Looking for some help on making the best decision on my next rifle. I understand the fit and feel I can only decide that but I've been looking at 25-06 by tikka t3 or the weatherby vanguard s2 or browning x bolt. I'm looking at weight since it will be mostly for deer and coyotes on occasion. I know I'll be carrying this rifle more often than I'll be shooting it in the field. Also both manufacturers offer accuracy guarantees, which people seem to backup. Any help would be greatly appreciated it.
25-06 best choice?
- Thread starter AR15RDY
- Start date
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. Any opinion on the x bolt also little more expensive but it has a reduced weight and a 24 barrel
Welcome to the forum.
Too bad there's not a "eating popcorn" emoticon...
No question it's a capable, hard-hitting round and will serve you well. Guessing from the question that you do not handload, so factory ammo selection may be somewhat more limited than some other selections. But the .25-06 is great with lighter bullets for smaller deer and 'yotes, and has the case capacity to push heavies for larger game.
You might lose 40-50 fps or so with the shorter barrel. What's your maximum expected range??
Too bad there's not a "eating popcorn" emoticon...
No question it's a capable, hard-hitting round and will serve you well. Guessing from the question that you do not handload, so factory ammo selection may be somewhat more limited than some other selections. But the .25-06 is great with lighter bullets for smaller deer and 'yotes, and has the case capacity to push heavies for larger game.
You might lose 40-50 fps or so with the shorter barrel. What's your maximum expected range??
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
25-06 no matter which barrel length is fast & flat shooting. On such rifles where lightweight is a priority consideration. Whom ever manufacture provides the better (reinforced) stock would be something I would pay attention too.
603Country
New member
Don't let barrel length dictate your decision. These days I go for shorter barrels, and don't mind losing a little MV. All the rifles you mentioned are worth having, so get the one that appeals to you the most.
Rifle is to be used in the Arizona desert and mountains. Mostly for yotes and mule deer. I do a lot of walking and glassing. After my pack,tripod w/binos and Viper 6-20x44 going to be mounted on this rifle is why weight is taken into consideration. Especially after you get a deer down. The 24 vs 22 concern is because distances is longest 500 yards but more realistic within 300 yard shots.
Pathfinder45
New member
Get the one you like best. If you do not reload, you will be better served with a 270 Winchester.
I've owned both rifles in other calibers. The Weatherby will be almost 2 lbs heavier. Not my idea of a good choice for carrying around. The Tikka's I owned were more accurate too, but the Vanguard isn't bad.
If you cut a barrel with a known velocity you'll lose about 30-40 fps between 24" and 22" in a 25-06. But the difference between two barrels of equal length could vary by 50-100 fps. When you compare 2 barrels from different guns, (especially from different manufacturers), there are no guarantees. In this case the 22" barrel might be 150 fps slower, or it might be 50 fps FASTER than the 24" gun. Most likely somewhere between and 30-40 fps slower is what I'd expect.
Not a 25-06 fan. In most cases a 243 does everything better than 25-06 on smaller stuff and it can't compete with 270 on larger game. That isn't to say it won't kill stuff. But a 243 loaded with 100-105 gr bullets shoots flatter and hits with more energy than 25-06 loads with 115-117gr bullets beyond about 200 yards. This is because of the much better bullets available. A 270 loaded with good 150 gr bullets at around 3000 fps will pretty much do anything a 30-06 loaded with 180's will do. The 25-06 has no answer for that.
If you cut a barrel with a known velocity you'll lose about 30-40 fps between 24" and 22" in a 25-06. But the difference between two barrels of equal length could vary by 50-100 fps. When you compare 2 barrels from different guns, (especially from different manufacturers), there are no guarantees. In this case the 22" barrel might be 150 fps slower, or it might be 50 fps FASTER than the 24" gun. Most likely somewhere between and 30-40 fps slower is what I'd expect.
Not a 25-06 fan. In most cases a 243 does everything better than 25-06 on smaller stuff and it can't compete with 270 on larger game. That isn't to say it won't kill stuff. But a 243 loaded with 100-105 gr bullets shoots flatter and hits with more energy than 25-06 loads with 115-117gr bullets beyond about 200 yards. This is because of the much better bullets available. A 270 loaded with good 150 gr bullets at around 3000 fps will pretty much do anything a 30-06 loaded with 180's will do. The 25-06 has no answer for that.
I shot this mule buck with a .257 115 gr Nosler ballistic tip from a 257 Roberts ackley rimmed 1885 win I built. He did not take another step.
I have the 25-06 reamer and dies, but I have not built one yet. It will be similar in velocity to the above 3050 fps.
At the butcher's this deer was so long his nose drug on the ground when his leg was up on the overhead roller rack. They said only elk do that.
AR15RDY said:
I wouldn't call the 6.5 CM better, just a different option. The 6.5 CM is just the new flavor of the month, but if you're not reloading the 6.5 CM isn't the round for you. If you're relying solely upon off the shelf ammunition the .243 and .270 Win would be better choices.
Thanks for sharing the picture of that monster! Ya not setup to reload just relying on shelf ammo. Wanted a caliber that was light enough coyotes but had some range with power to take deer so 25-06 sounded interesting but a few ppl have the 6.5 creedmoor so thought I would ask about it
math teacher
New member
Yes if you don't handload I vote for the 270. It will also work for elk should you get the opportunity. The Vanguard is an excellent rifle, but a bit on the heavy side.
Get a .223 for coyotes if you're trying to save pelts, and then and use your elk rifle on deer. .243 Win, .25-06, and 6.5 CM will all be hard on the fur. Looks like AZ doesn't have caliber restrictions for deer, so a .22-250 might be a decent compromise for a coyote and deer rifle. Make sure you use a solid copper bullet when hunting deer with a .22-250 if you consider that route.
Pathfinder45
New member
What do you have for an Elk rifle?
Boogershooter
New member
For the reasons you have discussed already the 25-06 is a great choice. 50 fps is nothing after you reach the 3000 fps mark. The best advice would be to figure out which bullet weights you plan on shooting most and match barrel twist rate accordingly. If all rifles are the same, simply pick the one more pleasing to you. Some bullets designs actually mean more than weight. Never let anyone talk you out of what you want. You will regret it later!