? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
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Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
I've killed many a deer and antelope with a 25-06 and Nosler 110gr Accubonds...
I've killed many a deer and antelope with a 25-06 and Nosler 110gr Accubonds...
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
killed a few myself, but his question was if he could do better, and IMHO, a short action is better, IF you don't NEED the power, and for even mulies, a 7mm-08 hits plenty hard, and for whitetails a 243 is more than enough, shoots flat, low recoil
killed a few myself, but his question was if he could do better, and IMHO, a short action is better, IF you don't NEED the power, and for even mulies, a 7mm-08 hits plenty hard, and for whitetails a 243 is more than enough, shoots flat, low recoil
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
An accurate 25-06 loaded with 100gr Nosler Paritions is hard to beat for any deer/hog/antelope application you put together.
An accurate 25-06 loaded with 100gr Nosler Paritions is hard to beat for any deer/hog/antelope application you put together.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
While it depends on where you hunt (brushy, short shots, or wide-open country and long shots, potentially with wind), I recently decided on 270s for my 13-year old boys. They both succesfully shot mule deer with a .30-06 that I hand loaded a little light (one at over 300 yards), but I figured the 270 had more bullet options than the 25-06 and we could go up to elk pretty easily. The first consideration is what you can shoot well with. If 270 or 25-06 recoil bothers you to the point where you don't practice like you should, or don't shoot well, then go with something lighter than you enjoy shooting.
My current deer loads in the 270s are within 3" of point of aim out to over 320 yards, so that's pretty flat in my book.
While it depends on where you hunt (brushy, short shots, or wide-open country and long shots, potentially with wind), I recently decided on 270s for my 13-year old boys. They both succesfully shot mule deer with a .30-06 that I hand loaded a little light (one at over 300 yards), but I figured the 270 had more bullet options than the 25-06 and we could go up to elk pretty easily. The first consideration is what you can shoot well with. If 270 or 25-06 recoil bothers you to the point where you don't practice like you should, or don't shoot well, then go with something lighter than you enjoy shooting.
My current deer loads in the 270s are within 3" of point of aim out to over 320 yards, so that's pretty flat in my book.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
Not much better. 100 gr barnes.. Bada--! Great round. I have taken several KS mulies, whitetails, Tx hogs, Wyo antelope and even a Wyo 6x6 bull elk. (scope on the 3006 was acting up) Have the 243 which is fun to shoot but the 25 is faster and flatter. Its a fun gun and will get it done..
Not much better. 100 gr barnes.. Bada--! Great round. I have taken several KS mulies, whitetails, Tx hogs, Wyo antelope and even a Wyo 6x6 bull elk. (scope on the 3006 was acting up) Have the 243 which is fun to shoot but the 25 is faster and flatter. Its a fun gun and will get it done..
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
I have a .25-06 and I really like it. That being said I would probably go for one of the short action calibers, .243,.260 , or 7-08 if I had it to do all over again. Better bullet selection, less recoil, less powder.....All will kill a deer as dead as a .25-06 will.
If you already have the 25-06 I wouldn't go selling it but if you are starting anew, go short action.
Have fun hunting.
I have a .25-06 and I really like it. That being said I would probably go for one of the short action calibers, .243,.260 , or 7-08 if I had it to do all over again. Better bullet selection, less recoil, less powder.....All will kill a deer as dead as a .25-06 will.
If you already have the 25-06 I wouldn't go selling it but if you are starting anew, go short action.
Have fun hunting.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
I don't see how anyone can give you a "good" answer without knowing where you are hunting, at what distances are you able to get a shot? I've hunted many places where you were not going to get a shot at over 100 yards and usually 50-75, and many others where a 200-300 yard shot were common, withy many out to 600. 25-06 great round, how can you not love it? however; if you hunt the woods, and seldom get a shot over 75 yards, you want to hit them hard-with a big hole, that drops them as soon as possible. If they run 25 yards or so, it can take a while to find them, and get to them. The heavier the woods, the harder I want my round to hit. In open country, if they run 25 yards or so, no big deal, you can see them fall. If you've ever spent the hour after sunset with a beam looking for the one you shot the last five minutes of legal hunting, only to find him 25 yards (in the brambles)from where he was shot, you know what I mean! I've been thinking that the 338Federal would make a very good deep woods game getter, short action, big hole, plenty of power at range, etc. In any case, keep the 26-06 if you can, you'll regret getting rid of it in a year or so, it's just a great caliber, everyone should have at least one.
