You won't regret buying and owning a 25.06. I have a Remington Classic 25.06 and it has become my favorite caliber and rifle. It's a fast flat shooting caliber with mild recoil that hits the target hard. I can tell you from experience that it is pure deer poison and they fall like lighting struck when hit with the 25.06. Every deer i've shot with mine so far with the exception of one have fell right there and the one that did run was from a bad shot on my part and he only went 20yds. I've only shot one varmit with it and that was a Coyote that happen to come by while i was deer hunting. I use a 120gr bullet for deer so thats what he got shot with and it made a pretty nasty hole so for varmits you would definately want to use a lighter bullet if you're looking to save the pelts.