Oddly enough, I really like the Winchester 120 grain Positive Expanding point ammo for deer. It drops them like a STONE and does not exit (8 point buck at 100 yards, 2 does at 200 - none exited).
Here are a few posts I saved from hours of searching the net - I havent tried any of them yet, but I do have 115 bergers and Retumbo to try next. MY standard varmint round is the 87 grain Speer TNT with 58 grains of H4831SC. I'm getting 3500 FPS (not chronographed yet) and a one hole group at 200 yards with 5 shots. I am hitting life sized woodchuck targets at 600 yards with this round every time (unless I do my typical "throw one" ritual.
For over 500 yds, I use 115gr Berger VLD(BC=.522) with 57 gr N560. Chronographed to just shy of 3400fps and pressure tested(peak strain) to about 65000psi.
I bought 750 of these bullets (87 grain TNT) and loaded them for the first time last week, I went out to the range last weekend and shot several loads in my 25.06 these speer bullets shot a 3 shot group that I coverd with a Dime, the best this Remington S/S 700 has ever shot and without even working up a favorite load, the load was 58 grains H4831 CCI 250 primers and Remington brass, about 3,300 fps. Most accurate bullets I have ever shot in any of my 25.06's in 35 years!(This was the post that got me to try the Sper 87 grain TNTs, I am glad I tried it).
The 115-grain partition or its 120 grain big brother would be an excellent choice if you need deep penetration on large animals. However, my choice for the best bone-breaking and deep penetrating bullet is the 115-grain Barnes-X at 3100 fps with 55 grains of RL-22
I just recently played with some Retumbo with some 100g NBT's from my rem 700, 24" shilen barreled 25-06 and was pleasantly rewarded with 3500fps and 2" groups at 400 yards!! I am using WLR primers. You can use a WLRM or any other mag primer, just start 1g lower and work your way up.
I use to love RL-19, RL-22 or H4831 in my 25-06's, but this Retumbo is impressive! I am getting 150-200fps more velocity, without sacrificing one bit in accuracy.
WIth the 100's I am using 60.5g of Retumbo, with the 115's I am using 58.5g of Retumbo. I am using Winchester cases and WLR primers, bullets seated to touch the lands. These are upper end loads in my rifle, so definately back off a few grains.
62 grains of Hodgdon Retumbo powder and Speer 87 grain T-N-T bullets
Got out yesterday and shot a few loads at 400 yards. Wind was maybe a couple MPH from the left. Temp of 40 degrees. Shot from a bench. 3 shot groups at 400 yards. Loads were 100g NBT's, 60g, 60.5g, 61g of Retumbo, Winchester case and Winchester WLR primer. Think I will stick with 61g for 3540fps and 1 3/4" at 400 yards. Will be an awesome LR coyote and will still do the job for deer.
Hope one of these works for you.