I don't see how anyone can give you a "good" answer without knowing where you are hunting, at what distances are you able to get a shot? I've hunted many places where you were not going to get a shot at over 100 yards and usually 50-75, and many others where a 200-300 yard shot were common, withy many out to 600. 25-06 great round, how can you not love it? however; if you hunt the woods, and seldom get a shot over 75 yards, you want to hit them hard-with a big hole, that drops them as soon as possible. If they run 25 yards or so, it can take a while to find them, and get to them. The heavier the woods, the harder I want my round to hit. In open country, if they run 25 yards or so, no big deal, you can see them fall. If you've ever spent the hour after sunset with a beam looking for the one you shot the last five minutes of legal hunting, only to find him 25 yards (in the brambles)from where he was shot, you know what I mean! I've been thinking that the 338Federal would make a very good deep woods game getter, short action, big hole, plenty of power at range, etc. In any case, keep the 26-06 if you can, you'll regret getting rid of it in a year or so, it's just a great caliber, everyone should have at least one.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
25-06 for deer, yes, but the "etc" has me worried. I'm not sure what you are including in the etcetera class. Its common knowledge that 50BMG is for dinosaurs and UFOs, 223 is plenty for zombies and 22 rimfire for liberals and communists.
25-06 for deer, yes, but the "etc" has me worried. I'm not sure what you are including in the etcetera class. Its common knowledge that 50BMG is for dinosaurs and UFOs, 223 is plenty for zombies and 22 rimfire for liberals and communists.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Searcher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">25-06 for deer, yes, but the "etc" has me worried. I'm not sure what you are including in the etcetera class. Its common knowledge that 50BMG is for dinosaurs and UFOs, 223 is plenty for zombies and 22 rimfire for liberals and communists. </div></div>
ROTFLMAO
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Searcher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">25-06 for deer, yes, but the "etc" has me worried. I'm not sure what you are including in the etcetera class. Its common knowledge that 50BMG is for dinosaurs and UFOs, 223 is plenty for zombies and 22 rimfire for liberals and communists. </div></div>
ROTFLMAO
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
For hunting its been covered. If I wanted to use it for targets or comps in addition to hunting I'd go .260/6.5 or 7mm-08. And if I didn't already have a .30 cal it would definitely be the 7.
For hunting its been covered. If I wanted to use it for targets or comps in addition to hunting I'd go .260/6.5 or 7mm-08. And if I didn't already have a .30 cal it would definitely be the 7.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if you hunt the woods, and seldom get a shot over 75 yards, you want to hit them hard-with a big hole, that drops them as soon as possible.</div></div>
In that case a Marlin 1895 in .45/70 is the right medicine
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if you hunt the woods, and seldom get a shot over 75 yards, you want to hit them hard-with a big hole, that drops them as soon as possible.</div></div>
In that case a Marlin 1895 in .45/70 is the right medicine
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
I am not a fan of it for Mule Deer around here. Had a friend that used one, and he lost too many deer with it. YMMV
I am not a fan of it for Mule Deer around here. Had a friend that used one, and he lost too many deer with it. YMMV
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> if you hunt the woods, and seldom get a shot over 75 yards, you want to hit them hard-with a big hole, that drops them as soon as possible. If they run 25 yards or so, it can take a while to find them, and get to them. The heavier the woods, the harder I want my round to hit. In open country, if they run 25 yards or so, no big deal, you can see them fall. If you've ever spent the hour after sunset with a beam looking for the one you shot the last five minutes of legal hunting, only to find him 25 yards (in the brambles)from where he was shot, you know what I mean! </div></div>
