So ive decided my next bolt gun should be a 25-06. Previously as I've mapped out what i'd like my collection to look like I had liked the idea of my future 25-06 being a Ruger #1. Well turns out on Ruger's website they are no longer producing it in the 25-06 chambering. Oh well, plans change. So now i'm looking for suggestions on a nice bolt gun that comes in this caliber. I would prefer it to have a longer barrel than 22" and I would prefer to pay less than $1000 for the rifle. What say you? Friendly suggestions appreciated and welcomed.
25-06 Suggestions
- Thread starter Bio-Chem
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Winchester Model 70:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/72503/Winchester+Guns+535114225+Model+70+Bolt+25-06+Remington+24%22
H&R here at buds:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/89034/H%26R+Ultra+Hunter+Rifle+.25-06+26%22+Laminate"
Thompson Center Venture:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/73955/Thompson+Center+Arms+5429+Venture+Bolt+25-06+Remington+24%22+B
Mossberg:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411540253/Mossberg+4X4+25-06+24+MC+SCL+LAM
I personally shoot a Marlin XL7 in a Boyd's Laminated Stock. Yes, it is 22", and I do think I'd benefit from a 24" barrel. The one thing I have going for me not to buy another rifle or change rifles is that this gun shoots under MOA, and every deer I have shoot with it goes straight down. I have shot deer at 300 yards that never knew what hit them, and were dead before they hit the ground.
There are many 24" guns in .25-06 that can be had for under $1000. You can probably find a T/C Pro Hunter single shot in .25-06 for a good price also if you want to stay with a single shot action.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/72503/Winchester+Guns+535114225+Model+70+Bolt+25-06+Remington+24%22
H&R here at buds:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/89034/H%26R+Ultra+Hunter+Rifle+.25-06+26%22+Laminate"
Thompson Center Venture:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/73955/Thompson+Center+Arms+5429+Venture+Bolt+25-06+Remington+24%22+B
Mossberg:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411540253/Mossberg+4X4+25-06+24+MC+SCL+LAM
I personally shoot a Marlin XL7 in a Boyd's Laminated Stock. Yes, it is 22", and I do think I'd benefit from a 24" barrel. The one thing I have going for me not to buy another rifle or change rifles is that this gun shoots under MOA, and every deer I have shoot with it goes straight down. I have shot deer at 300 yards that never knew what hit them, and were dead before they hit the ground.
There are many 24" guns in .25-06 that can be had for under $1000. You can probably find a T/C Pro Hunter single shot in .25-06 for a good price also if you want to stay with a single shot action.
yes, there are many guns that meet those criteria. that's why i like hearing about personal experiences. ive found you guys on this site to be full of good info. I appreciate your experience with the Marlin xl7, Im eyeing the Marlin for the 22-250 I have later on down my list of eventual guns. I like to mix it up.
Abel
Member
I don't know if you can get a Winchester Supergrade for under $1K, but I'm sure that a new M70 Sporter is around $750 and has a 24" tube.
Great choice in a cartridge. I've owned a Remington 700 VS in .25-06 for 35 years. It will be the last centerfire rifle I part with.
If I were in the market for a new rifle in this cartridge I'd be looking to Winchester or Remington, in that order.
If I were in the market for a new rifle in this cartridge I'd be looking to Winchester or Remington, in that order.
Sav .250
Member
As the 25-06 is just the cal, the vehicle it comes in is what your looking for.
As not all agree on what "looks" nice,is accurate, etc, a committee pole only muddies the water.
Opinions are biased but at times are helpful. I`d suggest you do your own research on the subjest as it`s your money on the line. Just a different take
on your question.
As not all agree on what "looks" nice,is accurate, etc, a committee pole only muddies the water.
Opinions are biased but at times are helpful. I`d suggest you do your own research on the subjest as it`s your money on the line. Just a different take
on your question.
nastynatesfish
Member
You can get a savage long range hunter for about 700 they come with a 26" mid barrel. I got a remmy 700 stainless from a shop used for 425 about October last year. I'm gonna rebarrel it this year and go from there.
Steve H
Member
You may want to try and find a Remmy Sendero (sp?). There should be some used ones out there. Mine is a tack driver.
The only other advice I'll offer is barrel length. I'm not a fan of 26" barrels but seem to have more then I want in my possession. I prefer 24" as it is a good compromise. I would not get a .25-06 in anything shorter then 24".
I'm willing to give up a little velocity for the 24" barrel.
I'm willing to give up a little velocity for the 24" barrel.
I had a Thompson/Center Venture in 25-06, it was a very nice accurate rifle for the price and it had a 24in barrel as well and on something like a 25-06 I feel a 24in barrel is a must. I traded that rifle away and ever since have been looking for another 25-06 to replace it.
