I've used my 25-06 with 115gr Partitions @ 3266fps (muzzle velocity) on elk and moose, longest shot was 309yrds on a bull elk, his legs collapsed as if he was pole axed. Most bull elk I've shot with it have stumbled, gone into a dead run and dropped mid stride around 50-60yrds from where hit.
Cows have either dropped or stumbled and then fallen over.
2 moose, one cow, one bull, were shot within 60yrds, both dropped nose down then ran in that position until the back half overtook the front half, thrashed a bit but never regained their feet, finishers were used on request of the guide. They were not necessary. Of the recovered bullets, those 115gr PT's retain more weight and penetrate further than the 120gr does, the partition must be higher in the jacket.
The other bullet I use in 25cal that kills better than it's weight would suggest is the 110gr Accubond, outstanding bullet penetration but does less internal damage than Partitions.
The 25 cal does a brilliant job when EVERYTHING goes RIGHT and you have HUGE confidence in it, BUT if stuff goes bad (fingers crossed) can you rely on it to pull up a wounded animal? This played on my mind in every one of those hunts and I was lucky, and confident, when it worked just right.
In the back if my mind, I'm very glad everything went right...I don't like the thought that a guide would have to finish off an animal I couldn't.
Food for thought.
Cheers.
