25.06

[jamross65]

I think some folk maybe opt for lightweight bullets in the 25-06 because they are attracted to the MV potential with 75-100grn bullets, some of which are not designed as hunting/deer bullets. But shoot deer anyway with them and then question why there is so much meat damage. Another issue being that some bullets (most in fact) like Ballistic Tips are designed to perform best between certain speeds, some of which are not being met until the bullet is quite far downrange but still get used for woodland stalking where deer are being shot under 100yds away and the bullets are blowing up as they are still going too fast for better controlled expansion.

I have some 100grn Nosler Partitions to try out when I get around to loading for it and if they are a bit messy I'll move up to 115grn or 120grn partitions.

Too often chamberings like the 25-06 get a reputation for being harsh on meat when in fact they are being used with bullets that aren't up to the job because of the speed they are doing when they hit the target at close ranges.

 

[Southern]

My real world experience is that you need to compare similar rifles, particularly barrel length. Not many 7mm-08 rifles come with a 24-inch barrel ( Remington 700 ), but many .25-06s do.

Then, are you going to chop and thread the barrels down to 20 inches? Got to figure that and use realistic velocities, with the bullets YOU will be using for hunting various game. The .25-06 does well with a 22-inch barrel, but with a 20-inch, you might as well go to a .257 Roberts.

The only real overlap of the 7mm-08 and .25-06, to my mind, are the 120-gr Nosler BT in the 7mm-08, and the 117-gr SST or 115 and 120-gr Nosler BT in the .25-06.

The .25 caliber 100-gr bullets have it all over the 100-gr in the 7mm. Even mild loads with 75, 90 and 100 grain pills from the .257 Robert and .25-06 are great varmint loads, and the 100 and 110-gr ( like Accubond ) are great for shooting deer at 300 yards in a soybean field ( like a .270 Win with 130-gr, but with 30% less recoil ).

The 120-gr Nosler BT is great on deer from the 7mm-08 (3, 000 fps from a 24-inch barrel ).
And the 7mm-08, of course has great bullets in 139 to 154 grains which it can push to good velocity.

 

[paul o']

I had one once it loved the 117's will it do the job yes will you feel its a keeper ? soft as hell to shoot and will roll anything in the UK and more .

 

[JH83]

I shoot a Sako 75 in 25-06, it's my favourite rifle, accurate hard, hitting and very low recoil. 117gn Sako rounds are stunning accurate and kill beautifully. It really fills many roles, it can be a brutal long range varminter/ foxer, yet is capable on any uk deer, a jack of all trades master of all so to speak. Folks that use them love them, those that don't usually haven't owned one!

 

[Southern]

.25-06 is a great companion rifle to a 7mm Rem Mag or .300 magnum.

A now-deceased hunting companion used a .25-06 Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker, 22-inch barrel, with handloads of 115-gr Nosler Partitions, on whitetail deer at ranges from 30 to 300 yards, all sudden one-shot kills and not much meat damage.

 

[jubnut]

I use 100gn federal premium ballistic tips in mine.

Red, roe, fallow and muntjac. Never noticed any excessive meat damage.

 

[sauer]

100grn federal if factory ammo

But great results with 100grn Speer
87grn Speer
Any of the nosler stable I've tried
75grn vmax

100grn privilege partisan was ok but not as accurate as homeload but more than enough accuracy for deer stalking .
But I found more runners not great expansion I think .

And 117grn interlocks .....every single beast a runner even with spot on shot placement ....won't buy them again.

Main consideration for you......
Are you factory or homeload ?
Can you get regular supply local ?

If so go for it.....it's a great round ..does the job with minimal felt recoil


Paul

 

[deeangeo]

It's been said that .25-06Rem. rolls in & out of fashion. For the life of me I can't see why.
Like many, when I started shooting I was steered down the .308/.270 path...then early on I discovered the Mannlicher Schoenauer 6.5x54 loved it but not so good for Scotland, & an old stutzen.

So, I bought a .243Win and shot everything with that for twenty years. My friends all used .243 too.

Then, I discovered .25-06 & it gave everything I wanted, much harder hitting, better downrange terminal performance with easily manageable recoil. My first .25-06 was a Mannlicher Classic for several years and only sold when my K95 arrived.
I've used it now since 2003 and it hasn't failed me.

I've never used any factory ammunition since my earliest days shooting, but when handloading, pick a good bullet suitable for the job. All six species have been shot using my rifle, both sexes and there's never been significant meat damage.

.25-06 is an excellent round.
Just my own thoughts & experience.

 

[mchughcb]

Arguably the greatest gunscribe in Australia believed the 25/06 was the best all round cartridge for Australian Game.

 

[rem284]

Having had a 25-06 it done everything asked of it accurate and hard hitting. Yes there was a good bit of damage if you pinned a beast through the shoulders but I didnt get penalised for this in the contract I had at that time. You cant kill them too dead

 

[Leadwasp]

Uncle F - with a little travel there are quite a few places to the west and south of Surrey that stock .25-06. Emmett and Stone in Marlow do the superb(!!) but pricey Sako 117gr gameking, Woodland Enterprises at Great Shefford (M4 Jn 14) did PPU, Raker Lt near Petworth usually some 120 Remington which aren't that bad. I'm not suggesting these places are close to you but don't be put off by supply, it is out there.

