Author Topic: 25-06 or 270 for long range whitetail hunting (Read 4672 times)

30-30man · « **on:** September 19, 2005, 12:49:13 PM »

I'm thinking about ordering a 25-06 or a 270 for long range bean field hunting in South Carolina. I already have a 30-06 in a Handi and love it but the new gun would be for my son. Which of these two calibers would have less recoil and would be more accurate? I'm thinking of ordering a rifle for my son. He is 13. Any comments would be appreciated. There is nothing like a single shot to learn with. He has hunted with shot guns but not rifles yet.

coop2564 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2005, 01:15:57 PM »

I'd go with the 270. There's not much differents in kick atleast to me. And I have had some 25-06 loads not give a exit hole. Both are accurate. But better bullet selection with the 270.

FirstFreedom · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2005, 01:29:42 PM »

Accuracy: Same
Killing efficiency on whitetail: Same
Recoil: Advantage to .25-06
Trajectory: Advantage to .25-06
Barrel life: Advantage to .270 win

Overall advantage for beanfielder, for me: .25-06

Aaro · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2005, 01:41:08 PM »

If you go to Remington's sight then you can compare ballistics of several different calibers. When you compare the 25-06 with a 120grn bullet and the 270 with 130grn bullet the ballistices are almost identical.

poncaguy · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2005, 03:40:31 PM »

25-06.....

nomosendero · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2005, 04:32:07 PM »

Both of these are top grade Deer cartridges & would give you similar results when looking at performance alone. You asked two questions.
(1) Which has less recoil? the 25-06 as you are using the 30-06 case for
both & normally heavier bullets for the .270.
(2) Which is more accurate? This is more of a factor of barrel quality, bedding, etc. & you will have more variation from gun to gun whether you had a group of 270's or a group of 25-06's. Their potential is very close.
This is how I would answer this question in a general sense if the type
of gun was not discussed & we are talking about the cartridges alone.
However, this is the Handi section & you mentioned your Handi, so I am
assuming that you are in reference to these rifles. If so consider this, the
25-06 has a 26" barrel & the 270 has a 22" & maybe a 24" is also available. If you handload, this will enable you to get max velocity from the 25-06. If you look at all factory "Deer" offerings for both, the .270 Light Mag. may give you a little flatter trajectory, but with the best loads for both the 25-06 will be as flat or a hair flatter. You can also work up better Varmit loads or if you shoot factory loads, you can get the 85 Grain Bal ST which is great. The barrel length, contour & balance is just better in the 25-06 Handi for longer shots.
Also, because of the difference in length & weight of the 25-06 & 270 Handi barrels, the 25-06 recoil is reduced even further. Yor can get a
reduced recoil load now for the 270, but a 100 Gr. 25-06 load is already
a reduced recoil load.
As far as number of loads available are concerned, the .270 has more but
there more than enough for the 25-06 in factory loads & a huge selection
of bullets for reloading. Concerning penetration, the smaller the caliber,
the more you should judge bullets wisely. This is easy now, as there are
so many great bullets available. I have never recovered a 100 or 115 Gr.
Barnes TTX or a 120 Gr. Nos. Part. from a Deer & they always penetrated
enough for Hogs. I have heard the same about the 115 Nos. Partition.
One thing to also consider is the size of your son & if he has to hold the
rifle offhand at times or will he always have a rest. I say this because if
he is big for 13 he will be able to hold the heavier gun in a shooting position fine, but if he is small, you may need to be sure. My youngest Son started using the 25-06 Ultra at about 12 & he had no problems at all.
I guess it is evident what my choice would be. You can always get him
a bigger cal. barrel when he is ready for Elk size game.
I apologize for trying to build you a watch when you asked what time it is,
sometimes I get carried away!

tcman · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2005, 04:42:46 PM »

25-06 hands down winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Norseman112 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2005, 04:48:19 PM »

I have had absolutely no problem with so ever with the 25-06 on deer. I have always had a exit hole and I never lost a deer. Now the longest shot I made with the 25-06 was a doe at 270 yards with a hole clean through her with a 120 grain speer sp. It's one of my favorite calibers. Now the 270 is also a great caliber, with the 25-06 I have loaded her down for yotes and loaded her up for deer and they all shoot clover leafs.

Norse

muzzleblast525 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2005, 04:49:23 PM »

Go with 25/06.....

Mac11700 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 19, 2005, 06:50:32 PM »

Heck...get both...pick up a new 25-06 Ultra...anmd send in the receiver for a 270 Ultra-Comp barrel while they still have them...it's what I would do...then shoot both and see which one you like the best...take advantage of the barrel accessory program sale while it is still going on...and with the reduced recoil loads being offered...it really won't matter about recoil...and you do get an extra 1" with the Ultra-Comp...

Mac

cwlongshot · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2005, 01:16:07 AM »

Either one will do him proud. I do not see a bad decision here.

Recoil differences are all but identicle with simular weighted bullets. The 270's are avalible in heaver weights, so the 270 will recoil more.

Bullet avalibility, 270 is more popular, so factory has more offerings for the 270.
When you throw handloads into the mix again the 25/06 is the hands down winner.

