interarms mark x 25-06

[MachIVshooter]

Furthermore the energy makes little difference (other factors tend to be more important, such as cavitation/expansion volume in the wound) when it comes to effectiveness on game

I know this. KE is just a good yardstick for comparing the potential of different cartridges, within reason. No, you really can't compare a .500 S&W to a .270 Win, even though they have about the same KE, because they wound in very different ways. But when comparing one high-velocity rifle round to another, it's a useful figure.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Good find. Excellent rifles. I snagged a .270 MkX last spring for $200. I cut the stock to fit me and installed a Boyds 1/2" recoil pad.

After cleaning it up and mounting a scope, and trying a few loads, I found that it "likes" the Hornady 140gr BtSpt (midwayusa.com "blems") over 58.5gr of RL22. It shoots 1/2-3/4" 3-shot groups with it.

I wasn't suprised at the accuracy as I've had one since 1974. I bought it new, in .30'06. I shot numerous 1-hole groups with it with Norma factory 150gr ammo and killed my first deer with it in 1976. I also found many different combinations of components with reloads that did likewise but none better than 56.5gr of IMR4350 and a Sierra 165gr BtHpt or BtSpt or 168gr MatchKing.

I got "bored" with the .30/06 and had it rebarreled to .338/06. (I still have the orinal barrel, too). It's not quite as accurate as either of the original barrels (including the .270), but it will on occasion shoot 3-shot 1" groups. But, it's a real heavy hitter with a 250gr Hornady or Nosler at near 2,600fps. About 75fps behind a .338winmag.

A best friend has one of the MkX "Whitworth" Viscount (economy version) in .25/06. He also gets 1/2" accuracy for 3-shots with it. His preferred load is 43.0gr of IMR4320. Yes, 4320.... under a Sierra 120gr BtHpt for about 2,900fps (chrono'd with my chrono). This should be a real good load from your "abbreviated" barrel.... Should still get 2,700-2,750fps from your 18"bbl. Or about like my 22" bbl .257Roberts (military M98 action). It's killed over 125 deer since I built it in 1983. Nothing wrong with it's performace.....

FWIW; I bought my .338" bbl from MidwayUSA.com for $59.00. It cost me $100 to get it chambered, blued, and installed by a gunsmith. This included refinishing the entire rifle with a matte finish and crowning the muzzle with a 11deg taper crown.

re: Stocks. Boyds.com has walnut, laminated, and finished stocks for the MkX action. Also, the Hogue's synthetic stock for the '98 Mauser only requires a slight amount of fitting. I have the Hogue's on my .338/06. I love it as it noticeably reduces the felt recoil from the .338/06...

 

[scottbird]

"There have been four responses saying the rifle should be re-barreled. These people should remember that scottbird paid only $200 for the rifle. A new barrel would cost at least $500. He should shoot the rifle as is with good hearing protection and chuckle every time he nails the bullseye. His original investment of $200 plus $500 would almost buy a new Winchester Model 70 featherweight. BW"

I would like to thank you for that comment, I have shot this rifle, 50 shots so far, am shooting .75" at 350 yards with 100 grain remington corlockets. I also found this gun was special orderd with this 18" barrel and that it has a higher rate of twist to make up for its lemgth, so my gunsmith tells me. it is loud, but man it is accurate, and I love it, going to leave it as it is.

 

[scottbird]

"I think we are deviating from the purpose of the thread. Yes, all high velocity cartridges are inefficient, which is why I typically avoid them for large game hunting. Furthermore the energy makes little difference (other factors tend to be more important, such as cavitation/expansion volume in the wound) when it comes to effectiveness on game. Also the .25-06Rem. has a comparably poor trajectory/wind drift (for a med. range varminting?) due to the low BC projectiles available, so it just doesn't fill much of a role IMO. That said, it'll work if you really like it, and my intention was not to start a debate on the merits of most any cartridge (just throw out the idea that other choices are a viable option that should be explored for someone looking the re-bbl), so I'm going to leave this one alone and get back to the heart of the matter...the OP getting an outstanding deal on a very good Mauser action no matter what he decides to do with it."

I am not a judge of peoples things. I feel I shoot what I like and what I think is comfortable, I will not say your guns are not good enough, therefor I think I should deserve the same respect from you. if you do not like the caliber that I shoot, fine that is your right, but it is not your right to tell me I should choose something else.

Furthermore, did you even ask what I was hunting? no, you just got up there and started telling about its faults, All i hunt is varmints, and shoot targets.
I believe we each should be entitled to use the caliber of our choice, and others should respect that decision, and keep their opinions to their selves.\

I thank each of you for your input, I believe I have found a good gun, I love shooting it. I think that is all that matters, if we are happy with what we have, we are happier than those who always complain.

 

[Maverick223]

I am not a judge of peoples things. I feel I shoot what I like and what I think is comfortable, I will not say your guns are not good enough, therefor I think I should deserve the same respect from you. if you do not like the caliber that I shoot, fine that is your right, but it is not your right to tell me I should choose something else.

I didn't tell you to choose something else, I simply suggested that there were other options available.

Furthermore, did you even ask what I was hunting? no, you just got up there and started telling about its faults, All i hunt is varmints, and shoot targets.
I believe we each should be entitled to use the caliber of our choice, and others should respect that decision, and keep their opinions to their selves.

I call it like I see it; which is to say: a poor choice for varmints or big game hunting...I don't even believe it is a good compromise of the two...you can like it or lump it. You asked for input and information, that's what you got...perhaps you shouldn't have if you didn't want any.

 

[Kachok]

I have always preferred the .264 cals over the .257s, but I for one would never bad mouth a quarterbore, some of the most experienced hunters I know swear by them. The guys who handload say the 117gr SGK is the baddest deer dropper on the planet, and if I had heard that from one or two of them I would chalk that up as luck, but having heard that from over a dozen of them most of who also shoot lager calibers has left quite an impression on me. I would in no way shape or form feel handicapped hunting deer with a 25-06 instead of my 6.5x55 or 308.
Paper ballistics are great, but they are a long way from telling the whole story, sure the 257s lack the uber high BC and SD of some of the other calibers but they make up for it in sheer speed on thin skinned game.

 

[scottbird]

I do not hunt deer I have an intestinal disease and am not able to eat it, therefore why hunt it. I mainly hunt groundhogs, coyotes, and other pests. My 25-06 though the first one I have owned, I like it. I have already taken around 20 groundhogs and one coyote, of which the longest shot was around 175 yards. Here in southwest virgin a where I live, that is about the longest shot you get on about anything.

I know I am really enjoying the gun, and started reloading for it this week, still working on a good round. Using 117gr sierra game king spitzer boatail, and Imr 4350 powder.

Once I find that load that seems to work best in my rifle I will post it. God bless each of you, and thanks so much for the info. I am new to reloading, a friend is helping me, I am having a hard time finding brass, if you know where to find any, and I would appreciate the help.

 

[scottbird]

I would like to thank you for that comment, I have shot this rifle, 50 shots so far, am shooting .75" at 350 yards with 100 grain remington corlockets. I also found this gun was special orderd with this 18" barrel and that it has a higher rate of twist to make up for its length, so my gunsmith tells me. it is loud, but man it is accurate, and I love it, going to leave it as it is.

.75" at 350 yards i am sorry I meant 1.75" at 200 yards. I did not mean to give more credit than deserved, just had a hair brained day.