7x57 v. 6.5 x 55 v 25-06

[Brithunter]

I haven't got a rifle in mind yet, but I have had a chat to Ross Haygarth. He can build a rifle in any of these calibres, with a glass bedded action for less than a Heym, which is what I had been thinking about.

Brithunter - Do you have any preferance, if you were to choose only one of your rifles?

My main concern with the 25-06 is that I have heard a few stories of deer running on when hit, whereas I have been told the 7x57 will deal with anything

Ahhh steve that is difficult as the three rifles are very different. The 7x57 is a BSA CF2 and the one I chose to take the US back in 2003, didn't have the 25-06 back then, but I did already have the 6.5x55 which is a sporterised Swedish Mauser. It's drawback is the flag safety still fitted which I need to get changed at some point. The 25-06 is a Parker-Hale 1200C and it has quite nicely figured wood but darn that stock is heavy the rifle weighs about 9lbs. So it's not just about the cartridge but the whole package.

Now the fastest that I have even seen a deer go down was a 4PT Roe Buck at about 700 yards using the 7x57 and RWS 173 Gr H-Mantle ammunition.

However I usually use handloads using 139 gr Hornady bullets. Logically the 7x57 is the most versatile of the three although it's a close run thing between it and the 6.5x55. The 25-06 has the smallest selection of bullet weights and also uses the most powder and with the prices today that must be considered. You will not doubt have noticed the .260 rem mentioned however I cannot see any advantage in the .260 and remember that the bullets need to be seated deeply in the 260 which further reduces the powder capacity. It's an attempt to re-invent the wheel as far as I am concerned.

Nonw of the three cartridges you originally asked about are bad choices and as I said I would find a nice rifle and see what it's chambered in.

 

[The deer man]

I am about to apply for my FAC and am looking for a rifle for both roe and reds with the possibility of occasional foxing. I have done a lot of reading and spoken to several stalkers.

I am favouring the 25-06, as it seems to be fairly versitile and very flat, although the 7x57 doesn't seem to be too far behind and I though that the heavier bullets would be better on larger reds. I also though that it can't have stuck around and done so well for so long, unless it is worthwhile. Several people have also reccomended the 6.5x55, but I understand this is very similar to the 25-06, albeit with slightly heavier bullets and a less flat trajectory.

I am prepared to handload, if needed and this area does interest me.

Any advice would be greatfully received.

Hello Steve
Although I own a 7mm calibre rifle I don't own a 7x57 but from the one a friend owns (a Ruger No1) it shoots very well and as a hunting calibre it's history speaks for itself, however it is homeloaded as ammunition can be, not necessarily, hard to come by.
The 6.5x55 I've seen used a lot and used myself and as a soft shooting, accurate and highly adequate calibre it's superb. One I will probably buy myself one day. Ammunition is reasonably available but all I've used is homeloads.
The 25-06 I have only looked at and I'm sure anyone who has one will tell you it's good! A little fast, which does sometimes mean more meat damage if that worries you. For me it's important as deer management and venison is part of my business.
'Generally' all these calibres are classed as long action. Power wise don't worry they are all perfectly adequate for UK deer species and more. Trajectory wise if you are stalking sensible ranges all will shoot approximately within 2" either side of your point of aim up to 200 yards which is all you need (and by the sounds of it you are just starting out so keep well below that until completely confident).
I would avoid the .270, it's a great calibre but gives a bigger kick therefore harder to be accurate especially when starting out and for smaller deer unless you homeload soft loads they can ruin the meat.
So what to choose? You need to handle and try, if possible, as many calibres and rifles as you can, feel them, weigh them up in your hand and ask yourself one question, do I like it? You are about to spend a lot of money so you need to get it right. I'm going to make your choice a little harder! l leave you with one other calibre to consider, one I use for everything - 7mm08.
Good luck!

 

[Heym SR20]

If you having a rifle built by haygarth I would go with the 7x57 as it by far the most versitile. The 7mm is good for everything from Roe deer up to big plains game etc and is an easy shooting and fore giving calibre. Same can be said for 6.5x55. 26-06 was designed as a very flat shooting calibre for smaaler big game such as prong horn etc. Great for hinds out on the hill, but velocity is a bit on the high side for closer range deer in woodlands. One stalker I know had a very nice Sauer in 25-06 but he changedcit for 7x57 as he was getting too much bullet blow up on under 100 yd shots. Also haygarth build a really nice traditional rifle and should have a trad calibre - ie 7x57

 

[DCG]

Steve,
Went through a similar thought process a little while ago, the main thing which put me off the 25-06 apart from the barrel life was the fact that they appear not to perform to their full potential in anything less than a 24" barrel, if you want to use this with a mod it becomes a little unwieldy for stalking purposes, although it wouldn't matter to much on the range. My decision subsequently lay between 7-08 and 260 rem, both easy calibers to get good results from reloading and perform well in barrels 20" to 21". It has eventually come down to the 7-08.

 

[stalkerboydy]

Steve,
the main thing which put me off the 25-06 apart from the barrel life was the fact that they appear not to perform to their full potential in anything less than a 24" barrel,

OH mine has a 20" Barrel and have not found ANY Lose of Killing Distance, in Fact it is Far better than my Prevoius 24" for weight, lenght with Mod. We all my self included (NOT NOW) get caught up in FPS, Barrel's cal etc. One Mans Hate is another Mans Pet. I have a .25-06 an .300 Win-Mag both with Mods if i had to choose only one Rifle the .25-06 would win Hands Down. Also why would Mr Sako make .25-06 in 20" Barrels if they was NO GOOD ????????

