25-06 best choice?

For sheer availability of on the shelf ammo your hard pressed to find something as versatile as the .270 Win. That said, it isn't the best for yote if your looking to save hides. Something smaller would suit that purpose just a whole lot better.

As for the 25-06, I have had one for around 25yrs and love it to pieces. It has done everything I have ever needed getting done. I DO handload, but there are plenty of factory loads available if you find something that you like and keep several boxes on hand. I shoot the 115gr Partition loaded to 3150fps and have not noted it lacking in anything from 25 to over 400yds. It shoots flat and hits hard. As to barrel length, I would go with the 24" and be done with it. Those two inches aren't going to make a hill of beans difference. If your hunting in a box blind then yes you will find it it a pain to get out of a window a bit quick, but other than that nothing to scratch off a list about. If you find it is an issue, then it isn't hard, or overly expensive to have a smith trim it down.

If you looking to cut weight to a minimum also consider recoil. As weight goes down it increases with most calibers. This is where something based on or off of the .308 case shine. They are usually chambered in short action rifles, which are lighter, as well as having slimmer barrels which are also lighter. Something along the lines of a 260 or 7-08 would work out just as well as the bigger calibers. Either of them could handle up to a 140gr bullet out tot he range you mentioned, and could also do double duty as a varmint rifle. I personally would not go below the 25 caliber myself, and it has nothing to do with the smaller stuff as I have 4 .243's, and have been shooting one since 1970. They are simply not really up to the bigger stuff that can be best suited to a heavier bullet.

I would look around your local shops to see what ammo they stock, if your not planning on ordering ammo on line. Check out prices, and availability on several brands and different types of ammo for each caliber you might be interested in. If you see a trend of one being more widely available than something else, that might be a clue as to something you might lean towards. Since your not loading your own, you will need to get practice ammo as well and the premium stuff while being great to hunt with, sucks to spend upwards of $40 per box to simply punch holes in paper with. Economy based ammo is great for trigger time, which you will need, so that also figures into your search.

Hope that helps.
 
If it were me I'd pick the lightest rifle, as far as caliber, the 25-06 is decent, I like the .270 for heavier bullet selection, in case elk hunting is an option..
 
I had a 25-06 and loved it so much I got rid of it and picked up a Vanguard in 257 wby. Wby ammo is $40 a box but I handload. It's like carrying a lazer around. It just zaps stuff! :D

I took this whitetail at 300 yards with the 257. Like a bolt of lightning!

Deer.jpg
 
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Estimated range no further than 500 yards. Realistically like to stay within 300
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I'm not buying this one. I don't shoot a 25-06, I do shoot a 257 Rbts (Model 70 Featherweight).

I don't know where you got those numbers, but they don't match up with my 257 Rbts ballistics. And I don't think anyone will dispute that the 25-06 is a bit faster then the Roberts.

Granted the longest antelope kill I got with my 257 Rbts was 586 (measured yards). The gun is capable of farther then that.

My load (115 Bergers) at 2800 fps, doesn't go subsonic tell about 1500 yards. According to Berger, to get their VLD Hunting bullets to work properly they need a remaining Velocity of about 1800 fps. My load has a remaining velocity of 1842 at 750 yards.

I'm not saying everyone should hunt with the 25s at 750, but its the shooter that's the limiting factor here, not the caliber. Bullet construction is critical.

Don't go by what I or anyone else says on the internet. Get you some steel targets the size of the Vital (heart-lung) area of the game you are shooting. Practice a bit, and see what the your limit is. Find some wide open spaces, set your steel out, starting at 100 yards and work your way back, making the needed adjustments to your sights, and see how you and your gun/bullet can do.

Do this in all weather conditions you might encounter is hunting what ever your hunting.

I'll bet the shooter is the weakest link here, not the gun/bullet.

They are making some pretty good 257 bullets now days, with the BC that can shoot a lot farther then 300-500 yards. We the shooter need to stop blaming the equipment.
 
QUOTE: "...What about the 2" difference in barrel? The vanguard is a 24 and the Tikka is 22. I've read in need a minimum of 24 in order for this round to live up to its potential. I don't want to lose velocity and range when deer hunting..."

