Is a 25-06 worth it?

[splitshot]

   the tikka lite is an awesome weapon for deer.  if you are a good shot it works for elk.  no recoil hardly.  much less than a 270.  if recoil is a problem get the rubber deal that fits on the barrel.  I don't know why they don't come stock on all rifles.    mike w

[splitshot]

   forgot to mention the tikka is very lite which is nice when you are 73.  my granddaughter got a 7mm/08 which is great for a woman.  she is only 5 foot tall and loves it. get the kids model.   she liked my 25/06 but it was only a loan.   mike w

[Mtn.Ghost]

My wife shoots a .25-06, she loves it!

Looks like she shoots it pretty good too

Radsav, I saw you have a model 88 win. in .308 I have one in .243 and have owned a couple in .308 awesome rifles and getting hard to find in good condition. Do you know if they made the mod. 100 semi-auto in .243 all I have found have been in .308. Does your rifle have the basket weave checkering with acorns by chance?

[RadSav]

Radsav, I saw you have a model 88 win. in .308 I have one in .243 and have owned a couple in .308 awesome rifles and getting hard to find in good condition. Do you know if they made the mod. 100 semi-auto in .243 all I have found have been in .308. Does your rifle have the basket weave checkering with acorns by chance?

None of my 88's are post '64.  I had a beautiful 88 in .243 for a while.  But when a friends father, who had always shot one, had a stroke in the woods they lost it getting him out.  So I replaced it with mine.  I'd sure like to find another in that good of shape.  The last one in .308 I picked up from a H-W member.  I was expecting to turn it into a custom .260, but after the barrel looked better than any I've ever seen I couldn't do it.  It will be getting a new stock here soon as I have a special piece of wood that's just been waiting for an 88 project.

I've never been much of a 100 fan.  So I do not know what the production numbers were in .243.  I know the carbines are quite the collector piece.  Especially the .284.  I have seen a few in 243 over the years in Cabela's Gun Library.

[bearpaw]

The 25/06 is a great gun and does recoil a little less than the 270, but here is another option:

Keep the 270, purchase a LimbSaver recoil pad, shorten the stock if needed to accommodate the extra length of the recoil pad, and buy some Barnes 85 or 95 grain bullets. The much lighter bullets will have noticeably less recoil to start with and the new recoil pad will reduce recoil by roughly another 30%. The 95 gr TTSX is probably plenty of bullet for deer, we've even killed three moose with 100 gr TTSX out of the 257 Wtby.

A 95 gr TTSX in the 270 will be traveling at 257 Wthby speed. TTSX bullets will hold together at high velocity and go clear through an animal. Remember this, the lighter the bullet the less the recoil, the problem with many light bullets is they may not hold together for big game kills, however, Barnes bullets normally retain 95% to 100% of their weight thus getting deeper penetration than heavier bullets of other brands. Here's reload data for the 85 TSX and the 95 TTSX bullets if you want to try them.

Most Accurate Load In The Test Rifle
Bullet Style: TSX FB
Bullet Weight: 85 gr
Primer: Fed 210
Barrel Length: 24"
Case: R-P Twist Rate: 1:10"
Powder RL 17   59.0 (grains)
Velocity 3609 (fps)

Most Accurate Load In The Test Rifle
Bullet Style: TTSX BT
Bullet Weight: 95 gr
Primer: Fed 210
Barrel Length: 24"
Case: R-P Twist Rate: 1:10"
Powder RL 17   56.0 (grains)
Velocity 3402 (fps)

Work up to those loads and make sure they shoot well on paper before going hunting. If you don't reload look for factory ammo, I don't think Federal makes 270 ammo with the Barnes 110 TTSX any longer but here is some other factory ammo with 110 gr Barnes:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/157237/doubletap-ammunition-270-winchester-110-grain-barnes-triple-shock-x-bullet-hollow-point-lead-free-box-of-20?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Also you might try Remington Cor-Lokt 115 gr:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/882105/remington-managed-recoil-ammunition-270-winchester-115-grain-core-lokt-pointed-soft-point-box-of-20?cm_vc=ProductFinding


more insight on the 110 gr Barnes, from a texas hunting forum:
http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/topic/234563/gonew/1

This post is to let the 270 fans out there know what the Barnes 110g TTSX is capable of doing in the field.

My rifle of choice is the 270 Win Ruger M77 Hawkeye equipped with a Burris Black Diamond 8x32 scope.

I have been an avid deer hunter for the past 50 years and a dedicated reloader for the past 40 years. I have always shoot Nosler bullets in a variety of rifles over the years and have no complaints with that bullet. It has put a lot of deer in my freezer & some nice horns on the wall.

In 2009 I got interested in the Barnes TTSX 130 and loaded them with 57.5g of H3841sc. This round was very accurate and put 3 deer in the freezer for me. One a nice 9pt, chest shoot at 225 yards (stand to feeder). Two does at the same range, both neck shoots.

In 2010 I decided to try the Barnes 110g TTSX because I wanted a little flatter trajectory due to the distances of possible shots at our lease. I loaded the 110g TTSX with 57.5g of H4350, OAL 3.340, velocity 3300 fps. Shoot 7/8” 3 round groups at 100 yards. Went to the lease and took a really nice 10pt at 225 yard. The bullet entered just behind the left shoulder and exited just behind his right shoulder. The bullet shattered ribs on entry and exit, exit wound was approximately 2.5”. The heart & lungs were torn to pieces. I was amazed at the damage that bullet caused. After impact the buck ran for 10 yards & dropped.

This year while in Cabela’s I found that Federal loaded the 270 win with the Barnes 110 TTSX with an advertised velocity of 3400 fps.. When I examined the round I saw the seating depth was much deeper than the rounds I was loading. I bought the box and measured the OAL, it was 3.22. With my rifle still “Zeroed” for the OAL round of 3.340 I shoot a 3/4” group one half inch right of zero point. I was surprised to say the least.

So far this hunting season I have taken 2 does at 220 yards both neck shots with devastating wounds, a 10 point (same distance, left shoulder shot) all 3 deer dropped in their tracks. Shot a bore hog, that we estimated would weigh about 350 lbs. The hog was walking at a 45 degree angle at about 150 yards, the bullet entered the neck and from what we could tell it exited his mouth. He dropped in his tracks.

The Barnes 110 TTSX in my 270 is hands down the best performing round I have ever shoot.