Published: October 2025 | Last updated: April 2026
The 25-06 Remington started life as a wildcat – hunters and gunsmiths necking down the 30-06 Springfield case to .257 inches as early as the 1920s. Remington standardized it commercially in 1969, and the result is one of the most capable standard long-action hunting cartridges for deer and antelope. With a 100-grain bullet at 3,230 FPS, the 25-06 produces a noticeably flat trajectory, mild recoil relative to its velocity, and enough energy for clean kills on deer-sized game well past 400 yards. The .257-inch bore’s high sectional density for caliber translates to reliable penetration without the recoil of larger calibers.
The 25-06 Remington occupies a clear position in the .25-caliber lineup: more case capacity and velocity than the 257 Roberts and 250 Savage, significantly less recoil and cost than the 257 Weatherby Magnum, and a standard chamber that fits any long-action bolt-action rifle without special reamers. For western hunters who engage deer and antelope at 200-400 yards in open terrain, it covers the application completely.
This article covers external ballistics across four practical load weights plus terminal performance for five bullet types. For reloading data, see the 25-06 Remington complete guide. For comparisons, see 25-06 Remington vs 257 Roberts and 257 Weatherby Magnum vs 25-06 Remington.
Core Ballistic Parameters
| Load | MV | BC (G1) | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 gr Hornady ELD-X | 3,230 FPS | 0.395 | 2,316 ft-lbs |
| 110 gr Nosler AccuBond | 3,100 FPS | 0.418 | 2,348 ft-lbs |
| 115 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip | 3,000 FPS | 0.453 | 2,298 ft-lbs |
| 120 gr Nosler Partition | 2,990 FPS | 0.391 | 2,382 ft-lbs |
All data below uses a 100-yard zero, 1.5-inch sight height, 59°F, sea level. The 25-06 Remington is a standard hunting cartridge used primarily at North American deer and antelope hunting distances. A 100-yard zero is the practical standard for this application.
Bullet Drop (100-Yard Zero)
| Range (yards) | 100 gr ELD-X | 110 gr AccuBond | 115 gr BT | 120 gr Partition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 200 | -3.0 | -3.3 | -3.5 | -3.5 |
| 300 | -11.2 | -12.2 | -12.9 | -13.0 |
| 400 | -25.8 | -28.0 | -29.7 | -29.9 |
| 500 | -48.0 | -52.3 | -55.5 | -55.8 |
| 600 | -79.5 | -86.7 | -92.0 | -92.5 |
| 700 | -122.5 | -133.5 | -141.8 | -142.5 |
| 800 | -178.5 | -194.5 | -206.5 | -207.5 |
| 900 | -249.5 | -272.0 | -289.0 | -290.5 |
| 1,000 | -337.5 | -368.5 | -392.5 | -394.0 |
Drop in inches. Zero at 100 yards.
With a 100-yard zero, the 25-06 Remington is about 3.0-3.5 inches low at 200 yards – straightforward for an experienced hunter who holds slightly high. At 300 yards the drop is 11-13 inches depending on load, which requires deliberate holdover. At 400 yards it reaches 25-30 inches – beyond point-and-shoot territory and into dialed-turret or known-holdover range.
The difference between loads is modest at 300 yards: the 100-grain ELD-X drops 11.2 inches versus 13.0 inches for the 120-grain Partition – a 1.8-inch gap. At 400 yards that gap grows to about 4 inches, which begins to matter when estimating range. Inside 300 yards, any of these loads shoots flat enough that load selection has minimal trajectory impact; choose for terminal performance instead.
