I greatly appreciate you weighing in with your opinion wyosmith. Taking into consideration everything youve said im going to up to my local gunstore on monday and see if theres anything that impresses me. If theres nothing interesting then ill either make a decision to order a new rifle or attend the gun show this upcoming weekend I have a feeling there'll be a lot of contenders there. The rifle ive decided to buy is a howa1500 .270 fluted the way im starting to see it a .270 can push a
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Suggestions for first rifle in 25-06
- Thread starter Wrought
- Start date
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110 gr bullet around 3500 fps and a 25-06 will do the same for a 80-90 gr bullet given I have a long enough barrel. Im not really gunshy or anything so its not like I need a smaller caliber. All of the deer ive killed where with a .270 so I know what its capable of. Last season I hit a 6 point just barely in the left shoulder with a 130gr hpbt and it just devastated that deer I felt bad so now I know never to touch a deer with those again.. it took both shoulders out and made a hole 5" round underneath the hide on the other side. If I were to save up more money for a rifle without a doubt id buy a Winchester model 70, Sako, or a montana rifle co.
110 gr bullet around 3500 fps and a 25-06 will do the same for a 80-90 gr bullet given I have a long enough barrel. Im not really gunshy or anything so its not like I need a smaller caliber. All of the deer ive killed where with a .270 so I know what its capable of. Last season I hit a 6 point just barely in the left shoulder with a 130gr hpbt and it just devastated that deer I felt bad so now I know never to touch a deer with those again.. it took both shoulders out and made a hole 5" round underneath the hide on the other side. If I were to save up more money for a rifle without a doubt id buy a Winchester model 70, Sako, or a montana rifle co.
Good Morning, Wrought,
At one time the Sako premium, the price above other factory rifles, wasn't that great. So going with Sako AV was a no-brainer for me. I own two: a 7MM Rem Mag and a .270 Win, both Classic models. I like classic model designs. Others like other designs. Get the one that's right for you.
I've held a Sako 85. It appeared to be a well-made rifle. It had beautiful wood. It was retailing for around 2k. I'm a committed Sako hunter. However, I am not so sure that the increased Sako premium is justified.
If you can buy a good-quality rifle for a grand or more less than a Sako 85, that's what I'd do. Do research to assure a copy of the manufacturer's rifle is 100% reliable.
Check Cabelas Gun Library. Every once-in-a-while it'll have used Sakos in pristine condition. If you find one you like, make Cabelas an offer. Cabelas will negotiate prices. They're probably more motivated to negotiate in our current economy.
Wyosmith was on target about how animals die. Biology is always controlling. A .243 Win in the boiler room is a whole lot better than an '06 in the guts. Close distance if you can. It's more wise to shoot at a hundred yards than farther. Wait for the best possible shot. Always boiler room aim. No animal is going far sans its heart and/or lungs. I agree with Wyosmith 100% and more on through-and-through penetration. Penetration is a function of bullet design. Most bullet designs will kill deer. When I'm hunting bull elk, I use only Partitions.
The .25/06 Rem is an excellent cartridge. However, for Rocky Mountain hunting, I'd go with a .280 Rem or a .270 Win. The '06 has yet to be bested by any North American big game cartridge. Keep in mind that the new world record Yukon moose, the largest of North America's 3 species of moose, was recently killed with a .303 British. So you don't need a mega-magnum to kill North American big game. You do need good shot placement.
Remember to buy the best you can afford. Double that if it will be your only big game rifle.
Best of luck to you.
At one time the Sako premium, the price above other factory rifles, wasn't that great. So going with Sako AV was a no-brainer for me. I own two: a 7MM Rem Mag and a .270 Win, both Classic models. I like classic model designs. Others like other designs. Get the one that's right for you.
I've held a Sako 85. It appeared to be a well-made rifle. It had beautiful wood. It was retailing for around 2k. I'm a committed Sako hunter. However, I am not so sure that the increased Sako premium is justified.
If you can buy a good-quality rifle for a grand or more less than a Sako 85, that's what I'd do. Do research to assure a copy of the manufacturer's rifle is 100% reliable.
Check Cabelas Gun Library. Every once-in-a-while it'll have used Sakos in pristine condition. If you find one you like, make Cabelas an offer. Cabelas will negotiate prices. They're probably more motivated to negotiate in our current economy.
Wyosmith was on target about how animals die. Biology is always controlling. A .243 Win in the boiler room is a whole lot better than an '06 in the guts. Close distance if you can. It's more wise to shoot at a hundred yards than farther. Wait for the best possible shot. Always boiler room aim. No animal is going far sans its heart and/or lungs. I agree with Wyosmith 100% and more on through-and-through penetration. Penetration is a function of bullet design. Most bullet designs will kill deer. When I'm hunting bull elk, I use only Partitions.
