25-06.... Why?

[ckaberna]

Here’s why. LoL.

 

[ChesterS]

6.5X55 and a little heavier barrel. A little weight makes a big reduction in recoil.

 

[1K6BRA]

I know I know not much of a rack. I had posted it earlier in this thread I was going to New York with my 25-06. I am more of a meat hunter and this one will do just fine. The 25-06 rolled it like a shotgun rolls rabbits just like I knew it would.

 

[SweaterDood]

Who can make a good 7.5 twist barrel for 25-06

First. To use the speed of the ‘06 you’d be better with a 1:8tw. Will also be more forgiving on the lighter bullets, less RPMs.

As far as a list of makers (and I know these for certain, may be others). Some of them will do it on request but add cost and lead time, but may not list it on the website

Bartlein, Brux, Douglas, Hawk Hill, Krieger, Lilja, Pac-Nor, Proof Research, Rock Creek, Shilen, X-Caliber

I have a 25-06 AI and a .257 Rob AI, both with 26” fast twist barrels and they both will push the 131/135gr bullets well over 3100fps. Take a look at Blackjack Bullets Facebook page or Instagram to see the effectiveness on game. I have no doubt of its capabilities, but I am biased. And again, 1:8tw is correct for these speeds. Mine are both 1:7.5tw and I will go to 1:8tw for the next barrels.

 

[std7mag]

I went on PA's opening black bear hunt yesterday with my Savage 111 rebarreled in 257 Roberts AI. Loaded with 120gr Partitions.
I didn't see any, but i didn't feel under gunned.

257 Roberts and even 243 Win have taken elk cleanly.
Why the worry on a 25-06?

 

[JSH]

I didn’t read all the responses, just enough to make me chuckle. A few of the words used repeatedly, “antiquated”, “efficient”. Neither of which is true, change a shoulder angle and give it a fast twist barrel, tack a fancy name on it and declare we have something new, let’s not forget putting it in a short fat cartridge either.
Efficient means different things to different folks, I threw it out the window years ago. If ya want speed you have to burn more fuel. A hunting cartridge of this sort, I want as much speed as I can get with acceptable accuracy. I won’t settle for a low node either. Have seen guys load it down to 25-35, I am like WTH?

If anything the 25 has seen little improvement of bullets in the past. I see it has gleaned interest the past few years.

 

[AckleymanII]

R#25 with Fed 215's takes the std Rem 700's to a new level with 100g- 120g in std 25/06's. I usually get 1/2" with 100g Partitions and Sierra 117g btsp can shoot 3/8" and smaller with tuned rifles. 300 yards and under, DRT is the norm.

 

[Billy 30-06]

Shoulder issues/ recoil sensitive. AR10 in .308 is the gun. Ammo no problem. Less recoil and muzzle blast than the 25-06 .

 

[std7mag]

I should have noted that the question the OP should have asked, especially given the responses is Why Not the 25-06?

My 257 Roberts has taken 2 whitetailed bucks thus far.

First was my daughters at about 70 yards with a 115gr Berger VLD. Broadside shot right behind the front leg.
"He kinda puffed up, went straight legged, and fell over".
Both lungs & heart utterly destroyed. Jacket found under offside hide.

My buck with a 100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. Again about 70 yards. Bullet passed through the deer, a 2" sapling, and into another 8" tree behind it.
Deer went 20-25 yards and piled up. Again, right behind the front leg. Both lungs & heart destroyed.

Velocity for the Berger about 3,000 fps, the Ballistic Tip a little over 3,100 fps.

With the 25-06 being faster, pick a good bullet and go hunt!

The proof is in the pudding, as they say. They just flat out work!

This years opening day deer hunt is going to be my Stevens 200 in 250Savage with 100gr Ballistic Tips.
I'm sure i'll get a pass through, but it's hunting, not target practice and i can't be assured of a perfect broadside opportunity.

 

[AckleymanII]

Shoulder issues/ recoil sensitive. AR10 in .308 is the gun. Ammo no problem. Less recoil and muzzle blast than the 25-06 .

Gentry muzzle break mitigates the recoil of the 25/06 down to less than a 243 Win, sound is thrown forward on these brakes.

 

[std7mag]

Gentry muzzle break mitigates the recoil of the 25/06 down to less than a 243 Win, sound is thrown forward on these brakes.

Reducing recoil, yes i completely agree.

Throws the sound forwards is going to take some explaining & advanced drawings for me to wrap my head around.

 

[littlebuddybr]

With Elk in the mix definitely go with a 6.5/264.

This

 

[AckleymanII]

Reducing recoil, yes i completely agree.

Throws the sound forwards is going to take some explaining & advanced drawings for me to wrap my head around.

Three types of brakes, side discharge(90* to bore line), side discharge Rear slanted discharge(loudest of all), Radial discharge(90* to bore line), Radial brakes(20* or so slanted forward ports, Gentry and others).

 

[Brians356]

The 25-06 with the newer long/heavy 25-cal hunting bullets available might benefit from a faster 9 or 8.x twist if elk is on the bill of fare.
-

 

[Adam in WI]

115 Nosler Partition over 52 grains H4831sc...



312 yards

 

[howl]

If lower recoil is the requirement then you top out at around 120gr of bullet going appropriately fast. It could be from any of a number of .25 or .26 caliber cartridges. That's as far as cartridge gets you. The rest is in proper application of a sturdy bullet.

I would pick the one that is most likely to have ammo available where you hunt. Creedmoor isn't on the list due to lack of 120gr factory loads. Unless .260 is unusually popular there, .25/06 is probably going to be it. That's the only one I've ever seen for sale in a gas station anyway.

 

[rickt300]

I have felt the 25-06 is the very best coyote rifle in existence. With a good bullet loaded to top speeds it will shoot flat enough for no worries about trajectory for a long ways, more than 300 yards. But certainly not a pelt rifle.

 

[Bill Clifton]

For hunting I'd take a 25-06 over a 243 any day of the week. Those are two cartridges I grew up with my first rifle was a 25-06 and my uncle had a 243. The 243 ain't going to hang with the 25-06 with the same weight bullets. Some of the newer cartridges might hang with it but the 25-06 ain't no slouch even comparing to todays latest and greatest.

 

[Dave M.]

I have a cousin here in Texas that wants me to build him a custom rifle. He has shoulder issues and wants a little less recoil for Elk, mule deer and hogs. His brother has a 25-06 and expounds endlessly about the virtues of the cartridge. I’ve been studying my books.
The 25-06 launches a 117 grain bullet at 3000 FPS. Woohoo! So can a .243, a 6xc, 6.5-55 ! My 6.5-47 launches a 123 at 2950.
Am I missing something? It seems to me there are some great modern cartridges that use a lot less powder in a short action, with the same performance.
Opinions wanted. I just don’t get it.
I’m thinking 243 as a suggestion. Maybe a 260 or 6.5-55.

My 6.5CM launches 129gr Hornady SST at 2995fps and pound for pound is the smoothest and lightest recoiling rifle I’ve ever owned OR shot.
dave

 

[rickt300]

On the other hand why not have a dozen rifles made up for different kinds of hunting. Keep the 25-06 as an open country deer and antelope rifle with off season hunts for coyotes. Seems like that is the 25-06 niche anyway.