i want a screaming deer rifle cant decide gunsmith is waiting small north carolina deer big fan of 6mm bullets but all my friends say the 25-06 is devastating just want something diffrent have killed 30 or so deer with a .270.
Fats -- If you want a screaming deer rifle try the .257 Weatheraby. Mine shoots a 120 gr. Nosler Partition bullet at ave. chrony of 3500 fps and .5 inch accuracy. I can get one hole accuracy from 115gr. Nosler Ballistic Silvertip and a 110 gr. Berger Moly bullet. I would much prefer the Nosler Partition for a hunting bullet, although some would argue the Ballistic Tip is not bad. Good Shooting.
Since you're going custom anyway and don't mind loading your own, check out the 6mm and .25 Howell. 30/06 case lengthened, lots of powder capacity, and fits in standard width magazine. A standard Sako will hold 5 of these in the box plus one in the chamber. Magazine capacity in the standard action is their big advantage over the short, fat cases, which usually only get 3 into the box.
Posts: 13330 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001
Good afternoon, I've shot the same 257 Weatherby for over 35 years. It's a wonderful round if you want a belted magnum. If '06 or 308 based, take a look at z-hat.com and consider the 6.5 Hawk or 6.5x06. Either hodgdon or nosler has quite a lot of info on the 06 in their current reloading manual. Fred at z-hat is building a 6.5 Hawk (max 06 case) rifle on a VG-24 action for me at this time. I hope to have it stocked by deer season. good shooting
Fats - I have both a 25-06 and a 6mm-284. My 6mm-284 is strictly my long rang varmint cartridge and my 25-06 is my medium game rifle. I have used my 25-06 for small and medium sized African game. I use a 115gr Trophy-Bonded bullet that performs very well. I would suggest that you consider the 25-06 for your needs.
Z
Posts: 10780 | Location: Test Tube | Registered: 27 February 2001
thanks guys i am having a nice .308 built just wanted something else to compliment it the 25-06 seems to be it i have a 7 mag sendero but i don't need it in north carolina
If you are trying to choose, why not go with a .25/284. Identical case capacity/ballistics as the 25-06 and fits in a short action without craming the bullet too far into the case. Norma now makes 6.5-284 brass so forming is not a problem. I should have my new one in about a month.
In my 25-06 I've had good luck with the 100 grain ballistic tips.
I'd steer clear of the 6mm-284 as it is really too overbore. That said the 25-284 or 6.5-284 are worth considering.
Still, the .25-06 is a great caliber. Using RL-22 (if you reload), it is possible to achieve near .257 Weatherby performance in a 26" barrel. It is also a very accurate caliber in a custom rifle capable of 1.5" groups or better at 300 yards. It is perhaps one of best factory standard cartridges for Antelope hunting, flat shooting and hard hitting.
Go for either a 257wby or 2506 standard or Imp, easy to get cases no necking up or down.Just shoot. The 284 cases can sometimes be hard to get hold of. If you have a long action, use the lenght for something suitable.
FATS, Gerard,is giving you good info.I have had several 25-06's.Converted one to .25 Gibbs.The 25-06 ackerly improved has a longer neck than the Gibbs.Several years ago I took a pronghorn in New Mexico,with a 25.06 Sako 115 gr bullet,at 375.yds give or take.And have a video to prove it.it's a great cartridge on deer size game. 1geejay www.shooting-hunting.com