25-06? How good?

[lgm270]

I have a chance to acquire a Winchester  M-70 classic like new in .25-06.  I have no experience with this round. 

I would have preferred a .270 or even a 30--06, but since Winchester is out of production on M-70's you take what comes along I guess.

How does the 25-06 compare with the .270 Win for mule deer hunting? 

Anybody have any experience with the 25-06 you could share with me? 

[nomosendero]

My experience with the 25-06 stretches back to the 70's. I have killed many Varmits, Deer & Antelope with this round & have seen many more killed. It is more than adaquate on Deer out to more than 400 yards, not marginal in any way with good loads & at least a 24" tube.

Looks like I am taking my family to WY. this year & as always my 25-06AI Sendero will be there for some of the family kills. I am also taking a 270, I have not shot an Antelope as yet with a 270 & also it is an Optima Elite & I want to draw some blood with it, but if the shot is a real challange, I will switch with my partner for my Sendero, I know what it will do in regards to accuracy. I would rather use a 270 for Elk & above, but I would rather use a 06 or my 300 for those anyway.
 
Instead of going to kills/stats all over again, please refer to the following VERY BIG thread where we beat this one to death. I mention what I have done with various bullets & others do as well:  http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,83913.0html

Also a great 25-06 article:  http://www.buckmasters.com/Buckmasters_Links/Classic_Buckmasters/articles/DeadlyDeer.html

Good shooting

[lgm270]

Many thanks for the links nomo and the great response. You have really stimulated my interest in the 25-06.

BTW,  I have shot antelope with the .270 (130 Gr. Nosler Partition, RL-22 powder) and had no complaints.  One shot kills. I'm sure it will work equally as well for you.

Best of luck to you and your family in WY this year.

[SHOOTALL]

igm270 , my first hp rifle was a mod. 70 3006 . i got a Ruger m77 in 300 win. mag , which is very similar to a mod 70 in some respects , i think i like it better it is by far more accurate . If owning a mod. 70 is the goal it won't work but if ya want a good hunting gun check one out in the cal. you want !

[superjay01]

I have two 25-06, one is a browning the other a remington 7600. I think the caliber is very versatile you can get ammo to use it as a varmint rifle or a deer rifle. I  have taken deer with both guns, my longest shot was 275 yards with the browning. The longest with the 7600 was 150 yards. I can get 1/2 groups with the browning and right around an inch with the 7600.  Overall, I think it is a great caliber especially if you reload.

[Graybeard]

Both rounds use the same case, one is bored .257" and the other .277" so how much real difference can there be? What the .270 does with a 130 grain bullet the .25-06 does with a 117/120 grain bullet. If all you're planning to use is the 130 in the .270 there really isn't much difference at all. BUT it does have the advantage of much heavier bullets being available all the way up to about 180 grains but the 150/160 grain weight is a practical maximum to use.

If you want to also use it on varmints/predators I'd say the .25-06 is a bit more versatile in that regard but if big game is it the .270 is for sure more versatile due to the availabilty of the heavier bullets.

[Bluegunner]

I've had a 25-06 for a number of years and love it.  It's a great caliber and extremely versatile.  Would recommend it for any thing from Mule deer down in size.  I'm sure the gun would take an Elk if the shot is placed well, but most people would say it is light.  If you reload, the best powder that I have found is H1000.  Because of the large case (a 30-06 cs necked to 270 necked to 25-06) and the smaller neck, you don't want a powder that burns to fast. 

[SuperstitionCoues]

I would take that M70 in 25-06 and run like a bandit!

Mine is a Ruger MkI M77, and I have often wanted a Win M70 in that caliber instead.  I would do it in a New York minute.

[Dave in WV]

IMO the 25-06 is like the hammer of Thor. It's a great cartridge. I've only used on once but witnessed what it is capable of several times.

[Mac11700]

Buy the Model 70...If the 25-06 doesn't do it for you...there are plenty of take off factory barrels that you can get for it and have a 270 or 30-06...Add a HS Precision stock...well...you'll love it...

Mac

[GradyL41]

I have had 2 Remington 700 25.06 and one Ruger m77 - and still have one of the Remingtons- it is my field and now open woods rifle- it works-- 2 friends have 270s and I load for them and there is a difference in recoil--270s with 130 is heavier mho and theirs-- the 25 is very accurate- one friend with a 270 uses the 150 rn --why I do not know--but his gun makes larger wounds--- I have used 115 gr Nosler BTs, and Partitions - both kill well- My friend who uses the RN shot his first Deer with my 25 and 115 gr BTs- the deer was a Kentucky 11 pt and weighed useing the girth measure ment about 280# live  weight-- one shot at 175 steps the deer turned and loped about three hops or so and went drt-- I like the 25.06

[Dee]

I have owned 7 or 8 2506s over the years, starting in about 1970. I have also been reloading the round that long also. I have sold them on occasion and ALWAYS regreted it, and went a bought another. It is an HONEST 600 yard varmint rifle, and as good as it gets for deer.
I unlike some, with a good nosler bulllet would not hesitate to take a shot on an elk. Not to beat the phrase to death. It is all about the shot. If you can handle it, so also can the 2506.

[GradyL41]

It was ground hogs hat got me into a 25.06 about 30 years ago and I have one ever since-- but I did not start deer hunting with one until the last several years

[SHOOTALL]

24 years ago i wanted a ground hog gun , but wanted to be able to shoot deer also ! Ended up with a rem 700 BDL .
worked up a load , 100 gr Nosler BT , use it for everything avg. 1/2 inch group at 100 yds. , later got a sendero but it was to heavy to tote ! both shot good as have all the ones friends have owned !
for a do it all gun it is a bit narrow but for what i hunt it is enough !

[T.R.]

This is my friend, Rick. He has taken dozens of mulies and 'lopes with this older Ruger 77 in 25-06.  None got away.

25-06 is fast, accurate, deadly, with moderate recoil.  In short, A KEEPER !
TR