.25-06 opinions

[njc110381]

I fairly recently swapped my 6.5x55 for a .25-06. Not because there was anything wrong with the Swede, in fact it's very good, but I wanted a change. So far I've been very pleased with it. Rich at Yew Tree agreed to develop a copper bullet for it and that's shooting well. There are other options too but I've found the performance of the Yew Tree bullets to be spot on.

I'd go for it, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Dickie]

I had a Remington Sendero in .25-06 many years ago, I used it on Reds, Roe, Sika and fox all fell over without any doubt.
I only got rid of it because it was a lump to carry about with a 26" barrel and a T8 on the end (early days of mods). Getting ammo if you don't reload can be an issue. 110 grn Nosler worked well in non factory and Winchester 120 grn factory which were very cheap at the time.

 

[Norway]

Currently bullet manufacturers are selling EVERY bullet they are able to make, they have a backlog and huge defence contracts will put further strain on supply.

For that reason alone I would stear clear of anything 25 cal or unusual brass.
I doubt the factories will re-tool a production line to spit out a batch when there's a lot more money in letting it run as-is and supply current demand.

22/ 6.5/30 seems to be safest bets both in terms of cost and availability.

 

[JH83]

I have had 25cals for at least 30 years and find the calibre suitable for a wide range of quarry. I had different makes of 25-06 and personally found the Remington to be the nicest shooting rifle of them all BUT being forced to shoot left handed (I lost my right eye in an accident) I found a problem with quick second shots as the bolt on my righthanded rifles often left me with a bloody nose.

I like trying different cals and chose to see how the 25WSSM shot. I find it marginally better than the 25-06 and best of all the short throw never reaches my nose when taking a quick 2nd shot. I load my own ammo but never to absolute max velocity so it isn't a barrel burner and does shoot accurately more easily than the 25-06 AND with seemingly less recoil.

The only other comment worth passing on is have a think about the 325WSM. I bought a Montana Rifleman barrelled action from the US and after many years use find it the best rifle I have ever had. It is fairly easy to load good, pretty accurate ammo and will normally hold around 1" on all bullet weights from 110gr up to 220gr - and 220 is more than enough for a grizzly ! Best of all with my own porting the recoil is so low you can see the bullet strike whatever the velocity or bullet weight which is fantastic for long range fox shots in case a 2nd is needed quickly.

If you can visit Lincolnshire come and have a go with the 25WSSM and the 325WSM for yourself.

If he’s looking primarily at a 25-06 I suspect grizzlies are firmly off the agenda.

 

[NullMac]

Are you going to go with one ??

 

[243 fallow]

Get the swede. Way better for so
Many reasons
S

What reasons ?

 

[243 fallow]

in reality most deer calibres perform very similar at 300 or so as regards " flat shooting " many of them burn less powder making them easier to moderate and kinder on barrels and your pocket .
if you want one get one but get used to not finding components and factory ammo as easy
if i was keen on getting the longer action size i think it would be a no brainer for me to get a 270 any foxes would not know the difference as both will put the majority of their energy into the ground i guess

Whilst you maybe right regarding factory ammunition for the 2506 reloading components are readily available, a lot gunshops these days don’t hold much in the way of different calibre ammo.

 

[243 fallow]

Get the swede. Way better for so
Many reasons
S

What are the reasons ?

 

[243 fallow]

75grn, 87grn, 90grn, 100grn, 110grn, 117grn, 120grn,what more do you need for all UK deer species ? 75grn bullets can run up to 3700fps right up to 120grn running up to 3000fps,

 

[sh1kar]

Ammunition availability and variety of bullets
Will handle larger bullets and probably more copper proof
Consequently better BC and Higher SD
More reliable dropper of large game giving option of using outside UK
Probably a better performer for long range target shooting
25-06 still fast at 100m and greater potential for meat damage
Swede probably longer barrel life

S

 

[JockStalk]

Ammunition availability and variety of bullets
Will handle larger bullets and probably more copper proof
Consequently better BC and Higher SD
More reliable dropper of large game giving option of using outside UK
Probably a better performer for long range target shooting
25-06 still fast at 100m and greater potential for meat damage
Swede probably longer barrel life

S

“Other opinions are available”

 

[sharper]

So just to touch on this and throw another spanner in the works ...if I do opt for the .25-06 can someone please confirm that I will be okay/safe going for a 20/22” barrel !? I’v read a few different things saying the .25-06 is best with a barrel of at least 24” and anything less is pointless. Surely that’s not the case or the manufacturers wouldn’t offer them in 20” !? Am I right in thinking the .25-06 prefers slowing burning powder and do not/will not reach the stated velocities with a 20” barrel ? I mean, even if you reload for it, and have a 20” barrel, and manage to “only” achieve 3000fps that’s more than enough with a 100/115gr round surely ? Of course this is given that accuracy and so on is good...will accuracy still be okay with a 20” barrel or does the shorter barrel affect that as well ? Reason I’m asking is I might have found one in left hand...but it has a 20” barrel, it’s brand new never used so I’m assuming the 20” barrel will be fine !? But everything I seem to read says 24/26 barrel only on the .25-06 I’m just hoping plenty of opinions arguing this will come along !!! Please tell me the 20” barrel is fine

 

[.25-06]

It'll still go bang with a short barrel. In fact short barrel, no mod. Can be fun at night with the 4ft flame.