Wind Drift – 10 MPH Full-Value Crosswind
| Range (yards) | 100 gr ELD-X | 110 gr AccuBond | 115 gr BT | 120 gr Partition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 200 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.1 |
| 300 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.9 |
| 400 | 9.6 | 8.9 | 8.4 | 8.9 |
| 500 | 15.5 | 14.3 | 13.5 | 14.4 |
| 600 | 22.9 | 21.1 | 19.9 | 21.2 |
| 700 | 32.0 | 29.5 | 27.8 | 29.7 |
| 800 | 43.2 | 39.8 | 37.5 | 40.1 |
| 900 | 56.4 | 52.0 | 49.0 | 52.4 |
| 1,000 | 71.8 | 66.3 | 62.5 | 66.8 |
Drift in inches. Half-value crosswind = divide by 2.
The 115-grain Ballistic Tip produces the least wind drift of the four loads thanks to its highest BC (G1: 0.453) – 62.5 inches at 1,000 yards versus 71.8 inches for the 100-grain ELD-X. At practical deer-hunting distances the difference is smaller: at 400 yards the BT drifts 8.4 inches versus 9.6 inches for the ELD-X. In a 5 MPH half-value wind at 400 yards that is a 1.5-inch difference – inside the margin of wind estimation error for most hunters.
At 300 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind, all loads drift 4.6-5.3 inches. A 2 MPH wind-reading error moves the bullet about 1 inch at 300 yards – well within the vital zone of a deer or antelope. The 25-06 Remington is a practical wind-shooting cartridge at hunting distances. Past 500 yards where drift exceeds 13-15 inches in a 10 MPH wind, accurate wind reading becomes the dominant factor.
Velocity Retention
| Range (yards) | 100 gr ELD-X | 110 gr AccuBond | 115 gr BT | 120 gr Partition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,230 | 3,100 | 3,000 | 2,990 |
| 100 | 2,984 | 2,873 | 2,793 | 2,762 |
| 200 | 2,749 | 2,655 | 2,593 | 2,541 |
| 300 | 2,524 | 2,445 | 2,400 | 2,329 |
| 400 | 2,308 | 2,243 | 2,212 | 2,124 |
| 500 | 2,101 | 2,049 | 2,032 | 1,928 |
| 600 | 1,904 | 1,862 | 1,858 | 1,740 |
| 700 | 1,716 | 1,682 | 1,691 | 1,562 |
| 800 | 1,538 | 1,508 | 1,531 | 1,394 |
| 900 | 1,371 | 1,342 | 1,380 | 1,238 |
| 1,000 | 1,215 | 1,184 | 1,237 | 1,095 |
Velocity in FPS. Supersonic threshold approximately 1,340 FPS at sea level.
The 100-grain ELD-X and 115-grain Ballistic Tip both stay above 1,340 FPS past 1,000 yards. The 110-grain AccuBond approaches transonic around 975 yards. The 120-grain Partition crosses below 1,340 FPS between 950 and 975 yards.
For hunters shooting inside 500 yards, all loads are well above 1,800 FPS at impact – adequate velocity for reliable bullet expansion with any expanding design. At 400 yards the slowest load (120-grain Partition) still arrives at 2,124 FPS – above every expanding hunting bullet’s minimum expansion threshold.
The headline “1,000 yards” in this article’s title is technically achievable with the 100-grain ELD-X maintaining 1,215 FPS at that distance. Practically: at 1,000 yards with 71 inches of wind drift in a 10 MPH crosswind and over 337 inches of drop from a 100-yard zero, the 25-06 Remington is working at its absolute mechanical ceiling, not a practical hunting or competition range.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 100 gr ELD-X | 110 gr AccuBond | 115 gr BT | 120 gr Partition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2,316 | 2,348 | 2,298 | 2,382 |
| 100 | 1,978 | 2,014 | 1,993 | 2,031 |
| 200 | 1,678 | 1,720 | 1,719 | 1,722 |
| 300 | 1,413 | 1,459 | 1,471 | 1,447 |
| 400 | 1,184 | 1,228 | 1,251 | 1,202 |
| 500 | 981 | 1,025 | 1,054 | 990 |
| 600 | 805 | 847 | 882 | 806 |
| 700 | 653 | 691 | 729 | 650 |
| 800 | 525 | 555 | 599 | 518 |
| 900 | 418 | 440 | 486 | 408 |
| 1,000 | 328 | 343 | 390 | 320 |
Energy in ft-lbs.
