Bullet choice for medium size Whitetail

[Inthealders]

I've never killed my winter deer with anything but 130 gr traditionally constructed (as opposed to today's premium bullets) bullet at a modest 2,700 f/s (impact velocity never under 2,500) out of my 270 Winchester. I am less tolerant of recoil and am also now preferring to practice more to maintain good shooting skills and as a result will be using the 257 Roberts this winter (and hopefully all future winters). I have worked up loads with four different, traditionally constructed, 100 grain bullets which are all launched at 2,800-2,850 ft/sec.
I am asking if anyone has any good, and especially bad, and unexplainable experiences with any of them, after having done your part with a broadside shot through ribs/lungs. Or even if you've got experiences with these at difficult angles going through bone (shoulder, scapula...) and can comment, these responses are also appreciated. The better informed I think, the more humane I can be. You can assume that ranges will reduce the velocity to no less than about 2,600 ft/sec at impact.
Thanks for your input.

Speer # 1408
Speer #1405 Hot Core
Hornady #2540 Interlock
Sierra #1620 Pro Hunter

I also have the Hornady 117 gr SST if you think this is the hands-down best choice. I just haven't worked up a load with it yet. It looks like I can safely get about 2,700 ft/sec with this one (2,500 ft/sec impact velocity)

 

[jmr40]

Deer ain't hard to kill. Any expanding bullet 100 gr or heavier impacting between about 1800 to about 2800 fps should do about the same thing. Those numbers aren't carved in stone, but generally speaking much slower and you don't get expansion, much faster and you risk overexpansion and limited penetration. But the exact numbers vary slightly depending on the manufacturer. Some of the more expensive solid copper bullets need to impact at 2000-2200 fps for good expansion. And some RN bullets designed for 30-30 class cartridges will expand at even slower speeds.

It is when you start hunting game larger than deer with smaller calibers, or if shooting at longer than normal ranges that bullet choice starts to be important. The Hornady Interlock has a solid reputation on game and usually penetrates better than average. The SST's are known as one of the faster expanding designs. But it is also much more aerodynamic and holds speeds better at longer ranges. And since it expands better at low velocity is the better long range choice.

I don't have any experience with Speer or Sierra, but bet they will work too. I'd pick the one that shot best.

 

[Captcurt]

I have probably taken 15 or so whitetails with the 130gr Speer HotCor in my old Ruger. They shot well and preformed perfectly. That said, it doesn't take a Premium bullet to take a whitetail. Just about any cup and core bullet will work as long as it goes where you aim it. After using several different calibers I have found that most medium weight for caliber bullets started around 2600-2800fps work swell.

 

[FL-NC]

I don't have a 270, I have a 6.5 CM that shoots 140's at avg. 2620 FPS with very little recoil. My "death ray" deer rifle which I have used with much success is a 243 shooting 100 grain Win power points at about 2900 FPS. I have killed more deer in NC, Tn, and Fl with that gun than all others combined, and have never even come close to not finding one. Blood trails a blind man could follow- very short blood trails.

 

[Chuck R.]

I load my .270 normally with 130's at 3170FPS, but I only use my .270 for the longer shots.

I did load a reduced recoil load in my son's M7 .260 Rem based on the Nosler 100grn BT at a sedate 2700 FPS that worked very well for him on his 1st couple whitetails. Then I gradually loaded it up to a 120 at a little over 2900. Friend of mine uses a .243Win and swears by the Sierra 100 grn at just over 2900.

As the other's said, deer aren't hard to kill, especially at moderate distances and a little patience to wait for a good presentation. As long as you're within the bullet's expansion parameters, you should do well.

 

[horsey300]

I've never killed my winter deer with anything but 130 gr traditionally constructed (as opposed to today's premium bullets) bullet at a modest 2,700 f/s (impact velocity never under 2,500) out of my 270 Winchester. I am less tolerant of recoil and am also now preferring to practice more to maintain good shooting skills and as a result will be using the 257 Roberts this winter (and hopefully all future winters). I have worked up loads with four different, traditionally constructed, 100 grain bullets which are all launched at 2,800-2,850 ft/sec.
I am asking if anyone has any good, and especially bad, and unexplainable experiences with any of them, after having done your part with a broadside shot through ribs/lungs. Or even if you've got experiences with these at difficult angles going through bone (shoulder, scapula...) and can comment, these responses are also appreciated. The better informed I think, the more humane I can be. You can assume that ranges will reduce the velocity to no less than about 2,600 ft/sec at impact.
Thanks for your input.

