25-06 vs 270 on Deer?

22 April 2009, 06:46

Have a Model 700 in 25-06 which I hope to use out West on deer (use a 358 in eastern woods). Looking at a Sako 270. Is there any practical advantage in a 270 using 130's vs a 25-06 using 115's or 117's?
I guess I am trying to rationalize buying the 270 vs putting the money towards other toys.

22 April 2009, 07:07

ramrod340

Not enough difference to justify a 270. But hey don't let me talk you out of a rifle.

22 April 2009, 08:37

olarmy

Load your 25/06 with a good 115 to 120gr bullet at about 3000 fps and neither you nor the deer will be able to detect the difference between your rifle's performance and that of a 270 with a 130gr bullet of similar construction at about 3000 fps.

22 April 2009, 09:17

SR4759

Comparing the two a 25/06 is 12/13 of a .270.

I prefer a 25/06 for most use but for mule deer a .270 would be a little better.

22 April 2009, 09:19

carpetman

I cant think of a thing a 25-06 will do that a .270 wont do better---then again many of us 30-06 owners say the same about a .270.

22 April 2009, 09:58

Fasteel

A Barnes TSX in 100 gr will put down and western deer you shoot it at. FS

22 April 2009, 10:12

SR4759

quote:
Originally posted by carpetman:
I cant think of a thing a 25-06 will do that a .270 wont do better---then again many of us 30-06 owners say the same about a .270.

Perhaps you don't own a 25/06?

22 April 2009, 11:56

vapodog

quote:
Is there any practical advantage in a 270 using 130's vs a 25-06 using 115's or 117's?

None at all......as a matter of fact it may be the other way around....the .25-06 will shoot prairie dogs after the deer is killed and the .270 is quite a bit much for the task!

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22 April 2009, 12:39

tom holland

If your going out west hunting deer you might decide to pick up an elk tag also never know. I've never hunted with or shot anything with a 25cal rifle.

My first mulie here in Co mid 70's used a 270 with 150gr grand slam used that rifle on my first antelope also.

I like the 270 with 150gr bullets just started shooting some 140gr TSX.

Well good luck

22 April 2009, 14:24

daniel77

The 25-06 is very much at home with any deer in North America with any reasonable bullet. A finer antelope round doesn't exist. If you do go after elk or large hogs, you needn't feel under gunned. Shot placement will be the key with any chambering. A .375 H&H through the guts of an elk will be far less effective than a 25-06 in the bread basket. As said before, you will also have an excellent varmint rig as well. And plinking at longer ranges becomes a little more forgiving. I do think that a bit more power is a good idea in the optics for a cartridge like this one. 3-9 doesn't give enough mag for me at the longer ranges. Plus, hell everyone owns a .270.

22 April 2009, 19:42

bucko

Save your money on the 270,, buy some 100 grain ttsx and the 25 is a faster, flatter, and better deer round for out west.

Now with that said I own both, and love my 270, but it is more of a general duty caliber, it will do for elk and bear as well as the lighter stuff where the 25 is running out of its race at that point.

22 April 2009, 20:03

buckeyeshooter

no reason for the 270 unless you want one.

22 April 2009, 21:02

Gary Surko

Buy the 270 and spend the next several years comparing.

22 April 2009, 21:43

505ED

I'd prefer the 25-06

Ed

22 April 2009, 22:07

TEANCUM

Seems like it's sixes with those two. I wouldn't think there is enough difference to really justify the .270, I would look to something like a 300 Win Mag for the next step if elk are in the picture. It seems like a good idea to have a spread, performance wise, between rifles. But then again what the heck, more is better, right?

22 April 2009, 23:52

bucko

quote:
Originally posted by Gary Surko:
Buy the 270 and spend the next several years comparing.

wise answer...

23 April 2009, 03:52

Henry Hoover

The 25/06 is as fine a deer cartridge as they make. The barnes 100gr ttsx or nosler 110gr AB is all you will ever need for any deer.