I have been using my 375 H&H for everything lately, including whitetails. Load up the 235grain Barnes, you got a good MOA shooter to 300+ yards and a big hole. Load up the 270 grain Hornady's and killer midrange with a big hole. Load up the 350 grain solids and you got bear stoppers. Recoil isn't bad and damn versatile. I hunt in brush mostly with 2-300yard clearcuts so that's the best caliber for me. I have no use for 6mm cartridges and their flat trajectories for my hunting. Where are you at and what ranges are you shooting? Michigan doesn't have much for open country, mostly heavy forested areas and 50 yard shots.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> if you hunt the woods, and seldom get a shot over 75 yards, you want to hit them hard-with a big hole, that drops them as soon as possible. If they run 25 yards or so, it can take a while to find them, and get to them. The heavier the woods, the harder I want my round to hit. In open country, if they run 25 yards or so, no big deal, you can see them fall. If you've ever spent the hour after sunset with a beam looking for the one you shot the last five minutes of legal hunting, only to find him 25 yards (in the brambles)from where he was shot, you know what I mean! </div></div>
I have been using my 375 H&H for everything lately, including whitetails. Load up the 235grain Barnes, you got a good MOA shooter to 300+ yards and a big hole. Load up the 270 grain Hornady's and killer midrange with a big hole. Load up the 350 grain solids and you got bear stoppers. Recoil isn't bad and damn versatile. I hunt in brush mostly with 2-300yard clearcuts so that's the best caliber for me. I have no use for 6mm cartridges and their flat trajectories for my hunting. Where are you at and what ranges are you shooting? Michigan doesn't have much for open country, mostly heavy forested areas and 50 yard shots.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
ive had a browning a bolt in 25-06. killed an 11 with it 2 seasons ago and a 8 last season. Ive also had a remington mod 7 in 7mm-08 that i regret letting go. i killed a pig at 500 yds with that. very straight shooting caliber. either choice is suitable for deer.
ive had a browning a bolt in 25-06. killed an 11 with it 2 seasons ago and a 8 last season. Ive also had a remington mod 7 in 7mm-08 that i regret letting go. i killed a pig at 500 yds with that. very straight shooting caliber. either choice is suitable for deer.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
25-06 is a fine cartridge, but when you look at how much more powder you burn for a very marginal improvement over the .257 +p loads, I consider it rather wasteful.
In a long action, I would lean towards the .280 rem if you are taking animals up to mule deer or elk with long shots a possibility. It is a handloaders dream with a very wide assortment of bullets from 110 grains up to 180 grains available.
You don't say what or where you are hunting, in the eastern woods it is hard to beat a model 7 in .243.
If you handload, a 6.5 caliber would be a fantastic choice. 6.5x55 in a long action and a .260 in a short action.
25-06 is a fine cartridge, but when you look at how much more powder you burn for a very marginal improvement over the .257 +p loads, I consider it rather wasteful.
In a long action, I would lean towards the .280 rem if you are taking animals up to mule deer or elk with long shots a possibility. It is a handloaders dream with a very wide assortment of bullets from 110 grains up to 180 grains available.
You don't say what or where you are hunting, in the eastern woods it is hard to beat a model 7 in .243.
If you handload, a 6.5 caliber would be a fantastic choice. 6.5x55 in a long action and a .260 in a short action.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
If a 25-06 floats your boat, go with it. I've got one and it will kill them just as dead as a 50bmg. Dead is Dead
If a 25-06 floats your boat, go with it. I've got one and it will kill them just as dead as a 50bmg. Dead is Dead
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jeo556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a .25-06 and I really like it. That being said I would probably go for one of the short action calibers, .243,.260 , or 7-08 if I had it to do all over again. Better bullet selection, less recoil, less powder.....All will kill a deer as dead as a .25-06 will.
If you already have the 25-06 I wouldn't go selling it but if you are starting anew, go short action.
Have fun hunting. </div></div>
Good choices all.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jeo556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a .25-06 and I really like it. That being said I would probably go for one of the short action calibers, .243,.260 , or 7-08 if I had it to do all over again. Better bullet selection, less recoil, less powder.....All will kill a deer as dead as a .25-06 will.
