25-06: tell me about your game taken

H

Hodaka

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
29   0   0
Location
Nelson, BC
Im looking at replacing my Marlin 1894c with a "real" hunting rifle, and have fallen in love with the low recoil afforded with 180gr .357's. I was going to jump on the .270 train, but have been thinking lower recoil might be nice to keep. I am only hesitating because I went out elk hunting this year (didn't get one) and felt under-gunned as it was - don't want to limit myself again.
 
Moose and mule deer. I tease my dad about wanting his for an early christmas present every time he brings his out. It's a really flat shooting and accurate round. I think it's on the light end for elk if you need to take any longer shots, or don't hit your mark as well as you'd like, but I wouldn't let anyone tell you it won't work for most situations. The biggest drawback I've found is it's kinda hard to find a decent selection of rounds for it (I think the heaviest I've seen was 120-125grain). I like it but I think a 30-06 would be a better choice if you want a bit more flexibility with the heavier game.
 
Most of the spots around here are 200yrd max. We have a lot of thick brush here, and the terrain leads to shorter shots. I knew going out with the .357 that I would need to keep under 75 for an elk shot (cow/calf draw), but want to be comformable out to at least 200 for the bigger animals.
 
I have taken 6 moose, and over 20 deer since I started using a 25-06....None have gone further than 50yds from where they were hit...Works like a charm.
 
Vapourizes groundhogs. Cuts oppossums in half ripped coons to shreds. Lays out coyotes like the hand of god all with 90gr positive expanding and I used mine loaded with 120gr positive expanding to drop about a 300lb black bear in her tracks. No exit on the bear tho. The bullet completely disintegrated but left a 5" wound channel thru the ribs and decimated both lungs. Great round I love it but for elk and moose I'd step up to a bigger gun personally but with ttsx bullets and partitions I'm sure the 25 will drop elk if hit right
 
With the Barnes TSX or TTSX or any other premium bullet you'll have no troubles with elk using the 25-06. My go to rifle is my Ruger tang safety in 257 Roberts with 100gr Barnes TTSX. That includes moose, elk, deer and bear. A friend of mine in Northern Alberta uses his 25-06 for his (as well as his wife) elk and moose every year.
 
I don't like mouse guns for big game, but I concede that modern bullets have been a game changer. A pal of mine who definitely belongs to the faster is better school of thought, has taken moose with the .25/06 loaded with 100 gr TSXs and considers the cartridge excellent for the game most often encountered here, moose, caribou, wolves, and seals.
 
I have used 120 grain partitions for many big game animals, including some big bull moose & elk. From 10 yards to 525yards( I was stretching the cart a little there).
It worked flawlessly.
I wouldnt hesitate to reccomend it.
 
mule deer, moose, elk, black bears, coyotes, wolves

Placement, Placement, Placement

If you're looking for lighter recoil and heavier pills at least look at the 284-08
 
Works really well on deer and wolves/coyote and although I use a bigger gun when I go moose and elk hunting mostly because I hunt in some open country where long shots are common I would not hesitate to use it on elk and moose within 150-200 yards. As others have said already, bullet placement is the key whether you're using a 25-06 or a 30-06.
 
As much as I like the 25cals, I'd opt for something bigger for elk or moose.

270Win would be my minimum for a rifle designated for heavier game than deer.


.
 
I'm with Boomer and SuperCub. I'm a big fan for the quarter-bore, have two in the safe at present, but they are not true big game rifles. Yes, I have absolutely no doubt they'd kill even bison placed right, but doesn't mean it's the best idea. For anything above deer I view .30-06 as the starting point.

Don't make the mistake of thinking recoil in a .270 or .30-06 is a strong, it is on the contrary quite light and comfortable to any shooter with even moderate experience. My 110lb wife shoots my .375 H&H, and a .30-06 is a pussycat in comparison, it's all relative. You'll find a .30-06 much more versatile than a .25-06 as well, unless you're principally a varmint hunter, but doesn't sound like it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom