Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 25-06 question

Anyones primary deer rifle a 25-06? Thinking of picking a 700 up in this caliber. Is it more of a reloaders caliber or does some of the factory ammo perform well?

I watched a guy clean a deer yesterday he shot with a 25-06 Rem coreLkt 100 gn. He shot it quartering to in the shoulder. The shoulder was bloodshot jello.

It's all my father has hunted with for the last 35 years. I know you couldn't get him to change now if you had to. He's killed truckloads of game with it using the 100gr NBT.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ is exactly what a neighbor of mine has been using for 30+ years on all sort of Oklahoma WT deer and hogs, iirc, he told me the game has ranged in weight from 50 to near 400 lbs.

Haven't heard of him changing anything, bet if I went to his camp, I'd find him with that same setup this morning.

Barnes loads a factory tsx bullet. I haven't used it on game yet but extremely accurate in my rifle.

Once again people with "tack drivers" shooting center body mass and turning the whole front to jelly. If it won't hit neck at least couple hundred yards it ain't no tack driver. Guess it is lack of experience and excitement?? (Scope full a hair lead in the air)!!!!!

Once again people with "tack drivers" shooting center body mass and turning the whole front to jelly. If it won't hit neck at least couple hundred yards it ain't no tack driver. Guess it is lack of experience and excitement?? (Scope full a hair lead in the air)!!!!!

Shot a few deer,some coyotes,and a black bear with the 100 grain factory Barnes ttsx. They work about perfect.

I have a 700 XCR II in 25-06. 2 one shot kills with the 117 Grain SST from the Hornady Superformance Line. I have also shot the American Whitetail Line with the 117 Grain Interlock. Same POA at 100 yards. I haven't stretched it beyond that to check drop differences at 200-300. One broadside shot at 60 yards exited. This past saturday, quartering away at 75 yards, it turned the lungs and top of the heart to mush. Didn't exit which was a first for that bullet. I am preparing to use all of the once fired Hornady brass to load up some 110 ABs and 115 BTs. I don't think you'll be disappointed either route.

Load a tougher 100gr bullet at warp speed, zero at 250yds, and try to hit shoulders. In my experience, this is the most effective use of a fast .25cal. It works with ease.....

I would use a better bullet. I want meat, not a pile of useless waste.

My 25-06 is my go to for deer and antelope. Mine does great with either factory loads or reloads and is flat shooting. Highly recommended.

My favorite deer cartridge (along with the 257AI). I like 120gr bullets. I find it to be just as effective as the classic 270/130 combo, but I have found the recoil to be just light enough that I can watch the bullet impact. 120g Speer HC, 120gr Sierra BTHPs, 120-115gr Partitions, 120gr Deep Curls have all worked very well.

I've got a 25-06, 25-06AI, and a 257Wby so I guess you could say I'm a 25cal fan. Flat shooting, low recoil, just a great round that absolutely flattens whitetails. I shoot a 100gr TTSX, 110 NAB, and 115 NBT out of my various rifles.

My last whitetail this fall was shot at 304 yards with a 100 gr Sierra FB at about 3400 fps.. She dropped on the spot, rolled, raise her head, and it was over.. I am liking the 100 grain bullets over the heavier bullets.. Been shoot the .25-06 since the 1960's.. One of my three favorite calibers..

It may not mean anything but no other caliber has improved more from hand loading than my .25-06. Remington ammo only produced 3 shot groups of 2 1/2 inches at 100 yards, and Winchester and Federal about 1 1/2 inches. My handloads produce 1/2 inch groups.

I like my .257 Roberts with 100 grain bullets. I think if I was to use the .25-06, I would go with the 120 grain slugs but that is JMO.

Rockchuck nailed it; this anecdote isn't the fault of the cartridge but the bullet.

One could get the same results from a .243/95, .270/130, .280/140, or .30-06/150.

I have a .257AI which is pretty similar to the 25-06 and use 90 gr GMXs with great results. I am sure that 100 gr TTSXs would deliver the goods also.

25-06 is nearly the perfect deer/antelope cartridge IMHO.

I've had my 700 bdl 25-06 sporter since 1980 . Very accurate and low recoil for the killing power it produces .
It's a great varmint/predator/elk rifle 75gr. v-max puts coyotes down right now -110 NAB for big stuff -both loads using H-4831sc powder .
Killed several feral hogs with it and not one has taken a single step.
A starting load using a light weight bullet is a pleasure for smaller folks or ladies to shoot.
Really like the cartridge.

