Author Topic: The 25-06 on big game (Read 1180 times)

handirifle · « **on:** August 02, 2005, 03:12:07 PM »

How well would the 25-06 do on black bear or elk with a 120gr partition (or similar). Seems like it might be a bit light to me but does anyone have experience to prove otherwise?

Thinking of getting this caliber and maybe reaming it later on, but in the meantime.....

Varminter · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2005, 03:59:20 PM »

I've never heard of people using it on elk. There is alot of people around here that use it on black bear. I don't think i would use it but thats just me. Btter than a 243 i guess but i wouldn't use it on either. I think the 280 barrel would be the way to go.

Norseman112 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2005, 05:05:48 PM »

Well I have read where some guys have taken some elk with the 25-06, I am a big fan of the 25-06 and use it for white tail and mule deer and never had a problem. I won't say a 25-06 won't kill an elk, because with an experienced, careful rifle man it will and has. If I am going after elk I use larger calibers. So in the grand scheme 0f things I would recommend a larger caliber like the 30-06. Oh and ofcourse there are also others.

Norse

handirifle · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2005, 05:20:10 PM »

Thanks kinda like I suspected. Thge 280 won't work as well for a later ream out for my purposes anyway.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2005, 05:20:14 PM »

I've killed a lot of elk, I'd say a good broadside boiler room shot to the lungs tight behind the shoulder will put em in the freezer. Those that think they have to shoulder shoot em are only destroying meat and taking a shot that isn't necessary. Wait for the right shot and place the bullet well, and you'll be eatin elk liver for dinner!!! :wink:

Tim

Nuttinbutchunks · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2005, 05:30:44 PM »

My neighbor a couple of doors down says He uses his 25-06 exclusively for elk, and what ever else comes his way. And 120 grain bullets too.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2005, 07:15:13 PM »

I thought about it..for a long time before sending my 25-06 in to be rechamberd and rebored...... I really hated having to give up a great shooting barrel and converting it.....but... since doing just that...I'm glad I did...it's not that I don't believe the 25-06 won't work...it's that I know the 338-06 will work...and... in a worse case scenario too...... Bad shots, do happen to the best of us all too often...and when we least expect it....therefore... since I'm a pessimistic optimist ...(planning for the worse...hoping for the best...) it puts me in a better frame of mind... knowing full well that I will have a large caliber bullet that will penetrate a long way if the need arises..and... since Mr.Murphy and I are on first name basis...I feel I'm better prepared for the unexpected... :-D

Mac

handirifle · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2005, 03:09:53 AM »

Sounds like it may have potential afterall.

MAc I know what you are saying. Have to give it some thought.

Fred M · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2005, 06:44:23 AM »

handirifle.

Quote

Sounds like it may have potential afterall.

When the 25-06 is loaded to its full potential with 115gr to 120gr premium
bullets it will only be 100ft slower than the 257Wby, and that caliber has taken most of the big game world wide.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2005, 07:34:36 AM »

Handirifle:

The 25-06 is a capable round using premium bullets...and I'm sure there have many elk taken not using premium bullets with it too...if the truth be known... As to my having..( as my wife tells me anyway...she hates how I call it..

) the " Boy Scouts " attitude...that of always being prepared...is something I always try to do when hunting...it doesn't always work out..but majority of time it does...

One of the main points to these great little rifles is quite simply...if you want another caliber...for a fraction of the cost of setting up most bolt guns commonly used for elk in the caliber that myself and Quick chose to go with...you can have one too...look at it like this and ask yourself.....what will it take to make you happy and confident in a rifle...Well..cost is a major factor..at least to me it is...and since I always love to try something new.. and with the Handi's low cost... this allows me the opportunity to experiment....These rifles are a great platform to build on...perhaps not as flashy as a Dakota...or a Ruger...but every bit as accurate...and by having a versital and accurate caliber as that of the 25-06 in a handi...is a great way to go...If the rifle is solid and accurate to begin with...you stand a much better chance of having the similar results in what ever caliber you convert it to...I get great pleasure in shooting itty bitty groups with my rifles...and these rifles have the propensity for accuracy...all of them do...including the 25-06...do you remember this story in this link?.. http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/feb97money.html...click on the accuracy results at the bottom...and remember this...these guys didn't have this forum to go over all the shooting tips...I have to wonder if they would have known to follow thru with the Handi's trigger since most folks don't understand thatsimple fact...just how good their groups would have been...?..I do know mine were spectacular...which was one of the reasons I hated to convert it...but...I don't know how many times I've been told from various gunsmiths...from old Harry McGowan...a well known builder of fine rifles to Wayne York at Oregunsmithing..who did the actual work...all said to shoot it first and see how accurate it is....before sending it in...otherwise you won't know if it's a keeper till you get it back...and at least shooting before hand...you can see if everything is ok before sending it off..

Basically...what I'm saying is...even if you don't rebore it to another caliber right away... it most likely it will be a good shooter to begin with...and if you keep it original...it will be ok...afterall...you can always send in for another barrel to convert later on...

Mac

handirifle · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2005, 07:47:04 AM »

MAc
That mirrors my thoughts very closely. I really do prefer the larger calibers, "just in case" as well, but I asked this question, cause I do intend to use it before (if) I convert it and did want testimonials from others with experience using it.

