looked perfect and this combo has performed amazing. I also use 110 gr TTSX's in my 308 and handload for a buddy that i hunt with but use 130 gr TTSX's in his. Close to a dozen with these two bullets as well - they have both been excellent
Good to learn of that. I've been thinking of trying the 235 grain TSX from my 375 H&H.
I’m currently building a 25-06 with a 1 in 7 26 inch barrel on a Remington 700 bdl action. I’m building it around the Berger 133gr elite hunter bullets.
Nice! That long, fast-twist barrel should handle the high BC Bergers well.
I would love to see you guys do something w the Barnes monolithic bullets in the 270 wsm or if not that the 6.8 western since from what I can tell there's not much difference in the two cartridges beyond bullet weights
I don't have a 25-06, but I do have some 53gr .224 TSX projectiles to try in Grandpa's 22-250 Remington 700. Going to get some of the 168gr 30cal TTSXs to play with in the 30-06 700 and maybe try a load for the M1.
i want to see some field reports of the new hornady GMX which is also copper. Im curious how it compares to the Barnes TSX.
I suspect that plenty of hunters will be using the new Hornady CX bullet this season. It replaced their GMX line. We should get some interesting feedback. I've been told by a few guys who've used the CX "You will get exits."
Build the 25-06 with an 8T. I put a used Krieger that was a 25 Super that we cut and rechambered in 25-06. It was a 9T. It is to this day a flipping accurate with both the 110 ELD X and the Speer 87 TNT. IMR 4451 FOR THE 87'S AND 110'S. THE 110'S ARE SLOW WITH 4451 BUT SHOOT SO DAMN GD.
Thanks much
Would love to see .300 WSM testing. I’m working on one with both Elk and Deer loads. Would be great to see results of a heavier weight and a lighter weight, to see how they’ll perform with the respective animal.
Thanks for the content gentlemen. I always enjoy hearing other’s hunting stories.
Great game bullet, but not a great long range bullet, I haven't tried the new long range bullet yet, but I've used the TTSX bullet in 25z06, 270, 30-06, 7mm STW, and 300 win mag, I've recovered several from elk, and recovered 2 from an 30-06 out of 3 in a bison my wife shot, every one but 1 was exact perfect 4 prong expansion, the one out of the Buffalo had 2 pedals broke off from heavy bone, I used to guide and I advised them for people all the time, but they just don't stabilize well on long range, but I may have to try the new ones now.
Great video as always boys! I love these hunting stories. I would love to see a Barnes TSX vs Hornady CX comparison. Unfortunately here in California we have to shoot lead free and I'd love to see more on the subject.
CX would be more comparable to the Barnes LRX, I believe. Both companies' latest entries.
GMX is probably comparable to the ttsx.
@@waynemensen4252 unfortunately the gmx isn't in production anymore I really liked it
My has used the factory load Weatherby 127gr LRX with her 6.5 rpm 111yd shot on her first deer ever a whitetail doe and then this year shot a whitetail buck within 150yds with the Browning X-bolt 6.5PRC with the Barnes 127gr LRX. So far both firearms really like the LRX. The Browning put a 3 shotgroup at 100ys .416” group.
Use 100gr in 25-06 and 165gn in 300saum. Both tsx tipped. Hits like a hammer
My dad used a Ruger M77 in .25-06 for elk. Used 120 gr. Partitions, said he used it because out to about 400 yards he just had to pull down on the animal and squeeze the trigger.
Feeling like I need to build a 25-06!
My first elk was with a 25-06 (ruger m77 mark 2) with 120 grain partitions and it worked great. Only a 60 yard shot but the 6x6 bull went down within 30 yards. My brothers first elk was also with a 25-06 but ackley improved and fast twist with the Berger hybrid at 480 yards. Still put the bull down just about like any other caliber. His gun has taken animals past 700 yards and targets at over 1000 so the cartridge is definitely capable.
