25-06 Mountain rifle

[Skillet]

I've got it bad for one.  I've ended up with two Winchester Model 70 Featherweights in 30-06 (my 90's model classic and a pre-64).  I want to end up with one 30-06 and one 25-06.  What I thought I would do originally is just sell my classic fwt and buy a 25-06 fwt new.  Two things stopping me from doing that - the new fwt only comes in a 22" barrel, and I want at least a 24" barrel (yep, I know that makes it weigh more, but I'll accept that for the velocity gain), and I'd have to kick in another $400 or so to have a ho-hum factory shooter.  Also not 100% sold on the new owners of Winchester, either... if anybody has one of these new FWT's in a 25-06 I'd really like to hear from you.

So I'm looking for thoughts from guys who have rebarrelled these guns (bigshooter - that means you).  Is rebarrelling to the 25-06 with a quality barrel going to get me what I really want - a true MOA or less very flat shooting lightweight mountain deer rifle?  Or should I bail on the M70 action just go with with another rifle entirely (if I do that, it's probably going to be a stainless/synthetic combo).  Any suggestions from folks on that combo?  I'm also currently looking at the savage 110's if I buy a new 25-06...

[Skillet]

Ah, it's also understood that "lightweight" is a relative term - my factory featherweights are pigs compared to some of the synthetic stocked guns...  the savage is towards the heavy side, and probably a little more than I want to lug around.

[bearpaw]

sounds like an awesome gun skillet   

[carpsniperg2]

I just got rid of your dream gun You should have checked the classifieds a little bit ago Good luck in your search. I have a bunch of 25 cal bullets in there at a great price. If you need to get stocked up

[Pathfinder101]

Tell ya what...  

If I can find a 25-06 with a 24" barrel, I'll let you know, and you can trade me your pre-64 Model 70 Win for it...deal?

[Utah]

A Sako A7 in 25-06 is your huckleberry.  5 shot one inch group  promise from Sako. 

[high country]

Winchester actions are a heavy start, but only a few ounces and the familiarity will be a bonus. The accuracy of a makers barrel is typically much better, but the smith who chucks it up has the final chance to make or break it. Have a peek at pacnor, they do good work at a fair price and they do it all. If using your smith ask his preference and go with it. I have hart, broughton and shillen tubes all shoot very well.

[Skillet]

I just got rid of your dream gun You should have checked the classifieds a little bit ago Good luck in your search. I have a bunch of 25 cal bullets in there at a great price. If you need to get stocked up

  What was it, if you don't mind?  If that buyer's check bounces, give me a call. 
I'll check out the bullets -

Tell ya what...  

If I can find a 25-06 with a 24" barrel, I'll let you know, and you can trade me your pre-64 Model 70 Win for it...deal?

The generosity and willingness to help on this site... just leaves me speechless at times!

A Sako A7 in 25-06 is your huckleberry.  5 shot one inch group  promise from Sako. 

Thanks for the tip, Utah.  I also noticed Kimber has a really nice, lightweight 25-06 in thier Montana line.  Looks like they're built on an action similar to what I'm used to.

Winchester actions are a heavy start, but only a few ounces and the familiarity will be a bonus. The accuracy of a makers barrel is typically much better, but the smith who chucks it up has the final chance to make or break it. Have a peek at pacnor, they do good work at a fair price and they do it all. If using your smith ask his preference and go with it. I have hart, broughton and shillen tubes all shoot very well.

 

Thanksfor weighing in.  I hear what you're saying about the workmanship.  I don't have a smith I know well around here, but another member has a smith that did his M70 Fwts, I think I've got it in my PMs.  I'll look at Pacnor, too.  For the most part, I've been shooting M70's my whole life, and don't know if I want to find out come crunch time if this old dog could learn a new trick with a different style of safety...

[carpsniperg2]

It was a 700 moutain 25-06 with the detach mags.

[high country]

Skillet where are you?

[Skillet]

UPDATE-

I tried, I really did, to like the Tikka.  I'm just a wood and blued steel guy at heart, and the gun that doesn't light my fire and feel right just won't end up in my safe.  So...

After spending some time at the gun shows, pawn shops, new gun racks, etc., I finally found a 25-06 I'm willing to give some attention to.  It's a 1972 Ruger M77R, according to the nice lady at "Ruger Records".  24" barrel, but no wing safety.  Rifling looks good.  Has a period 4x Bushnell on it that has seen better days.  Old leather adjustable sling and quick-detachable swivels.  Trigger feels light and crisp, with very little or no overtravel - makes me think it has already been dealt with, given the reputation the Ruger triggers have.  Weight might be a few ounces more than my M70 FWT, but definitely not a whole pound... Price was right, and the gun just seemed to fit.  Beautiful wood on the gun - it will need refinishing, but there is nothing more than a few light dings in it.  Bluing is at roughly 50%, but I'm not a good judge of that.  Very light surface rust in specific areas, which look like poor handling in the shop and not getting wiped down.  The rust wiped right off when I got it home.
Anybody have any knowledge of these rifles they wish to share?  My first M77, and I'm anxious to take it out to the range and give it a workout.

[GoldTip]

UPDATE-

I tried, I really did, to like the Tikka.  I'm just a wood and blued steel guy at heart, and the gun that doesn't light my fire and feel right just won't end up in my safe.  So...

