Underrated Calibre - 25/06 Rem

[Baz460]

Hi,

Been reading a lot on different calibre's being used by forum members, and have noticed that not a lot of consideration is given to the 25/06 Rem for long range shooting.

I have been using a Ruger M77 25/06, with a 8x50 Kahles on top,( I'm on my second) for over 40 years, and find it extremely accurate out to 350mt's, and with Winchester factory loaded 90 grn HP'S, has outstanding performance, and accuracy, I mainly now only use it on dogs and long shots at pigs, as I have most bases covered with my other array of firearms.

If some members are after a long range flat shooting rifle for Australian conditions, with very little recoil, then you could do know better than in my opinion, a 25/06.

Cheers Baz.

[Chronos]

have noticed that not a lot of consideration is given to the 25/06 Rem for long range shooting.

why haven't I considered one? probably because i've never met anyone who shoots one, never seen one in the gun shop (not sure who even chambers a factory rifle in 25-06) and never thought of it

not to say the quarterbore isn't a great cartridge but there are so many great cartridges commonly available with loads of info available. .243mm and .270 for example are either side of the 25-06 and much more common in my limited experience. i almost took on a K98 in 6mm remington as a project but at the end of the day a .243 will do the job just as well for me with less work, cheaper and more availability

Chronos

[Hilux2003]

Just a comment on the quarter sized bore. I had one in .257Roberts & sold it.

Great hunting rifle, a Ruger - problem was, I was not hunting enough & needed to fund a 'different' rifle, so it went.

Feather weight barrel was not good on the range for repeated shots, about three was the limit for arount 1/2 hour but all three were better than 1/2 MOA out to 300m.

I've still got some pills left, part boxs - from 75 - 115gn, including some HP tipan100's - so let me know if anyone wants them & I do a count of what is left.

[inspector]

I reckon .22-250 gets passed over a lot for the .223 when it would be better for the shooter.

.223 is more common/prominent/available and other options get overlooked just because of this.

Same for the a lot of capable calibres, same for the 25/06, just not in the front of people minds.

IMO.

[hiyoh]

What's wrong with the trusty .223?

[inspector]

Nothing wrong with it.

I'm just saying that for a few calibres a part of the reason they're popular is because they're popular. Not because they're obviously superior to other similar cartridges.

[Lorgar]

I'm just saying that for a few calibres a part of the reason they're popular is because they're popular. Not because they're obviously superior to other similar cartridges.

I get what you're saying, it that does create some real world benefit to an extent though.

e.g. lots of people shoot .308, brands make lots of .308 ammo, .308 ammo and components become plentiful and affordable.

[Combat_Wombat]

Popularity of a calibre is pretty much dictated by what military's use, if 22-250 and 223 cost the same I would be using the former for sure

[SendIt]

e.g. lots of people shoot .308, brands make lots of .308 ammo, .308 ammo and components become plentiful and affordable.

Which is why you bought a 7mm-08

[VICHunter]

Popularity of a calibre is pretty much dictated by what military's use, if 22-250 and 223 cost the same I would be using the former for sure

Cost definitely dictates for a lot of shooters.

If rimfire ammo grew on trees a lot more rimfire hunters would be using 17HMR or 22MAG.

They won't while it's triple the price of 22LR though..

[Chronos]

Which is why you bought a 7mm-08

Hey leave Logar alone! The more people buy a 7-08 the cheaper it will be for me

Chronos

[Lorgar]

Yeah, me and Chronos are working to make our calibre cheaper

[bobnob]

Yes, very underrated by some. A lot more gun than a 243 Win, not too far behind the 270 Win in hitting power.

If you are shooting animals less than a couple hundred kilos its hard to imagine needing more than a 25-06.

I love my 270 Win but if forced to trade it for a 25-06 I wouldn't feel ripped off.

[Hardcast]

Yes I am on my second 26.06 also after swapping to 6.5 x 55 for a while. Both great calibres.

I sold the .223 because the 204 will do all I need in a smaller calibre, and I have a 7mm Rem Mag for a bit of 200 yd Target and some bigger stuff, so the 25.06 fills the void just beautifully. At the moment I'm using 70 grain BK Sierras on Foxes at up to 250 yards and will also develop an 87 grain Sierra Varminter load.

My previous 25.06 was fantastic with 87, 100, and even 120 grain Sierras on goats, kangaroos, fallow deer and dogs, but this time I will be sticking to the 87's as long as I can keep getting them.

25.06 can be formed from any of the 06 family cases. 30.06, 270 etc. used ones are cheap and plentiful at the gun shows if you're on a strict budget

Lots of factory 25.06 available. I like the Tikkas. L/H.

[Kater]

...as long as I can keep getting them.

That's the trick these days.

[Hardcast]

A 25.06 would go nicely between the 204 and the 30.06, Kater.

