Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 25-06 Do you really need more

I'm a huge fan of the .257 Cal. With a good 115gr or 120gr bullet like the Barnes TTSX or Nosler Partition do you really need a larger caliber for hunting Moose and Elk?

Never shot a moose? So I can't say. "Rumor" has it Hornady's wife used the 25.06 extensively and he designed one of his bullets for that purpose? I think it would do just fine on elk! Hit a vital and tag it.

Hard to argue with Esox's logic. However, some guys truly love using bigger cartridges. They are known to knock the hell out of big critters too... Just sayin..

Only women are smart enough to use something like a 25-06 for everything.

I like my .25-06.. One of my three favorites.. Never shot an elk with it.. Doubt I ever do.. One of my pals who does professional predator control used a .25-06 for elk hunting.. Last time I saw him, I ask what his elk rifle was.. A .300 was the reply. I got tired of tracking elk after the shot.. The guy is a professional..

I love my 25-06 and shoot a lot of stuff with it. I find it ideal for antelope, deer, wild hogs, etc. Having said that, my favorite elk rifle is my 300 Weatherby Mag.

Not that a 25 caliber rifle will not kill an elk, but why not use a more suitable caliber if you have one??? A 300 Weatherby mag with a 180 Partition is just ideal. For moose I would use that rifle or more likely my .338 Win Mag.

The 25 calibers do have their limitations.

25-06 should be fine in a pinch for elk, with correct bullet selection and placement. Not what I'd choose though. Give me at least a 270, but preferably a 30-06 or 300 WSM.

Can you kill an elk with a 25-06? Absolutely.

Would I deliberately choose a 25-06 for something that big? Not unless I had no other choice. I'd really prefer something with a larger, heavier bullet and I don't mind a bit more recoil to get it.

If you insist, the TTSX is a good idea.

The right answer should have been:

Yes of course, how else are we going to explain to the wife the need for another rifle.

Love my 25-06, but wouldn't use it on anything but varmints, hogs or deer-size game including antelope, sheep and goats.

The 25-06 with a 120 Partition will get a lot done. I would use it on Elk if I had to. It wouldnt be my first choice but if its all I had I am sure it would get the job done.

Folks used to kill elk by the thousands with the 30/30. I would choose the 25/06 before the 30/30 and really......the 30/30 is all you need.

Shod

Sometimes.