I have two of them. One a first-year production Rem 700 (built in '69) that has over 3000 or so rounds down the pipe. Still prints .5-.6" 5 shot groups. I shot the 120 Speer through it for years before changing over to the 110 AB. Last count, this rifle had taken over 100 whitetails and I used it to take my first two elk, both with one-shot kills.
The second one I have is also a Rem. 700. This one only has around 2000 rounds through it. Shooting the same 110 AB it prints itty-bitty bug-hole like groups. This one has taken another 50-75 whitetail, a couple of dozen coyotes, maybe a dozen turkey (legal here in Tx), maybe 15-20 Axis, some blackbuck, a number of mule deer and one elk.
Punch 'em through just behind the leg just above midway above center-line and get ready to clean your deer.
I have to agree with EFW - the 25-06 is about the perfect deer/antelope cartridge.

Terrific as a mule deer, pronghorn & coyote rifle!

I generally handload, and have taken game from 20 - 400+ yards, typically with one shot.

Mine is a Rem 700 CDL, with a 6x Leupold. Pretty much perfect setup for the hunting I enjoy.

What surprised me, after I got my .25-06, was learning how many people I know who use the cartridge for elk!

Regards, Guy

I love my 25-06. I've loaded some 110 grain Accubonds that I hope to try out this year. If I were shooting factory ammo, I would look for one that was loaded with a Nosler Partition or Accubond.

My .25-06 is a Ruger M77 with a Leupold FXIII 6x. Has the Magnum contour barrel as I call it. A little heavy sometimes but shoots well. Neck sized loads make up for the loose chamber. Best load is Sierra 100gr BTHP Match. For Coyotes,Groundhogs and Whitetails. Occasional hog.

I have a Savage 111 that I picked up in Montana one year the day after Thanksgiving. For some reason I’ve always felt there was some kind of a mystique to it from the time Remington brought it out.

I have only shot one deer with it, a smallish whitetail doe, at about 35 yds with the Remington 100 gr Core Lokt factory load. She ran about 40 yds and tipped over just inside the treeline.

I have the goods to start handloading for it one of these days.

It is a dandy cartridge, in my opinion.

My question is, why would you use the lousy bc 100-grain bullets for deer, instead of using the bullets that really make it shine-the 117-120-grain weights? Far less blood-shot meat with the heavier bullets and no question about penetration.

Just my thoughts, anyway. I load for a buddy's and I put 120s in it at just over 2900fps and it does real well.

I dusted off my 25.06 this last deer season and shot a deer with it last Saturday. It dropped quicker than anything I have used/seen on game! I'm running a 115 Ballistic Tip with 51.0 grain of Reloader 22 and it puts game on the ground, did I mention quickly! I have yet to used factory ammo but positive it will work. Little recoil, if you can call it "recoil" and just plain kills well. That is not a deer I wouldn't use it on. I also have shot a few pigs with it and has the same effect.

Esox - that 115 Ballistic Tip is a terrific hunting bullet!

I launch it at 3120 fps via Retumbo with excellent accuracy.

Guy

The BC on the 100gr Nosler E-Tip is listed at .409, which is not far off from most 117-120gr offerings. And it can make 3,300fps+ in most 25-06 rifles. It offers a nice blend of BC, speed, and projectile integrity. Not much bloodshot either, in my experience, although I will admit it is not the most awesome performer for a lung-shooter. Can't have it all....

Every cartridge is more of a handloaders cartridge to me.

Do you handload or shoot factory fodder?

Good factory ammo out there. Federal Premium, or Winchester with a 115 Ballistic Silvertip.

If handloading run 115 Partitions, 117 Gameking or Prohunter depending whether your rifle likes boattails or flat base bullets or the same with Speer, 120 flat base or boattail.
Hornady 117 BTSP not a bad deer killer either.

Here's an odd wound my 25-06 made on a 75 yards S.W. Idaho coyote .
100gr. NBT .
Hit barely quatering away on the other shoulder , it broke so many bones in the chest that I could mash it flat had I tried .
The stock "was" an HS Precision sporter thumbhole , great for shooting off stick why predator calling but just didn't like it. Scope 6.5x20-50 Conquest -now on my 280AI 700 , rifle has a 4.5x14-44 Conquest now.





Same coyote .




130-140lb. sow killed at the lease just north of panama city beach ,Fl. great eating size and not "too" bad to drag.
Stock now a B&C and 4x12-50 Leupold VXR.
The odd color is from a TX. Boars night light green and red lens.
A couple of big wild dogs were barking and growling at me while I was skinning this hog from about 100 yards away in the darkness . I tried luring them in by barking at them to no avail.




Had this 25-06 for around 37 years , when I go to my grave somebody will get one heck of a rifle !

I used H4831 and 100 gr Ballistic tips in mine . Very accurate until the barrel was junk at about 4500 rounds.
The .25-06 and the old 75 gr Sierra hps were the most devastating thing I ever used on eastern Groundhogs. I used to find parts and pieces around holes.....