I know Fred loves the 257 Roberts but wasn't sure he's used one on anything larger than deer. As for the elk, that was a minor maybe, but deer and black bear seasons here run concurrent and I didn't want to be on a deer hunt with something that would be inadequate for bear. I know others have killed elk and bear with a 243 but I don't think I'd try, but I figured the 120gr premium bullet would make the 25 a whole nuther animal.

Looks like it will be the 25 and go from there kinda thing. Can never make it a 338-06 or 35 whelen if I don't get it.

Soon as my 243 barrel sells, my receiver gets shipped. After a call to make sure they have them in stock.

By the way, are those barrel discount coupons still floating around, or are they out of date?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2005, 08:00:56 AM »

The offer is good thru September 30...and they are still available if you call them..

Mac

handirifle · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2005, 08:05:56 AM »

have their number handi?

Fred M · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2005, 09:07:54 AM »

Mac.
Some years ago I used a 257Wby MkV. This rifle had a 26" custom premium barrel. It shot most bullets with astounding accuracy.

At the time non of the available bullets would do a good job, they either blew up or whistle clean through game, the machined Nosler would not open up after 250 yards.

This not the case with nowadays good bullets. From what I have seen last year using the 100gr Barnes TSX bullets at a MV of 3430ft in my Ruger#1 25-06, I know these bullets work at close range and out to 350yrds.

Speed kills but only with a bullet that stays together, expand and retains most of its weight and that is a tall order.

I have tested these bullet in the 257 R at 3050ft-3150ft but have not shot any game with that rifle. Will take it out this fall using the TSX 100gr bullets. At that speed I also know that 100gr Hornady Interlock or others will work well on deer, but I have my doubts that this bullet will penetrate enough on a tough stot?

If you spent all that money getting there, and all the rest of the expenses,
a box of preamium bullets is really chicken feed.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** August 03, 2005, 11:53:37 AM »

H&R's number....(978) 630-8220 and email hr1871@hr1871.com

Tim

handirifle · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2005, 12:47:58 PM »

Thanks quick!

nomosendero · « **Reply #16 on:** August 03, 2005, 04:02:38 PM »

handirifle

I have no doubt that the 25-06 with the proper bullet, careful shot placement & keeping the distance modest will work. I don't use it for
Elk simply because I have better cartridges for the job for the same
reason I don't use a .223 for Deer, ( I have done that years ago).

I have used the 25-06 for several Mule Deer, Antelope & AR. Whitetails
& Hogs with great results! I used 4 different bullets over the years but
the 120 Partition & the 115TSX were devastating! I have yet to recover
a bullet with these two & the shots have been from 15 Yards or so out
to well over 400 yards.

Once I shot a Whitetail Buck as he was quartering toward me as I was
located in one of my favorite tree stands. I shot him high in the left
shoulder & because I was in a stand the bullet path was angled downward.
The 115 TSX bullet busted his shoulder, took out a lung, the liver, through the paunch & should have went down into the ground at that point but the
Buck had stepped forward with his right leg at that moment & the bullet
busted his lower right leg & went deep into the ground ( I got tired of
looking for it). Needless to say, he was DRT. I am telling you these
gruesome details only to point out the penetration of this great bullet!
And also keep in mind that the muzzle velocity with this load is 3,250FPS
out of my 26" Sendero, (too hot for my handi) so most bullets would have
blown up under those conditions! You can get about 3,100 FPS with RL25
in the 26" Handi.

Yea, for Elk, I would rather use my .300 or my 30-06AI or of course
the bigger bores already mentioned, but as quickdtoo said, if you place
the bullet, especially the ones that I mentioned behind the shoulder
& keep the range say 250 yards or so, I have no doubt about the outcome. The 115gr. would give you a little insurance, as I have heard of
3 or 4 Elk being killed with a 100TSX.

Good Luck & Good Hunting!

handirifle · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2005, 04:16:49 PM »

nomo
Well I guess if it will work on elk, it will work on black bear. Did the handi barrel like the TSX bullets? I assume the TSX is the Barnes triple shock?

nomosendero · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2005, 05:07:43 PM »

handirifle

Yes it does & this gun did not like regular X bullet loads. I have seen this
with other rifles too. Not every rifle will like these bullets, but far more
than with the regular X bullet. They also foul less & you can get a little
more velocity. The TSX bullets I suspect, will take over the Barnes Bullet
sales.

tommy_tsunami · « **Reply #19 on:** August 05, 2005, 05:05:31 PM »

:eek:
Yes, the .25-06 is fine for elk, though most people will say it's not. I live in Western Colorado and I and many of my friends use .243 for elk. We used 100 grain bullets, and they go right down. I will be honest and say it's not going to be the best for really long shots, but any good elk hunter can usually get close enough to take 'em down. I've never had to shoot longer than 200 yards.

My .243 is, of course, the H&R Ultra Varmint with a 24" bull barrel. It's super accurate!

Tommy

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** August 05, 2005, 05:34:54 PM »

Welcome aboard, Tommy!!

Glad ta see ya made it over here!!

Tim