 

[Feugh]

I've had a 25-06 (Sako 75) for about 8 years. It was the first rifle that I owned and the only centrefire that I've ever used for deer, so my opinion should be taken with a degree of caution. However, I have never found any problems with the caliber and I don't think that the previous owner of the rifle did either. If the bullet is put in the right place the animal has always gone down quickly. Recoil is light and it's just a nice round to use. I always take note of what keepers use and on several Scottish estates which I've visited the keepers have had a 25-06. I've always used Federal Premium 117gn in it, which I haven't had any problem acquiring. I get ~100 at a time and that keeps me going for a while. The rifle works, it's pleasant to use - why change it?
However, I am considering getting something that can handle a larger bullet because of the possibility of a lead ban. From what I've seen the maximum weight for a copper 25-06 bullet is 100gn, which is the legal minimum for reds here. I'd rather have something that can go heavier if needs be - a 270 or 30-06 possibly.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Its no more or less effective than any other deer legal calibre.
Personally I am not sure what problem it solves.
Limited bullet weight range.
Doesn’t really do anything a .270 doesn’t do.
Fewer bullet, ammo and component options.
Fewer factory rifle options

 

[Bowland blades]

Whilst you maybe right regarding factory ammunition for the 2506 reloading components are readily available, a lot gunshops these days don’t hold much in the way of different calibre ammo.

So it's tough if you end up being invited onto a factory ammo only bit of ground or you run out or leave your ammo at home on a trip .
On thecother hand the more popular calibre bullets go out of stock the fastest I suppose

 

[sharper]

Its no more or less effective than any other deer legal calibre.
Personally I am not sure what problem it solves.
Limited bullet weight range.
Doesn’t really do anything a .270 doesn’t do.
Fewer bullet, ammo and component options.
Fewer factory rifle options

I understand your points completely but fewer factory rifle options doesn’t bother me as I only want one and that’s the Sako 85...which won’t be available to me as a lefty in .270 for perhaps up to 3 years ! I can’t afford to wait that long...otherwise I would have gone .270...

 

[ryanmachen]

i have a T3 25-06 it’s a reyt tool only problem is getting ammo it’s a nightmare my local gun shop couldn’t get any I’ve been asking for 12 months I managed to get some from a range where we go sometimes he had 200 so I bought them all just in case but they’re not cheap for sako I also have 308 and 243 but prefer 25 it’s all down to personal preference I suppose they all do a job never had any complaints

 

[deeangeo]

So just to touch on this and throw another spanner in the works ...if I do opt for the .25-06 can someone please confirm that I will be okay/safe going for a 20/22” barrel !? I’v read a few different things saying the .25-06 is best with a barrel of at least 24” and anything less is pointless. Surely that’s not the case or the manufacturers wouldn’t offer them in 20” !? Am I right in thinking the .25-06 prefers slowing burning powder and do not/will not reach the stated velocities with a 20” barrel ? I mean, even if you reload for it, and have a 20” barrel, and manage to “only” achieve 3000fps that’s more than enough with a 100/115gr round surely ? Of course this is given that accuracy and so on is good...will accuracy still be okay with a 20” barrel or does the shorter barrel affect that as well ? Reason I’m asking is I might have found one in left hand...but it has a 20” barrel, it’s brand new never used so I’m assuming the 20” barrel will be fine !? But everything I seem to read says 24/26 barrel only on the .25-06 I’m just hoping plenty of opinions arguing this will come along !!! Please tell me the 20” barrel is fine

Mine’s a 22” barrel & works perfectly well. There’s a slightly lower MV, but for me 3100fps with a 110gn AB bullet works just fine. I reload & use Viht N 560… great performance!

 

[sharper]

So...I took the plunge ! Put the variation in and nearly 2 months later I finally got my sako 85 classic .25-06 in left hand ! It’s a thing of beauty and now I’m just deciding what glass to put on her. Leaning toward Swarovski...can’t wait to get out and use it. Thank you to all who commented and gave me your opinions and advice