Unless you have a reason for wanting a shorter barrel (less weight, more handy in brush, etc.), there's no real downside for having a 24" over a shorter one. In fact, when considering high velocity cartridges having lots of bark at the muzzle like the .25-06 and the .257 Weatherby Magnum, I actually prefer a 26" length for either.
I have an older Ruger Model 77, chambered in .257 Roberts with a 22" barrel and a newer Weatherby Vanguard, chambered in .257 Weatherby Magnum with a 24" barrel and, though I wish both had 26" barrels (a little more velocity and a little less noise), I'm not getting rid of either one of them any time soon because, imo, an inch or two here or there doesn't really have much practical value either way in reality.
 
If the OP wants a 25-06, he should buy one. As for the 24 or 26 inch barrel, I've really quit having barrels that long. I go for 20 inch, with 22 being max. So what if you give up 50 fps. No big deal.

I used to hunt a lot in South Texas, as a guest and as a host. The serious guys (worn boots, worn shirt, grimy hat, battered rifle) very often were dragging along their old 25-06. More of them than 270's. There were a few 257 Weatherbys, but those were more the fancy hunters from the city. I used a 270 back then and have now switched to a 260 (shorter, lighter). I'd be perfectly happy with a 25-06 or a 257 Roberts AI, in a lightweight rifle with a 20 or 22 inch barrel.
 
AR15RDY,

Inasmuch as there are .257 bullets available up to 150 grains for reloading, the .25-06 is likely suitable for every species of NA game (with the possible exception of the BIG bears) & "plains game" worldwide, I regard the .25-06 as a great choice.

Personally, I liked my 26" barreled Mauser but that's ONLY my opinion.

ANY of the 3 rifles that you mention are fine BUT you could likely get a 'smith to build you exactly what you want for the same $$$$$$$$, given the HIGH current prices of new rifles.
(IF I was going to have another .25-06 built it would have a 1 in 7" twist barrel & 26" long.)

yours, satx
 
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This is my new 25-06 700 CDL. I had the same question and after lots of research and some feedback decided on this gun. Very nice well put together have yet to shoot it much other than to zero scope but happy so far.

Good luck in your decision lots of good choices out there. T/C Venture, Vanguard, Xbolt or 700 LR/CDL all would make a fine 25-06. Or a Savage as well.
 
Colorado Redneck,

To stabilize the long/"heavy for diameter" reloading bullets up to 155 grains.
(The ballistics experts at Barnes Custom Bullets state that the "standard twist" will not reliably stabilize .257 caliber bullets over 120 grains. They also have stated that bullets of 80 grains are NOT "over stabilized" by a 1 in 7" twist.)

Since I'm NOT an expert, I seek the best available information/advice from the acknowledged experts in each field.
(IF I have another .25-06 built & I just may as I have an "as new" Mauser action in my "parts box", Shilen Barrelworks of Ennis, Texas will make the tube & barrel the action. = I've had EXCELLENT SERVICE from Shilen.)

yours, satx
 
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Your purpose for deer and coyote, no need for long, heavy bullets unless you're planning to shoot WAAAAYYYYY out there, like beyond 500 yards. For both critters, lightest possible and fast as possible works great for anything out to 300. 300-500, maybe consider moving to slightly heavier but you don't need "heavy for caliber" until you're way out.

I'd be shooting 80gr TTSX at MV 3,700+ fps for deer and 75gr V-Max or similar for yotes.

The X-Bolt is a fantastic rifle. Nearly twice the price and nearly twice the gun of a Vanguard S2. Not nearly as much over the Tikka but still a significant upgrade. If I didn't mind the money, there's not a doubt in my mind I'd buy the X-Bolt out of those 3.
 
Here is my post from The High Road where you started the same thread.

If you look at the reloading manuals for the .270 and 25-06 you will see the 270 gets more velocity with a 130gr bullet out of a 22" barrel than the 25-06 gets with a 120gr bullet out of a 24" barrel. Plus you can get 110gr .270 bullets if you want more speed from a 270 for varmint hunting.