If you already have the 25-06 I wouldn't go selling it but if you are starting anew, go short action.
Have fun hunting. </div></div>
Good choices all.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
It you are looking for a different rifle/ caliber, there are alot of good choices listed here. The .25-06 has killed tons of deer thru the yrs. A deer has no idea if it was shot with a .17 hmr in the brain or has it side blown out by a .600. Like justhuntin said, "Dead is dead".
It you are looking for a different rifle/ caliber, there are alot of good choices listed here. The .25-06 has killed tons of deer thru the yrs. A deer has no idea if it was shot with a .17 hmr in the brain or has it side blown out by a .600. Like justhuntin said, "Dead is dead".
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
If I were hunting Michigan Whitetail in the centerfire zone, I would be using my 223, find a load with the swift scirocco if the barrel had the twist to utilize it or one of the mid-weight barnes bullets if it didn't and call it a day.
But alas, I live and hunt in the shotgun zone... So I will continue to sling lead balls out of my muzzleloader and/or a handgun at just above the speed of sound and laugh to myself about all the posts made around deer season every year about needin' the biggest ultra super mags to get DRT shots on deer.
I will add this, I hunt Montana mules as well. Last season I had the treat of taking a 13 year old (first year hunter) hunting and talking him through the one shot kill he made with a 243 on a nice 3x4. His father shot a nice 4x4 with a 7mm mag 3 times, my 5x5 dropped from one well placed 308, 155 scenar. The other two guys in our group, also using 7mm mags, used 2 shots apiece to drop their deer. Moral of this tale, get a gun that you enjoy shooting and then actually practice with it… Cause it’s all about bullet placement.
If I were hunting Michigan Whitetail in the centerfire zone, I would be using my 223, find a load with the swift scirocco if the barrel had the twist to utilize it or one of the mid-weight barnes bullets if it didn't and call it a day.
But alas, I live and hunt in the shotgun zone... So I will continue to sling lead balls out of my muzzleloader and/or a handgun at just above the speed of sound and laugh to myself about all the posts made around deer season every year about needin' the biggest ultra super mags to get DRT shots on deer.
I will add this, I hunt Montana mules as well. Last season I had the treat of taking a 13 year old (first year hunter) hunting and talking him through the one shot kill he made with a 243 on a nice 3x4. His father shot a nice 4x4 with a 7mm mag 3 times, my 5x5 dropped from one well placed 308, 155 scenar. The other two guys in our group, also using 7mm mags, used 2 shots apiece to drop their deer. Moral of this tale, get a gun that you enjoy shooting and then actually practice with it… Cause it’s all about bullet placement.
Re: ? can i do better than 25 06 for hunting deer/ect.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: proneshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if you hunt the woods, and seldom get a shot over 75 yards, you want to hit them hard-with a big hole, that drops them as soon as possible.</div></div>
In that case a Marlin 1895 in .45/70 is the right medicine </div></div> Or the 444, I agree, in heavy woods, as we have in the south, the faster they go down, the easier your life is. If they don't drop-right now- briars and brambles are going to be part of your future. The choice of bullets, and calibers are more carefully considered by those that have followed a blood trail in the dark-trying to find that deer. Even with the new rounds from Hornady, I'd never suggest either round for 300 yard shots (I know they can be made, but let's be serious)-deep woods-- the biggest hole, and hardest hit you can deliver will serve you well.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: proneshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if you hunt the woods, and seldom get a shot over 75 yards, you want to hit them hard-with a big hole, that drops them as soon as possible.</div></div>
In that case a Marlin 1895 in .45/70 is the right medicine </div></div> Or the 444, I agree, in heavy woods, as we have in the south, the faster they go down, the easier your life is. If they don't drop-right now- briars and brambles are going to be part of your future. The choice of bullets, and calibers are more carefully considered by those that have followed a blood trail in the dark-trying to find that deer. Even with the new rounds from Hornady, I'd never suggest either round for 300 yard shots (I know they can be made, but let's be serious)-deep woods-- the biggest hole, and hardest hit you can deliver will serve you well.
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