23 April 2009, 06:14

wymple

quote:
quote:
Originally posted by Gary Surko:
Buy the 270 and spend the next several years comparing.

wise answer...

Toss in a couple more calibers to be sure.....

23 April 2009, 06:47

Quintus

I saw 100 grain TTSX a couple of times, but check out the 270 with 110gr TTSX!!! Faster, flatter, and hits harder. Now look at the 80 gr TTSX in the 25-06!....
I agree. Get the 270 and spend the next couple seasons comparing!

23 April 2009, 08:33

groundhog devastation

49.0 grains of IMR 4350 behind a 117grain Sierra SPBT(GameKing) or 53.1 grains of H4831scbehind the same bullet or the 120 grain Hornady HP will suffice on the deer!! That old Sierra bullet performs the same way, day inday out, year in year out as it has for 30+ years! And it doesn't have a flashy plastic tip or a hyped up advertising campaign behind it! Just does the "smackdown"! GOD designed the 25-06!! it's his chosen caliber!! GHD.........pastor at the church of GHD and the 25-06! PS: After you're done killing the deer and want to shoot vermin, 75 grain VMAXS ahead of 49.7 grains of VARGET! Or a myriad of other loads utilizing 85-100 grain projectiles! If you've got a 25-06 that doesn't shoot the 49.0 grains of IMR 4350 and the 117 Sierra SPBT load well(not the 117 Spitzer Flat base)you have an anomaly!! Save your money, buy more components for the 25-06! GHD.....pastor

23 April 2009, 20:13

ColeK

quote:
Originally posted by wymple:
quote:
quote:
Originally posted by Gary Surko:
Buy the 270 and spend the next several years comparing.

wise answer...

Well I have been experimenting and comparing the .257 Roberts, .25-06, .270 Win, .30-06 and .308 Win for the last 6 years. Since I live and hunt mostly east of the Mississippi River, shots over 350 yards or so are very rare. I can tell you from experience that inside of 400 yards there isn't $.02 difference in the four calibers as to the effectiveness on deer.

If you like your rifle that is chambered for the .25-06 hunt with it and save the money would have spent on the Sako .270 for another hunt.

Toss in a couple more calibers to be sure.....

23 April 2009, 22:42

Stonecreek

If you want to buy a new gun, show your wife this reply:

"Your current .25-06 is totally inadequate for western deer hunting and using it will place your life and the lives of those around you in jeopardy. Deer wounded with the .25-06 have been known to maul the hunter severely. The use of underpowered rounds like the .25-06 results in dozens of hunter deaths annually. It is imperative that you buy a .270."

If you want to spend the money on another toy, show her this response:

"Congratulations on having already chosen the .25-06 as your deer hunting rifle. No finer caliber can be had for this purpose. By owning it, you have avoided the oppressive financial obligation many hunters incur through the need to purchase an additional rifle like a .270. You should take the substantial money you have saved and reward yourself with the purchase of whatever personal item gives you pleasure".

As for the deer, he'll be equally disappointed that you have chosen either of these equally effective rounds.

23 April 2009, 22:48

montdoug

Stone creek, I like the way you think!!!

Every deer I've shot with a .25-06 died.
Every deer I've shot with a .270 died.
Define better

24 April 2009, 04:57

Westernmassman

Stonecreek: With that answer I'm a winner either way!

24 April 2009, 07:31

daniel77

Stonecreek for President. Hip hip Hooray.

25 April 2009, 01:38

carpetman

SR4759--You are correct--I no longer own a 25-06. I had one and frankly was disappointed. The muzzle blast is up there and recoil not that much reduced from a 30-06. Recoil from .270 with 130 and the 25-06 with 117 about equal. .257Roberts seems better in both those catagories it's behind a 25-06 but not by the earth shattering amount some 25-06 owners would say. Then again I wouldn't want to use a .257 Roberts for jackrabbit shooting where you get a lot of shots--nor a 30-06 with 105 grain bullets. For this I use .22 centerfires and cast bullets.