I've got it narrowed down to three choices:
Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker-
Browning makes some very nice rifles and the X-bolt is no acception, while they're a little pricier than some I believe they're worth every penny. I have a couple Browning rifles and not one has ever let me down.
Winchester M70 Sporter-
This option is kinda complete opposite than the Browning, with it being syn/ss and the Winchester being wood/blue. I've not owned a new production Winchester but I also can't find one bad thing about them.
Savage Custom Build-
I've just recently started kicking this idea around. Find a cheap used long action savage 110, a beater can usually be had for ~$200 and purchase an aftermarket barrel like Shilen,McGowen or PacNor that's another let's say $350. Then a new stock such as a B&C Medalist if your buying new, but if you keep your eye out you can find Mcmillian stocks used for pretty reasonable prices, granted its a lot easier to find a short action one but the long action stocks are out there too. So that's another $300 for the stock. Add a Timney trigger and you just hit the $1000 mark.
I just used examples of what barrel makers, stocks I was thinking about using. The best part about this option is you can have the exact rifle you want and have it customized to your needs.
So that's my thought process on a new 25-06 I'm planning on purchasing, hopefully it will help you out on your decision.
I've got it narrowed down to three choices:
Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker-
Browning makes some very nice rifles and the X-bolt is no acception, while they're a little pricier than some I believe they're worth every penny. I have a couple Browning rifles and not one has ever let me down.
Winchester M70 Sporter-
This option is kinda complete opposite than the Browning, with it being syn/ss and the Winchester being wood/blue. I've not owned a new production Winchester but I also can't find one bad thing about them.
Savage Custom Build-
I've just recently started kicking this idea around. Find a cheap used long action savage 110, a beater can usually be had for ~$200 and purchase an aftermarket barrel like Shilen,McGowen or PacNor that's another let's say $350. Then a new stock such as a B&C Medalist if your buying new, but if you keep your eye out you can find Mcmillian stocks used for pretty reasonable prices, granted its a lot easier to find a short action one but the long action stocks are out there too. So that's another $300 for the stock. Add a Timney trigger and you just hit the $1000 mark.
I just used examples of what barrel makers, stocks I was thinking about using. The best part about this option is you can have the exact rifle you want and have it customized to your needs.
So that's my thought process on a new 25-06 I'm planning on purchasing, hopefully it will help you out on your decision.
critter
Member
I have an Argentine Mauser 98 based rifle with a 26" Shilen barrel on it in 25-06. It shoots like a dream!
A rebarrel is a good way to go if you can find some sort of base action you can live with.
A rebarrel is a good way to go if you can find some sort of base action you can live with.
c.latrans
Member
If you are not opposed to used rifles, keep an eye on Gunbroker. I watched a very nice AV in .25-06 go for around 900 not too long ago. Worth a glance....
Darn, I keep coming back. My reasoning behind picking Winchester is I've owned several used and 2 new. The new ones have been unbelieveable and the used ones were not bad either.
I've had good luck with Remington too. The last Remington, a 700 SPS VS Stainless is OK. But it took a B&C stock and Timney trigger to get it there. But even so, with the stock and trigger it was the same price as the Winchester.
I've had good luck with Remington too. The last Remington, a 700 SPS VS Stainless is OK. But it took a B&C stock and Timney trigger to get it there. But even so, with the stock and trigger it was the same price as the Winchester.
love the thoughts and opinions guys. I knew when i posted this i was looking for opinions, and i'm totally fine with that. Im not expecting anyone to do research for me, but i know many of you have this caliber, and i like to hear about that.
This whitetail didn't notice the difference between 22" and 24"
Marlin XL7C in 25-06 with 22" barrel. Nice treestand rifle.
mdauben
Member
I've been thinking about a .25-06 for a while myself, although here in the southeastern US I don't really need one. The two guns I've been considering are the Winchester Model 70 Sporter or the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Sporter. The are both excellent guns with very good reputations, both have 24 inch barrels and wood stocks (my preference, I think both companies make similar guns w/synthetic stocks) and both are available for less than $1,000.
WYcoyote. I'm sure the animals wouldn't notice the difference between 22" and 24", and that's a nice buck.
