25-06???

[runniNgunnin]

ive got a single shot h&r ultra varmint .223 that i use for yoties, and i wonna get a good "all a round" gun for deer elk. Ive borrowed my uncles gun (7mm mag) the past 2 years and i dont wonna borrow someones gun every year. ive heard alot of good things about the 25-06 from other guys, like it digest whatever caliber you put in it, shoots flat enough for coyotes, but has enough power for elk? anyways just wondering what you guys thought about it, hopefully this spring or summer ill find one i like and wont be afraid of forkin out $1500 for or whatever...

[270Shooter]

A 25-06 will kill elk. But it is not Ideal. If your willing to spend money like that you should look into a Kimber Montana in .270WSM or weatherby mark V in .270WBY Mag. Both shoot flat and will knock an elk over with ease.

[boneaddict]

Lots of opinions on this.  I would probably buy a 30-06 if you were looking for one caliber or one gun for all.  You can shoot varmits to Grizz bears with it.  One of the most versatile calibers out there.  I own a 25 by the way and like it, but it is a little light in some applications even if you are a stellar shot.

[high country]

I have killed elk with my 257 at up to 400yds. I know of 2 very succesful hunters that use the 2 bit for everything. one of them killed his wyo moose with it. My roosie was killed with a 100gr tsx and broke the offside shoulder and exited. it was a bang flop. my pards 300rum, well it took more tracking. elk are not bulletproof.

be advised that you will not typically get the huge blood trails that you get with bigger cals, but the 25 is only a smosh smaller then the 6.5's which is all that is used in europe. I have quit carrying my super magnums and now pretty much hunt with quarterbores.

[boneaddict]

The key as is always talked about(shot placement).  You are alot more likely to knock down an elk at 400 with a 25 if you know how to shoot than an elk at 100 yards with a magnum if you can't hit squat becasue you  are "afraid" to shoot it.

[JoshT]

There ain't much around I wouldn't shoot with my 25-06... hell, if you can kill it with a bow... you can sure as phuck kill it with a 100 grain TSX @ 3400!

[GoldTip]

If you've shot well with the borrowed 7mag, why not get something a bit bigger for than a 25-06.  I have a 25-06 and love it and would not hesitate to shoot an elk with it, if the everything were perfect.  If it was even a cow sized elk and all I had was a hard quartering away or quartering to shot, I would not shoot it with my 25-06.  A broadside shot at any size elk I would take with my 25-06.  Probably the most useful and sometimes least appreciated chambering is the 30-06.  You load that with handloads or any good factory load with a 165gr+ bullet and there is nothing on the continent that you can't justifiably hunt, without being excessively over gunned or undergunned.

[Red Dawg]

buy a 270 wsm. You will kill anything with it. Nothing wrong with the 25-06(I want one also) but I would feel better with the 270 wsm for elk and bear. And dont spend that much on a set up, get on gun broker and wait for a good deal. You may wait a while but it will come.

[Sagedawg]

 The 25/06 is an awesome caliber. With the right bullets you can do alot with it. I have one and  carry it more than any other rifle I have. I wouldnt hesitate to take a shot at a bear or elk with mine IF everything was perfect and it wasnt a suprise shot. If your only going to have a "one gun to do it all"approach, I would look at a large caliber, 30/06 would be a do it all gun. Now if your just adding to the collection, you cant go wrong with the 25, low recoil,fast and flat, dont cost alot to shoot, IMO, a great gun to teach with.



  Sage

[runniNgunnin]

thanks alot guys! sounds like i need to keep my eye open for a 30-06 then, since ill be using it only for deer/elk. 25-06 will have to wait, but i guess everyone that has one likes'em from what most of you have said... thanks again guys!!

[norsepeak]

I have a 25 and love it, but I agree it's a little light for elk, but I have 3 270's and love them for anything.  If you budget is 1500 you can find a good 25 and still have $$$ for something with more HP.  I got my 25 with 3-9 scope on it for $250.

[runniNgunnin]

where did u get a 25 w/scope for $250? thats a hell of a deal aint it?

[1bowhunter1]

When I mod. hunted I shot a 30/06 and still own it!!  It is the best gun for all!!

[Bighorse]

I've shot a dozen deer with my 25-06.  I live in Alaska where I get six a year.  I've knocked over two black bear with it. I've also taken two Mt. Goats with it.

I like a solid bullet and hand load for accuracy vs speed.

I will say at long range I really don't like the caliber and don't feel confident It will provide the performance I want for a 400yrd shot with wind.  Neither do I though. 

Within 200 yrds its a deadly SOB.  You should choose your shots carefully and many of the above mentioned kills took place with spine shots to the neck and or cranium.

Would I use it on an Elk, Yes.  Do I feel it would compromise anything, No.  I'd be really sure where I was hitting when the pin dropped.  Just like the above poster mentioned......use bow hunting skills. 

[norsepeak]

I bought if from a gal at work.  Her father left it to her and she didn't want it so....It's a winchester model 70, probably had 3-4 boxes of shells through it.  I used it on these two guys.