.25-06 for hunting

SWODM3 · #1 09-20-2019, 05:28 PM

Just wondering who out there hunts with a .25-06? Two questions:
1) What have you harvested?
2) What range was it taken?

peakseeker · #2 09-20-2019, 05:41 PM

No, but alot with a .257wby. Have taken mules and whitetails from 75yds to 516yds and does it with authority! Would not hesitate to use it on moose but i have other toys for that. A 25-06 would be no different. mine loves 100gr swift scirrocco's.

Dick284 · #3 09-20-2019, 05:48 PM

I used mine lots.
All big game were harvested using 100 grain Partition’s or TSX’s except my 2007 trophy antelope, which was shot with an 85gr Ballistic Tip.
The rifle has a 25” RKS gain twist barrel, and I’m running reloads which push the 100’s out at a smidge over 3400 FPS. The 85’s are 225 FPS faster. All bullets were impact plated with Moly, and I wouldn’t expect others to get similar velocities unless the rifle had a 26” barrel or longer.

100 yds

225yds

364yds

125 yds

420 yds (85gr)

Dubious · #4 09-21-2019, 05:54 AM

25-06 it’s fine for every thing in Alberta. I’ve taken elk mule deer and whitetail at distances up to about 400m and I won’t hesitate to use it up to 500m where my personal max distance is. 100 grain loads are extremely effective on elk and are my go to loads using swift scirocco 100 gr pills. The low recoil flat trajectory performance is a beauty to shoot and now my 300wn usually sits at home in the safe. The draw back I’d it more of a Reloader's cartridge because ammo and components can be hard to find. 25-06 is under rated and over looked by most guys who just go for the more popular 270 3006 or 280 but why shoot boring old boring white bread cartridges when you can have a hot rod.

smith88 · #5 09-21-2019, 06:03 AM

My 2506 is a Stevens with a trigger upgrade but a crappy plastic stock and in RH while I am a lefty. But I still take it out more than my LH Ruger MKII 7mmRm or LH Tikka 270WSM. Great caliber, hits right where I aim it and put animals down quickly. Now if I could just find one in LH, I might be able to get rid of some other guns

or not....

harv3589 · #6 09-21-2019, 07:44 AM

I’ve taken bull moose and several deer with the 25-06 with the 115gr nosler partitions. Love using it. Would again in a heart beat.

graybeard · #7 09-21-2019, 07:52 AM

A buddy has a 25-06 and has taken both elk and deer out to 400 yards.....he shoots 100 grain TSX.....and has never recovered a TSX bullet of any caliber, when field dressing....

All complete pass through.

Jimm · #8 09-21-2019, 09:25 AM

I use a 25-06 xbolt. Love that gun, only shoot 120 grain partitions out of it, it’s my go to deer gun, would likely work on moose or elk, I just have other better options available for those.

58thecat · #9 09-21-2019, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harv3589

I’ve taken bull moose and several deer with the 25-06 with the 115gr nosler partitions. Love using it. Would again in a heart beat.

It wil kill

7magtime · #10 09-21-2019, 10:29 AM

Good thread OP. I'm looking for a future rifle for the kids to hunt with and the 25-06 is a caliber I was considering. One question-does anyone have experience on quartering shots at 300+ yards where multiple ribs or shoulder bone has to be penetrated to get to the vitals? That used to be a drawback of the smaller calibers in years past but I'm guessing that isn't as much of an issue now if using premium bullets like the Partition/Accubond/TSX etc. Thanks for any feedback....

Jimm · #11 09-21-2019, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7magtime

Good thread OP. I'm looking for a future rifle for the kids to hunt with and the 25-06 is a caliber I was considering. One question-does anyone have experience on quartering shots at 300+ yards where multiple ribs or shoulder bone has to be penetrated to get to the vitals? That used to be a drawback of the smaller calibers in years past but I'm guessing that isn't as much of an issue now if using premium bullets like the Partition/Accubond/TSX etc. Thanks for any feedback....

Left ear lying flat or straight up, tail flipped to the right or left. The bullet isn’t bouncing off if that’s what your asking. Learn the difference between a caliber and a cartridge please.

7magtime · #12 09-21-2019, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimm

Left ear lying flat or straight up, tail flipped to the right or left. The bullet isn’t bouncing off if that’s what your asking. Learn the difference between a caliber and a cartridge please.