Speer # 1408
Speer #1405 Hot Core
Hornady #2540 Interlock
Sierra #1620 Pro Hunter

I also have the Hornady 117 gr SST if you think this is the hands-down best choice. I just haven't worked up a load with it yet. It looks like I can safely get about 2,700 ft/sec with this one (2,500 ft/sec impact velocity)

I've run pro hunters, I swear by them, tougher than you would think but still beautiful expansion at 1800fps, pseudo premium performance.

 

[brewer12345]

Whichever one shoots most accurately in your rifle. Deer aren't hard to kill.

I hear you on the recoil issue. I have been struggling with dominant shoulder issues so the number of full house 30-06 rounds I want to fire annually is a very small number and likely limited to elk hunting. As a result, I have been fooling with 350 Legend (a favorite for plenty of power within 150 yards and low recoil) and 6.5 Grendel (same idea, but for distances beyond 150 yards). Your 257 will get the job done without a fuss without having to worry too much about exact bullet choice, etc. Heck, the last 3 deer I have killed were all with a muzzleloading round ball. Make a decently placed shot and they will drop.

 

[jdsingleshot]

I shot a young whitetail last fall with an 87 gr Speer soft point from my bolt action .25-20 W. The bullet never touched anything but skin and both lungs. No expansion evidence, complete pass through. The deer was dead and down in 30 seconds and only 75 yards away.

If you let the air out of the lungs or make a leak in the heart, it makes no difference how big or how fast the bullet was going.

For those of you who want to break bones and drop the deer with a canon shot, you'll need energy.

 

[stringnut]

Have no idea how many deer we have killed with 100 grain cup and core bullets. Has to be 60 or so. Wife and I use 250 Savage often when hunting and dad used 257 Roberts the last 15 years he hunted. Velocity was 2800 to 3000 fps. These are chrongraphed speeds. Bullets used were Hornady interlock, Speer hot cor, Remington core lokt, Sierra pro hunter. Ranges were from 30 feet to a couple of hundred yards. Broadside shots always penetrated completely even hitting some fairly heavy bone. If both shoulders were hit the bullet might be under the hide on the far side. Quartering shots half the time the bullets were under the hide on the far side. Straight on ended up in the guts somewhere. You will have to find the actual depth your self! My interest in penetration only goes so far. All recovered bullets weighed between 45 and 60 grains. No blow ups or any other issues.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

If you have some Hornady 100gr Interlocks I'd treat them like GOLD! They aren't made anymore and are the best performing 100gr option for 25cal I've ever seen.

 

[stringnut]

If you have some Hornady 100gr Interlocks I'd treat them like GOLD! They aren't made anymore and are the best performing 100gr option for 25cal I've ever seen.

Don’t remember the why, but, the interlocks were the only thing I ever loaded in Dads 257 Roberts. He shot at least 20 deer with that bullet at about 2950 fps. Quite accurate . Sorry to see that bullet go. The Sierra pro hunter seems to be about the same in performance even with out the lock ring. Honestly all the bullets performed about the same. The wife used Speer hot cores for several years. A bit softer and we recovered quite a few. However if you are recovering the bullet it did its job.

 

[Golfanaticshooter]

If you have some Hornady 100gr Interlocks I'd treat them like GOLD! They aren't made anymore and are the best performing 100gr option for 25cal I've ever seen.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS, THIS, THIS!

 

[PAULREVERE]

If you have some Hornady 100gr Interlocks I'd treat them like GOLD! They aren't made anymore and are the best performing 100gr option for 25cal I've ever seen.

I guess I didnt realize how lucky I am. Im sitting on quite a few boxes that will be loaded in a 25-06 case. Cant wait to see what they do.

 

[stringnut]

I guess I didnt realize how lucky I am. Im sitting on quite a few boxes that will be loaded in a 25-06 case. Cant wait to see what they do.

Don’t get too excited. They are just a bullet! Likely will shoot pretty well. Will work well on any deer. They are not magic. Just something that does what it is supposed to do.

 

[JmacD]

I shoot a 250 savage. I’m thinking of trying the Hornady FTX. Last deer i shot with it was with a 90 gr Sierra BT. Bullet retained about 90% of its weight and stopped in the ribs on opposite side. Little-no blood trail but went about 40 feet. I’ve a friend that uses 100 gr ballistic tips. I’ve shot that out of a 25-06. Did spectacular!!

