25-06 best choice?

[AR1AR15RDY]

Looking for some help on making the best decision on my next rifle. I understand the fit and feel I can only decide that but I've been looking at 25-06 by tikka t3 or the weatherby vanguard s2. I'm looking at weight since it will be mostly for deer and coyotes on occasion. I know I'll be carrying this rifle more often than I'll be shooting it in the field. Also both manufacturers offer accuracy guarantees, which people seem to backup. Any help would be greatly appreciated it.

 

[ontarget]

I have no experience with 25-06, but I also haven't seen it on the shelf in my area unless you go to Cabelas or gander mtn. I'm not sure how that caliber compares but .243, 270,
.308 and 30-06 are all easy to find and more than capable for the game you mentioned.

 

[VoodooMountain]

25-06 is a great caliber.

The tikka will be lighter and it utilizes polymer more than the weatherby if that matters to you. The fit and finish will likely be a bit better on the tikka.
The vanguard uses bottom metal instead of a detachable mag (5+1) and it has a 24" barrel I believe. It also has a 1 piece bolt and I'm not sure the tikka does. Overall it is a solid design.

They are both good options. If it were me I would go with the weatherby because the stock fits me well. But remember the tikka will be lighter.

 

[Water-Man]

The Tikka T3 Lite will be close to a pound lighter and have a trigger that's a little more adjustable and has a smoother bolt action.

25-06 is harder on barrel life and more difficult to find ammo. 243, 270 or 308 will fit your needs. Personally, I like and have a Tikka in 6.5x55SE and ammo is readily available for it over the internet.

 

[JimKirk]

I have been shooting the .25/06 since 1969 ... it is a very good round ... very versatile ... from varmints to some fair sized game ... it is a heck of a deer slayer...

I have been shooting the Nosler 110 gr Accubond for several years and am happy with the results ... Sierra game kings do well also ....

The Tikki would be my pick over the Weatherby just on weight and feel ... the Tikki 3 lite is a fine feeling rifle and all the ones I have had any experience with have been sharp shooters too...

 

[HexHead]

If you go with the Weatherby, go with their .257 WBY Magnum instead of 25-06. It's about 300 fps faster, flatter and was Roy's favorite of all his calibers.

I had one and it was a great shooting caliber, recoil was about the same as my .308 one.

 

[AR1AR15RDY]

What about the 2" difference in barrel? The vanguard is a 24 and the Tikka is 22. I've read in need a minimum of 24 in order for this round to live up to its potential. I don't want to lose velocity and range when deer hunting. Any opinion on the x bolt also little more expensive but it has a reduced weight and a 24 barrel

 

[rbernie]

The Tikka barrel is about 1.5" shorter than the Vanguard. That will probably cost 50fps-75fps or so, depending on the speed of a given example. I don't know if that's going to be significant in the grand scheme of things to you or not - I'd suggest that you get thee to an external ballistics calculator and decide if that's going to make a material impact on your hunting. For me, it won't/doesn't but YMMV.

I've owned and hunted both with T3's and with Vanguard's. The Vanguard was a solid rifle but it was too heavy for its own good, especially since I like to hunt on foot and not from a stand/vehicle. Carrying the Vanguard around all day, with another pound and a half of optics and mount on it, was definitely more tiring than I'd like. The Tikka is a little too front light for me if I'm highly critical, but still is the best combination of weight and accuracy and quality that I can find.

 

[Sav .250]

The 25-06 is a good cal no doubt but the best? That`s a matter of opinion.

 

[AR1AR15RDY]

Rifle is to be used in the Arizona desert and mountains. Mostly for yotes and mule deer. I do a lot of walking and glassing. After my pack,tripod w/binos and Viper 6-20x44 going to be mounted on this rifle is why weight is taken into consideration. Especially after you get a deer down. The 24 vs 22 concern is because distances is longest 500 yards but more realistic within 300 yard shots.

 

[rbernie]

Frankly, I can't see how you'd NOT have more than 800 ft/lbs of energy at 500 yards with either. It's just a question of understanding trajectory and distance estimation, and I don't think that 75fps is going to make up for any gaps in either. At least that's my approach.

 

[Water-Man]

500 yds. is no problem with the Tikka.

 

[double bogey]

My Tikka T3 lite 25-06 with a 10 x42 Zeiss scope weighs 7lbs, 1.25 oz. I would almost think the weatherby weighs that by its self. I love it. Now if I can just get recovered from 2 major surgeries to be able to shoot it.

