Question on a M77 25-06

[Simple Man]

I am getting ready to pick up a M77 in 25-06 and I was wondering what the recoil is like on this rifle. I have never fired a 25-06 so will it becomparable to a 243? I use to own a 243 and really enjoyed shooting it. Reason why I ask is because I plan to do a lot of shooting with it and want to know if it is a rifle that I can sit down and shoot 20-40 rounds without walking away like the hunchback of notre dame. :shock:  I have a Rem 700 270 and it's not a rifle that I enjoy sitting down and shooting all day long. As a hunting rifle the 270 is fine to shoot a shot here and there but that is about it.

[poncaguy]

Well, less than a 270. I have a Ruger 77 260 which is a joy to shoot and 2 Stevens, 7mm-08 and 25-06. I'm 64 and recoil isn't bad at all to me. Get a Simms recoil pad, I have one on my Stoeger 2000 12 and shoot 3 1/2 " in it, I do feel that, but it doesn't hurt me.

[Simple Man]

Thnaks for your response. So how do you like your 25-06? I think it will make a fine deer and varmint rifle for me.

[poncaguy]

I think it's one of the best deer and varmit rounds there is........

[Val]

I have a Savage 110FP in 25-06 (24" heavy barrel). It kicks significantly less than my 30-06 and a bit more than my .243. I nailed a nice 3X3 with it with a 238 yd uphill shot. I really like this caliber.

[longwalker]

The most useful rifle I own. It shoots where it is pointed. I can carry it all day and when called upon, hit the long range target easily. Finally it's preformance on game animals is nothing short of spectacular.

I use in in everything from Mule deer to Antelope to Prairie Dogs. I found a load using 100 grain STBT bullets that fills the bill for my needs. This one load does it all very well.

As far as recoil goes make sure you have good hearing protection. This will go a long way to making your first trip to the range a pleasant one. The actuall felt recoil is rather light in my opinion.

Good luck and have fun.

longwalker

[Lawdog]

I am getting ready to pick up a M77 in 25-06 and I was wondering what the recoil is like on this rifle. I have never fired a 25-06 so will it becomparable to a 243? I use to own a 243 and really enjoyed shooting it. Reason why I ask is because I plan to do a lot of shooting with it and want to know if it is a rifle that I can sit down and shoot 20-40 rounds without walking away like the hunchback of notre dame. :shock:  I have a Rem 700 270 and it's not a rifle that I enjoy sitting down and shooting all day long. As a hunting rifle the 270 is fine to shoot a shot here and there but that is about it.

The .25-06 will have about 3 - 4 ft. lb. more recoil than a .243 Winchester in the same weight rifle.  The Ruger M77 in .25-06 is an excellent choice for deer.  I use it to take Tule Elk, around 500+/- lbs. with great results.  Get it and you won't be sorry.  Lawdog
 

[azmike]

I have a M77MkII in 7mm Remington Magnum, and my limit per shooting session is about 20 rounds before I get really sick of getting pounded by it, and switch back to the .22's.  And I'm a big nancy-boy when it comes to recoil.
 
That said, the 25-06 won't kick nearly as hard. All my Ruger has is the stock hard rubber butt pad (I hesitate to call it a recoil pad).  If the rifle in question has that instead of an actual recoil pad, I recommend replacing it.   With a quality pad like the Limbsaver, the recoil should be manageable, IMO.

Good luck.

[SuperstitionCoues]

CZ Man,

I have a Ruger M77 Mk II in 25-06.  The recoil is manageable, slightly worse than my 30-06.  I did two things to the rifle that were worth the money.

1)  Have a Simms Limbsaver recoil pad installed on it, and have it fit to your length of pull.  It really has tamed mine, and made it much more pleasurable to shoot.  
2)  Have either a trigger job done on the trigger, or replace it with a Timney.  I had a place out here in AZ. called Accuracy Speaks do the trigger work.  Worth the money.

Also, keep an eye on the copper fouling.  Mine has had a persistent problem with this since I got it six years ago.  I did use Barnes to remove the copper, but I am starting to use JB Bore Compound instead.  

My .25-06 can tolerate any ammo, but I get the best results out of the 117 grain bullet.  I reload my own using Sierra 117's or Hornady SST's in 117.
3/4" groups from either one, using H 4831SC and R22, respectively.

  Good news from Hornady also - an Interbond bullet is in the works for the .257 caliber.  
 

[azmike]

CZ Man,

 
2)  Have either a trigger job done on the trigger, or replace it with a Timney.  I had a place out here in AZ. called Accuracy Speaks do the trigger work.  Worth the money.

 

Where in AZ is Accuracy Speaks? I'm south of Tucson, and have been toying with the idea of installing a Timney, but I'd rather have somebody experienced do it.

[SuperstitionCoues]

CZ Man,

 
2)  Have either a trigger job done on the trigger, or replace it with a Timney.  I had a place out here in AZ. called Accuracy Speaks do the trigger work.  Worth the money.

 

Where in AZ is Accuracy Speaks? I'm south of Tucson, and have been toying with the idea of installing a Timney, but I'd rather have somebody experienced do it.

Mike,

Accuracy Speaks is located at the Usery Mountain Shooting Range, on Usery Mountain Road outside of Mesa, Az.  It's on the way to the Salt River via Bush Highway.  

Here is the hyper-link.  http://www.accuracyspeaks.com/

Point of clarification - Derrick refined the Ruger trigger on my 25-06, I didn't have the Timney installed.  I am very pleased with his work.  The pull was lightened significantly enough that I had to "re-learn" how to shoot the gun, being able to lighten up my grip and trigger squeeze.  

Regardless of who is now running the shop (re: the website statement), these are good people, and I would not have any problem with anyone in the shop servicing my firearms.  I won't go into details, but there is a certain level of comfort knowing that someone at the range is competent enough to correct a stupid mistake that one made while reloading.  They saved my bacon. :shock:

Another good one that I've used in the Valley is Don's Sport Shop in Scottsdale.  There is a full-service gunsmith in the basement of the shop.  He did excellent work a few years ago on my 1911 .45, and I had him install Simms Limbsaver recoil pads on all of my long guns after back surgery last year.  I also have been very pleased with the work.

Unfortunately I don't know of anyone in Tucson that I could recommend - I have never had any work done down there.

I hope this helps.  

Matt

[azmike]

Thanks for the information.  I don't get up to that part of the state often, but the Mrs. has been talking about a marathon shopping trip, so I could probably kill two birds with one stone.

Regards,

Mike

[Barstooler]

My wife shoots a 243 Win in Model 70 and also shoots my 25-06 in Ruger M77, and hardly notices the difference in recoil.  Bullet weights she has been shooting in the Ruger range from 100gr to 120gr.

Barstooler

[safetysheriff]

I have a Rem 700 270 and it's not a rifle that I enjoy sitting down and shooting all day long. As a hunting rifle the 270 is fine to shoot a shot here and there but that is about it.

i've done a good amount of shooting off the bench with .270's and .30-06's and have learned two things to help with recoil from a rifle (or shotgun):  hold the rifle tightly to your shoulder so it can't 'get a run' at your shoulder.   that has helped a good amount.    secondly, the straighter-up i sit at the bench the easier it is to keep on shooting.    leaning over the bench and down into the rifle makes the 'felt recoil' much greater than sitting up straighter.   do whatever is reasonable with your rifle rest to achieve this and i believe you'll also feel lthe positive difference.

good luck,

ss'