25 April 2009, 06:44

Buliwyf

All deer are not the same. There are some monster whitetail and muley. If you run into to those the 25-06 is on the light side. The .270 with 150's or 160's have a big advantage over the .25 on quartering away shots.

BTW, I'm a huge .25 fan.

25 April 2009, 21:05

El Deguello

quote:
Originally posted by Westernmassman:
Have a Model 700 in 25-06 which I hope to use out West on deer (use a 358 in eastern woods). Looking at a Sako 270. Is there any practical advantage in a 270 using 130's vs a 25-06 using 115's or 117's?
I guess I am trying to rationalize buying the 270 vs putting the money towards other toys.

I don't think so!

25 April 2009, 21:49

rickt300

The word "deer" also covers elk and yes I think the 150-160 grain bullets make the 270 a better western "deer" cartridge.

25 April 2009, 23:50

eezridr

I believe a 25-06 is a great varmint cartridge and good deer cartridge.
You can push 120's @ 3100 FPS with a 24" tube.
If you reload; there is not the slighest problem getting 3250 fps with a 130 gr. bullet out of a 270 win with a 22" tube. Use 61.5-62 gr RL-22.
If you want a flat shooting light weight long range deer rifle with plenty of punch for any deer, a 270 win is very hard to beat. A 25-06 is good; IMO a 270 is just better. 130 accubonds or partitions and you are set for about any scenario.
I have a 25-06 sako and like it. I have 4 270's and love them!

EZ

26 April 2009, 01:13

olarmy

IMO 3250 is a little optimistic for most 270's with a 130.

But using your numbers, the difference in a 120gr Partition at 3100 and a 130gr Partition at 3250 would be about 2.4" and about 330 ft-lbs. at 400 yds. Not sure any deer would notice the difference.

26 April 2009, 03:31

eezridr

olearmy,

Actually you can push 3300 FPs with 62.0 gr RL-22; win brass, fed 215. with a custom 24" barrel.
Oehler 35 @ 70 F.
I think that is the upper limit.
If you want a flat shooting 25, try a 257 Wea. I can get 3500 with a 115 gr NP. The rifle is a bit of a load to carry.
This is a load I worked up probably 15 years ago. I have poured thousand of rounds through my 270's at 62 or 61.5 of RL 22. All are mod 70's
I would suggest you begin lower and work up.

26 April 2009, 04:36

olarmy

EZ:

I have several 270's which have worked fine for me from many years pushing 130gr bullets very accurately at between 3000 and 3100fps. They kill deer very dead. I used to push some of them past 3200 but no longer see the need, thank you. If I want more velocity I'll use a 270WSM or Roy. YMMV

27 April 2009, 17:45

Cossack2

Not enough difference to matter, except you can go up to 150 grn bullet with 270, for els, etc. Me, for deer? I'd load the 25/06 with 100 gr Barnes TSX...one guide I introduced them to calls them 'guided missiles."

27 April 2009, 18:27

olarmy

Never tried the TSX but seems like everyone that has used them, really loves them.

27 April 2009, 18:35

Trax

25/06 on DEER?

29 April 2009, 06:06

bbell

I purchased a 2506 in 1971 and used it almost exclusively on whitetail mule deer and one antelope for 6 years. At that time I could shoot three whitetail and two mule deer each year. While it gave dramatic kills I decided that I could not get reliable penetration . I started with 100s but switched to various 120s and until I used the nosler partition 115 gr. then I had something. I expect bullets have improved significantly today. I switched to the 270 and used cup and core 130s. Although only 10 grains heavier construction must have been set soley for the 270 and I had excellent consistency and penetration with the old winchester silvertip and powerpoint bullets. Better than the 2506 and as good as the 115 nosler.

30 April 2009, 00:45

El Deguello

quote:
Originally posted by olarmy:
IMO 3250 is a little optimistic for most 270's with a 130.

But using your numbers, the difference in a 120gr Partition at 3100 and a 130gr Partition at 3250 would be about 2.4" and about 330 ft-lbs. at 400 yds. Not sure any deer would notice the difference.

Well, ol army! I agree! No deer would notice the difference!