.25-06 barrel length

G

Geezerbiker

New member
I sold my Handi Rifle .25-06 awhile back because I needed the money and I figured I'd rather have this caliber in a bolt gun anyway. So now I go shopping and all I and find that don't cost a fortune have 22" long barrels not the 26 incher like my Handi had...

So as I see it I have the following options: I can wait a couple years more and get a more expensive rifle that still only has a 24" barrel, I can get a rifle that has a 22" barrel and live with it or buy a Savage and swap out the barrel later on when I can afford it.

I'm leaning toward the later but I'd really like some educated opinions on the subject.

Tony
 
Keep looking, you should be able to find one with a 24" barrel. That is the minimum I'd consider.
 
You might look for an older Ruger M77V. I have one that I bought new back in the 70's. Heavy 26 in. barrel I do believe. Really nice rifle and accurate with the heavier bullets. 90 grain don't shoot well but 117/120 gr. shoot fine.

I saw a nice one at the LGS a year ago that was on the shelf a long time. They were asking $450 for it. It should not be too hard to track one down.

Good luck!
 
I don't have a lot of experience with other makes but I bought a Savage 111 in 25.06 24". Shoots very well out of the box.
 
In a Handi-rifle 26" is still pretty compact, about the same overall length as a 22" bolt gun. The 25-06 is one of those rounds that will usually see some benefit with barrrels over 22" and 24" barrels are somewhat common.

I'd buy the rifle I liked, if it had a 24" barrel great. If I found one I liked with a 22" barrel I'd not lose any sleep over it. If you cut a 24" barrel down to 22" it will lose some speed, 50-60 fps. But there is often a greater difference between 2 different barrels of the same length than 2" of barrel will make. I've seen 130 fps difference between 2 rifles with equal length barrels. It wouldn't be unusual to find a 22" gun that shot faster than another rifle with a 24" barrel. I've seen that happen a few times too.

When you start comparing guns with 18-20" vs 26-28" barrels you start seeing noticeable differences. Two inches either way is pretty meaningless and no guarantee which will shoot faster.
 
I'm more concerned about pushing unburnt powder out the end of the barrel than I'm with max speed. The .25-06 historically shoots better with slower powders...

I'm going to keep my eye out for a used rifle over the next year and I'll see what turns up...

My .308 bolt gun has a 26" barrel and the length has never been an issue. Some people can't seem to keep anything longer than 22" from getting tangled in things but I've never had that problem.

Tony
 
I own a couple of Ruger MKII in 25-06 24in.barrels You might tell a little difference in the crack-muzzle blast but the powder burn is still good.Sure would'nt move away from a 25-06 because of a couple inches.The 25-06 is my go to deer slayer love um.
 
The .25-06 historically shoots better with slower powders...
Click to expand...

Quite right. One of the best powders for 25.06 is IMR 4350. The only problem with the powder is jamming up the powder measure because it is such a long cut.

The 25.06 is a wonderful round and a real fun round to send downrange. The only thing that I have that comes close is a .308.

I bought mine to hunt groundhogs back in Illinois. I wanted to run Sierra 90 gr. hpbt in the gun and never could find the right load to give me the groups I wanted.

I stepped up to Sierra 117 and 120 gr bullets and the rifle settled down and shoots like I always thought it would.
 
I have a 24" and 26" 25/06. I strongly perfer the 26" both for accuracy and for the less muzzle blast. My 24" is on my Ruger #1 and as soon as I wear the barrel out, I will put on a 26 or even a 28" considering how short the action is. A 28" on the #1 would be just a hair longer than my 26" Sendero.
 
Geezerbiker I'm like you, I've never had any issues with 26" barrels and in fact they feel more balanced to shoulder for me. I like your third choice, buy the Savage and when money allows rebarrel it.
 
I have bolt rifles in the vault with barrels from 22" to 26". My preference is 24", just seems better balanced to me. My 700 VS in .25-06 had the barrel replaced a few years ago, I stuck with 24".

The .25-06 was my first rifle and will probably be with me till I die. For my use it just does everything well.
 
A friend called me from a gun shop that is about 50 miles from me saying they have a Mark X Mauser in .25-06 for $500. It has a 24" barrel and is supposed to be very nice... I wanted a 26" barrel. I'll compromise 2" but not 4"...

I'm going to try and get over there by Wednesday to have a look at it. I'm hoping I can put it on layaway and pick it up in a month...

Tony
 
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