After spending some time at the gun shows, pawn shops, new gun racks, etc., I finally found a 25-06 I'm willing to give some attention to.  It's a 1972 Ruger M77R, according to the nice lady at "Ruger Records".  24" barrel, but no wing safety.  Rifling looks good.  Has a period 4x Bushnell on it that has seen better days.  Old leather adjustable sling and quick-detachable swivels.  Trigger feels light and crisp, with very little or no overtravel - makes me think it has already been dealt with, given the reputation the Ruger triggers have.  Weight might be a few ounces more than my M70 FWT, but definitely not a whole pound... Price was right, and the gun just seemed to fit.  Beautiful wood on the gun - it will need refinishing, but there is nothing more than a few light dings in it.  Bluing is at roughly 50%, but I'm not a good judge of that.  Very light surface rust in specific areas, which look like poor handling in the shop and not getting wiped down.  The rust wiped right off when I got it home.
Anybody have any knowledge of these rifles they wish to share?  My first M77, and I'm anxious to take it out to the range and give it a workout.

I have a Ruger M77 wood stocked gun in 25-06 that I love.  I have a 4x12 Burris fullfield II on it. Personally I feel it is a bit on the heavy side, but it will shoot lights out with 115gr accubond handloads.  Very nice gun and I've made some real long shots(500+ yards) with it on both big and small game.  Really love the gun, only complaint is I wish it was a bit lighter. 

[Skillet]

That's good to hear.  I hope it is a shooter - I bought an assortment of .257 bullets from Carpsniper a while back and I think I have some of those Accubonds in there.  We'll load them up and see how they do!  I've decided I can deal with a little weight to get the performance I want in a gun I can be proud to own.

[ing]

I had an M77 Target in 25-06.  Great shooter, never shoulda sold it.  I'm thinkin about getting a Hawkeye in 25-06 in the future.  If I remember right they are a lil lighter than the old M77's

[Skillet]

I'll put it on a scale here soon and get a "real" carry weight.

Been doing a little research - what's the deal with "flat bolt" M77's?  I don't even remember if mine is that style or not.  Are they better?  If so, why?

[et1702]

I like my 25-06 better than any rifle I've ever owned.  She's an InterArms Mark X (M98 style action) with 24" barrel and 3x9 Leupold.  I bought her when I was 15 (over 32 years ago) and she still shoots 1/2" to 3/4' groups @ 100yrds.  If you don't like the Ruger, look for an InterArms Mark X.  They are tough to find, as the custom builders love the action.  But, sometimes you can still find a good deal.

[splitshot]

i just got a tikka ,t-3 in 25-06 and love it.  it is very light. i am old(70)  and cant handle the weight like you young fellers.  mike w

[Skillet]

Turns out my rifle is a "flat bolt", but still don't know what advantage that holds.  Maybe it's just a way to tell what the age of the rifle is, I dunno.  Guys on the Ruger forums use the term a lot as a good thing, and describe how to tell a flat bolt from a non-flat bolt rifle, but I didn't see any posts that tell me WHY a flat bolt Ruger is desirable/better.   Anybody have any ideas?  If the gun is worth a lot more than what I paid for it, I don't want to start modifying it for accuracy and ruin the value...

[Biggerhammer]

I don't think your going to have to worry about devaluing a Ruger. Its not like on the average Remington's and Rugers are worth lets say the same as a Pre-64 Win70 from the same time period.

[Encore 280]

Sounds like you like the bolt actions but have you thought about a T/C Encore or Pro Hunter? You can get a 24, 26, or 28" barrel for darn near any caliber. Just my  Good luck.

[Skillet]

I don't think your going to have to worry about devaluing a Ruger. Its not like on the average Remington's and Rugers are worth lets say the same as a Pre-64 Win70 from the same time period.

Copy that.  Looks like the whole "flat bolt" is just an aesthetic thing, anyway.  I will proceed with the "accurizing"...

[Skillet]

Sounds like you like the bolt actions but have you thought about a T/C Encore or Pro Hunter? You can get a 24, 26, or 28" barrel for darn near any caliber. Just my  Good luck.

I like the bolts, but would consider a single in a classic wood/blued gun.  Ruger #1?

[Encore 280]

I believe you can get the Encore with wood and blued barrel.

[ing]

Sounds like you like the bolt actions but have you thought about a T/C Encore or Pro Hunter? You can get a 24, 26, or 28" barrel for darn near any caliber. Just my  Good luck.

I like the bolts, but would consider a single in a classic wood/blued gun.  Ruger #1?

A Ruger #1 in 25-06 would be a great rifle.  Too bad they discontinued the best model of #1 last year, the #1B.  They do still chamber a 25-06 in their #1 Varmint, but I prefer the #1B because of the longer 26 inch barrel.

[Wazukie]

Ruger #1 is an awesome rifle, I have the 1B in 25-06 shoots sub moa with the hand loads.  Not sure it would be the best bet for a mountain rifle though, they are heavy.

THey shoot straight though

[BOWHUNTER45]

You want a sweet gun ? get a Remington model 700 MT. Rifle ....I have one in a .270 but a buddy of mine bought one the same time I did in a 25-06 we have shot alot of sheet with them .....bUT DO TO THE THIN BARRELS on them they are good for a 3 shot group at 100 which will hold a 1/2 in to a 3/4 in group at 100 ...but its the first shot I worry about and never in my life had I ever had to shoot more than twice at any big game BUT NOW COYOTES A DIFFERENT STORY  I bought my kid a 25-06 in the tikka 3 and it dots right out of the box and light ...love it !!