Part of the reason im looking for 24" or longer is I already have a a couple 22" barreled rifles so if i'm looking for that i've already got it covered. I'm a guy that likes variety in my gun cabinet, and i'm trying to build some. haha. So i figured, i love the 25-06 and it is a caliber that can take advantage of a longer tube, so why not get a caliber i currently don't have, with a barrel length i don't have as well covered? win win
Part of the reason im looking for 24" or longer is I already have a a couple 22" barreled rifles so if i'm looking for that i've already got it covered. I'm a guy that likes variety in my gun cabinet, and i'm trying to build some. haha. So i figured, i love the 25-06 and it is a caliber that can take advantage of a longer tube, so why not get a caliber i currently don't have, with a barrel length i don't have as well covered? win win
If that's the niche you are filling the 25-06 will work for sure, but it's far from usless in a 22". I find it humorous that a 243 and 270 are commonly offered with the 22" length but the 25-06 takes a beating when configured as such. When a quick handling, easy carrying rifle is needed, it works just fine.
c.latrans
Member
I have an older Sako that now sports a 23 inch bbl. It was originally around 24, I think Sako measures their bbls in metric....anyway, I nicked the crown and cut it down an inch to straighten things out. It still shoots the same tried and true loads to the same point of impact, and the chrono shows I lost about 40 fps on average. This gun has never been a tack driver, but shoots plenty well for its intended purpose. I also have a .25-06 AI with a 26.5 inch tube which I had built years ago when I was young enough to worship at the alter of velocity. It nips the heals of the mighty .257 Wby. with selected hand loads.
22" will work but 24" is an excellent compromise, right between 22" and 26".
When I bought mine it wasn't a popular cartridge. You either reloaded or bought from a LGS. It was a spectacular varmint cartridge, the hardest hitting I've ever seen and at unbelieveable distances. With the heavier bullets it was excellent for deer and larger game, again at very long ranges.
My rifle is a Remington 700 VS. I used it mostly for Groundhogs in OH but it's gone bear hunting in Canada and deer hunting in FL. Truelly a dual purpose cartridge.
Five years ago the barrel wore out. I remember the gunsmith telling me I could get the new barrel in almost any chambering I wanted. I don't think I thought about it longer then 1 second, smiled and said ".25-06". After 35 years it is still my favorite.
When I bought mine it wasn't a popular cartridge. You either reloaded or bought from a LGS. It was a spectacular varmint cartridge, the hardest hitting I've ever seen and at unbelieveable distances. With the heavier bullets it was excellent for deer and larger game, again at very long ranges.
My rifle is a Remington 700 VS. I used it mostly for Groundhogs in OH but it's gone bear hunting in Canada and deer hunting in FL. Truelly a dual purpose cartridge.
Five years ago the barrel wore out. I remember the gunsmith telling me I could get the new barrel in almost any chambering I wanted. I don't think I thought about it longer then 1 second, smiled and said ".25-06". After 35 years it is still my favorite.
Cranky CJ
Member
My 13 yr old with a 25-06 loaded with a round he himself hand loaded. Very nice flat shooting round that is a real hotrod of a 25 caliber.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/310057_472032649522858_620745127_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/310057_472032649522858_620745127_n.jpg
I'll have to second Critter's comments above. I also own an Argentine Mauser action rebarreled to .25-06; mine is a 1909 and wears a Douglas Heavy Sporter-contour 24" barrel. I love that rifle, and it's nice to go to the range and never see a rifle just like mine on the next bench over. It's accurate and you've got to wonder what it's seen in the last 104 years...
Lloyd Smale
Member
ive got a #1 and love it. Id bet if you looked around youd still find a new one or at least a nice used one. If i was going to go out and buy a bolt gun today it would either be a 700cdl or a ww 70 featherweight
SlowFuse
Member
I own 2 25-06's so I will offer more input. My first was a Steyr MIII Professional. My most recent purchase was a Wby Vanguard S2. Although the Steyr costs 4x more than the Wby I prefer shooting the Wby. Its very accurate and well built. The stock is the weak point but its not bad enough for me to rush to replace it. It has a 24" barrel and with handloading I have gotten surprising accuracy, it does ok with factory ammo as well. It has become my go to for long range coyote control and a little deer hunting also.
dustin280zx
Member
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My advice from my experience is to get the rifle that feel's most comfortable to you. I own weatherbys, remingtons, and did own a winchester. I've experienced no malfunctions in any, though all are properly maintained. They are all fine rifles mechanically. The reason I sold the winchester is because I liked the ergonomics of the remingtons and weatherbys. They simply fit me better and felt most comfortable. I feel more confident in my ability to make free hand shots with the model 700 mountain rifle in 280 rem over the model 70 featherweight I had in 280 remington. This is purely on the basis that the mountain rifle fit me best and felt most comfortable over the featherweight. I didn't see a need for a rifle I didn't like to use or had to "adjust" to use it so I sold it to my friend who tends to like winchester's over remingtons because he feels winchesters are more comfortable. So it's very subjective and only you know what is best for yourself.
Another bit of advice is do not be afraid of buying a used rifle. I would choose an older mark v, 700 bdl, or m70 that has been used over a newer production rifle anyday. They will retain their value too if you decide to sell it.
Another bit of advice is do not be afraid of buying a used rifle. I would choose an older mark v, 700 bdl, or m70 that has been used over a newer production rifle anyday. They will retain their value too if you decide to sell it.
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