25-06

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buckchaser

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Ottawa
I have an opportunity to purchase a 25-06 for an attractive price, but don't have a huge amount of familiarity with the caliber.

Most of my deer hunting is at close range (under 100 meters). I'm assuming that something like a 100 grain TSX from the 25-06 would be lethal deer medicine at those ranges without excessive bloodshot meat.

I would also consider it for knocking back the local coyote population.

Anyone with experience in this caliber, please chime in.
 
The .26-06 is a nice flat shooting ctg. I've shot deer with it using the 117gr Sierra bullet. A bullet in the 115-120gr range would be best for deer. A 100gr bullet is a good choice for coyotes. Any of H4831, IMR4350 or IMR4831 work well with handloads.
 
A quality 100gr bullet like the TSX/TTSX will work just fine for deer, and even elk and moose. The 110gr Accubond is another good choice for big game.
 
A fine flat shooting round. I use mine for 300 meters and beyond. No reason not to use it at 100 meters though.
 
I have long believed that rounds like the .25-06 make excellent short range guns, AND, if you walk onto a field or cut line, you can reach way out if need be. It is just not true that a suitably scoped bolt action in a flat shooting caliber is not capable of close range hunting. Keep the barrel to 24 inches (or maybe shorter) and use a good bullet, and you will have a very fine deer hunting rifle for any conditions you encounter.
 
buckchaser said:
I have an opportunity to purchase a 25-06 for an attractive price, but don't have a huge amount of familiarity with the caliber.

Most of my deer hunting is at close range (under 100 meters). I'm assuming that something like a 100 grain TSX from the 25-06 would be lethal deer medicine at those ranges without excessive bloodshot meat.

I would also consider it for knocking back the local coyote population.

Anyone with experience in this caliber, please chime in.
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If it's a good deal, buy it. You can always throttle back the handloads to 2900 fps if you're not shooting distance.

I like 25cals for deer hunting.
 
I have a Ruger No. 1 in .25-06. I really don't need it for Eastern Ontario bush hunting but I like it anyway. 120 gr Speer spitzers at @3000 fps are deadly on whitetails. Kills without blowing up.
 
If its a good deal, buy it, you call always sell it. In terms of the calibre itself, it will make a fine deer rifle. I've had a lot of fun, and some challenges tweaking and working up loads for mine this year, but I'm very happy with it. I have wanted one for years and finally got one of the EE this spring. I am looking forward to trying it out on coyotes this fall and winter.

If only we had a rifle season for deer around here....
 
purple said:
The .26-06 is a nice flat shooting ctg. I've shot deer with it using the 117gr Sierra bullet. A bullet in the 115-120gr range would be best for deer. A 100gr bullet is a good choice for coyotes. Any of H4831, IMR4350 or IMR4831 work well with handloads.
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You honestly think that the extra 17 grains of bullet makes any difference?
 
Good cartridge for deer. Will work on moose, and elk too.
But for 100 yd use, it better be a screaming deal, because that's not where this cartridge gets its good reputation from.
Premium bullets are the ticket in the 25'06. I've killed deer using 90 gr. Barnes X's(originals)(3465fps), 100gr. Nosler Partition's(3440fps), 100gr. Barnes TSX(3435fps).
For coyotes 75gr. V-Max's(3775fps) are pretty good, but pelt damage will and does occur, especially at sub 200yd. ranges.
My rifle has a custom gain twist barrel with a final twist of 1 in 11.5", so bullets like the 115gr. Partition don't stabilize all that well.
 
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Fassteel said:
You honestly think that the extra 17 grains of bullet makes any difference?
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Probably not as long as the animal is hit properly. Same discussion with the .308 150gr vs the 165gr. The heavier bullet does have higher sectional density which means a flatter trajectory over a distance. But deer don't carry chronographs or study ballistics tables.
 
purple said:
Probably not as long as the animal is hit properly. Same discussion with the .308 150gr vs the 165gr. The heavier bullet does have higher sectional density which means a flatter trajectory over a distance. But deer don't carry chronographs or study ballistics tables.
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A higher sectional density does not necessarily mean a flatter trajectory over distance. The actual shape of the bullet has far more of an effect on the B.C. than the sectional density does. A lighter bullet can have a higher B.C. which will give it a flatter trajectory over all distances. And with modern bullet designs, section density isn't a significant fact concerning bullet performance on game animals.
 
I love mine. 75 gr Vmax 3550 fps 117 gr interlock at 3150 fps. Same poi at 100 yards. Great deer gun. It will wreck some meat but any small bullet hitting close to 3000 fps will
I've shot starlings crows groundhogs coons skunks fox coyote wolf deer and bear with mine. Never had to track an animal
It will work just fine at close range
 
I have two 25-06 rifles purchased over the last year thought about going for a 257 Wby but I already have a 270 Wby.

First is a shortened to 24" stainless fluted barreled T/C Prohunter with a black non-thumbhole Flex stock for backpacking into alpine and a 24" barreled Rem 700 XCR 11 (stainless/black finish/camo synthetic stock) haven't spent the time to work up a load for either of them yet but when I do I plan on using them for deer hunting this fall and coyotes over the winter.
 
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