Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Why not a 25-06

I've been reading many of the comments on this forum for several months now and I'm quite sure that many if not most of you have spent much more time reading, studying and shooting than I have. I don't get as much time off from work to shoot and develop rounds so I'm looking for a few opnions. I had a old Ruger model 77 25-06 for over 20 years that I hunted with and killed many,many Whitetail,hogs, Axis and varmits with.
Well I had some health problems that keep me from hunting for several years and during that time I sold my trusty old Model 77 and I really regret it. I'm looking to buy another 25-06 this month and I'm worndering about some of the different calibers and model's I've read about here. I've got a Remington model 700 300WM that I love so I'm leaning towards another 700 but I'm going to look at others. I picked up a browing x-bolt the other day at a local dealer and it really didn't fit me. I'm left handed so it's tough to find a left hand rifle to shoulder in a store! Sorry for the rambling but I'd like to hear why you guys think?

Go with what you originally had or you will never be fully satisfied.

At least that has been my experience

For me, the world isn't right unless there is a 308 in the safe. It's just a symptom of the looneyism. I gave up trying to figure out why quite some time ago.

You could down load your 300wm to 308 or even 30-30 levels and accomplish everything that the 25-06 would do but you probably won't be satisfied. The same as I could down load my 300wm and it wouldn't scratch that 308 itch.

Haunt the gun shops and pawn shops till you find the 25-06 that just looks and feels right and then buy it. Regardless of the cost. You won't be truly satisfied until you do.

Left handed 25-06s may take some searching to find. Tikka, Ruger, Zastava, and Sako's are around. Remington only did the 25-06 from the custom shop as far as I know. Saw one in the Mt. Rifle format that I wished I bought. A few Weatherby light weights were made in 25-06. Some New Haven model 70's too.

I would also look at a Forbes or NULA in 25-06.

You could always re-barrel any 700 long action to 25-06 or get a SPS model in 30-06 as a doner.

I have shot a los of cal. an the 270 an the 25-06 in my mine an shooting are the best . Had wsm, an reg in about all cal.aroung at one time or another but none shot like the 270.25-06. With that said buy a Savage 111 or 110 with wood stock They will not let you down.Savage all the way

The .25-06 and your .300 make a fine combination.. Add a .22-250
you have an excellent battery for all shooting but high volume varmint shooting.. Having had several .25-06's I would do as someone suggested, since you like your 700 .300, pick up a 700 of your choice used, and rebarrel.. You can get the length wt., etc that you desire.. I got my present .25-06 from a guy who was leaving Wy. It came to me cheap, so the barrel work was not that much additional cost..

TIKA Great shooter right of the box.

My Left Hand 25-06 , Remington 700 McMillan Number 3 Barrel , HS Precision Stock . Black-T Finish.

Yep no need to reinvent the wheel; get what you know you love.

Search bud's online.

25-06 is a fantastic cartridge and will likely make your .300WM obsolete.

^^^^ This

Tough to find a Left Hand .25-06,
Lots of .270's or '06s that need re-barrelling to what you want for length, material , contour .

Me - I'd go 24" Stainless in a KS contour on an early Mtn rifle donor.

My .25-06 is a first generation Savage 110 with a walnut stock and an aftermarket 24 inch barrel. It safely gives 3350 fps with a 100 grain bullet. Zeroed a +2 at 250 yards, it has a point blank range of over 300 yards. I have never had a deer to run after being shot with that rifle. The deer just drop right there.

Get another Ruger .25-06 since you liked the first one so much. It's a great round, shoots flat, doesn't kick much and very easy to get to shoot well.

But if you do you better hurry, Ruger has discontinued all left hand Hawkeye's and the supply is drying up quickly. Bud's doesn't have any in .25-06, neither does grabagun.com. There are three stainless models on gunbroker right now and they are up at or just over $700.

A 243 will shoot 105's at close to the same speed as a 25-06 will shoot 115's. You have a lot more options for much better BC's in 243 bullets and at longer range the 243 wins. I could never justify a 25-06

243, 25-06, 257 Roberts, 260, 7mm08 and 308 would fit you need. Most are available in southpaw versions or have been made in lefty. I also like the 25-06 and have not been without one for the last 20 years. prior to that i had a couple but never did warm up to it. It is now my primary rifle chambering for small game.

The Ruger #1 is an option. They currently don't chamber it in 25-06, but they produced enough of them over the years that they aren't that hard to find.

Thanks for all the replys folks. Lots to consider!!!

This looks like a nice one.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=475806021

Ask Mule Deer how accurate that Mine happens to be.

Why not a .25-06 indeed. Get yourself another one.

Where in Georgia are you going to shoot far enough for the difference in BC's to matter?