I've shot a 25/06 since about 1980. I shot Rem. Core-Lokt 120 gr. in the M77. I used it exclusively until in the early 90's when I changed it out for a Ruger 77UL in a 270 only because it was so much lighter and it fit my style of hunting better as I liked to get away from the crowds with an old Amacker climber on 1 shoulder and the 77 UL over the other. But when Marlin came out with the Model 7 in the 25/06 with the shorter barrel and lighter weight than the old 77, I had to try it after reading all of the reviews on it. It is my go to deer rifle for the last several years.

I can say this, I had wanted a 270 from childhood reading O'Connors stories and his loving the 270. But for me, I have had a good bit higher % of deer fall right where they were shot with the little '06 than the 270. I love the cartridge, and with all the different bullets and companies who load this cartridge, I have no need to buy higher priced cartridges than the 120 Core-Lokt. It will do a number on the deer without messing up a lot of meat and both my rifles have shot them very well.

One last thought. I don't remember ever shooting a deer with it that I did not see its reaction when I shot which is important to me. And with all the people that recommend a 7/08 for a child or lady to shoot just starting out, I say let them shoot the 25/06. Felt recoil is much lighter than the '08's I have shot and it is hard to get any better than DRT which the majority of the deer I have shot with mine have expired. Just my thoughts-

I shoot a bunch of different rifles and cartridges for deer, but if I had to pick only one, it would be the 25-06. It is the perfect combination of trajectory, accuracy, and power for our big open country Saskatchewan deer, both Whitetial and Mule deer.
I prefer 120 grain bullets for better penetration and less meat destruction than the 100s. My Sako flings them at 3000 fps with 4831. No complaints. I have not tried the 100 grain monumental bullets, but bet they would be a winner.

I will be using the 25-06 in the field for the first time this coming week. Picked up a Montana x2 and am extremely happy with the low recoil and excellent accuracy with Barnes 100ttsx. Hoping to test bullet performance Monday, opening day of rifle season here in PA.

Best of luck!

I've taken more deer with my Rem 700 25-06 than any other rifle I own. I've had a 25-06 in my safe for over 40 years and it is hard to not like this caliber even though I now own a number of other calibers that work equally well on deer-sized game.

Everyone loves the 25/06...could this be the EXTREMELY rare consensus on the 'fire??

The more I use it the more I'm impressed and have a hard time using larger calibers since it does all I want and more!

Lots of good .25 bullets out there, so it's really just a matter of having fun at the bench and finding out what shoots well in your rifle. In my wife's rifle (Ruger 77 Hawkeye) it's the 110 gr. Accubond. Good accuracy and she's had great results with it on deer.

Bought a couple boxes of Swift 100gr Scirocco's when they came out in .257 Diameter. Never have worked up a load for them. My guess is that they would work well at .25-06 velocities. Anyone try them?

Somebody here was shooting the SS2 in a Vanguard 257wby to good effect. Can't remember who, but they killed a black bear and some other stuff. It was rather accurate in their rifle. If it works at 3,600fps, I bet it'll work at 3,350.

That is what I was thinking when I bought them. I'll work on a load this coming winter. They are too expensive to waste. They would work better on the hogs I reckon.

100 tsx @ 400 yds on a roosevelt elk. MV 3600....bang flopped.

Nice!

I was surprised when I started hearing about more and more people who have happily used the .25-06 as an elk rifle. I'm happy using mine for deer, antelope & coyotes, but have no doubt in my mind that it's quite capable of taking larger game.

Used that 100 gr TSX on a couple of mule deer, years ago. Penetration was tremendous!

Guy

Guy, that 100tsx was a pass through on the rosie cow. I dumped several deer and yotes with it too. My only complaint is that it will beat up meat if it's too close.

First world problems. ....

.25-06 is hard to beat it doesnt have the sexy high BC bullets but for 500 and under its a good one.

Love mine....I use factory Federal Premium 115gr partitions in it. Took a bull moose at 280yrds last fall and my wife's has used it on a few deer. Worked perfectly every time.

Love my 2506. I've taken deer with lots of bullets in 15 years
This year's deer
115vld 400ish yds

First day out with my 25-06, a nice meat deer, smallish doe came along. Very impressed with the performance of the factory Barnes 100 tax load. Deer only travelled maybe 30 yes after the hit and very little bloodshot meat. Hunting opening day with my dad, good times.

My mule deer from this year taken with my 25-06. Went 10 yards and fell over. Again with 115gr partitions

Wife uses a 25 06 with 110 accubond bullets. Tons of fun to shoot. I use it a bunch too. I haven't ever heard anyone say they didn't like a 25 06.