I just loaded up some 168gr. 30cal. in my 30-06. Wicked accurate,we here in Wi. don't have to shoot copper yet,but I think it's coming. I cant wait to hunt with them this weekend our white tail opener. Great video as always. By the way the powder was imr 4451, really like this powder.
Have loaded Barnes in 223 55 and 62 grain but have switched over to Hammer Hunter bullets in 60 and 70 grain in my 223 which will be used in the upcoming Kansas Whitetail season. I have been working up a load with the 70-grain 3200 fps using Power Pro Varmint grouping very well at 100 yards .884 on a very windy day. 18" 1:8 twist Barrel. hammers will shed their pellets at 1800 fps and higher
For the most part I've had difficulty getting good accuracy out of the copper bullets; the gun either likes them or it don't. The one deer I shot with a 120gr copper bullet was out of my buddy's 6.5 CM. The deer was a doe at 225 yards, and it didn't take a step; even though, the shot was back about 8" from point of aim.
Love my 25-06 in the Savage 110lh tactical shoots great with anything I put in it. Had a Browning A bolt that wouldn't shoot less than a inch and a half group but would put the first shot in the same hole everytime.. BUT my favorite 25 cal is my 257STW used only for big game and so no lost game and 10 yards is the farthest Amy deer has made it. Usually they drop in their tracks. I shoot a Nosler 100gr at 3900 fps and group is around 3/8 inch for 3 shots at 100 yds.
I've had people tell me to thread my H&R 25-06 with 24 inch barrel my go to for mule deer 🦌 and Antelope pronghorn hunting out to 500 yard's. Desert 🏜️ hunting.
I would like to see info on the 115 TAC TX in 6.5 Grendel
Using 7mm SAUM and 150gr TTSX, I have yet to take a big game with it yet but can't wait to see the results, friend of mine use them and that's what convinced me to. Really efficient bullet at close to medium ++ range
Just loaded some 85gr tsx for my buddy's 243cal.
Took me about a month overall to finally decide my components.
Went with IMR 4064 powder and that's all I will say for now because I'm new to the copper alloy world even though I've been reloading for about 27 years.
We have yet to kill a animal with these loads yet but will report back and then share more reloading data.
Would love to see and here more on the Barnes family of copper alloy bullets.
150 grain BARNES TSX dumped my mulie at 275 out of my 3006 RugerM77 Mark2, like a stone! MAJOR trauma in the cavity, blew up both lungs and dislodged the heart!! I am a believer in BARNES TSX!!
Just worked up some 168gr TTSX in .308, similar velocity at 500 yards but carrying more energy with the heavier projectile. It was the best grouping bullet in my rifle over the ELD-X, ELD-M, CX, and Sierra's. I've yet to try the ABLR, but they're in the mail 👍
I used the TSX in my 270 last year to harvest a deer at 30 yards and an elk at 430 yards (rangefinder confirmed). They didn't expand on the deer, but still did a great job and dropped him in one shot. Did great on the elk as well. Broke the shoulder and lodged in the other side ribs.
More than likely did expand. At close range occasionally they will loose there petals and have a caliber sized exit. The fact it went down is pretty telling though.
Im planning on build a 25-06A2 with a 1:8 twist. Theoretically i should keep it around 100 fps slower than the 257WBY with syandard bullets, and if i get the itch, load up to 133 gr.
I don't have a hunting story yet...I have a remington 700 BDL 270 I inherited from my uncle and I've loaded up some 110 grain TSX bullets over some IMR 4064. I haven't had a chance to shoot a deer with it yet but should within the next week. I paused to watch this specific video because of how close the bullet is you're talking about to what im using. Thanks, as always, for the great content
127 grains LRX for 6.5 creedmoor or 6.5 prc or 175 grains LRX for 30-06 Thank you!
Always wanted a 25/06 do have a 25wssm that I love shoot gmx out of it and they do grate