Ummm okay, sorry for the wrong word inserted there Jimm. I should have used cartridge, thanks for the clarification. I'm just interested in first hand experience with penetration on quartering shots at longer distances, good to know "the bullet isn't bouncing off".....lol

Jimm · #13 09-21-2019, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7magtime

Ummm okay, sorry for the wrong word inserted there Jimm. I should have used cartridge, thanks for the clarification. I'm just interested in first hand experience with penetration on quartering shots at longer distances, good to know "the bullet isn't bouncing off".....lol

I’d like to say sorry didn’t mean to be a smarty pants but I did, that’s quite a list of precursors you have there. Aim for the head or the Texas heart

7magtime · #14 09-21-2019, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimm

I’d like to say sorry didn’t mean to be a smarty pants but I did, that’s quite a list of precursors you have there. Aim for the head or the Texas heart

craneop · #15 09-21-2019, 02:12 PM

great caliber for kids and deer size game

Talking moose · #16 09-21-2019, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craneop

great caliber for kids and deer size game

Police have been notified.

jayquiver · #17 09-21-2019, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talking moose

Police have been notified.

haha. That's good.

Soab · #18 09-21-2019, 09:17 PM

Shot my first deer when 12 with it, few elk and a lot more deer since then. Only rifle I use

Tronneroi · #19 09-23-2019, 08:53 AM

Wish I had a picture of my AR500 steel plate to show you the power behind that round. 100gn nosler partitions compared to 165 gn Hornady SST's out of my 30-06. The 30-06 just takes the paint off the steel, the 25-06 nearly blasts through it. Lot of power in that little round, I wouldn't hesitate to use it on most game in Alberta. Make the shot count on something bigger like a moose and it would drop no problem. Even if you're worried about the 100gn not doing the job, step up to 120gn. No Problemo

Double Dropper · #20 09-23-2019, 10:29 AM

165 grain SST Vs a 25 Cal nosler partition, and you want to compare steel penetration, I love these posts.

score · #21 09-23-2019, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talking moose

Police have been notified.

The site has always needed a "like" button.....

Dick284 · #22 09-23-2019, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

Wish I had a picture of my AR500 steel plate to show you the power behind that round. 100gn nosler partitions compared to 165 gn Hornady SST's out of my 30-06. The 30-06 just takes the paint off the steel, the 25-06 nearly blasts through it. Lot of power in that little round, I wouldn't hesitate to use it on most game in Alberta. Make the shot count on something bigger like a moose and it would drop no problem. Even if you're worried about the 100gn not doing the job, step up to 120gn. No Problemo

That’s not power, that’s penetration due to a reduced cross sectional area.

Tronneroi · #23 09-23-2019, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick284

That’s not power, that’s penetration due to a reduced cross sectional area.

Yeah, that would make more sense. Touche.

Flight01 · #24 09-23-2019, 06:35 PM

Taken a 250lb black bear at holy F range! About 15 yards on foot in tall grass as we crested a hill on a cut over at the same time ...
He sat up and I had an instinct shot as soon as I shouldered the rifle. Bang flop
Baseball sized exit out the back of his neck slightly off center

Gilly87 · #25 11-07-2019, 01:09 PM

.257 WBY is the way to go in a Mark V

Prairiekid · #26 11-07-2019, 01:17 PM

I have a Tikka in 25.06, the last three years I have been shooting Barnes 100 grain TTSX. Last year I shot 3 deer. If I total the distance that each went after the shot, it would be less than 40 yards. Farthest shot last year was 233 yards. The farthest ever was around 400 yards.

jcrayford · #27 11-07-2019, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWODM3

Just wondering who out there hunts with a .25-06? Two questions:
1) What have you harvested?
2) What range was it taken?

I have used my 25-06 for:

- 100 yard shot on 4x5 Muley, 1 hop and he was down
- 500 yard shot on Cow Moose, required a follow up shot to put her down, but she ran right towards me
- 200 yard shot on nice 4x4 WT, 2 hops and he was down
- 250 yard shot on another 4x4 Muley, didn't make it any further than 4 feet.

Can't say that I'd stop hunting with it, just trying out some different calibers now as the 25 came from my Dad. Loud as all get out (Browning X-bolt) but definitely puts animals down for a dirt nap. Shooting Hornady Superformance 117 gr SSTs out of it, really likes those ones (my wallet doesn't like the price however). I wish my other rifles made me as accurate as the 25-06 - maybe I just need more practice? That sounds like an excellent excuse to go pull a trigger....

J.

boah · #28 11-07-2019, 04:00 PM

People seem to be to pre-occupied with cartridge choice. Shot placement is way more important. Ask Bella.

Fowl91 · #29 11-07-2019, 04:09 PM

The only rifle i regret selling was a 25-06.

Used it to hunt Elk, Whitetail and a slew of coyotes. Elk and deer were between 50-200 yards. Coyotes were between 150-500 yards.

Used 85gr Ballistic tips and 115gr Partitions.

bushbug · #30 11-07-2019, 05:45 PM

I have taken everything from coyotes to grizzly with mine,will take accuracy over energy any day