Hi Fellas,

I might be going next week to Scotland...we will be stalking Red deer and Roe deer and the question is should I bring my 25-06 rem. or my 300wm. This will be my first time in Scotland and I’m not sure how big the Red’s are there, and therefore not sure what’s commonly used for stalking!

Thanks,
Ingvar Johann

The 25/06 will be fine. Scottish hill stags are on the small side.

Keep in mind that a good, upper end, size Red Hind, female Red Deer, will weigh about 60 - 65kg.

They are not difficult to kill if the shot is well placed. However, like all wild creatures, they are tenacious of life and more difficult to put down with the same cartridge when wounded.

You may have to shoot at ranges of upto 250m and perfect, windless and rainless days are 'rare' in the Scottish Highlands.

So, all things being equal,your ability to shoot the .300 Win Mag well, I would use that with 165 grain bullet weight and low end loads, not hot magnum loads. Otherwise, the .25-06 with heavy for calibre bullets (117 or ?120 grain) will work. Since you will be trying for Roe deer as well, then the .25-06 would be better.

I have used a .270 with 130 grains, but now use a .30-06 with 165 grain bullets and a .338-06 with 210 grain bullets. The .338-06 makes less of a mess of the carcass than 'faster' bullets. Additionally, the 'bigger hole' - temporary and permanent cavitation effect seems to put the beasts down quicker (than the .270 especially)

Both calibers are great and will easily kill the biggest hind born, take whichever gun you shoot better with + whichever you feel comfortable packing over miles of walking and some crawling.

Use the 25-06 you will not go far wrong with either 100gr or 115gr Nosler Ballistic Tips

i have shot them this last few years with a 25,06 117 gr sako soft points there a soft old animal when hit right spot . any more gun and it will rip right through with out doing much other than make noise .enjoy scotland god only made a few places perfect ,regards john

Legally in both Scotland and England there are lower limits on bullet diameter, bullet weight and muzzle velocity. 100 grains is the lowest for red deer.

Anyway I would advise checking gun shops local to where you are stalking on what ammunition is available. The 300 WM is a Winchester or Weatherby Magnum?

25-06. Bullets will be availible in all the gunshops if the need arise. No need for .30 for hinds, .25 will cut through wind better than .30 and be more comfortable to shoot. Remember you will be walking, good boots, a stick, waterproof clothing and a rifle you can carry!??! Have fun on the hinds, if your reasonably fit you'll have more fun than if you cant walk worth a monkeys........

quote:

Originally posted by DJM:
Use the 25-06 you will not go far wrong with either 100gr or 115gr Nosler Ballistic Tips

I hate BT's!!!

quote:

Originally posted by john wickham:
i have shot them this last few years with a 25,06 117 gr sako soft points there a soft old animal when hit right spot . any more gun and it will rip right through with out doing much other than make noise .enjoy scotland god only made a few places perfect ,regards john

+1

quote:

Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:
The 25/06 will be fine. Scottish hill stags are on the small side.

Stags are finnished, we are onto hinds now dafty!??!

Yes... we will be stalking hinds just to be clear ....And enfieldspares to answer you question; I have a 300 win mag.

But after reading all these advises I think I will go with the 25-06 using 110 gr. Nosler accubond or Hornady 117 gr. plus it will make less noise and is really comfortable to shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by James Johnston:

quote:

Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:
The 25/06 will be fine. Scottish hill stags are on the small side.

Stags are finnished, we are onto hinds now dafty!??!

I am really sorry for being stupid.

I did not pick up on first reading that the man was planning a trip this week.

Thank you for correcting the error of my ways.

quote:

Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:

quote:

Originally posted by James Johnston:

quote:

Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:
The 25/06 will be fine. Scottish hill stags are on the small side.

Stags are finnished, we are onto hinds now dafty!??!

I am really sorry for being stupid.

I did not pick up on first reading that the man was planning a trip this week.

Thank you for correcting the error of my ways.

Have yet to meet a "stupid" Irishman........and I've met a few....

300 Win Mag may just be obtainable...300 Weatherby is stocked in the UK - by Garlands at Tamworth near Birmingham - but as carriage on all soft point ammunition is very expensive.

quote:

Originally posted by Ingvar J. Kristjansson:
Yes... we will be stalking hinds just to be clear I think I will go with the 25-06 using 110 gr. Nosler accubond or Hornady 117 gr. plus it will make less noise and is really comfortable to shoot.

A good decision - though either would do the job!

Rgds Ian

Make sure to post a report! Best of luck.