25-06 any goood
- Thread starter niceone
- Start date
Depends on what you plan to use it for, but in my opinion the 25-06 is one of the best medium game hunting rounds ever invented. It just flat drops deer. Has good ballistics. And is easy to load for. What more do you need in a hunting rifle?
I wouldn't use it for really large game (moose or large bear), and it probably won't win any 1000yd BR competitions, but what it does, it does very well.
I wouldn't use it for really large game (moose or large bear), and it probably won't win any 1000yd BR competitions, but what it does, it does very well.
Like Kenny474 said? What are you using it for? Whitetail's down it's a great round, and flat shooting. Need more info?
Mark
Mark
Since nobody has any clue whatsoever what you are referencing or what your intended uses are, it's pretty pointless to even bothering to answer you until you can be more specific.
IE: I want to use this for deer at ranges up to 400yds. Or, I want to use this for varmints. Or I am considering this for 600yd BR.
Without an idea of planned usage, it's impossible to answer you with any degree of accuracy.
IE: I want to use this for deer at ranges up to 400yds. Or, I want to use this for varmints. Or I am considering this for 600yd BR.
Without an idea of planned usage, it's impossible to answer you with any degree of accuracy.
If you can get good bullets with a high BC and a long enough barrel to get them up to full speed, I don't see why it couldn't work.
If you want to see what is going to do best at 1000yds, look at what the 1000yd benchrest guys are using. I would think there are better choices for that distance than the 25-06.
As far as the 25-06 being truly better than the 6BR for varmints at 1000yds, I really don't know. But I would think if it was going to have great success that more people would be using it.
It wouldn't be my first choice for a 1000yd varmint gun.
If you want to see what is going to do best at 1000yds, look at what the 1000yd benchrest guys are using. I would think there are better choices for that distance than the 25-06.
As far as the 25-06 being truly better than the 6BR for varmints at 1000yds, I really don't know. But I would think if it was going to have great success that more people would be using it.
It wouldn't be my first choice for a 1000yd varmint gun.
Lone Hunter
Silver $$ Contributor
I believe the barrel life will be longer than 900 rds. The .25-06 is flat shooting,hits hard. Really to me it is a non belted magnum. There are other rounds faster and their barrel life is far greater than 900 rnds.. .25-06 is just not as popular as the 6m/m's
I'd agree barrel life wouldn't be good - the powder capacity to bore ratio is about the same as .243 Win. which is about a 1300-round (from the general consensus) cartridge.
Personally, I wouldn't go for a long action for this type of shooting but if I were to use the '06 as a parent case I'd use a 6.5-06 or maybe a 280 Rem. (AI maybe) would be interesting. The bullets available for the two are much better than what are available for .257", 6MM also has a much better bullet selection. If you're going the long action route, why not go with a proven performer - the 284 Win. or 6.5-284?
As for the argument about the 6BR vs 25-06, come on now . . . say the 25-06 shoots a little flatter initially but the superior BC of the 6MMs (105 VLD, 107 SMK, 115DTAC anyone?) will win over in the long distance in wind and the BR's accuracy will still make it the winner I think - it doesn't matter if you're shooting a 50 BMG if you can't hit the target. Straight .243 would probably be a good alternative between the two, same high-velocity as the '06 but the better bullets of the 6MM.
I don't know the ballistic limits of .25-06 well but I'll go off the book data for it and use a 115 Berger VLD to try to keep things on an even playing field here. 100-yard zero, 10 mph wind:
6BR - 105 VLD @ 2700 FPS
1000-yard drop - 329", wind drift 72"
.25-06 - 115 VLD @ 3100 FPS
1000 - yard drop - 275", wind drift 79.6"
.243 Win - 105 VLD @ 3100 FPS
1000-yard drop - 239", wind drift 58"
You can see on paper the straight .243 smokes both in every regard to 1000 yards but the BR wins out over the .25-06 with wind deflection which isn't a constant where drop is. I'd take the 6BR over the .25-06 - but the .243 over either, the .243 can really juice up the lighter 70 & 80 grain bullets too for short range varminting.
Maybe that helps? Maybe it doesn't.
