I own both. I have used the 270 for many more years (over 50) then the 25-06 (The one I have now for only 14 years) however and that means my kills with the 270 outnumber those from a 25-06 by a LOT so my comparison is not fare in every way.
But your question is specific. From what I have seen with my 25-06 I would say the best performance for a light kicking deer load was with the 100 grain TSX Barnes bullets, (about 1 MOA) but in my rifle the 110 grain Hornady Innerbond is a bit more accurate. (1/2 MOA) I can't tell the difference in the recoil but by the laws of physics the Barnes should kick a bit less. The smaller group size is irrelevant to anyone killing deer until they have the skills to shoot out past 500 yards anyway.
In one of my 270s I am using a 130 grain Nosler Partition and it's been SUPER deadly and I have shot a lot of deer and antelope with that bullet in the last 1/2 century all with zero complaints . In another one I shoot 150s and one I shoot with 160s.
But I will say that in 2 rifles of the same weight the 270 does kick a bit harder then the 25-06 even when the 25 is firing 120s and the 270 is firing 130s. So a 270 with a 130 is going to kick more then a 25-06 firing a 100 or 110. Both are wonderful shells for deer killing. So if recoil is a factor I would say go with the 25-06. Sure the 270 is more powerful. So what? The 25-06 if actually more powerful then it needs to be for deer, and using something even more powerful doesn't kill any better or any faster.
Of the 2 cartridges I use the 270 much more, but that's because I use mostly 150 and 160 grain bullets and the 270 covers the bases better, (deer antelope, bear, and elk) but there is no way around the argument that the 25-06 will do every bit as well for deer as a 270, and kick less in doing it.
Last edited by szihn; 07/04/20.
