thanks for the input but i've found that the 17 REM just isn't enough gun for our song dogs up here in the great white north. i used one briefly in 01 and found it effective out to 200yds broadside shots and great for calling in the dogs but the occasional 300yd shot resulted in a long tracking job and afew lost critters. killer on fox though. i generally use a 22-250 with a handload using SIERRA 55gr hp at 3600fps, the reason i got the 25-06 was three fold
1: a good caliber for my wife to hunt deer with (i use a 338 win)
2: a versatile varmit rifle for my yearly wolf hunts (prefect for wolf and a bit heavey on coyotes but as you can tell from my choice of deer rifle i'd prefer a little heavey than to light)
3: the most important reason i wanted it.