.25-06 opinions

[sharper]

Hi all

As the title suggests, I am looking for peoples personal opinions based on their own individual use with a .25-06 for deer/deer size game.

I am looking to add another rifle to my ticket for deer stalking, but will also be used on the occasional fox when it shows while out stalking. I am quite familiar with all the “popular” calibers out there and I’v done hours and hours of research into these. I’v narrowed it down to a .308 .270 6.5x55 and the .25-06 but from what I’v read/watched the .25-06 ticks more box’s for me performance wise.

I currently use a .22-250 for muntjac and roe in Scotland (can’t use it on roe here in England, as you all know) and I find it extremely effective with a Norma 53gr soft point, I love the flat shooting trajectory of the .22-250 which is why the .25-06 appeals to me more than the others. (Once I get a “deer rifle” the .22-250 will go back to being my main foxing rifle with nv)

The majority of my shooting with the new rifle will be roe and muntjac, but I want the option to take fallow and reds too (this will be on occasion, not all the time) I’m also a little limited to Calibre given the gun I will be opting for will be a Sako 85 in left hand, which really narrows down the options (the cals I’v specified are all available)

Thank you to any one that lends their opinions and advice, and thanks for taking the time to read my essay !

 

[Beastmaster.308]

I currently shoot a .308 and simply can't fault it as a deer harvesting tool. I do however have an itch for a 25-06 and would like to add one to my cabinet. If you have any doubts about it as a calibre, check out this video of a lot of hinds harvested in quick succession in dreadful weather.

 

[Heym SR20]

I shot many red deer hinds back in the 90s with a 25-06. It was brilliant, fast and flat shooting. But I nearly bought a left handed Sauer 202, but chap selling it was selling as he found to violent on Roe at sub 100m. A lot depends of course on choice of bullet and these days with monolithics damage will be much less.

Given that you already have a 22-250 which is a fast flat shooting rifle, the 270 might be a much better bet, given its still flat shooting but handles bigger bullets fir bigger animals. Alternatively the 6.5 or a 308 will do the same, but lower velocity will mean less damage, especially on shorter range small deer.

 

[dpaterson]

I haven’t owned one but have used a good friends an awful lot, a sako. Shot dozens of fallow with it and it never missed a beat - very effective too!
A really great round and I VERY nearly bought one, but for me there wasn’t enough variety of bullet weights and type available.
I bought a .308 in the end and am very pleased I with the choice I made.

 

[long_range_rob]

I have a 75 Finnlight in .25-06 I love it. Can’t criticise it at all.

 

[JH83]

I had one for 10 years and culled a lot with it. Flat, hard hitting, not much recoil. Excellent calibre. A long barrel and hand loads certainly bring it to life as it’s pretty inefficient (who cares though). A great evaporator of foxes too .

Mine was rebarreled to 6.5x55 swede though as there are more options in non lead, plain and simple. If I weren’t for that I’d of stuck with it. To be honest a hand loaded 6.5x55 gets pretty close to it in terms of clout. Worth thinking about.

 

[sauer]

Had calibre 20yrs …
Love it

Pros
Little recoil sweet to shoot
Hard hitting … not as flat as folk think but better than most
24” barrel gets best out of it

Cons
Can be bit hard on meat damage
Less choice of ammo than other calibers making it best as a homeloads rifle
Obviously depends how shoot it but can be barrel burner if you like plinking / hot fast strings.

Paul

 

[StephenToast]

The other three of your options do the same job but you'll get ammo more easily and have a greater range to choose from.

None of them are as good as the mighty mighty .30-06 though.

 

[Klenchblaize]

It’s in quarter bore so enough said - other than enjoy!

K

 

[Gm81]

My father shoots one. He uses it for everything. It will easily do what you want.
Just look at ammo or loading components for it locally.
Keep in mind that I was told tikka aren't making them anymore. But as long as the above is still available. It makes no odds.
Personally if he lends me his rifle. I can shoot it fine. I don't worry if it will be better than my 308 or 6.5. It does the job if you shoot them in the right spot.
I would say go and look at rifles and get one in a caliber you've said. But pick a rifle you like. Any Cal's you've said will kill what you want too.

 

[Dan Newcombe]

Great calibre - got a sako 75 here that never gets used on would sell if someone was interested. Well used but still shoots spot on

 

[sh1kar]

Get the swede. Way better for so
Many reasons
S

 

[Bowland blades]

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

 

[sharper]

Thank you all for your replies and wisdom/advice it’s greatly appreciated and given me some food for thought. It’s a dam shame I don’t know anyone with a .25-06 or a .270 to try as I’v shot a .308 and it felt lovely, and I’m not at all against going for it...the .25-06 simply grabbed me maybe due to its unpopularity in this day n age (I’v always been one to swim against the tide!) I did a similar thing when applying for my .22-250, I read forum after forum of 22-250 vs 223 and so on...and I very nearly went for a .223 but went with my gut and got the .22-250 and so glad I did ! Thank you all so far

 

[Klenchblaize]

(I’v always been one to swim against the tide!)

May I assume this applies equally to your choice of scope rings & mounts?

K

 

[sharper]

May I assume this applies equally to your choice of scope rings & mounts?

K

I currently have a vortex razor hd lht on my tikka t3x .22-250 attached with opti lok mounts. I may well look into a Swarovski for a deer rifle but that’s another conversation !

 

[biffo]

Get a 25-06,you won’t regret it!

 

[purdey24]

I had a 25-06 and loved it. Flattened the biggest highland stags no problem but when using it on roe it caused a lot of meat damage to the extent that the game dealers got very sniffy about it.
I decided to change and went for the 6.5x55. Still great for the reds and much less meat damage on roe.
I would say that if you go for the 25-06 you will be stuck with it. I could hardly give mine away and it was a mint Tikka T3. There are just not enough people about who appreciate what a great calibre it is but just not on small deer.

 

[Mickeydredd]

I have a Tikka in 25-06 and it hasn’t let me down. Nice to shoot, mainly been Roe but took half a dozen Reds with it last season.

 

[Shaun Goss]

The only negative I can think of is ammo maybe hard to find, if you solve that problem it’s a lovely calibre. Shot a Sika and a few fallow with one.