Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: dbur525 on December 04, 2008, 11:23:20 AM

Title: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: dbur525 on December 04, 2008, 11:23:20 AM: Getting ready for elk season next year, we have never hunted them before. have alwasys hunted deer, so my favorite deer rifle has been a custom made model 98 german mauser i had it redone with a heavy sporter barrel and rechambered for the 25-06 installed a timely trigger set at 2.5 pounds.
Its a tack driver for sure,

I feel as though it might just be a little to light of a caliber for elk,

I handload and figured i go with a heavy barnes bullet, do you guys think it will do the job? should i avoid any raking shots?
and just take clear broadside shots? or just get another gun larger caliber? i could always use another gun just dont want to spend the money on it.
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 04, 2008, 11:31:53 AM: you will be fine with that like you said heavy barnes bullet and keep the shots relatively close it will do it to it! 8)
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: steeleywhopper on December 04, 2008, 11:34:58 AM: Should not be a problem. Know your comfort level with your gun and it should be fine.
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: elkaholic on December 04, 2008, 11:45:40 AM: Took my 1st ELK with a25-06, my favorite deer rifle as well. Packed the 308 one moring and missed a big cow in Idaho. Swore it was Jinxd. so next morning opted for my deer rifle, same spot same cow, done! 117 grain bullet, took two as the animal was on the move.
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: Charlie on December 04, 2008, 03:19:52 PM: Quote
Its a tack driver for sure
It is more about shot placement then the bore size in most cases. It would be a different story if you were going after a Griz. IMO Good Luck!!
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: 270Shooter on December 04, 2008, 03:27:31 PM: 115 gr barnes triple shock X bullet or a 120 gr Nosler Partition and you will have a dead elk.
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: Intruder on December 04, 2008, 03:41:04 PM: Quote from: 270Shooter on December 04, 2008, 03:27:31 PM
115 gr barnes triple shock X bullet or a 120 gr Nosler Partition and you will have a dead elk.

:yeah:
Not ideal but plenty adequate with good shot placement.
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: Bronco on December 04, 2008, 04:37:22 PM: Here are the energy ballistics taken from the Remington ammo site for .25-06.
Rule of thumb (typically hunting regs are based on these values as well for dictating minimun calibers for game) says 1000 ft-lbs for deer and 1500 ft-lbs for elk to provide a kill. That being said, as others have pointed out, placement is just as critical. But from the looks of it, you should be fine inside 300yds.

Yards - Energy (ft-lbs)
muzzle - 2298
100 - 1933
200 - 1616
300 - 1342
400 - 1106
500 - 903
Cartridge Type/Bullet: Remington Premier Core-Lokt® Ultra 115gr
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: high country on December 04, 2008, 09:39:35 PM: I have a couple elk and a pile of deer under my belt to the 25's. last year I poked a rosie at a bit over 400 with my 257 roy, which is anemic for a roy at 3650fps w/ 100gr tsx. one shot bang flopped it. I would not be afraid to poke one at 500 if I had good conditions and open area for tracking. if you could close the gap to 2-300 yds you have nothing to fear. BTW my 100gr tsx broke the offside shoulder and was not recovered. shoot straight and you will be fine.
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: C-Money on December 06, 2008, 06:42:27 AM: 120 Nosler Partition. I have heard of people using the 25-06 with success. Hit'em where they live, and they will die!
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: Dansk on December 06, 2008, 10:58:51 AM: should be fine- especially with the Barnes tsx- I've read that grain for grain you get a better BC and better wound channel than a more traditional jacketed lead round.... AND 100% weight retention to boot. I switched to Barnes for deer and they are devastating- took a big blacktail this year- went straight through both shoulders- I recovered it as it barely poked through between the 2nd shoulder and skin- it was still 100% intact.
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: dbllunger on December 06, 2008, 12:00:34 PM: Will work fine with any of he heavier bullets. Obviously a fairly light small bullet, so a bad angle would not be the best.
Title: Re: dropping an elk with a 25-06
Post by: boneaddict on December 06, 2008, 12:03:25 PM: It doesn't require a big hole if you put th ebullet in the right spot. Wife got her first bull with the 25. No heart equals no heart. 120 gr Nozler hand load smoking right along.