I would pick the 270 hands down over the 25-06. Plus factory ammo is much more common.

I can't tell you the factory ammo speeds because I don't buy factory ammo for my rifles.
 
While I am in hearty agreement with Ratshooter in preference of the 270 over the 25-06, the fact remains that you can lead a horse to water, but if he doesn't want to drink it, he won't. Some folks just love their 25-06 rifles and won't have it any other way. And those of us that think we know better, (and we do...), can't honestly say that the 25-06 is useless. In fact it's pretty darn good.
 
Thanks for your answer, Satx

I was just curious, not trying to be contentious. I have a 25-06 and really appreciate the caliber. I have never investigated using bullets heavier than 120 gr. Gonna look into that.

Some people love 25-06 (me) and some seem to despise the round. I think the preference for which round a person wants for various uses is up to the guy doing the decision making. We all have our opinions. If you use the logic that a .270 is better than the 25-06 because of heavier bullet etc, the same argument can be made about the 7 mag being better than the .270 Win. Where oh where should it stop? Chevy vs Ford. :D
 
I have no problem with the OP getting a 25-06. I am just glad we all have the choice of getting what we want. Pay yer money and takes yer choice. Works for me.

I just prefer slightly larger rounds for deer hunting. I wish I would have bought a 270 instead of investing so much in my 243. But I have a 7-08 and a couple of 7x57s so those are close enough.

I only shoot coyotes if they come into range when deer hunting. So 500 yard shots don't count in my needs for a rifle. Plus I get a bigger kick out of getting close than making a long range shot.
 
My T3 lite shoots lights out. With a Zeiss 10x42 scope it weighs 6lbs. 1.5 oz. I bet the Vangaurd weighs that less scope. Vangaurd is a nice rifle, but heavy.
 
satx78247 said:
To stabilize the long/"heavy for diameter" reloading bullets up to 155 grains.
(The ballistics experts at Barnes Custom Bullets state that the "standard twist" will not reliably stabilize .257 caliber bullets over 120 grains. They also have stated that bullets of 80 grains are NOT "over stabilized" by a 1 in 7" twist.)

Since I'm NOT an expert, I seek the best available information/advice from the acknowledged experts in each field.
(IF I have another .25-06 built & I just may as I have an "as new" Mauser action in my "parts box", Shilen Barrelworks of Ennis, Texas will make the tube & barrel the action. = I've had EXCELLENT SERVICE from Shilen.)
Click to expand...

I'm not going to say any of the information you gave is wrong, but I'm going to say why bother? The major flaw I see in your reasoning is the case capacity of the .25-06 case and the case overall length of the cartridge. While going to longer bullets can increase the long range ballistics of the .25-06 as a hunting cartridge you're not going to improve much over the bullets in 100-120 grain that work with a 1:10 twist.

There aren't very many bullets that require a faster than 1:10 twist from the .25-06 about the only two that I know of are the GS Custom 100 grain HV bullet and the CEB 115 grain MTH bullets. Wildcat bullets who used to make bullets in the 120-150 grain range in .257 calibers is now out of business. I'm sure there are other bullet makers that do or can make heavy .257 bullets but at what cost?

The bullets you talk of needing a 1:7 twist rate are long! Unless you throat the barrel special and run as a single shot you'll eat up a lot of case capacity to get them to feed from 06 length magazine. With that means a lower MV out of the .25-06 rifles, and that means it'll be several hundred yards until you see any benefit from the increased ballistics of these bullets.

While Shilen makes an excellent product, I doubt they'll make you a 1:7 twist barrel in .257 but a 1:9 is good to go. A cut rifle barrel maker could probably make you any twist you want as it's easier for them to change twist rates, Shilen makes button rifle barrels and would require new tooling to make a 1:7 barrel. Lilja another very good button rifle barrel maker does make a 1:7 twist barrel for the .257 calibers.

I'm not saying a 1:7 twist .25-06 isn't a worthwhile project for shooting targets. It's just not a worthwhile endeavor for a guy wanting a hunting rifle. Plus it's pointless for a guy who doesn't load his own ammunition to invest in .25-06 with a faster than 1:10 twist.
 
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