Cranky CJ
Member
What do you all think? Was just given one as an early Christmas present. Pleasantly surprised.
25-06 caliber thoughts
- Thread starter Cranky CJ
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NeuseRvrRat
Member
many a critter has fallen to the 25-06. what kind of info are you looking for?
JimKirk
Member
The longer you own it...the more you'll like it ... I've had mine since 1969...
OP
OP
Cranky CJ
Member
Reloading info.
I've compaired the ballistics and think it is superior to many/most in its class.
What is everybody finding to be the most accurate, deadly bullet to reload?
Also, since my wife just gave it to me tonight, I haven't shot it, how mild is the recoil, I have a 12 yr old that may go hunting with me next year.
I've compaired the ballistics and think it is superior to many/most in its class.
What is everybody finding to be the most accurate, deadly bullet to reload?
Also, since my wife just gave it to me tonight, I haven't shot it, how mild is the recoil, I have a 12 yr old that may go hunting with me next year.
For an adult, recoil is not bad at all. They try to kick like an '06 with all the powder they have in the shell, but they come up short on the thump of a .30 cal. Let him try it at a range, shooting prone. If that is a little much, get a good recoil pad for it
Craigman
Member
it may be a little stoutfor a 12yo but not too bad. Mine likes everything ive put through it but POI changes with bullet/brand/weight
What did you get? Pick a scope yet?
What did you get? Pick a scope yet?
OP
OP
Cranky CJ
Member
Marlin XL7 in stainless. He has shot my 12ga without any issues so I'd like to believe he would be fine.
whats everybody reloading in the 25-06, I may need to go to the handloading page.
whats everybody reloading in the 25-06, I may need to go to the handloading page.
bigdogpete
Member
Nice gun, just like mine. I have had no complaints.
mes227
Member
Yesterday I ordered a Winchester Mod 70 Super in 25-06. Should have it in hand next week!
frayluisfan
Member
My experience
Cranky CJ,
I tend to think your son won't have any trouble with it, especially since he can shoot your 12 gauge. My son is 11, and he can shoot my 25-06 ok. After about 8-10 rounds he's ready for a break, but he outshot me with it this summer and hunted with it this fall (we didn't see anything, unfortunately).
I have a stockpile of 115gr Nosler Partition bullets that I reload for it. Shot my first buck with that load, at about 80 yards, and hit him in the spine--looked like about 2-3 vertebrae ceased to exist...they were just gone.
There are other good loads too, and the Barnes bullets look very promising, though I haven't tried them yet. The beauty of the 25-06 is that you can load light bullets, like 75-80 grains, for varmints, and load the heavier bullets for game up to caribou. Some people take cow elk with it, but I'd be pretty nervous about doing that myself. Shot placement would have to be about perfect, and I'd have to be using a top-notch bullet before I'd consider it.
One other thought--if you can bear it, it might be a good idea to cut the stock down to fit your son. I got an aftermarket stock and cut it down, because I couldn't bring myself to cut the walnut on a pre-64 model 70.
If you go that route, keep in mind you probably won't need to cut much--I cut about 1.25 inches, and that was plenty for an 11-yr-old. Having a stock that fits made a world of difference for my son, and might help yours too. (Remember, you can always cut a bit more off...but ya can't put it back on. )
Good luck!!
frayluisfan
Cranky CJ,
I tend to think your son won't have any trouble with it, especially since he can shoot your 12 gauge. My son is 11, and he can shoot my 25-06 ok. After about 8-10 rounds he's ready for a break, but he outshot me with it this summer and hunted with it this fall (we didn't see anything, unfortunately).
I have a stockpile of 115gr Nosler Partition bullets that I reload for it. Shot my first buck with that load, at about 80 yards, and hit him in the spine--looked like about 2-3 vertebrae ceased to exist...they were just gone.
There are other good loads too, and the Barnes bullets look very promising, though I haven't tried them yet. The beauty of the 25-06 is that you can load light bullets, like 75-80 grains, for varmints, and load the heavier bullets for game up to caribou. Some people take cow elk with it, but I'd be pretty nervous about doing that myself. Shot placement would have to be about perfect, and I'd have to be using a top-notch bullet before I'd consider it.
One other thought--if you can bear it, it might be a good idea to cut the stock down to fit your son. I got an aftermarket stock and cut it down, because I couldn't bring myself to cut the walnut on a pre-64 model 70.
If you go that route, keep in mind you probably won't need to cut much--I cut about 1.25 inches, and that was plenty for an 11-yr-old. Having a stock that fits made a world of difference for my son, and might help yours too. (Remember, you can always cut a bit more off...but ya can't put it back on. )Good luck!!
frayluisfan
GooseGestapo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2003
- Messages
- 6,153
You'll enjoy the .25/06.
For deer/antelope hunting, use bullets 100gr and heavier. The factory 120gr Remington CorLokts are good. Likewise the Federal and Winchester 120gr loads are good. Anything else is going to be premium grade ammo and priced likewise.
Avoid the 87gr and 75gr bullets for deer. They are designed to expand violently on smaller non-game animals such as groundhogs, prararie dogs, ect.
Hornady markets a 117gr PtSpt Boat-tail "Interlok". This is as good as it gets in the .25/06 for larger game up to elk. Likewise the Federal Premium and Nosler Custom 115 and 120gr "Partitions" are excellent but very pricey if you don't reload.
If you do reload, this is a stellar performing cartridge. It recoils a little less than the .270 but otherwise performance is nearly identical.
