Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats What to build off a 25/06 action?

Might pick up a bolt rifle that was a 25/06. What would be your pick to rebarrel it in something a little bigger? Mostly just Whitetail deer and possibly Elk up to about 400 yards.

I was thinking maybe 280AI. I know 270 and 30/06, 6mm/06,338/06 are possibilities. I was just wondering if I missed any possibilities and what might be the best choice. I already have enough 270's and my largest rifle is a 7mm rem mag but it is old and mostly a loaner.

Why not go back to the original "modern" cartridge? The 8x57js(8mm Mauser) as been getting it done with a lot of class since 1905. With good ammo it should handle any 4 legged critter in North America without a hitch. Hell I seriously doubt there is a game animal on the planet that it hasn't already put down.

Just go with the plain jane 30-06,it's never a bad choice.Brass is cheap and easy to find,wide range of bullet weights to pick from,wide range of powders will work for it,loaded up to max,it dang close to the 7mag and the list goes on and on.This used to be a 270,now it's a 30-06.

Leave it a 25-06.

+1

Fine for whitetails but I was thinking I would rather have a bit larger bullet for Elk at longer distance. I probably don't need to shoot it first though.LOL

You could set one of your 270s up with some 150 grain Partitions and RL26 for your elk rifle.

I love my 25-06. Definitely, don't shoot it if you want to change it.

Go with a 6.5-06 and shoot 147 ELD's and RL-26.

Then get a .30/06.

sounds like you need a 280AI, a good 160 should work.

Keep it a .25/06, shoot it and thank me later ........

I've never found anything a 25-06 would do that a 243 wouldn't do at least as well. If someone gave me a 25-06 ( I sure wouldn't buy one) I'd either sell it or turn it into a 280.

I would leave it a 25/06. I really can't see changing into anything other than a 338/06 or 35 Whelen. A 9.3x62 is probably out with the 400 yard shot requirement and there are 30/06'S everywhere. If I wanted a 30/06 I would just buy one.

Why not sell the 7 Mag and take the barrel money to update it?

Go with a 6.5-06 or 280AI. Better bullets with great BC's and lots more choices in bullet shapes, weights, etc.... I had a 25-06 for a while, wouldn't go back to it and besides, if you have 270's you have that base covered.

Bob

If you are into reloading, you could make it into a 6.5x68mm or 8x68mm Shuler. I'm in the process of building both, the 6.5 should be finished within the next couple weeks once the 3-position safety comes in that's been on back order for several weeks now.

Good luck!

My next custom will be a 6.5-06

270 win or a 6.5-06 wood be my picks!

If versatility is what you're after, the 30-06 would be tough to beat.

I would do a 280 AI. Now that you can buy preformed brass(nosler) and don't have to fire form that is a difference maker.

UHhhh..... 25-06AI!

I thought I had read somewhere that the 30/06 was obsolete. I suspect that brass and bullets for it, as well as factory ammo are disappearing off the shelves even as we speak.

Very efficient round, almost a 7RM and burning less powder.

With the '06 being obsolete and the .270 accused of less than manly status, the .280AI is the obvious choice...

Serioiusly, if I didn't already have a very good 7RM and if I was going to build on that action, it would be the .280AI.

DF

^^^^this

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I hadn't thought of the 35 Whelen though I think it's a bit more than I wanted. I will also look into the 6.5/06 ballistics a bit but I still think the 280AI is top of the list.

Yep, and with Pat's endorsement (Scenarshooter); as Trump would say: That's Yuge...

With the availability of good quality brass, not having to fire form, it's a no-brainer...

DF

There is a fine line between COOL and DUMB! So..... 256 Newton. I will let you decide which side of that line I am on.

Since you said "mostly just whitetail" I'd be inclined to go 6.5-06, 6.5-06AI, or 6.5-284. For that "possibly elk", there would the possibility of another separate dedicated elk rifle.

I'm in the 25/06 camp. Shoot it first. If it shoots well enough to suit you, you'll have:

25/06 for deer
270 for deer or elk
7Mag for elk

The $$ you save goes toward an elk hunt.

280AI. Load it light, load it heavy, put meat in the freezer

Make it a 6.5-06 improved.

What would be the velocities with same bullets be compared to a 6.5-284, very comparable?

How about a 7x64?

I have the 25-06, 6.5-06, and 270 Reamers.

I have shot deer with all of them.

I like the 6.5-06 the best with 120 gr nos bal tips.

But you can't go wrong with any of them.

A 22" 6.5-06AI with a Scirocco II (B.C. .577) @ 3161fps with IMR7828SSC makes a pretty capable weapon. Mine also pushes 140g BT to 3075fps using H100V. I assume it would do the same with a 140g AccuBond.

Second choice would be a .280AI or .30-06.

That said, a good friend had one and I liked it a lot. 400 yards is easy with a 225g AB at about 2700fps.

35 Whelen

Buy American. MAGA!

You've got all the other bases covered already.

30-06 obsolete?

35 Whelen or 8mm/o6.

The 280 AI with a 168g Berger Hunting VLD is nothing short of awesome, long barrel life also. Bullets that have a BC in the area of .625-.650 and higher are where you want to be looking it IF, you are shooting any distance at all. As bullets approach and exceed .650, you will just have to see for yourself how well they retain their velocity and lack of wind drift...it is amazing if you have not experienced it.

With a howling wind, Shooting 1"-1.5" groups at 300 yards is just ho hum with bullets with BC of .650 and over, no kidding.

6.5 06 improved

338-06 Ack Imp