I have used a 25/06 for about 10 years and I think it is a fine deer caliber. I use 117 grain federal premiums which does the job for me. The ballistics for a 25/06 fall between a 243 and a 270, very flat shooting and is by the way almost identical bullet drop performance to my 7mm mag. with 150- 165 grain loads. So I can pick up either, go into the field and don't need to worry about where the bullet will be. The 25/06 is a Ruger M77, with a magnum barrel and the 7 mag. is a Sako Finbear. 25/06 is fast, accurate and plenty of caliber for deer game.
Never had to follow one for more than 30 yards.

Edited by - The Hunting Experience on 01/07/2002 16:41:38