25-06 and its effectiveness on Deer
 

Maybe someone here can help me out. I have owned 3 25-06's in the last 38 years. One was my first scoped hunting rifle and I drilled a lot of groundhogs with that one just blew them up but I neverr hunted deer with it living in a shotgun only deer state. I bought a Remington 700 SPS 2 years ago and that was so poorly made that I sold it within a month of buying it to a gunsmith who needed the action for a project. 3 months back I purchased a browning Abolt in 25-06 and this is a spectacular gun , it shoots like very few rifles have that I have owned. My concern and I heard this from this gunsmith is the 25-06 and it's effectiveness on deer. I guess the words " It's not a deer dropper now" bothers me a bit. I killed one buck 7 years ago with a 25-06 that I borrowed from a friend, it was loaded with 100 grain sierras. It was an 8 point 180 lb deer hit thru the lungs and it dropped 50 yards later in the woods. It bounced off the ground and made a death run would be the visual explanation of the hit. Range about 170 yards or so. Has anyone used a 25-06 and extensively and if so what would you say is the effectiveness of this round. I like to pick my shots with deer and prefer the classic broadside but have taken raking shots with a magnum. I will probably use a 120 grain bullet .

RE: 25-06 and its effectiveness on Deer
 

Shot two doe and a buck of about 160lbs with one. Dropped in their tracks. I believe the bullets were Winchester PEP, either 117 or 120gr.

Now that there are all these premium bullets out there, you could load a 100gr premium bullet for even higher velocity.

The 25-06 is definitely adequate for deer. Just make sure you have a reasonably tough bullet and you'll be good to go.

RE: 25-06 and its effectiveness on Deer
 

Anyone know if the .25-06 is loaded down? Seems like compared to a .270 it would shoot faster than it does....someone stated that a .270 and a 6mm rem will do everything the .25-06 will only better in every category that mattered.

Personally saw my cousin drop a deer in place, thought the animal disapeared, was down in the sage brush before he reaquired the deer in his scope.

RE: 25-06 and its effectiveness on Deer
 

Welcome to the a-bolt club oldelkhunter. The 25-06 with the proper bullets is awesome on whitetails and antelope. It's unusual for a hard hit deer to even make it 50 yards after being clobbered with a 25-06. P.S.-if you want to modify the safety so that you are able to operate bolt while on safe I'll be happy to walk you thru it-it's easy.

RE: 25-06 and its effectiveness on Deer
 

I bought my 25-06 about 10 years ago. It is my primary choice forDeer season. I have my otherfavorite cal's that I like a lot but it is so hard for me to grab any other gun for the first few days of gun season. I don't know if it is the caliber as much as it is the gun but it is a winning combo for me. I have never had a deer get away once hit with the 25-06. Granted poor shot placement and they will get away even with a 50 Cal. but a 25-06 is way more than enough to kill a whitetail. 100 grain Sierra Game King works wonders.

RE: 25-06 and its effectiveness on Deer
 

I have only shot one deer in my life with a 25-06, and it went down like a French prize fighter. I think I was shooting 117gr or 115gr (I don't know why 117 sticks out in my mind) soft point bullets. It was a big doe in western South Carolina. I was in college and borrowed the rifle from a friend of mine whose family farm we were hunting on. Gun shot extremely well. I'd certainly say that for any medium sized game the 25-06 will certainly do the job nicely.

RE: 25-06 and its effectiveness on Deer
 

I am not sure I need that feature but thanks for the offer though.;)

RE: 25-06 and its effectiveness on Deer
 

As you go up one caliber at a time the same bullet will go faster usually about 100 fps 25-06 vs the 6mm or 243 is a perfect example. Some would say the 25-06 with a 120 grain bullet should do everything a 270 with a 130 will do except not have the frontal area. 270 is a dropper....I think the 6mm or 243 are not quite in the 25-06 range even though I have killed a lot of deer with either as have my friends. I am basing that on one deer I killed which based on the internet should be recorded fact.;)

RE: 25-06 and its effectiveness on Deer
 

If the 250/3000 and the Roberts can do it (which they have been doing for a long time) I sort of think the 25/06 can play.

RE: 25-06 and its effectiveness on Deer
 

Been using the 25-06 for a long time now. Couldn't ask for a better deer killer. A talented shooter could kill as far he could shoot with this round. Standard 120gr PSPs work great, and you'll have a hard time keeping a 115gr partition from passing through and creating serious damage. 117gr BTSPs will fly flat and accurate for long distance shooting, and 100gr bulletsare perfect for antelope.I'd say average range here is around 200yds, no complaints. Also use mine at much closer range when hunting in areas that offer those shots, and at longer range when needed. I know several guys that prefer this cartridge for the relatively open-landscape of western nebraska for its abilities at extended ranges (up to about500 yard kills on occasion...not that I suggest that).