The .25/06 Rem is an excellent cartridge. However, for Rocky Mountain hunting, I'd go with a .280 Rem or a .270 Win. The '06 has yet to be bested by any North American big game cartridge. Keep in mind that the new world record Yukon moose, the largest of North America's 3 species of moose, was recently killed with a .303 British. So you don't need a mega-magnum to kill North American big game. You do need good shot placement.
Remember to buy the best you can afford. Double that if it will be your only big game rifle.
Best of luck to you.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
I happen to have a 25-06 a 270 & a 243. 25-06 is substantially faster than the 270 by 350 fps with its 100 gr NBT. My handloaded 270 is traveling near 3200-fps with a 130 gr NBT. _270 its a tad more accurate at 200 than the 25 is. Um saying: just barely by a thread the 270 is.
Have harvested deer with the 25. And its a fast flat shooting accurate cartridge that's a whole lot better deer slayer than a 243 could ever hope to be. Especially so with custom handloadings. Don't bother with a 280s buying. I have a hunting friend who has one. And he always promotes the purchasing of a 270 over the 280 when asked how he likes his 280 Rem 700 BDL.
Now getting to the point of your question. If I were looking to buy a anything new these days. I surely would take a long look at this manufactures models. I know a couple of neighbor fellows by my cabin who hunt with these rifles. Not once have I ever heard a disparaging remark from either about their Weatherby's.
Considering the standard cartridge caliber 30-06 270/25-06. A 25s brass isn't all that expensive or hard to find on the shelves when compared to a Weatherby magnum brass.. And too a 25-06s parent brass is the 30-06 and/or 270.
Good luck with your choosing Wrought.
http://www.weatherby.com/products/rifles/vanguard.html?caliber=45
Have harvested deer with the 25. And its a fast flat shooting accurate cartridge that's a whole lot better deer slayer than a 243 could ever hope to be. Especially so with custom handloadings. Don't bother with a 280s buying. I have a hunting friend who has one. And he always promotes the purchasing of a 270 over the 280 when asked how he likes his 280 Rem 700 BDL.
Now getting to the point of your question. If I were looking to buy a anything new these days. I surely would take a long look at this manufactures models. I know a couple of neighbor fellows by my cabin who hunt with these rifles. Not once have I ever heard a disparaging remark from either about their Weatherby's.
Considering the standard cartridge caliber 30-06 270/25-06. A 25s brass isn't all that expensive or hard to find on the shelves when compared to a Weatherby magnum brass.. And too a 25-06s parent brass is the 30-06 and/or 270.
Good luck with your choosing Wrought.
http://www.weatherby.com/products/rifles/vanguard.html?caliber=45
Update.
Ive really been doing some research and I think ive found my perfect rifle for all around hunting (coyotes, varmints, deer, and the occasional elk if I decided to travel north and hunt) aswell as honing my skills at the range. Its the savage m11 lightweight hunter its a pretty new rifle from what I understand but it seems to be engineered to a higher quality than other savage rifles. Id like it in either a 6.5 creedmore or a .260. I really like the model with the blued metal and wood stock but the stainless model is almost 200$ cheaper which makes me feel obligated to buy it over the blued and put an aftermarket stock on it with the difference in price. But ive also heard of ss small parts being more brittle than normal carbon steel and ss barrels being less accurate than a blued one. Id really like to hear some opinions on this rifle and ss vs blued in general thanks a lot for the help everyone. Ill attach savages page aswell.
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16LWH
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11LH
Ive really been doing some research and I think ive found my perfect rifle for all around hunting (coyotes, varmints, deer, and the occasional elk if I decided to travel north and hunt) aswell as honing my skills at the range. Its the savage m11 lightweight hunter its a pretty new rifle from what I understand but it seems to be engineered to a higher quality than other savage rifles. Id like it in either a 6.5 creedmore or a .260. I really like the model with the blued metal and wood stock but the stainless model is almost 200$ cheaper which makes me feel obligated to buy it over the blued and put an aftermarket stock on it with the difference in price. But ive also heard of ss small parts being more brittle than normal carbon steel and ss barrels being less accurate than a blued one. Id really like to hear some opinions on this rifle and ss vs blued in general thanks a lot for the help everyone. Ill attach savages page aswell.
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16LWH
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11LH
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I would also like to add that I chose the 6.5x55 swede over the 25-06 in the howa but I read posts from a lot of people saying the throats were to deep on them and only the longest bullets seated correctly so I shied away from that one. I like the 6.5mm bullet because its very close to the 257 in size and power but ill have a wider bullet selection. Also because the 6.5 creedmoors not as overbore as the 25-06 which means I can shoot it much more efficiently out of a short barreled rifle which is much easier to carry around and aim.