The energy table defines the 25-06 Remington’s honest hunting limits. For deer (1,000 ft-lbs practical minimum), all four loads hold above that threshold to approximately 420-480 yards. The 115-grain Ballistic Tip holds longest at approximately 480 yards; the 100-grain ELD-X crosses below 1,000 ft-lbs around 420 yards.
For elk (1,500 ft-lbs threshold), all loads drop below that mark between 300 and 325 yards. The 25-06 Remington is not an elk cartridge at any responsible distance – the energy at 300 yards (1,413-1,471 ft-lbs) is borderline for elk even on clean broadside shots, with no margin for quartering angles through heavy muscle.
The original article’s energy figures for the 110-grain and 115-grain loads were copied directly from the 257 Weatherby Magnum table – a clear error, as those loads cannot produce 2,823 and 2,952 ft-lbs from the slower 25-06 case. Corrected figures appear above.
Terminal Performance Profiles
Hornady ELD-X 100 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with Heat Shield, tapered copper jacket designed for controlled expansion from 1,600 to 3,000+ FPS. At 25-06 muzzle velocity of 3,230 FPS the bullet is at the top of its designed velocity range at the muzzle.
Terminal behavior: Expands to 0.50-0.58 inches with 90-95% weight retention. At 3,230 FPS close-range impact, expansion is rapid but controlled – the ELD-X is designed for this velocity level. Penetration in deer-sized tissue: 16-20 inches. At 400 yards where impact velocity drops to 2,308 FPS, expansion is more controlled with slightly deeper penetration.
Hunting application: The best all-range 25-06 Remington hunting load for deer. The ELD-X’s wide expansion velocity window handles both close 50-yard timber shots and 400-yard open-country shots reliably. Practical range on deer: 425-450 yards. Not recommended for elk at any distance.
More details: Hornady ELD-X bullet profile
Nosler AccuBond 110 gr
Construction: Bonded core with polymer tip. The electrochemical bonding prevents core-jacket separation under high-velocity impact – important at 25-06’s 3,100 FPS muzzle velocity where unbonded bullets can fail at close range.
Terminal behavior: Expands to 0.50-0.58 inches with 65-72% weight retention. Penetration in deer-sized tissue: 18-22 inches. The bonded construction handles close-range 3,100 FPS impacts more reliably than cup-and-core designs, making it the appropriate choice for brush hunting or any shot where range is uncertain.
Hunting application: The practical choice for hunters who want a single 25-06 load that performs reliably from 50-yard brush encounters to 400-yard open shots. The AccuBond’s bonded construction is more forgiving of shot angles than the Ballistic Tip and more available than the ELD-X in many areas. Practical range on deer: 425 yards. Adequate for hogs with broadside shots inside 300 yards.
More details: Nosler AccuBond bullet profile
Nosler Ballistic Tip 115 gr
Construction: Polymer tip initiates rapid expansion, tapered copper jacket, boat-tail base. The highest BC of the common 25-06 loads.
Terminal behavior: Expands rapidly to 0.52-0.62 inches. At 3,000 FPS close-range impacts, the Ballistic Tip can fragment in the first 8-12 inches of tissue, which limits penetration. At 250+ yards where velocity drops below 2,700 FPS, expansion is more controlled with 14-18 inches of penetration. The flat trajectory and high BC make this the flattest-shooting and best wind-bucking 25-06 load.
Hunting application: Best for deer and antelope at 200-425 yards in open terrain. Avoid use inside 150 yards on deer where close-range impact velocity can cause premature fragmentation before the bullet reaches the vitals – use the AccuBond or ELD-X for close-range hunting. The Ballistic Tip’s BC advantage produces about 1 inch less wind drift than the AccuBond at 400 yards and 3 inches less at 600 yards.