Wayne
Personally, I wouldn't go for a long action for this type of shooting but if I were to use the '06 as a parent case I'd use a 6.5-06 or maybe a 280 Rem. (AI maybe) would be interesting. The bullets available for the two are much better than what are available for .257", 6MM also has a much better bullet selection. If you're going the long action route, why not go with a proven performer - the 284 Win. or 6.5-284?
As for the argument about the 6BR vs 25-06, come on now . . . say the 25-06 shoots a little flatter initially but the superior BC of the 6MMs (105 VLD, 107 SMK, 115DTAC anyone?) will win over in the long distance in wind and the BR's accuracy will still make it the winner I think - it doesn't matter if you're shooting a 50 BMG if you can't hit the target. Straight .243 would probably be a good alternative between the two, same high-velocity as the '06 but the better bullets of the 6MM.
I don't know the ballistic limits of .25-06 well but I'll go off the book data for it and use a 115 Berger VLD to try to keep things on an even playing field here. 100-yard zero, 10 mph wind:
6BR - 105 VLD @ 2700 FPS
1000-yard drop - 329", wind drift 72"
.25-06 - 115 VLD @ 3100 FPS
1000 - yard drop - 275", wind drift 79.6"
.243 Win - 105 VLD @ 3100 FPS
1000-yard drop - 239", wind drift 58"
You can see on paper the straight .243 smokes both in every regard to 1000 yards but the BR wins out over the .25-06 with wind deflection which isn't a constant where drop is. I'd take the 6BR over the .25-06 - but the .243 over either, the .243 can really juice up the lighter 70 & 80 grain bullets too for short range varminting.
Maybe that helps? Maybe it doesn't.
Wayne
Wayne makes a very good point. The 243 out does both 6br, and 2506 with long range shooting. Me I would go with the 6br as well. Better barrel life less expensive to shoot, and with less recoil. I would try to figure out what your willing to give up between different calibers. Meaning If you don't mind burning barrels out and replacing them often with the 243 then go with it, or better yet do a 243 AI. More speed equals less wind drift. If you want less recoil and the same high bc bullets, go with the 6br. There might be more wind drift but a little more hold off, or windage adjustment on the scope can fix that. The little short fat cases have proven themselves in my book. If A long action is all that is available then do a 6.5-06. (better bullet selection) For me it all comes down to what I'm willing to give up for the purpose of the rifle. Many calibers have there place and can be argued to no end witch is better, but in the end it really only matters what your happy with or what you are willing to give up from one caliber to another.
Mark
Mark
niceone
My experience with the 25/06 concerning accuracy and decent barrel life is very good. It also has the ballistics for small varmints @ 1000 yds.
108 JLK VLD @ 3230 fps (the 115 Berger VLD doesn't have quite the ballistic coefficient)
1000 yd drop (from 100 yd zero) 233" (actual shooting)
Barrel life 1500+ rounds--using WW or Norma 270 Brass (shortened)
54.2 H4831SC, 210M Primer,
Also, one thought-I remember when nobody used 6mm's for 1000 yd B/R and then someone did (better bullets) and they win, however, the 30's are still GREAT.
Dan
My experience with the 25/06 concerning accuracy and decent barrel life is very good. It also has the ballistics for small varmints @ 1000 yds.
108 JLK VLD @ 3230 fps (the 115 Berger VLD doesn't have quite the ballistic coefficient)
1000 yd drop (from 100 yd zero) 233" (actual shooting)
Barrel life 1500+ rounds--using WW or Norma 270 Brass (shortened)
54.2 H4831SC, 210M Primer,
Also, one thought-I remember when nobody used 6mm's for 1000 yd B/R and then someone did (better bullets) and they win, however, the 30's are still GREAT.
Dan
I agree with Dan. I am shooting a 25-06 Ackley right now and have shot my 4th group less than .5" today with H-4350. Muzzel velocity is around 3500 fps with 100 grain Nosler BT's loaded in R-P brass and CCI magnum primers. Barrel life will be good with proper cleaning. Don't get it hot enough to brand cattle either. It really is a great hunting cartridge and who knows, maybe someone will set some records with it. If it suits your purposes, use it.
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