Why not?
.25-06 for Elk?
- Thread starter Ar180shooter
- Start date
Why not?
Elk are big and strong animals with bigger and heavier bones then moose; which, if not hit perfectly, will take of over the next mountain range. They should not be confused with moose which react very differently. Can you shoot a elk with a 25.06? yes you can. The real question is should you? If you are willing to stalk very close, only take broadside shots, give up on any other shots and use a heavy for calbire premium bullet, then maybe ok. You could also do this with a 257 Weathbery, 257 Roberts and a 6.5x55 Swede.
The 257 bullet lacks weight and bullet diameter. It is not, in my opinion, a elk bullet. Never mind that it is a flat shooting and accurate cartridge. If you want to hunt elk, then Get a rifle chambered in a cartridge that is better suited to the game. There are many possibilities, starting with the 300 magnums, and inculding non magnums shch as the 35 Whelan.
The 257 bullet lacks weight and bullet diameter. It is not, in my opinion, a elk bullet. Never mind that it is a flat shooting and accurate cartridge. If you want to hunt elk, then Get a rifle chambered in a cartridge that is better suited to the game. There are many possibilities, starting with the 300 magnums, and inculding non magnums shch as the 35 Whelan.
bearkilr
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I agree with your post for the most part, except the part in bold, that's simply false.
As mentioned in one of my previous posts, there are many options to choose from with magnum cartridges. A respectful choice would be the 300 Weatherby ............. respect for the animal sent with velocity, energy and heavy bullet.
Yes, and 95% of hunters would never be able to shoot it effectively. Me included. My next door neighbour has one. It is in the shop right now getting a muzzle brake installed. Any respectable .30 cal will take an Elk. Provided the shooter does their part. I would say anything from a .303 British (With 180gr pills) on up. Whichever rifle the shooter can hit with consistently. For me that is a 30-06. Your mileage may vary.
what a bunch of crap!
"Elk are big and strong animals with bigger and heavier bones then moose; which, if not hit perfectly, will take of over the next mountain range. They should not be confused with moose which react very differently. Can you shoot a elk with a 25.06? yes you can. The real question is should you? If you are willing to stalk very close, only take broadside shots, give up on any other shots and use a heavy for calbire premium bullet, then maybe ok"
As mentioned in one of my previous posts, there are many options to choose from with magnum cartridges. A respectful choice would be the 300 Weatherby ............. respect for the animal sent with velocity, energy and heavy bullet."
Moose have bigger thicker bones. Elk don't run over the next ridge when they are pumping blood out of both lungs. Shot choice should never change, doesn't matter if your using a 243 or a 300 weatherby. All a bigger caliber does is give you more range = better chance at wounding. I would bet that there is more animals lost with larger calibers then with smaller, just because of the mentality that bigger is better. A gut shot elk will die a slow lingering death, even when shot with a magnum.
"Elk are big and strong animals with bigger and heavier bones then moose; which, if not hit perfectly, will take of over the next mountain range. They should not be confused with moose which react very differently. Can you shoot a elk with a 25.06? yes you can. The real question is should you? If you are willing to stalk very close, only take broadside shots, give up on any other shots and use a heavy for calbire premium bullet, then maybe ok"
As mentioned in one of my previous posts, there are many options to choose from with magnum cartridges. A respectful choice would be the 300 Weatherby ............. respect for the animal sent with velocity, energy and heavy bullet."
Moose have bigger thicker bones. Elk don't run over the next ridge when they are pumping blood out of both lungs. Shot choice should never change, doesn't matter if your using a 243 or a 300 weatherby. All a bigger caliber does is give you more range = better chance at wounding. I would bet that there is more animals lost with larger calibers then with smaller, just because of the mentality that bigger is better. A gut shot elk will die a slow lingering death, even when shot with a magnum.
I always wanted to take an elk with my 50cal muzzleloader. After reading this thread I realize a muzzleloader is insufficient against an elk and will save up for a 30mm howitzer. To me I'd use my 2506 for any animal I'd use a 3030 for. That includes moose black bear and elk. I do believe there are better choices but with a proper placed premium bullet a 2506 is very lethal
bearkilr
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So why not use the "better choice"?
I don't know about better choices. There are different choices. Some are bigger, some are smaller. If you are close enough and hit the elk in a good spot, it will die. In some hands an open sighted 30-30 at 250 yards is better then a 300 wm in a schmucks hands. Bullet placement is way more important than caliber.