[The Howa] action has been used by several manufacturers, the Weatherby Vanguard, SW 1500, Colt may have used it on their brief rifle offering.
The Howa 1500 barreled action has been used in the S&W 1500, the Mossberg 1500 and others. The Weatherby Vanguard is a 1500 with a few cosmetic changes to make it resemble a Mark V. As far as I know the entire Howa barreled action and trigger is used.
If the brief Colt rifle offering you are referring to is the Colt Light Rifle, it bears no resemblance to the Howa and was not made by them.
Hello Wrought,
I am just a bit North of Wyosmith, and there is a LOT of big game shot here in Big Sky country as well. In your price range I second Wyosmith's choice of the Ruger M-77 mkII. I have less experience with the Winchester, but I think they cost quite a bit more.
I have nothing against a fast .25, and indeed if you are going to shoot sod poodles and woodchucks with your deer rifle, the .25-06 is a great choice. If you'd like to hunt elk or moose with the same rifle, then the .270, .280, and .30-06 start looking much better. The .25-06 will kill elk, it's just that the others are...well a bit more appropriate for heavy boned game. Moose, while larger, are usually not regarded as being as tough as elk. The go-to factory load if you must shoot elk with the .25-06 is the 120gr Nosler Partition. Plenty effective on deer, too.
At 300 yards there is nothing wrong with any of the above cartridges and my .30-06 has felled many deer and antelope at that distance, this with a 200 yard zero and a back bone hold.
Good luck, and let us know what you pick.
I am just a bit North of Wyosmith, and there is a LOT of big game shot here in Big Sky country as well. In your price range I second Wyosmith's choice of the Ruger M-77 mkII. I have less experience with the Winchester, but I think they cost quite a bit more.
I have nothing against a fast .25, and indeed if you are going to shoot sod poodles and woodchucks with your deer rifle, the .25-06 is a great choice. If you'd like to hunt elk or moose with the same rifle, then the .270, .280, and .30-06 start looking much better. The .25-06 will kill elk, it's just that the others are...well a bit more appropriate for heavy boned game. Moose, while larger, are usually not regarded as being as tough as elk. The go-to factory load if you must shoot elk with the .25-06 is the 120gr Nosler Partition. Plenty effective on deer, too.
At 300 yards there is nothing wrong with any of the above cartridges and my .30-06 has felled many deer and antelope at that distance, this with a 200 yard zero and a back bone hold.
Good luck, and let us know what you pick.
Winchester M70 Featherweight
Hello all as you can tell by the title ive decided on the Winchester M70 Featherweight in a .280 I really like the 7mm bullets. I guess the main reason i didnt want the savage is the awkward 90 degree bolt lift and that the trigger guard and mag were plastic/synthetic. The m70 is to put it simply pefect there arent many rifles that can compete on its level. For the price of 880$ give or take I have enough to buy a scope and all of my reloading supplies for about $1300. Speaking of scopes whats the best scope for $300? It doesn't need a fancy reticle just good reliable windage and elevation turrets, moa adjustment reset and a crisp clear view in low light settings. Thanks a lot for all the wisdom I cant wait to get behind this rifle ,once the weather clears up ill bite the bullet and put in the order.
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-70/model-70-featherweight.html
Hello all as you can tell by the title ive decided on the Winchester M70 Featherweight in a .280 I really like the 7mm bullets. I guess the main reason i didnt want the savage is the awkward 90 degree bolt lift and that the trigger guard and mag were plastic/synthetic. The m70 is to put it simply pefect there arent many rifles that can compete on its level. For the price of 880$ give or take I have enough to buy a scope and all of my reloading supplies for about $1300. Speaking of scopes whats the best scope for $300? It doesn't need a fancy reticle just good reliable windage and elevation turrets, moa adjustment reset and a crisp clear view in low light settings. Thanks a lot for all the wisdom I cant wait to get behind this rifle ,once the weather clears up ill bite the bullet and put in the order.
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-70/model-70-featherweight.html
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Congrats on choosing a m70 Wrought! I am a big fan of the model 70 and have several from the 1950's to current models. My newest ones are the most accurate factory rifles Ive ever owned. Looking forward to seeing some results from yours. Its gonna be a challenge to find a good scope in the $300 range but it can be done. I bought a used Vortex Viper hslr 4-16x44 last year for $300 in perfect condition and it does a fine job. Good luck!
Congrats Wrought those are a very good rifle. I am a big 700 fan so I try to get what I can in a 700 if it works out well. I consider everything, but 700s are just my favorite. I think im going to go with a 700 CDL if I choose this chambering. M70 though, still made as well as they ever were some new nice updated features. Can't go wrong there. Only deal with Remmy is QC issues and overall quality seems to have suffered for a while nowdays but I avoid the lower 700 models anyhow. Higher ones seem pretty solid.