The 270 has bullets avalible from 90 - 150 in factory loadings, and 90-190 for handloading.
The 25/06 has bullets avalible from 80 - 120 in factoryloadings, and 60-125 for handloading.

I would go with the 25/06, but I am a handloader.

Good luck,
CW

30-30man · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2005, 01:57:30 AM »

Quote

I apologize for trying to build you a watch when you asked what time it is,
sometimes I get carried away!

Thanks Guys, I appraciate all the good comments. Never apologize for giving too much information as I need it. I think I'm going for the 25-06. Are the Handis good shooters in the 25-06? The 30-06 I have shoots .75-1 inch groups all day using remington corelokts in 150 grain. Thanks again guys!

Muddy05 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 20, 2005, 03:21:05 AM »

The .25-06 handi is 4 inches longer than the .270 handi, making it a little bit heavier and maybe chore to carry, but may not kick as bad. Id go with the .270 for comfort in the field or manuvering through brush. But if youre sitting over a bean field the .25-06 should be fine.

bajabill · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2005, 04:36:23 AM »

what is long range, as defined for your application. For a 13 year old , first gun, I hope we are not talking about distances where any mathmatical trajectory differences are significant. Even throw in a 30-06 for that matter.

Availability of cheap, reliable, and field tested ammo ($12/box) is there for a 270 - I noticed you mentioned Rem coreloks. I think you would be lucky to find that for a 25-06, but I never shopped for it myself.

I am not a fan of always rationalizing that using the smaller dia bullet is better due to SD/trajectory etc. because if we follow that to an absolute end, we will be shooting needles. There is more at work than that when it comes to killing deer as desirably as possible, all the time. Yeah, dead is dead, but we all want it as soon and as close as practical to the time and place of impact.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2005, 04:55:13 AM »

Quote

The 270 has bullets avalible from 90 - 150 in factory loadings, and 90-190 for handloading.

Who has in stock any bullets above 160 grains for the 270...?

Quote

The .25-06 handi is 4 inches longer than the .270 handi, making it a little bit heavier and maybe chore to carry

I carried mine a-lot last year...there just isn't enough of a weight difference between them to matter...

I reload and shoot factory loads..both shine with each...and with the ammo available for both...I don't think there will be a problem finding one that will shoot good.I'll suggest picking up some Winchester Supreme 115gr for the 25-06...and some Federal Fusion for the 270...both have done exceedingly well for me..

Mac

txpete · « **Reply #15 on:** September 20, 2005, 06:04:01 AM »

my wife went down to wally world and bought me a box of factory rem 100 gr sp corelocks.$13.03 and they told her they always have them in stock.
pete

Savage .250 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2005, 07:15:15 AM »

Either would be a good choice but i`d go with the .270 as there is a wider range of cartridges available( Remington for one) to chose from. Could be a benifit down the road.

" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

Mac11700 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2005, 07:47:11 AM »

Quote from: theath29803

Quote
I apologize for trying to build you a watch when you asked what time it is,
sometimes I get carried away!

Thanks Guys, I appraciate all the good comments. Never apologize for giving too much information as I need it. I think I'm going for the 25-06. Are the Handis good shooters in the 25-06? The 30-06 I have shoots .75-1 inch groups all day using remington corelokts in 150 grain. Thanks again guys!

They most certainly are...Hildy is getting some pretty awsome groups and velocities..Quickdtoo is also ...and my first one shot pretty deceant groups from the get go...these are my first groups with the Winchester Supreme ammo I suggested..

My newest Handi...is also a 25-06...got it a couple weeks ago...and will be working up a couple different loads this week for it.....

I think you'll like the calibers and gun once you get it....and if you don't...you can always have it converted to something a-little bigger for yourself........something like this..then pick him up another barrel

Good Luck

Mac

mitchell · « **Reply #18 on:** September 20, 2005, 08:47:11 AM »

well i'm a little confused you said you wanted a long range gun but you also want a gun for you son. most new shooter/hunters are not going to be good long range shooter off the bat so i'm just going to talk about a long range deer gun .

i've done a good bit of long range deer hunting at ranges farther then i will say caz nobody will believe me . now the gun that i used for mine long range shooting was a custom 270win and what that gun i would try about any shot . now i don't know a lot about the 25-06 but looking at the data i have i don't think i would go past 500 (probably pushing it) but the 270 could go a bit farther.

the big thing your going to have top have is for long range hunting is good accuracy and plenty of power. now the 270 out does the 25-06 in the power/energy just because of the heavy bullets it uses (i used the 140's in mine). but the problem is even though these guns shoot good most of the time to get that half MOA group that is needed your going to have to have a great barrel like the 270 ultra comp . it seems to meet every need for you and that is what i would do .

