25-06... what do YOU use it for?

popcan

popcan

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So I was ambling through the exchange here, just killing some time. Not really looking for anything. Should have known better! :rolleyes:

Came across a nice looking stainless/pepper laminate Ruger #1 in 25-06 with a Leupold 3x9 on it, and the more I looked at it..... well, you know what happens.


Primarily a moose hunter, I have a couple of Coopers (.270, .308) and a Tikka (7mm RM) as my hunting arsenal.
What shall I do with the 25-06? Save it for varmints/coyotes, or perhaps use it on deer? What's your primary use for this calibre?





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While the 243 is at the top of the "varmit" scale and considered a varmit/deer round....really IMO that should be for the 25-06. Overbore for anything rodent, excellent coyote round, and one of the best long range deer/antelope calibers.

If you ask what is the best low recoil caliber for a young or person small in stature invariably a 243 is very popular. 25-06 is a nice, next intermediate step as it is capable on larger game at further distance. Substantial difference between a 100 gr 6mm and a 120 gr .257 pill. I have some Speer Grand Slam loads that i use for everything, great penetration and performance on big game, no grapefruit sized hole for coyotes.....a meat getter and a fur saver

My 25-06 is a Ruger M77 MkII Varmit/target. It serves the dual role of coyote/deer. Taking a 22 centerfire dogging during deer season is guaranteed to see a big buck....like leaving your umbrella in the truck when golfing.
 
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One of my favorites...Easy half inch accuracy with hand loads...The 25-06 for prairie dogs and coyotes on windy days gives explosive smacks using 85gr Ballistic Tips sizzling like a laser @ 3600fps...

Kills whitetail like lightening...And have used it on caribou, elk and moose with clean efficient results loaded up with 100gr Nosler Partitions streaking @ 3450fps...Talk about hydrostatic shock!!

Only drawback is she is a barrel burner...Alligator skin throat at around 900 rounds and resulting accuracy decline.

Some will say she is too light for the larger game but I like fast and flat...With a little thought, a well placed shot from the 25-06 kills like a bomb!!
 
My 257 Weatherby whacks deer like the hammer of Thor. At only a few hundred FPS less I'd expect the 25-06 to do pretty much the same thing. I gotta say, after witnessing what that little bullet can do at high speed I don't think I'd feel all that under gunned on a moose or elk with a high end 120 grain bullet like a Partition or Barnes TSX.
 
75 gr Vmax @3500 fps for groundhogs crows and coyotes
117 gr interlock @ 3150 fps for wolf deer caribou and black bear
These loads shoot to the exact poi at 100 yards and close enough at 200 to not worry
Never needed a second shot on any animal with it

Love the 25/06
 
I have used the 25-06 to take deer,elk,moose,black bear,coyote, etc.

I have Used it many times in that capacity with 120 gr. Nosler Partitions. I dont feel under gunned what so ever!

Bullet design is the key to this cartridge/bullet combo.
 
Lastgun said:
One of my favorites...Easy half inch accuracy with hand loads...The 25-06 for prairie dogs and coyotes on windy days gives explosive smacks using 85gr Ballistic Tips sizzling like a laser @ 3600fps...

Kills whitetail like lightening...And have used it on caribou, elk and moose with clean efficient results loaded up with 100gr Nosler Partitions streaking @ 3450fps...Talk about hydrostatic shock!!

Only drawback is she is a barrel burner...Alligator skin throat at around 900 rounds and resulting accuracy decline.

Some will say she is too light for the larger game but I like fast and flat...With a little thought, a well placed shot from the 25-06 kills like a bomb!!
Click to expand...

I'm with you, with the right loads and placement the 25-06 in excellent round. I think the OP's question should have been "What can't you do with the 25-06?" besides keep a barrel on it.
 
Had a 25-06 a few years back and got rid of it. Accurate enough but i couldn't warm up to the 25 bore, prefer the 30-06. That No 1 looks good though.
 
The 25.06 may be the ultimate all around caliber for deer, whitetail or muley, any size. Load 'em with Sierra Gameking 117s, Fusion 120s, or a list of alternatives, deer get DRT with almost boring aplomb. Fast, flat, and wickedly accurate.

If deer were the only thing on the menu, and I didn't have to think about dangerous critter encounters in these parts, a 25.06 would be my go-to rifle every time.

Your Ruger One is pretty sweet! Serious envy happening here!
 
First time I ever heard of a 25-06, or saw one, was an acquiantance getting his rifle ready for his annual moose hunt.

Apparently he had been using it, with factory ammo of some sort, for several years, to bring home his moose, and he had no complaints about it.
 
Well I just picked one up and I am doing nothing with it as far as hunting goes cause the POS won't keep 3" @ 100 mtrs with 120 Parts..............threw it in the corner in disgust after several different test racks with it and absolutely nothing shoots better than 3"..........I'll look at it again this winter, yank and clean and defoul the barrel, check the throat and likely try bedding it before I rebarrel it to a 6.5-284 or 6.5-06
 
Try a little lighter bullet? I've been hearing that 100 - 117gr partitions have been getting good results. I can't say from personal experience yet, as I haven't got my hands on the rifle yet.
 
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