I have a chance to pick up a custom 25-06 at a terrific price. Shoots very accurately...but only a 22" barrel. Any thoughts about how much I might be giving up with the 22" vs. a 24-26?

JimR,
I can't help you with the velocity lost because the only 25-06 I have had sported a 22" tube. The deer it piled up never complained. It was a tack driver with 115 Partitions. Most figures will say you would lose between 50-100 fps. Not enough to matter in the real hunting world but if you are driven by velocity it may bug you. You will also notice an increase in muzzle blast over a 24" or 26" barrel.

If you like the rifle and it is a good deal get it and don't worrt about it and go shooting and huntring.

C-ROY

Doesn't T/C make a .25/06 barrel for there Encore? This would only be 16" Perhaps you should ask on the handgun boards and ask about velocities of shorter than normal barrels.

jump on it. what is a 100fps less if that. the game is how it shoots.

JimR, I've had a M700 with 24 inch factory barrel since Remington introduced them. The wisdom of the time was that the 25/06 just couldn't preform with a lesser barrel. I haven't had a 25/06 in the shorter configeration but I think the advice that's been posted so far is good advice. My gut tells me after 30 plus years of shooting 25/06 that you'll not be able to tell any real world difference between the 22 and the 24. So if it's a good deal and it were me I'd buy a nice custom rifle at a good price and shoot some critters that won't ever be able to tell the difference. Them's my thoughts, and they're worth everything you paid for'em. CH <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Some others I have spoke with about how much you loose would realistically probably tell you it is alot less than we love to talk about. I suspect you only will loose 20 to 30 feet per second, per inch of barrel length. So you loose 40 to 60 fps, that buck will never know it, neither will your range capability.

Ahh, Come on Auggie, at 60 fps slower than the 24-inch barrel, the bullets would hit a deer's hide and BOUNCE OFF. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, the slightly shorter barrel simply isn't a problem, Jim. There is more variation between "fast" and "slow" barrels than you'll experience with one that is two-inches shorter.

Steve

The Dogzapper is spot on about the shorter barrel. My Weatherby .25/06 has a "slow" 24 inch barrel and is usually about 100-150fps short of advertised velocities. But the accuracy is great (under 1/2inch) and it has worked very well on the deer and sundry varmints I've whacked with it.

Good Shooting,
HBB

I get 2940 fps with Win Supreme 115 grain CTs out of a Rem 700 cut to 22"

C ROY .... you can add another deer to the pile with that short little 25-06! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I've finally warmed up to mine after not shooting it for a year and trying to sell/trade it. All worked out for the best ... if I ever think I (or the deer) need more speed, I'll step up and get a .257 Roy. Larry from Serengeti Stockworks uses a 25-06 AI in a 22" tube and he really likes his too.

A 25-06 in a 22" tube is like a .257 Roy in a 24" tube ... ask Aggiedog if he thinks his Roy is lacking?

Avagadro,
Glad to hear the rifle is still working out for you. There are some rifles you hate that got away from you but when they are well taken care of by the new recepient it makes it a "little" more comforting.

My .257 "Bob" is still the One in my safe. If it was not for that rifle the 25-06 wouldn't have found a new home. Is it still in the McMillan stock?