25.06
- Thread starter Uncle f
- Start date
I read that, went out and bought a Schultz & Wotsit. Great gun, great calibre. Ammunition is a bit expensive so I am gouing down the hand-loading route. It's a hot load so my advice is 3 shots followed by a 5/10 min break. If you do get carried away and shoot 6 rounds in a short space of time, don't grab the moderator or barrel.
Chris J
Well-Known Member
I have the same rifle. (Sako 75) Love it. Never had anything get up and walk off from munties to stags. But I have to confess I have seen quite a bit of meat damage. This is not the 'calibre' here nor the cartridge I am sure; it must be the bullet construction. I'm just about to swap bullets to see if I get a better result. Shoots superbly with either N160 or H4831.
I did read an article by a game dealer once. He started logging the rounds used to kill deer with as they were brought in for sale. Now these were HIS conclusions guys not mine, but he put up a table and by far and away the worst for damage of the edible bits was 25-06.
Sure there are more variables. hey, maybe 25-06 owners are just rotten shots. I dunno. But it was interesting. I seem to recall that lowest on the table was .308 but I could be wrong. So, adding to the thread here what has been the experience across bullet types, makes, construction etc. I have been shooting mainly Sierra 115 gr BTSP which I like but have caused a fairly big hole if you get me. Just couldn't get 100gr to shoot, ever. Never tried 75's. I might as well just shoot my .243 than do that.
So what have you shot a lot of and not had a problem with. If you don't have a 25-06 then please don't feel under any pressure to respond.
I did read an article by a game dealer once. He started logging the rounds used to kill deer with as they were brought in for sale. Now these were HIS conclusions guys not mine, but he put up a table and by far and away the worst for damage of the edible bits was 25-06.
Sure there are more variables. hey, maybe 25-06 owners are just rotten shots. I dunno. But it was interesting. I seem to recall that lowest on the table was .308 but I could be wrong. So, adding to the thread here what has been the experience across bullet types, makes, construction etc. I have been shooting mainly Sierra 115 gr BTSP which I like but have caused a fairly big hole if you get me. Just couldn't get 100gr to shoot, ever. Never tried 75's. I might as well just shoot my .243 than do that.
So what have you shot a lot of and not had a problem with. If you don't have a 25-06 then please don't feel under any pressure to respond.
Factory Federal 117 grain soft points produce very little meat damage. Hand loaded SST's ruin meat even when loaded at the slower end. I have found that Nosler partitions are very good on meat damage and result in very few runners. In conclusion, meat damage has nothing to do with the calibre and everything to do with the bullet!
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Uncle f
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys for all the input you chaps are so much more knowledgable than I am on this subject
i appreciate all of the inputs put forward, think I'm gonna look to get this calibre in the future. It will be factory loads though as I have neither the time nor the knowledge to home load
regards steve
i appreciate all of the inputs put forward, think I'm gonna look to get this calibre in the future. It will be factory loads though as I have neither the time nor the knowledge to home load
regards steve
deeangeo
Well-Known Member
How very odd. Usually .25-06Rem is pretty easy to load for and 100gn bullets well within it's scope.
I found Sierra Prohunter and Nosler ballistic tips shot extremely well with 53gns of IMR4350, but couldn't deliver sensible groups with 100gn Gamekings. Remington Core Lokt in 100gn didn't deliver either.
But, the 110gn Nosler Accubond is just great. Pricey, but a star performer.
Druid
Well-Known Member
If you are planning on factory ammo only I would take a while to check out continuous availability at dealers local to you.
straightpull6547
Well-Known Member
If i was going to go back to one rifle for hunting everything in the uk without a rangefinder and clicky scope it would be a 25-06. But im not!
mchughcb
Well-Known Member
This is a major constraint. I would get s 308Win then. Ammo is the cheapest for practice.
jamross65
Well-Known Member
For a start you don't NEED a huge choice of bullets for ANY chambering for deer in the UK.
You just need one that is deer legal, expands well without causing too much damage and is reasonably accurate in your rifle.
The 25-06 is an outstanding chambering and if folk read ballistic charts they would see that is punches well above it's weight because what it lacks in bullet weight (if you need heavier than 120grns for killing g any deer in the UK) it makes up for in speed and they creates a lot of ME as a result.
I have one and also a 6.5x47 Lapua and a .308. Both the 6.5 and 30 cal are custom built rifles, the 25-06 is a Sako 75. I seriously question why I bothered to get the other two built as the 25cal is a fraction of the price and does the same job!
You just need one that is deer legal, expands well without causing too much damage and is reasonably accurate in your rifle.
The 25-06 is an outstanding chambering and if folk read ballistic charts they would see that is punches well above it's weight because what it lacks in bullet weight (if you need heavier than 120grns for killing g any deer in the UK) it makes up for in speed and they creates a lot of ME as a result.
I have one and also a 6.5x47 Lapua and a .308. Both the 6.5 and 30 cal are custom built rifles, the 25-06 is a Sako 75. I seriously question why I bothered to get the other two built as the 25cal is a fraction of the price and does the same job!
flying felix
Well-Known Member
+1 had a Tikka T3, which I was talked into buying when I when in for a .243. Never looked back, now use a SAKO 85 again as most above with a 100 gn Nosler BT. Get the load right and your POA and MPI are within 1/2 inch from 50 - 150m (POA=MPI @ 100m).
jimmy milnes
Well-Known Member
I'm with you Brian
25/06 was my first rifle and if I hadn't fallen foul of fashion ''now own a 6.5x47 also very capable'' I'd still be shooting it. Wasn't a reloader at the time so sako 117 were what it was fed on
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
This thread has got me thinking that when my 243 gets shot out I might well rebarrel it at 25-06 to give me a long range accurate with a bit more thump than a 243 type rifle. It is a Left hand long action Heym SR20 so will take a 25-06 cartridge with not too much bother, although will need to remove the spacer from magazine and a new follower and spring.
jimmy milnes
Well-Known Member
I agree with the Federal blue box 117gn SP's, accurate and effective without excessive meat damage, Tikka M690RH.
I've got an opinion. From a theoretical point of view I'd like the option to shoot heavier than 120gr bullets. From a practical point of view if there was a rifle I liked in 25-06 I'd buy it.
It used to be that 25-06 was easier to get ammunition for than 6.5x55. Not sure if that is the case (pun) any longer.
It used to be that 25-06 was easier to get ammunition for than 6.5x55. Not sure if that is the case (pun) any longer.
palmer_mike
Well-Known Member
There's a lot of theories in the video but doesn't sound like much of it is based in 'real world' experience.
jimmy milnes
Well-Known Member
Perhaps not no but food for thought non the less
So the 7mm-08 is statistically better and uses less powder, who would have thunk it
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