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Joined: Feb 2004
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I think I would be using a tougher bullet than the VLD.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,291 Likes: 24
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I have zero experience with the Berger bullets of any kind but think very highly of the 25-06 on elk. 120 Speer Grand Slam (old style) has been very lethal on elk IME.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,607
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2008
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I wouldnt hesitate 1 second to kill an elk with a 25/06...I'd personally prefer a 120 grain partition though... Having grown up living off of elk and deer as well as guiding hunters most of my life, I can tell you I have killed more elk with very small caliber rifles (much smaller than your 25-06)than anything else. While I have had my share of clean misses, not one single animal that was hit has ever gotten away. Do I recommend a .22 for elk hunting? Absolutely not, but I am a firm believer in a well placed shot being far more valuable than opting for a large caliber just because of ballistics. A well placed neck shot has, in my experience, never failed to drop an elk in its tracks...never. Go with a caliber you are comfortable with, then learn to shoot it like nobodys business, don't take a shot unless you know its a kill shot. When we have a hunter that comes in shooting a .270 or a 25-06 or a .243, I call dibs on guiding those guys. Typically they know how to hunt and shoot. I find I do far less tracking than our guys who guide hunters using the big magnums. I realize this is a very unpopular opinion, I am just stating what 25 years of big game hunting and guiding has taught me. best replies I've seen. Ive personally bangflopped elk with a 25-06 so yeah it will work just fine. I would use a different bullet, only because I'm partial to the partitions, and noslers in general.
Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
Calm seas don't make sailors.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 296
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 296 |
My 25-06 blows both front shoulders of pronghorns to hell and gone with 3+ inch exit wounds at 400 using 115 VLDs. Pronghorns are not elk but I'd feel completely comfortable taking a good front end shot at a cow at 400 yards. My Dad used this combination on caribou bulls 3 or 4 years ago, 2 bang-flops. I'd aim right for the shoulder if I could or frontal chest or ribs if I couldn't.
It'll work fine.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 59
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 59 |
I wish I new how to post pictures. I built three 25-06s for one family. Mom and the son's were on Rem.actions the dads was a Sako L691 action. All have taken 350+ Bulls with these 25-06s. So I guess the answer to your question is---YES--
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,003 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
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Does a 25-06 have the umph to do proper damage to an elk? It does for cows and calfs. It will, however, just bounce off a big bull. Hemi
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,294 Likes: 6 |
Myself having to travel a considerable distance to hunt elk, I would swap that VLD for TSX, if it will group for You.
Wouldnt wanna pass on a good bull cause of a bad angle
Trump Won!
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277 |
They way I see it, a 25/06 has more than plenty of gas to do good work on elk. Lots of elk taken every year in the west with the round with no muss and or fuss.
Take out the battery (heart/lungs) and you're gold just as if you were using a bigger round. If you follow the testimonials of those who've actually used and seen it (25/06) in use tell the story all too well. Those who haven't seen it do it's work generally feel it's a bit light, plus they tend to live a bit further away from elk country.
As for the bullet, I've not personally used it, but based off the word of those I trust I'd have absolutely no worries if that was what I was using. Pretty darn sure that J Burns has seen quite a few bulls taken with a 243 and the 105 Berger and that's good enough for me.
Stick the bullet in a good place and good things will happen..
When and where are you going elk hunting?
Dober
"True respect starts with the way you treat others, and it is earned over a lifetime of demonstrating kindness, honor and dignity"....Tony Dungy
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
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I have killed two bulls with the Barnes 100 gr TXS, but i was using them in my 257 STW. Both bulls dropped in their tracks one at 462 and 510 yards lasered. Complete penetration. See no reason they wouldn't perform just as well from the 25-06
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,295
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,295 |
Zero experience with the 25-06 But it sure don't stop you from commenting... I have a whole bunch and a 25-06 with a Berger is a very poor choice for Elk hunting Idaho. Jayco
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,246 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
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Does a 25-06 have the umph to do proper damage to an elk? It does for cows and calfs. It will, however, just bounce off a big bull. Hemi Good one! P
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I wouldnt hesitate 1 second to kill an elk with a 25/06...I'd personally prefer a 120 grain partition though... I SECOND THIS. an elk is big .if a partition doesn't shoot a little bitty group it no matter. i would use a partitions . i have shot 8 and guided others to 23. 3 with a 243. not recommended though, they went a ways.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,330 Likes: 10
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,330 Likes: 10 |
I wouldnt hesitate 1 second to kill an elk with a 25/06...I'd personally prefer a 120 grain partition though... Me too. These days, it's more about the bullet than the cartridge. Casey
Casey
Not being married to any particular political party sure makes it a lot easier to look at the world more objectively...
Having said that, MAGA.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2005
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i just whacked a huge cow elk with my 6.5x55 using a 120 ttsx at 250 or so yards. went through the near shoulder and exited the ribs on the off side. elk ran 50 yards and gave up the ghost.
25-06 and a 6.5x55 swede are similar in my book.
FJB
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,090
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,090 |
I did that scene once upon a time but I won't be using my 1/4 bore rifle for that segment of hunting again. Instead I'll stay with my .338 calibers, which are real elk calibers in my book.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I have shot an elk with a 257 roberts, pretty close to a 25-06. I have shot a bunch more with 7x57, 30-06, 7 mag, 300 win, and 338. My opinion on your question is... it depends. If you were hunting with me I would ask a few questions.
Why the 25 cal? is it the only rifle you have or feel comftorable shooting? If you can't shoot a bigger set up, you are better to admit it and stick with what you are good with.
How far are you traveling to hunt? How patient are you? How bad do you want an elk?
The 25 would be just fine like many have said if you have a great shot and double lung it. If you have a big bull and a not perfect shot are you willing to pass it up when you may be able to take it with a larger bullet with more punch and penetration? How bout if it is the last day of a hard week long of hiking and searching for elk?
Short answer is... yes it will work, no its not the best tool for the job. Arrows and muzzle loaders kill elk, you just have to know your limitations. It all depends on what you want out of the hunt.
Last edited by dogwater; 12/15/10.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 33
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 33 |
Can it work, yes. Is it a good choice, no. I would borrow an elk rifle and not risk ruinning a hunt with a lost animal. My 257 wby with 100 grain Barnes ttsx bullets will kill any elk. Just not a good choice. First thing you need to do though is get an elk bullet in there. A 25-06 is marginal for elk and certainly not a long range elk rifle so no need for long range bullets. Get a Barnes ttsx or swift scirroco, etc and stay within the efficient kill range of that cartridge on elk.
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