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25-06 questions

redbiker
Hello all you gurus out there.
I am looking at buying a 25-06 to replace my Ruger M77 Mark II 30-06. I don't need the extended range of the 30-06 and would like the ability to hunt any game with one rifle utilizing different loads. From what I've read. the 25-06 is the way to go.
First question: What factory load ammo is available for the 25-06?
2nd: What manufacturers are making these? under $1k please....
3rd: Anyone making these in semiauto?
4th: I'm also looking for one in lighter weight for ease of carry
... what's out there?
Thanks in advance,
Myles


Myles
Gunnison, CO
SA Mil-Spec .45 custom
Charles Daly 9mm HiPower
Walther P99 .40S&W
Taurus Tracker 4".357
Ruger Mark II, custom target.
Ruger M77, .30-06
Mosin-Nagant M44 chinese carbine w/bayonet
Marlin-Glenfield Model 100 .22semi
Western Auto Model 1894 .30-.30
"I got a gun for my wife, what a trade!"
"panic, chaos and mayhem, my work here is done"
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • 65gto389
    I am not really familiar with the .25-06, but you can still go to the .25WSSM. It has the same identicial balistics as the .25-06.

    As far as I know the .25WSSM seems to have more makers of the ammo than the .06.


    Winchester, Ruger or Weatherby.









    " Those who give up a little freedom for temporary security, deserve neither freedom nor security "
    - Benjamin Franklin
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  • ern98
    I have shot one or another custom 25-06 for many years now. It is a very accurate long range cartridge. But, it would not be my first pick to go after bear, elk, moose or large wild hogs. It is my pick to turn cyotes inside out and it does a fine job on western mulies and blacktails. The 25-06 is a very flexable cartrideg if you reload your own. Factory offerings come and go and selection is generally not as good as say the 270win. I beleive that Ruger offers the largest selection: No 1 and M77II in both standard and varmint styles. Except for custom rigs you probably won't find anyone making light weight rifles as this cartridge need a standard length action. Most light weights are built on short actions and use the .308 case. If light is the way you want to go, I'd say look into the 7mm08 or the 260Rem in the Remington model 7 package. If a custom 25-06 might be of interest, contact me as I have one that I list once in a while on the auction sight.
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  • redbiker
    Just for fun, I went to www.winchester.com and checked to see what loads they make in .243, .25wssm, and 25-06.
    .243= 55gr,80gr,95gr,100gr
    .25wssm= 110gr,85gr,115gr,120gr
    .25-06= 110gr,115gr,85gr,90gr,120gr
    in various bullet types.

    Since I'm looking to hunt rabbits, squirrels, coyotes up to deer and elk, now what? any suggestions appreciated.
    Myles

    Myles
    Gunnison, CO
    SA Mil-Spec .45 custom
    Charles Daly 9mm HiPower
    Walther P99 .40S&W
    Taurus Tracker 4".357
    Ruger Mark II, custom target.
    Ruger M77, .30-06
    Mosin-Nagant M44 chinese carbine w/bayonet
    Marlin-Glenfield Model 100 .22semi
    Western Auto Model 1894 .30-.30
    "I got a gun for my wife, what a trade!"
    "panic, chaos and mayhem, my work here is done"
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  • 65gto389
    A .25WSSM is great for coyotes, deer is good/ OK, but ELK you would need a .308 , .300 win mag, or .338 for something that big. Varmints you can use a .25WSSM but that will be a little too big. So for varmints I recommend, .220 swift, .17HMR, .22WMR, .22-250, or .223.[8D][8D][8D]



    Fast Facts about Elk

    BIOLOGY
    Average Size
    Newborn Calf 35 pounds (16 kg)
    Cow 500 pounds (225 kg)
    4-1/2 feet (1.3 m) at the shoulder
    6-1/2 feet (2 m) from nose to tail
    Bull 700 pounds (315 kg)
    5 feet (1.5 m) at the shoulder
    8 feet (2.4 m) from nose to tail











    " Those who give up a little freedom for temporary security, deserve neither freedom nor security "
    - Benjamin Franklin
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  • ern98
    If you haven't gotten rid of the 30-06, then don't, it's fine for elk at resonable ranges. Go ahead and get the 25-06 and figure on using it for everything smaller. 120g 25cal bullet has a sectional density of .260, which is similar to like a 175g 30cal. You hear account of folks using these on elk with good results, but how far did they have to track them before they dropped? No doubt it can be done with exact bullet placement. Still I'd never want to have to count on perfection in the field, under dubious conditions. The 25WSSM may or maynot make it in the long run. The 25-06 is here to stay, and with a standard mag capacity of 4+1 it beats out the mag case contenders 2+1.

