25-06 A dead Calibur ?

PPresz

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I had a gun smith recently respond to a question about 25-06 cal. by saying ...Good load but definately dead.
It took me a bit by surprise because I know most manufacturers still offer it as an option when buing a new gun.
I'd be interested in what members have to say, including their experience with the load in hunting situations.

Thx
 
I recently picked up a 25-06.
Great caliber - shoots flat. I like it!
Hope to tip over a deer with it this year.
 
Not so much a dead caliber as a dead bore. The 270 almost as flat shooting with 160 projectile possible, max projectile of 120gr. Great antelope and long range deer round, with a side of coyote. Caught between a 6mm and a 7mm, so the red headed step child bore.

Mine is a M77 MkII varmit/target. A very accurate rifle, and a low recoiling choice for a youth or woman.
 
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Don't forget it's very close to the 6.5mm/264cal Which is far more popular for Europeans and precision target rifles.

Nothing wrong with the 25-06, and it's certainly not dead - I've seen ammo for it in Wal-Mart - but i can't help but feel like it's outclassed on either end of the spectrum. A 243 win or 260 Remington provide a shorter action for a light weight mountain rifle, while the 270 has that next step up in bullet weights...
 
My .25 is my go to deer rifle; though heavier then my X Bolt (.30-06) it's a better shooter at extended ranges (M77 Hawkeye, with their cast receiver) The only thing dead about it is deer...
 
25-06 is still one of my favorites...The last time it barked it rolled a straight away running coyote between the ears at over 500 paces...85gr Ballistic Tip over 59gr of IMR4831...Vicious!
 
Consider finding a new gunsmith. I have an old Parker Hale 25-06 & it's still a great gun. If you want to shoot coyote....I use 75 gr. hollow pt. & get 3590 fps at the muzzle, & have shot them at 400 yds. For a deer round, I like 115gr loads, & they exit the muzzle at 3078 fps. You can step it up with 120gr rounds if Moose is on the menu. Versatile? yes....Accurate? yes......Dead? NO. The Only drawback is the lack of selection in Factory ammo. For Varmint, using 65 or 75 gr ammo, you have to load them yourself, not a really bad thing. A good shooter friend tried mine for a day..........he bought one too. By the way, from a bench rest, at 200 yds., using 115 gr. rounds, shot 5 rounds, Four IN the 1 inch bullseye, & One on the edge of the Bull...........that's no bull.
 
Not dead. Had mine out this morning looking for coyotes. The 6.5's are getting more attention lately, but the ballistics are very similar. I shoot the Hornady 75gr hollow point at 3,550 fps, nice flat shooting load.
 
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This is from 4 days ago. The coyote is dead but the 25-06 I used to shoot it sure isn't. 225 yards on the run.
 
I will be like the .280 Rem that I have it will die out.For the .280 reloading is the only option on the East Coast if you can find the Brass.Just my view.

The 280 never really caught on due to the popularity of the 270 and the poor marketing of the 280. The 25-06 is different enough to have a slightly more unique purpose/use like long range coyote/deer/antelope hunting.
 
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