[deye243]

Hi,

Been reading a lot on different calibre's being used by forum members, and have noticed that not a lot of consideration is given to the 25/06 Rem for long range shooting.

I have been using a Ruger M77 25/06, with a 8x50 Kahles on top,( I'm on my second) for over 40 years, and find it extremely accurate out to 350mt's, and with Winchester factory loaded 90 grn HP'S, has outstanding performance, and accuracy, I mainly now only use it on dogs and long shots at pigs, as I have most bases covered with my other array of firearms.

If some members are after a long range flat shooting rifle for Australian conditions, with very little recoil, then you could do know better than in my opinion, a 25/06.

Cheers Baz.

Baz i will try and answer this without sounding like a smart arse . (and this is my opinion )

# 1
350m is not long range shooting that starts at around 600y and out to 1000y and them extreme long range go's from there out past 2000y +

#2
the 25-06 is actually a poor choice for long range as you will find it hard if not impossible to find a bullet suitable for that as you will need
a bullet with a reasonably high bc (around .550 or higher) and the best i could find was the 115g VLD burger at .466 so now my son has
my ruger VT 25-06.
but i did find it to be an outstanding mid range caliber .

and i now use a caliber with better ballistics .


again this is just my opinion , and not having a go.

[wrenchman]

Its popular with the sheep hunters and goat hunters jack O'Connor wrote about it and the 270 a lot and its what he used on goats and sheep.

[brett1868]

I had a CMC Mountaineer in 25-06 many years ago and found it outstanding for Roo's out to 400yrds. Funny enough I'm actually looking for another 25-06 at the moment to fill the void between 22-250 and 308. Sako list 25-06 as being available in a number of models with their medium sized actions which are looking like possible candidates for a place in my safe

[MeccaOz]

25/06 LOVE IT ! Alot of people will take the .243 over it... But ever since I shot my first one and took game with it, I realised how hard it will hit and drop a target ( No I', not looking at numbers on paper, just real world experience ) Dont get me wrong the .243 is a time proven cartridge, but i'll take the 25/06

[MrClark]

Ahhhh damnit!! Now I want one!! Thanks a lot guys

[MeccaOz]

Ahhhh damnit!! Now I want one!! Thanks a lot guys

HAHAHAHA, I actually looked up the ruger site to see if they were making M77's in 25/06 myself.. Not at the moment there not, bugga !

[MrClark]

Winchester chamber a couple of M70's in .25-06 but good luck getting one. So disappointed with winchester, GREAT rifles S$&T availability

[MeccaOz]

Winchester chamber a couple of M70's in .25-06 but good luck getting one. So disappointed with winchester, GREAT rifles S$&T availability

Yeah a few still make them. A Winchester would be great I always wanted a model 70 I must admit

[AusC]

I suspect it would be more widely adopted if it didn't just miss the bar for legal limits deer hunting here.

Just scrapes under, forcing people to go up to .270, .308 etc. if they want to do this kind of hunting.

In part anyway.

[MeccaOz]

I suspect it would be more widely adopted if it didn't just miss the bar for legal limits deer hunting here.

Just scrapes under, forcing people to go up to .270, .308 etc. if they want to do this kind of hunting.

In part anyway.

I suspect your right to some degree mate. I have to admit in my area they are making a bit of an impact. My town was a very 1 eyed .243 caliber club, and It took everything we have, from rabbits to Donkeys to the odd Brumbie and wild cow/bull a bit further north, maybe not the best caliber for all that, But it worked as an all rounder. But the last couple years I'd say more 25/06's have been bought than .243's except by the hardcores.

[Jack V]

The 25-06 suffered from a limited choice of projectiles for a long time so it just lost popularity . Same as 7mm suffered for a while . No matter how well a 25-06 works it is hard when your local don't stock the ammo or projectiles and everything is on order all the time. Eventually that might change and 25 cal could become popular again.

[headspace]

I have a mate that shoots a 25/06 and loves it. I once had a 257Roberts Ackley Improved and it was great. However I'll stay with my first love, the great 270 Win. I gave up trying to get a Mod 70 Sporter and ordered one on Montana's rifles.
JD

[RoginaJack]

What's wrong with the trusty .223?

Well, what was difference between the .223 and the 222 Remington Magnum? Answer = U.S military adopted the 223 and once one of the armed services adopts a round it just about guaranties success and the 222 magnum faded into history.

The .308 Winchester was introduced around 1952 as a sporting round, a couple of years later NATO adopted it as the 7.62x51mm T65. Instant success.

Cheers,

[MeccaOz]

I have a mate that shoots a 25/06 and loves it. I once had a 257Roberts Ackley Improved and it was great. However I'll stay with my first love, the great 270 Win. I gave up trying to get a Mod 70 Sporter and ordered one on Montana's rifles.
JD

Montana rifle ...... DROOOOOOOOOL