 

[citizenconn]

I load the interlocks in several different calibers and they work wonderfully for me.
But in my part of Texas the deer aren't monster sized so I like to use plain old Cor-Lokt bullets as well.

 

[horsey300]

I shoot a 250 savage. I’m thinking of trying the Hornady FTX. Last deer i shot with it was with a 90 gr Sierra BT. Bullet retained about 90% of its weight and stopped in the ribs on opposite side. Little-no blood trail but went about 40 feet. I’ve a friend that uses 100 gr ballistic tips. I’ve shot that out of a 25-06. Did spectacular!!

The bthp game king is a tougher bullet than the ftx, as are the NBT, the ftx grenades beautifully if that's what you're into

 

[JmacD]

The bthp game king is a tougher bullet than the ftx, as are the NBT, the ftx grenades beautifully if that's what you're into

Absolutely. I’ve been just trying to use what I can find! FRUSTRATING!!!! Just managed to get ahold of primers. I haven’t seen .257 anything for ages, and happened on a stash of the FTX for a shockingly cheap price.

 

[horsey300]

Absolutely. I’ve been just trying to use what I can find! FRUSTRATING!!!! Just managed to get ahold of primers. I haven’t seen .257 anything for ages, and happened on a stash of the FTX for a shockingly cheap price.

Not super cheap, but....https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010526294?pid=641852
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/88650
I'm guessing your barrel isn't fast twisted for a 133 berger......
Eta that those ftx are very likely meant for slower than .250 speeds..... just a thought of extra care to plan the detonation point.... I do like my ftx grenades but they're closer to a varmint bullet at higher speeds.

 

[JmacD]

Not super cheap, but....https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010526294?pid=641852
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/88650
I'm guessing your barrel isn't fast twisted for a 133 berger......
Eta that those ftx are very likely meant for slower than .250 speeds..... just a thought of extra care to plan the detonation point.... I do like my ftx grenades but they're closer to a varmint bullet at higher speeds.

Current barrel is 1:12ish. And 100 gr is max… but. I’m rebarrelling to 1:9. So…. Not sure whatnwe we’re getting out of the 25-06 with the 100 gr Nosler. It was SCREAMING! Sure would take out a whitetail! Shot my first buck with it…

 

[Larry in wyoming]

I shoot a 250 Savage at 3000fps and my favorite bullet was the Hornady 100gr interlock. Mainly because it was a lot cheaper than Nosler Ballistic tips and it just plain worked. I killed a lot of mule deer and antelope with that bullet. Now and days I've been stocking up on those ballistic tips again. If I see them on sale at Shooters pro shop or on a shelf somewhere I just pick up a box and hold my nose as I pay for them. They are actually more accurate than the Hornady but not enough to get me to pay the price when the Hornady was available.

Dear Hornady,
Please bring back the #25100

Love,
Larry

OH! Grafs also carries PRVI Bullets. They make a 100gr 25 cal soft point. My rifle doesn't like them but maybe yours might.

 

[Seamaster31]

I shoot the 100 grain Nosler BT Hunting bullets for whitetail in my 257 Bob. My wife likes the 110 Nosler AccuBond in her 257 Bob. The AccuBond does a better job on bones than any other bullets we have used over the years. The Noslers are the most accurate bullet for us and they take medium sized game such as deer and pronghorns well.

The Sierra Gameking has worked quite nicely also. The Pro Hunter is OK for an inexpensive bullet but there have been some jacket separations that I have seen. Some fellows like the Hornady but I think they were very average bullets, nothing special.

 

[Chuck R.]

OH! Grafs also carries PRVI Bullets. They make a 100gr 25 cal soft point. My rifle doesn't like them but maybe yours might.

I ordered a couple hundred of the PRVI .264 120 HPBTs to use for practice rounds in my .260 because they were cheap and available. I also wanted to save my 120 NBTs for hunting and the BCs are comparable. I whipped up a base load with zero development and was pretty surprised/impressed:



Of course when I saw how the group was shaping up, I screwed up the 5th shot (low right), but still under 1" at 100.

 

[JimKirk]

I use the TTSX 80 grain in my .25/06 .... 3680 fps
The TTSX 80 grain in .257 Roberts will run right at 3400 fps and recoil energy is 11 ft lbs recoil velocity is 10.1 ft/sec... 7 lbs rifle ...
This would give you a point blank range of 319 yards +/-3" with 1017 ft lbs energy at the PBR....