Hey Remy '06,
I started out shooting the 100gr BT in my 25 when it was new. In fact I had 40 rounds loaded for two weeks before I even had the rifle. I broke the barrel in and then went to work on serious load development with it. I tweaked a load in for the 100's that shot scary tight at 200yds, with groups under 1/2" being very common.
After about three seasons here in Tx, I decided that I had enough of the 100's and their result on our deer. IF they came out at less than 100yds it literally exploded on them and out past 250 they startd to get drifty, and I couldn't count on just what the end result would be. A couple of deer dropped to the shot, several others took off like they were complete misses, only to be found later after going out to check for sure. Not that this is common for everyone as a lot of folks love this combo, I am just particular in what I like to have a bullet do do game. I prefer that I get adequate penetration from just about any angle I might be presented with. I only shoot if I can cross through the chest and at least have a chance of breaking one or both shoulders. Most of my shots with this rifle were through the neck/ shoulder junction so that it pretty much disabled everything immediately. Sort of the high shoulder shot. As such, sometimes the bullet would get through the bone and sometimes not. It was the not that had me concerned. I even gave the 100gr PT a try for a while but gave it up over the slightly heavier 115 once I got a good supply of them.
Once I switched to the 115gr PT @ 3150fps over 56.5grs of RL-22, I never looked back. You said your looking for a cheaper bullet, well I can certianly appreciate that. However, with the PT, you never have to worry about the close up shot or any penetration issue with them. My bud Tim shot a sow hog out past 200yds which was coming straight to him. He put two through the onside (left) shoulder, and they both ended up just under the hide on the right ham. This was about 3'+ of total penetration through the shoulder, and breaking the pelvis and such. The first shot broke her down pretty good but they are very resiliant critters and have a habit of keeping on their feet, especially when they have a good stream of adrenalin pumping. The second one did the finial deed, and anchored her.
I have taken deer, yotes and hogs out to 400yds+ with them as well. They shoot very well out of my rifle and as for the price, knowing that they will get-r-done when they get there more than offsets the extra price.
On a side note, I passed this particular rifle over to my daughter for her early Christmas present. Just before when checking the groups, it was all over the place. I pulled it down, bedded it, and switched up the load to the 110gr AB. Used the same powder charge as the 115's and was getting 3250 out of them and grouping right back at 1/2" at 200yds. I am not sure if she will continue with this load or refer back to the 115's as she wanted to try something a little different. However with close to 30 deer and around that many hogs and other critters combined, I never had to worry about what the intended target was going to do when I dropped the hammer using this combo.
Not that your experience will be different than a ton of happy folks out there, just thought I would pass along another perspective.