More details: Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet profile
Nosler Partition 120 gr
Construction: Dual-core partitioned design. Front core expands rapidly; the partition retains the rear core for guaranteed minimum penetration regardless of impact angle or velocity.
Terminal behavior: Front core mushrooms to 0.50-0.58 inches in the first 5-7 inches of tissue. The partition retains the rear core, which adds 12-15 more inches of penetration. Total penetration in deer-sized tissue: 18-22 inches. Weight retention 65-72%. The Partition exits on most deer broadside shots.
Hunting application: The appropriate 25-06 Remington load for larger deer, mule deer bucks, and any shot angle that may require penetration through heavy bone or muscle before reaching the vitals. The Partition’s velocity-insensitive design handles both close-range and extended-range shots equally well. It is the slowest of the four loads (2,990 FPS) but the most reliable on non-ideal shot angles. Practical range on deer: 400 yards.
More details: Nosler Partition bullet profile
Sierra GameKing 117 gr
Construction: Soft point boat-tail with tapered jacket. The heavier weight produces the highest sectional density of the common 25-06 loads (SD 0.253), which translates to reliable penetration on deer-sized game.
Terminal behavior: Expands moderately to 0.46-0.54 inches with 70-80% weight retention. Penetration in deer-sized tissue: 16-20 inches. The GameKing is designed for controlled expansion rather than rapid mushrooming – it will not produce the large immediate wound channel of the Ballistic Tip but provides reliable penetration to the vitals from any reasonable shot angle.
Hunting application: A practical handloading choice for 25-06 deer hunters who want the highest sectional density in standard bullet weights. The 117-grain GameKing’s SD of 0.253 is the best penetration potential of the standard 25-06 lineup – relevant for mule deer and western deer species where shots through heavy shoulder quarters are possible. Available in both boat-tail and flat-base configurations; the boat-tail is preferable for its BC advantage at distance. Practical range: 375-400 yards on deer.
More details: Sierra GameKing bullet profile
Practical Range Recommendations
Deer – 420-450 yards maximum with the 100-grain ELD-X, 110-grain AccuBond, or 115-grain Ballistic Tip. At 400 yards, energy is 1,184-1,251 ft-lbs – adequate for deer on clean broadside or quartering-away shots. In field conditions with estimated range and variable wind, a 350-yard self-imposed limit is appropriate for most hunters. Beyond 400 yards, the 25-06 requires known distance, wind compensation, and precise shot placement.
Antelope – 450 yards with any of the loads above. Antelope’s smaller vital zone (approximately 7-8 inches) and typically open terrain make range confirmation more critical than on deer. The 115-grain Ballistic Tip’s flat trajectory and wind resistance make it the preferred choice for pronghorn hunting where shots commonly reach 300-400 yards. At those distances the 25-06 performs excellently on antelope.
Elk – the 25-06 Remington is not an appropriate elk cartridge. Energy drops below the 1,500 ft-lbs elk threshold at 300-325 yards with all loads, and the 25-caliber bore’s bullet weights lack the mass for reliable deep penetration on bull elk from quartering angles. For 25-caliber elk hunting, step up to the 257 Weatherby Magnum at minimum. For most elk hunters, a larger bore is the more responsible choice.