 

[Monkey Spanker]

There is always much talk about the variety of bullet choice with the 6.5 and the 7mm over the 25, but are you realistically going out with a variety of different bullet weights, or are you going to load and zero for one weight which will kill everything? Exactly!
The 25.06 is fast and flat which is ideal for long range foxes as you don't have to worry too much about bullet drop.
I use one and have shot both sexes of all six species of UK deer, and a shitload of foxes too! The last deer I shot with it this week was a 205lb (gralloched) Red Hind which ran 10m with a lung shot. It will kill anything - small or large. Meat damage can be an issue with lighter loads, but i find a 115grain BT does very well with minimal damage.
MS

 

[User00014]

Hi steve ,

I've been a massive fan of the 6.5x55 for a long time , and have hand loaded just about every available bullet for it.

But I'm now gonna throw a spanner in the works and say have you considered the 270win ?

I thought I would never say it but I am now a convert to the 270 , just about as flat as a 25.06 with a bit more wallop ! and the bullet damage is not as bad as it looks with hardly any bruising (so far having shot 4 beasts now).

The only snag might be the foxing , you FEO might think it be a bit heavy handed , but with a light bullet it would be SERIOUSLY flat shooting and devastating to charlie !

Just my fivers worth.

Cheers lee

 

[wicklow202]

I have a 6.5 and a 25-06, have used the 6.5 for the last 7 years this is is first season using the 25-06, i have only used the 6.5 once this season much prefer the 25-06.

I have a 20 inch tikka and it is savage accurate, what i like about the calibre is that it is very fast which allows you to see your strike i use a mod on mine, also its a very flat round.

wicklow202

 

[dave65]

the 25-06 is the calibre for me fast flat and they don,t get up..the 25-06 is big in the usa they like to shot out a long way on coyotes,and its a good calibre on pronghorn,the whitetail are a big old deer and the 25 knocks them down out to 300yds..........lovely tool..............dave65

 

[Southdowns_stalking]

Hi Stevec,

Im in the same position as you, i am reading a lot and seeing what other people recommend, why and what they use theirs for! At the moment, i think i will be going for a 6.5x55 for my first rifle. I only have Roe and a few Muntjac on my permission and will take out foxes if i see them, ( to keep the keeper happy). I think its a very hard choice but try every caliber you are thinking of and then see if one sticks out.

Regards,

 

[biffo]

had 7x57 and 25-06. the latter is just so versatile, if you only have one rifle I'd have a 25-06. end of debate.

 

[stevec]

Many thanks for all of your advice. I think most calibres have been reccomended at some stage! I have submitted an application for a 7x57 and a 22 rimfire. My thought was that I am unlikely to shoot any foxes and if things change, I could look at a 22 centerfire.

 

[bullet chucker]

I have been using 6.5x55 for years now and I have taken lowland Reds with no problems as well as Fallow and of course Roe and foxs,and very little recoil My point is as all ready stated bullet placement,7mm with heavier bullets can be forgiving in 'light' vegetation if the bullet were to be obstructed during its flight path. 25.06 can be very fast and flat shooting, but there is all ways a trade off if loaded up for high speeds/velocity. ie, barrel wear. I use Norma 6.5,120gn.and 7mm Remington coreloct, my friends reload their own 25.06 ammo mainly for fox control. incidently all the aforementioned rifles are all moderated and are very similarly sound effective, I could not comment on a .270 only how noisey they are with out a moderator all though they are a good stopper. I look forward to what choice you will make. Best of luck.

 

[Brithunter]

Many thanks for all of your advice. I think most calibres have been reccomended at some stage! I have submitted an application for a 7x57 and a 22 rimfire. My thought was that I am unlikely to shoot any foxes and if things change, I could look at a 22 centerfire.

I doubt you will be sorry and look forward to hearing wht rifle you get. Oh yes I can hear the fingers drumming from here. Waitign sure as hell stinks don't it.

 

[deeangeo]

I've had my .25-06Rem since 2003 & it's brilliant. Fantastic cartridge and will take all deer species in the UK, both male and femal,e without any bother (Using a 100gn Sierra Prohunter bullet in my case).
It's performed perfectly even when hinds in excess of 250yds have been taken on the odd occasion when necessary. I have not had any failures and shot many many reds in eight+ years of use. Therefore, .25-06 works for me. Cheers


p.s. Not that it's desperately important, but my rifle has a 20" barrel. I reload, and generate around 3200fps MV with the 100gn bullet.

 

[Brithunter]

Just for a bit of fun I pulled out Speer's #14 and looked up the lightest bullet they do which is a 110 grn HP. Highest load they list in THEIR test barrel was 3,250 fps using Win 760 powder. Their 115 grb HP they got only 3,095 fps using the same Win 760 powder. Of course the 7mm does have a lower BC.

 

[swarovski]

I was shooting my 25-06 into 4 inches at 600yds at Bisley yesterday with 100gr SMS,am a fan of 25-06,with light heads it shoots as flat as a witches tit

 

[devonfoxer]

2506 sako 1v absolutly awesum home loaded 100 nosler ballistic tip the recipe given to me by a chap that has probably shot more deer than most on here have ever seen this is his round for his estate rifle fast,flat and not too much meat damage deadly on foxes
just something else he said just imagine that you have put 1500 rounds through it and burnt the barrel out,just think how much fun youll have when you get it rebarrelled to put the next 1500 rounds through it.barrel wear my armpit buy shoot it love it 2506 all day long atb stu

 

[Boomerang]

I am in a similar position and will include a 6.5x55 on my first FAC. My reading of the UK Home Office guidance is that a "good reason" calibre for Fox extends up to .243 and 6.5 calibres but not beyond. With a combination of target and sporting shooting, I think the Swede will serve me well out of the 3 calibres questioned here....will try to add something heavier for Reds and wild boar...