My fav do anything is a home loaded 117gr Sierra Gameking.

I'm just over the Surrey border in Sussex so if you ever want any help send me a PM.

Edit to say that I stalk steep Yew woods with a 24" and a mod but never really found it a drag. The odd occasion maybe in really thick cover but it never holds me back.

 

[FlyBoy270]

Clearly written by someone that has never owned or used one - so why comment ?

Fantastic round, drops Deer stone dead, even better than my .270, its like they have been struck by lightning, Reds, Stags and Hinds, long range Fallow (230m), low recoil.

As to reloading - my pet load was for many years 42gr N140 behind 100gr sierra GK produced one hole groups at 100m. I now use 117gr GK to keep the velocity down a little and preserve that barrel.

Loaded with 85 gr Nosler BT its a long range Fox round accurate in excess of 400m. although I limited my shooting to around 300m. Narrow niche ?? VERSATILE, .243 on steroids !!

FlyBoy270

A friend has one. It's a Marmite cartridge with a narrow niche role.

But within that niche of light game at 150 to 200 yards plus, it excels. However I'd want to have reasonable barrel length. And it's not what I'd choose for close up woodland stalking.

Others say a .270 WCF with similar weight or lighter bullets does the same.

For your described remit though I think it'll serve you well..if your shots are 150 to 200 yards that is...excepting that a .243 Winchester or 6mm Remington might do so too.

But it, .25-06, is a mightily inefficient powder hungry .257 Roberts clone.

If you want a .257 Roberts get one...don't expect to successfully "throttle back" a .25-06.

Oh..and it'll likely "wreck" roe and munties shot at 50 yards with factory ammo...as too will many a .243 Winchester. There are better choices.

 

[David T]

Used one for years on open hill reds and lowland roe. It is, as most have said, a great all rounder. I use 117grain Sako Gameheads. Always have. Recently Sako are seating the head lower in the case and for some reason, that is beyond me, has made an almighty difference to the carcass damage. Previously I would expect an exit hole the size of a 50p. One shot last night was closer to the size of a new £5 note and the other was neck shot and took a nasty deflection out the shoulder, mincing the top of the shoulder. A huge difference on previous experience. Don't mean to high jack OP but if anyone can offer any insight as to why this is happening I would be very grateful as I have boxes of these bloody bullets.
Cheers

D

 

[User00035]

I think I might have bought one instead of my .243 if I was a home-loader..
Plenty of rifles to choose form. Three or four Sako75s on Gun Trader.

 

[.25-06]

Possibly more to do with bullet construction, then placement, then impact velocity. In isolation seating depth alone is unlikely to cause the noted problems.

Used one for years on open hill reds and lowland roe. It is, as most have said, a great all rounder. I use 117grain Sako Gameheads. Always have. Recently Sako are seating the head lower in the case and for some reason, that is beyond me, has made an almighty difference to the carcass damage. Previously I would expect an exit hole the size of a 50p. One shot last night was closer to the size of a new £5 note and the other was neck shot and took a nasty deflection out the shoulder, mincing the top of the shoulder. A huge difference on previous experience. Don't mean to high jack OP but if anyone can offer any insight as to why this is happening I would be very grateful as I have boxes of these bloody bullets.
Cheers

D

 

[Wilf102]

There is a very nice Tikka 25-06 in FA Anderson, East Grinstead if anyone is looking.

 

[John Gryphon]

I have a 25-06 and it is a great calibre. Methinks that in the hands of the right hunter I doubt if much is going to get away.

 

[1894]

Used one for years on open hill reds and lowland roe. It is, as most have said, a great all rounder. I use 117grain Sako Gameheads. Always have. Recently Sako are seating the head lower in the case and for some reason, that is beyond me, has made an almighty difference to the carcass damage. Previously I would expect an exit hole the size of a 50p. One shot last night was closer to the size of a new £5 note and the other was neck shot and took a nasty deflection out the shoulder, mincing the top of the shoulder. A huge difference on previous experience. Don't mean to high jack OP but if anyone can offer any insight as to why this is happening I would be very grateful as I have boxes of these bloody bullets.
Cheers

D

Sako tend to use Sierra bullets in their Gamehead loads. In the case of my gamehead 7mm08 ammunition this was a pro hunter.

They may have changed bullets but even if it is the same one I'd say it's possible for bullet hardness to vary from lot to lot. Coincidentally my handloads with the 140mm 7mm pro hunter which served me well for years have recently exhibited the same phenomonen on changing to a new box of bullets. I too have boxes of them - if they carry on producing such big holes I'll be using them for practice/range

 

[David T]

Interesting. I have taken this up with GMK and will let all know what the feedback is.