Varmints and predators – with 87-grain or 90-grain varmint bullets (V-MAX, Ballistic Tip) at 3,400+ FPS, the 25-06 Remington is an excellent 500-yard varmint cartridge with a relatively mild report and flat trajectory. The heavier hunting bullets listed here are appropriate for coyotes but overkill for smaller varmints where fragmentation matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 25-06 Remington compare to the 270 Winchester for deer? The 270 Winchester uses a larger .277-inch bore with bullet weights of 130-150 grains, producing 2,850-3,060 FPS and muzzle energy of 2,700-3,000 ft-lbs – meaningfully more energy than the 25-06’s 2,298-2,382 ft-lbs. At 400 yards the 270 Winchester holds approximately 1,500-1,700 ft-lbs versus the 25-06’s 1,184-1,251 ft-lbs. The 270 Winchester is a more capable elk cartridge and carries more energy margin on large deer. The 25-06 Remington produces notably less recoil (approximately 14-16 ft-lbs versus 18-20 ft-lbs for the 270) and shoots flatter with the lighter 100-grain load. For deer inside 400 yards, both are adequate; for elk or for the most capable deer cartridge without concern for recoil, the 270 Winchester is the better choice. See 270 Winchester complete guide for full analysis.
Is the 25-06 Remington good for elk? No, not at any practical hunting distance. Energy drops below the 1,500 ft-lbs elk threshold at 300-325 yards across all loads, and the .257-inch bore’s bullet weights (100-120 grain) lack the sectional density for reliable deep penetration on bull elk from anything other than a perfect broadside lung shot. Hunters who want a 25-caliber elk cartridge should consider the 257 Weatherby Magnum. Most experienced hunters recommend stepping up to at least a 270 Winchester, 280 Remington, or 30-06 Springfield class for elk.
What is the maximum point-blank range of the 25-06 Remington? With a 100-yard zero and a 6-inch vital zone target (conservative for deer), the 25-06 Remington 100-grain ELD-X stays within ±3 inches of point of aim from muzzle to approximately 270-280 yards. That means a center hold on a deer’s vital zone produces a hit from 0 to roughly 275 yards without holdover adjustment. At 300 yards the bullet is about 11 inches low – requiring holdover or a dialed correction.
What powders work best in the 25-06 Remington? The 25-06 Remington’s 30-06 parent case with a medium-capacity neck delivers best results with medium-slow to slow powders: Hodgdon H4350 and H4831SC are the traditional standards with the most published data. Alliant Reloder 19 and Reloder 22 produce competitive velocity with good consistency. IMR 4831 and IMR 4350 are the classic choices. See the 25-06 Remington complete guide for full reloading data.
How does the 25-06 Remington perform at altitude? At 6,000-8,000 feet elevation common in western mule deer and antelope country, air density drops enough to extend the 25-06’s trajectory advantage. Drop at 400 yards decreases by approximately 1-1.5 inches and wind drift decreases proportionally. Velocity is slightly higher than at sea level due to reduced air resistance. For hunters who specifically use the 25-06 in open western terrain at elevation, the cartridge performs better than sea-level data suggests.
Can the 25-06 Remington handle deer-sized game in thick brush? Yes, within limits. The 110-grain AccuBond or 120-grain Partition handles brush hunting better than the Ballistic Tip because their bonded or partitioned construction is less likely to deflect or fail on light brush contact. However, no 25-caliber cartridge provides the brush-bucking reliability of a heavier-bore round with a high-SD bullet. Inside 150 yards in heavy cover, a 30-06 Springfield or 308 Winchester provides more margin. The 25-06 is optimized for open-country work, not timber hunting.
Editorial note: This article was originally published in October 2025 and revised in April 2026. The revision corrected the zero to 100 yards per site standard for standard hunting cartridges, recalculated all drop and wind drift tables for 100-yard zero with accurate load-specific data, corrected the energy table (the original showed 110-grain and 115-grain energy values copied directly from the 257 Weatherby Magnum table – impossible at 25-06 velocities; correct values calculated using actual 25-06 muzzle velocities), added a velocity retention table with transonic analysis, rewrote all five terminal profiles with specific mushroom diameter and penetration data, clarified the close-range bullet selection issue with the Ballistic Tip at high impact velocities, added clear elk limitation guidance, replaced the Barnes TTSX profile with Sierra GameKing as a more commonly used 25-06 hunting bullet, and added FAQ section.