Even when a griz is charging, you better put the bullet someplace where it isn't going to piss him off. And guess what, a bear charging is close enough for a 25-06 to be effective.
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- big sky country
I've never hunted elk. I'm sure the 25-06 will work but I'd lean towards something with more punch.
For me there are better choices. Some can't handle the recoil of a larger gun and are better suited to smaller calibers they can handle well. I've seen what my 2506 can do on game and have faith in it. I personaly would use a heavier slower bullet. 200gr 3006 or 250gr 35whelen but wouldn't tell someone they can't use a 2506 if they shoot it well. As for 300 yard shots. I hunt in ontario and from what I hear the elk here can be stalked quite easy so shots are often close 100 yards or less
bearkilr
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OK, you lost me. My question again; if you have what you called "better choices" available to you, why not use them instead?
tylerjwitty
CGN frequent flyer
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- Northern Ontario
just HAMMER em and see what happens ..
OK, you lost me. My question again; if you have what you called "better choices" available to you, why not use them instead?
I know this was a question for brybenn, but thought I would throw in my reasoning...
The first year I bought my 25-06 I shot 9 deer at camp with it, year two was 10, and year three was 7..Four of which made the Ontario record book...I never realy believed in a ''lucky gun'' but every time I use it I have luck..Since then I take it hunting all the time...Even though I have plenty other rifles, I have never had the luck I have with this rifle...
After the first deer season I took it North as back up rifle for late season moose..One of the guys I went with forgot his magazines for his rifle at home, and used my 7mm Mag...I ended up taking a big bull with the 25-06 shooting across a small pond...Been at it ever since...Maybe I caught the Bob Milek .25 cal bug..
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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You've got some pretty liberal limits for deer in ON ?
My reasons would include the following :
1. Confidence in the particular rifle (25/06)
2. Recoil adverse (or unfamiliar) with larger caliber
3. Resources - some of us, especially at certain stages of our life do not have access to another rifle ; or if so its a 'borrowed' option ie not as familiar and not as confident.
When I shot the moose mentioned I fit into # 3 and #1. I see no shame in it.
Its an individual thing on the recoil/confidence thing. David Petzal did a test on a number of hunters (can't remember how many, etc.) where he had a bunch of experienced hunters shoot at 100,200 & 300 yards with a 308 winchester and 300 Win. Mag. Certain individuals there was little/no difference in accuracy - a few shot better with the 300 but overwhelmingly the results were better with the 308 , especially as more shots were taken. Same concept.
A friend (now deceased) guided and outfitted in the Yukon for 10-12 years. He said his happiest moment was when the hunter got off the float plane with a beat up old 270 that he'd owned for years - one showed up with an old 257 Roberts, same story - rather than a new rifle , esp. a magnum.
Obviously that has to be within reason , I personally put the 25/06 for elk within reason. Others may not
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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My question wasn't directed at you, but whatever. When I say "use the better choice", I thought it was pretty obvious that I meant that this choice (rifle/caliber) was available, hence criteria #3 doesn't apply. In regard to your outfitter buddy, he's bang on. However, they also don't like seeing small for species calibers or bullets either. If you can handle a 25-06 with 120's, you can handle a 308 with 165's or 180's, a better choice regardless of what published data suggests.
I've shot a number of elk with different calibers, the smallest of which was a 257 Wby and 100gr. TSX. While it killed the bull, I didn't like the way the animal "reacted" to the two shots, both of which were through the lungs and found just against the hide on the exit side. I've also followed a wounded spike bull which was shot with a 25-06 and never recovered. Shot placement wasn't good, but neither was the blood trail. Perhaps with a bigger caliber, there would have been more blood to follow. Large holes allow more blood to leak out.
Big heavy bullets kill big heavy animals better than light fast ones, regardless of what's printed on paper, I've witnessed this many times. I'd rather read about hunters using a heavy slow bullet over a lighter fast one, even if the latter has higher energy figures, but it seems everyone has the "trajectory bug" these days.
Not really trying to argue with you nor stir up things .....agree with you on most points. My apologies if I answered a question I wasn't supposed . Whatever.
And I agree with you on the big heavy bullets for the most part. Not a particular fan of high velocity just because.
At the end of the day shot placement kills the best , within reason. You have your reasons for not liking this 'application' ...thats cool. I have reasons/situations where I am comfortable with it