For reloading, I'd use H4831 for 115-120gr bullets, though IMR7828 is also outstanding. For 100gr bullets, use IMR4350.
The only drawback to the Marlin XL7-stainless is the 22" bbl hobbles the .25/06 a bit. Typically .25/06 barrel lengths are 24-26" as the small bore needs the extra length to utilize the powder capacity of the case.
For deer/antelope hunting, use bullets 100gr and heavier. The factory 120gr Remington CorLokts are good. Likewise the Federal and Winchester 120gr loads are good. Anything else is going to be premium grade ammo and priced likewise.
Avoid the 87gr and 75gr bullets for deer. They are designed to expand violently on smaller non-game animals such as groundhogs, prararie dogs, ect.
Hornady markets a 117gr PtSpt Boat-tail "Interlok". This is as good as it gets in the .25/06 for larger game up to elk. Likewise the Federal Premium and Nosler Custom 115 and 120gr "Partitions" are excellent but very pricey if you don't reload.
If you do reload, this is a stellar performing cartridge. It recoils a little less than the .270 but otherwise performance is nearly identical.
For reloading, I'd use H4831 for 115-120gr bullets, though IMR7828 is also outstanding. For 100gr bullets, use IMR4350.
The only drawback to the Marlin XL7-stainless is the 22" bbl hobbles the .25/06 a bit. Typically .25/06 barrel lengths are 24-26" as the small bore needs the extra length to utilize the powder capacity of the case.
BigN
Member
It's on my list Don't need one, just want one. I've got 7mm-08, 257 Wby Mag, 270, so it won't be replacing anything. Just want one. I've always been partial to the hotter, smaller calibers. If you own a 220 Swift, 257 Wby Mag, and a 22-250, it's a sweet addition...
Don't need one, just want one. I've got 7mm-08, 257 Wby Mag, 270, so it won't be replacing anything. Just want one. I've always been partial to the hotter, smaller calibers. If you own a 220 Swift, 257 Wby Mag, and a 22-250, it's a sweet addition...
Can't beat the .25-06, I've owned one for 34 years. It was my first centerfire rifle, and not my first choice in cartridge. But after the first season I was sold on it.
You don't say what you want to hunt or use the rifle for though. For all the years I've owned mine I found Sierra and Nosler as the best choices. I use mine for varmint hunting and bullets in the 85 to 87 gr range are tops for this. This cartridge will take game at very long ranges.
The best all around bullet is 100 grs and works for everything although I don't prefer it for varmint hunting. I like the light bullets as there is little chance of ricochet.
For larger game you can't beat 115 gr to 120 bullets.
I really hope you like it and think you will, heck mine is still in the safe after 34 years. It was my only centerfire rifle for 25 years and did everything I ever asked it to.
You don't say what you want to hunt or use the rifle for though. For all the years I've owned mine I found Sierra and Nosler as the best choices. I use mine for varmint hunting and bullets in the 85 to 87 gr range are tops for this. This cartridge will take game at very long ranges.
The best all around bullet is 100 grs and works for everything although I don't prefer it for varmint hunting. I like the light bullets as there is little chance of ricochet.
For larger game you can't beat 115 gr to 120 bullets.
I really hope you like it and think you will, heck mine is still in the safe after 34 years. It was my only centerfire rifle for 25 years and did everything I ever asked it to.
Not the .25-06, but I've had excellent results with the standard (non-superformance) Hornady 117gr SPBT load in my .257 Roberts. Five deer down with one shot. Farthest went 10-15 yards down a steep hill. If your .25-06 has a 22 inch barrel, your velocities should not be much more than my Bob's. velocities.
I'll also add that recoil from the .25-06 is quite tolerable. Probably not for a 12 yo but to an adult it is quite mild. I've gone through 40 rounds in a sitting with no ill effects. More then anything it depends on the weight of the bullet, heavy bullets recoil harder.
You didn't mention what type of gun you got, us gun-nuts would like to hear.
You didn't mention what type of gun you got, us gun-nuts would like to hear.
Zeke/PA
Member
I own a .25-'06 Ruger#1 that is a great rifle.
If you reload, there are a lot of options open to you.
For deer I prefer a 117 Sierra Game King, pure poison on the Maryland Bean Field long shots.
If you reload, there are a lot of options open to you.
For deer I prefer a 117 Sierra Game King, pure poison on the Maryland Bean Field long shots.
michael5446
Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2011
- Messages
- 20
have been reloading this cartridge for some time now... 117 grain max pressure round nose reloads are, well, almost explosive on medium game out to 300 yards... varmint rounds are best with 75-85 grain bts with reduced powder loads for accuracy... what rifle did u get?
mes227
Member
I was just poking around on the internet for ammo, the 25-06 doesn't look out of line, price wise, to other calibers. A bit more than the .270 or 30-06 (I presume because those are both so common) but comparable to most other 25-and-above calibers.
Sav .250
Member
Somebody knew what they were doing.
T.R.
Member
25-06 with Premium bullets was Bob Milek's elk rifle. He stated many times that the wound channels produced by 25-06 were greater in size than 30-06.
TR
TR
Love my .25-06, and I let my buddies 10 year old son use it for a youth hunt. He killed a nice little buck with it. I don't think the .25-06 has more recoil than a 20 gauge shotgun. My 30-30 will hit you harder than the .25-06. Once you own one, and get some blood on the stock you're pretty much married to it.
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