 

[SlowFuse]

I had a Vanguard 25-06. Once I found the sweet spot with handloads it outshot my Steyr M-III professional 25-06, not something I like to admit considering the Steyr cost 3x more. On weight, the Vanguard is not a light rifle. I'd say mine with sling and optics loaded was probably 9lbs. I sold the Vanguard, not my brightest moment. It was a fine rifle.

I can't comment on the Tikka but I've heard they're decent also for the price.

 

[AR1AR15RDY]

I've been getting suggestions to look at the 6.5 creedmoor as a better option?

 

[roc1]

6.5 is better to me super accurate less recoil short action over long. 25-06 good caliber but Creed better had both only have 6.5 now. Shoot 500 yards easy 223 243 both will as well. Still love my 22 calibers and 243 as well. 22-250 is great on deer and varmints mine shot both. Lots better choices than 25-06 good deer round to much recoil for lots shooting.Imho
Roc1

 

[Zeke/PA]

My .25 '06 is a Ruger #1 Single Shot.
I acquired it some years back from a desperate Dude in need of cash.
It shoots sub MOA with reloads and it's also a good long range deer cartridge especially with the 117 gr Hornady bullet!

 

[ThomasT]

If you look at the reloading manuels for the .270 and 25-06 you will see the 270 gets more velocity with a 130gr bullet out of a 22" barrel than the 25-06 gets with a 120gr bullet out of a 24" barrel. Plus you can get 110gr .270 bullets if you want more speed from a 270 for varmint hunting.

I would pick the 270 hands down over the 25-06. Plus factory ammo is much more common.

I can't tell you the factory ammo speeds because I don't buy factory ammo for my rifles.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I've killed a couple of deer with my .25-'06 at 300 plus yards!
Reloads AND rifle confident!

 

[double bogey]

My Tikka 25-06 is very accurate with nosler 115 gr. ballistic tips. I picked up a couple of hundred. I also got some 115 gr, partitions to deer hunt with if they shoot near as well as the ballistic tips. Looking forward to trying smaller bullets as well.

I own 2 .243's as well, and they both shoot well also, so I can't speak about the gap between them and 25-06.

 

[Goosey]

If you look at the reloading manuels for the .270 and 25-06 you will see the 270 gets more velocity with a 130gr bullet out of a 22" barrel than the 25-06 gets with a 120gr bullet out of a 24" barrel.

I think the 120 gr .25 (SD = 0.260) is more fairly compared to 140 gr .270 (SD = 0.261).

Hodgdon says max loads of IMR 4350/4831 push the 120 gr .25-06 to 3,049/3,065 fps and the 140 gr .270 to 2,916/2,896 fps from 24" barrels.

 

[Victor N TN]

I have 2 rifles chambered in 25-06. Both are Rem 700s. The old Custom Varmint Special I bought in 1972 and started loading for it at that time. After I found a good bullet, it has never failed to bring home the meat. But proficiency in bullet placement with the right bullet is paramount in getting the animal. Whether it's crows, groundhogs, or deer will not be a problem with the right load and right placement. That older varmint Special has several thousand rounds through it. The throat has some erosion. But I'll probably start looking for a new stainless barrel in a few years.

I can't say enough good for this caliber. But then I also like a 308 or 243. 30-06 is hard to beat. It's pretty much what do YOU want to shoot.

Good luck in your quest.
Victor

 

[Gtscotty]

I think the 120 gr .25 (SD = 0.260) is more fairly compared to 140 gr .270 (SD = 0.261).

Hodgdon says max loads of IMR 4350/4831 push the 120 gr .25-06 to 3,049/3,065 fps and the 140 gr .270 to 2,916/2,896 fps from 24" barrels.

Citing only those two powders is odd, as they aren't at the top end for 140gr velocities out of the .270. If you want a fair comparison, use the top loads for each cartridge.

From the Hodgdon data, the top two velocities for .25-06/120gr are 3065 fps and 3064 fps (IMR4831 & IMR7977), and the top two velocities for .270/140gr are 3023 fps, and 2979 fps (IMR7977 & H1000) .

 

[joed]

After owning a Rem 700 in .25-06 for 38 years I have to say it is one heck of a cartridge for hunting. The beauty of this cartridge is that it works for varmints to medium sized game.

For ground hog hunting I have never seen a harder hitting cartridge and it works for deer sized game as well. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on Elk either. Mine has been in Canada on a bear hunt with me too.

Don't know why some say the recoil is hard on you. I've shot mine quite a bit on an active day of ground hog hunting and had no problem.

Long action vs short action? Do you realize you're talking 1/2"?

 

[nathan]

Thumbs up on the .25 06. Mine shoots very tight groups with 100 gr Nosler BT.