    Have you seen the other thread going round about the BAR in 25-06?
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  • Shooter35
    I have a 25-06 (Win. 70)and have used it successfully for 27 years on everything from Prairie dogs,yotes,elk and even a black bear or two, but it is not an ideal caliber for the latter two. When it comes to accuracy and dependability, I find it hard to beat and I really prefer not to use any other rifle. However,if I was to recommend it for someone,it would not be for elk or bear. When it comes to them, it would depend on the area you hunt and of course how you shoot. So many factors go into hunting and shooting! Happy hunting!
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  • r_himmelreich
    Remington made them in their 700 mountain rifle a number of years ago. You may want to try to find one some where. The other option would be to buy a Rem/Ruger/Win in a long action and have it rebarrled. You could even rebarrel your .30-06. ER Shaw outside of Pittsburgh, PA does decent work and the price is reasonable. They are not quite benchrest quality bur certainly better than factory barrels. Shilen, Douglas, Lilja, and Hart are sopme higher $ ones. It will all keep you below $1K. Good Luck.
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  • Sig220_Ruger77
    The 25-06 is an excellent cartridge that will cover all your needs you listed including the elk hunting. "I would", however, advise a bigger caliber for elk. It is a flat shooting cartridge and I think you'd be surpirsed by it's accuracy. About the only downfall I can see of getting a 25-06 over a .243 is that the 25-06 would be a little heavier due to the long action vs. the short action of the .243. They make the Ruger MKII All-weather version in the 25-06 with a 24" barrel, which would be my pick. If you decide to go with the .243 it comes with a 22" barrel.(I recently purchased a .243 in this model and I love it.) Another option in the .243 is the MKII Ultralight. Don't be fooled by the shorter, lightweight barrel. I have a .308 in the Ultralight and it is accurate!! I think you will be happy with either caliber though. Good luck!!

    "The man who can hunt with 1 gun is the most dangerous, but that doesn't mean you can't have a lot of guns"
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  • shoff14
    I love the my 25-06 for the wide range of game that you can shoot. I usually stick to Winchester ammo in mine, seems to be better. However, the cost is at least $18 a box. Remington also makes some 25-06 cartridges, but they have a lot less bullet selection then winchester does. Federal also makes several varmit rounds and large game rounds in the caliber. Winchester makes varmit bullets to fmj bullets in the caliber and by far has the best selection of grain size and bullets.


    You won't be able to shoot rabits and squirrels with a 25-06, there will literally be nothing there to eat. A 25-06 does a number on ground hogs , I just shoot them and let them lay, that is how bad it screws up ground hogs. If you are wanting fur from the coyotes, you will not want to use the 25-06 either as it will blow a hole out the other side.

    Savage makes several model 112s in this caliber and also some 110s and 111s in this caliber.

    Again, I love this caliber, others hate it, but I am also not an experts. It just works for me. It does not look like it will work for you though. Go buy a 22 long rifle in semi auto or similar and keep your 30-06.
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  • plains scout
    If I had not started with the 308 all those years ago, I would have a 25-06 as my primary firearm. You can not go wrong.





    My friend is one... who takes me for what I am.
    Henry David Thoreau

    "If you do not allow yourself to find a positive way to get through the difficult times, you will become bitter. If you stay bitter, you do not get better." -- Joan Brock
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  • Travis Hallam
    I would suggest the Tikka T3 lite. They weigh 6.5 pounds and you can put a sims limbsaver recoil pad on it (model t-11012) which will make the recoil very minimal. A friends 12 year old was using one this past year and shot his first buck with it. He shot it well as the deer was the smallest I had ever seen in my life, a spike with about 2.5 inch tines.

    Mad Dog
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  • sandwarrior
    Redbiker,

    Being a rabid fan of .257 caliber rifles I will give you the lowdown on them. They are good for anything up to mulies. Better than most for antelope (6mm being the other 'best choice'). You can take an elk with them provided you get a good position and get a good shot. You need to be within 200 yds to take one. I suggest you use a premium bullet for that if you do, i.e. Nosler partition, Speer grand slam, Barnes.
    I now own or have owned .257 Roberts, .257 Roberts AI, 25-06. and my new favorite is the 25WSSM. It is a very outstanding cartridge that gets all that is advertised(unlike it's two predecessors, the .223 and .243). I got mine for X-mas from the wife and it is a Winchester Model 70 Ultimate shadow. Very good accuracy and extremely light. It will put a 120 gr. partion out at 3000 fps, provided it is loaded with the right powder.
    Personally, however, I would hang on to the 30-06 for elk, and get good at shooting offhand, prone kneeling and sitting because with correct bullet choice and placement it is as accurate and as powerful as you are ever going to need. Buy the lighter rifle if you have the money and the need. But you already have the 'one gun can do it all' rifle. Unless you are like some of us that sit out in varmint areas all day looking for good shooting. Then for sure a lighter rifle is what you are looking for. -Good luck

    We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>
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