30-30man · « **Reply #19 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:09:33 AM »

Yeah, I was hoping to use the rifle myself when he is at school and I don't have to work. That's why I asked about the long range capabilities of both cartridges. I think they are about even with the 270 offering heavier bullets and the 25-06 having a slight lighter recoil. My last question??? Is the 25-06 easy to find ammo for? Can you find it at the mart stores? Thanks again guys!!!!

mitchell · « **Reply #20 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:53:07 AM »

Quote from: theath29803

My last question??? Is the 25-06 easy to find ammo for? Can you find it at the mart stores? Thanks again guys!!!!

well yeah you can find it for 25-06 most of the time , but you will all the time find it for 270win (heck you can find it at gas stations)

Varminter · « **Reply #21 on:** September 20, 2005, 12:15:46 PM »

I would say go with the 270. But that's just me. If they have any left i would say go for the 270 ultracomp barrel. Not much recoil at all but it is extremely loud. I'd say your son could shoot that one comfortably too. The 25-06 nice but i would go for the 270. If you ever decide to hunt anything bigger than deer(like elk) the 270 is up for the job. Not saying the 25-06 isn't but the 270 would be better.

mt3030 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 20, 2005, 01:42:47 PM »

Don't beat yourself up with this question. Either will do the job for you. Long Range? I doubt if you will find any longer ranges then we take antelope every year here in Montana. Have been using my 25-06s for 30+ years (also may calibers between 6mm and 300 Win mag). Could of just as easily been using a 270, or 30-06. Whatever you get, scope it, sight it, and go kill something. After you kill some game with it, and build some confidence in it, you'll wonder how you lived without it.
:money:

Wally

nomosendero · « **Reply #23 on:** September 20, 2005, 05:09:10 PM »

mt3030, i am with you on this one. The 25-06 has been my go-to gun for
the past several years for all of my Mule Deer, Antelope & some of my
Whitetail hunting here in AR. I have many other calibers in my safe that I am blessed with but since we get quick, one shot kills with total
penetration from close up out to well over 400 yards, why not! The second
week of Oct. we are going out to Wyoming to square off with the speed
goats! I am taking the 25-06 Ultra plus a Sendero I just had converted to
25-06AI by a very good gunsmith in Montana. I will be using the super
sleek 125 GR. Wildcats to buck the wind.
25-06 ammo is very common here by the way but I don't know about
other places.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 20, 2005, 06:44:05 PM »

I still say.....Get both :wink:

Quote

My last question??? Is the 25-06 easy to find ammo for? Can you find it at the mart stores? Thanks again guys!!!!

You can get it just about anywhere...some places a-little higher than others...but if you can't find it locally...you can get it from about every on-line store.

Mac

Savage .250 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 21, 2005, 02:52:19 AM »

You mention ," less recoil". my pick was a .270 for a couple of reasons
as stated above. Now i`ll tack on Remington`s.......Managed recoil
shells. Which they list as having a 115 gr core-lokt available.
They say in part,"........Managed-Recoil cartridges provide effective
performance, with less then 1/2 the recoil. To me that looks pretty good.
May be of some interest to you.

" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

MSP Ret · « **Reply #26 on:** September 21, 2005, 04:55:23 AM »

"The 30-06 I have shoots .75-1 inch groups all day using remington corelokts in 150 grain."

Why not use the 30-06?....<><.... :grin:

Reynolds · « **Reply #27 on:** September 21, 2005, 05:04:38 AM »

Anybody who says that the .25-06 is better than the .270 for long range shooting hasn't studied his ballistics tables.

Considering energy on target, wind drift (which is critical for long range) and trajectory. The .270 is hands down the winner.

The .25-06 is just a little bit better than a 6mm remington.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 21, 2005, 06:03:00 AM »

Quote from: Reynolds

Anybody who says that the .25-06 is better than the .270 for long range shooting hasn't studied his ballistics tables.

Considering energy on target, wind drift (which is critical for long range) and trajectory. The .270 is hands down the winner.

The .25-06 is just a little bit better than a 6mm remington.

First..ballistic tables are real nice...but reality is another. You can't get top velocities out of the 270 in a 22" barrel Handi...while you can with the 26" barreled 25-06..Now...make it a 24" 270 in a Handi or a 26" rebored/rechambered 270...whole different ballgame...and I have future plans of doing just that.

Second..while the 270 does have the ballistic edge with heavier bullets...those aren't needed for the 25-06 for deer... good quality 100 grain bullets work as well and can be pushed well over 3300 fps...and the light weight bullets for the 270 are mainly used as a varmint bullet...excluding the Barnes X bullets and for those you'll need a good bolt action to take the pressures..so...if your getting 3050fps with the 270 Handi...you doing good...and that's why the ballistic edge goes to the 25-06 in a Handi.

Either rifle is a good choice..both offer a-lot and will work...you just have different applications for each.

Mac

Reynolds · « **Reply #29 on:** September 21, 2005, 07:12:20 AM »

The original post was regarding LONG range deer calibers.

at 300 yards (long range) a 130 gr. .27 cal bullet with a muzzle velocity of @3050 fps has 400ft/lbs more energy with less wind drift and only 1.2" more drop than a .25 cal bullet @3300 fps.

If the gentleman is interested in long range whitetail hunting, there is still no contest between the .270 and the .25-06. The .25-06 is more similar to a 6mm remington than a .270. regardless of case capacity.