Mine's a butt ugly meat collector.

I love it !

Great cartridge!

I've had a couple, but turned my last into a 6.5-06. Need to build another as I still have a few die sets for the cart. Moved on to the 257 Wby and haven't revisited the cart for a while. The 120 Sierra GK HPBT is a mean pill in the 25-06, my last 24" bbl would do 3175fps with that pill over 55g of 7828 and it was pure death on WTs.

I remember when I was a kid dad killed a nice 5x5 bull elk with the factory 100g CL and didn't think twice about being under gunned lol. That bull only went 50 yds or so and piled up.

Still wanting a 25-06 but my minds made up my next rifle will be a Bergara B14 and i hate they dont make this caliber in it. Thinking of going 308 or 6:5creedmoor

Reload the 100gr TTSX at 3200-3300fps.

or

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...k-x-bullet-boat-tail-lead-free-box-of-20

I have only used mine out to 300 on yotes but have others used their's out to 500 or so on deer?

I have had really bad luck with 100 grain corlocts out of a 25-06, like going to pieces and very little penatration. Changed to a 100 grain TSX and things changed tremendously for the good.

My favorite bullet out of my .25-06 has been the Hornady 120gr HPBT. It doesn't cause as much bloodshot mess, is accurate, and stays together even at close range. I'm down to my last 10 or so loaded rounds so will have to find a new replacement. I'm not a fan of the 100's at warp speed. I'll probably go to Sierra 120gr. HPBT, or a Nosler Partition 115 or 120gr.

I agree that the 120gr Hornady HP is a great bullet. It's been my favorite for years in the 25/06 and 257AI. I'm really miffed at Hornady for discontinuing both it and the 100gr Spire Point!

And the salt in the wound is they have just introduced a new 257 cal bullet: a 110gr SST designed for, of all things, the 25-35!!! . How much demand could there be for that???

I can't figure out WTH they are thinking! The .25-35 would do well with the much lighter bullets anyway.

There was 3 boxes of the Hornady .257 120 gr HP for sale in the classifieds last week....not sure they sold.

Doc

Barnes 100 grain TTSX or TSX. Enough said, carry on.

You never hear a bad word about a 25-06. That sums it up. Barnes or a 110 accubond

Have only been using the 25-06 for a few years so not a lot of experience with it but Federal ammo with 100 TSX has given me 4 one shot kills and no lost deer.

I've killed more deer with a .25-06 than with all other chamberings combined. I've used factory ammo exclusively.

Everything is more of as a reloaders caliber.

I've had 4-5 .25-'06s, 5 .257 Roberts, 1 .257 Weatherby, and a couple of .25-35s. I guess I like 'em.

The only Remington .25-'06 I've owned was a SS Sendero with a bad stock and a bad barrel. (The others were all Rugers.) Despite that experience, I think it is not a bad way to go. I wish they'd offer the CDL-SF in it. SOME of the factory ammo performs well in SOME guns. Anyone guaranteeing you're going to be able to find a factory load that is accurate in YOUR rifle is themselves a fool or is playing used car salesman. Assuming an accurate factory load, I'd be happy with either 115 or 120 grain partitions or 100 grain X bullets. I'd stay away from the Accubond, it's fine in some calibers but the 110 grain .25 caliber behaves like a varmint bullet. It's no better or worse than the 100 grain ballistic tip or 100 grain CoreLokt.

Tom

TOM, you're a hard core quarter bore Loony...

And, in good company.

I've posted this before. It's the South Carolina study on WT kills, was the basis of a Layne Simpson acticle in the Oct, 2011 Petersen's Hunting magazine. It's very favorable to the quarter bore. WT's hit with a .257 cal round traveled the least distance compared to those hit by all other calibers.

Now, the numbers don't really prove .257 cal. is actually superior to all others, but it's great reading for a quarter bore fanatic...

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/deer/articlegad.html

DF

I need another

I've took numbers deer with as 25-06 over the years never had one to run much over 35 yd. Never seen one that shot bad . can't say anything but good about the round. don't hunt with it anymore because a i let a friend barrow it he feel in love and won't bring it home.

I saw a Winchester M70FWT in 25-06 at a gun show last weekend.
Didnt even know they made them in that caliber.

I would get another friend...quickly.

I want to try a Savage in 25-06. I have a Hog Hunter in 308 and a Hunter-predator in 6.5 Creed. Both super accurate.

2 - 25-06 and a 257AI here and they are hammers on deer.
117gr Sierra Bt in the AI
115 gr NBT in my 2506
100gr TSX in my sons 2506.

None are factory guns. 2 are on 700 actions and one is a Jap arisaka action.