The Accurate Reloading Forums
25/06 at 400yrds
19 December 2003, 20:45
boilerroom25/06 at 400yrds
How many people have or would have confidence in the 25/06 at 400yrds on a 350lbs deer? What bullet would suit this distance the best?
Some of the factors could include wind and shoulder hit ect.
Alot of people around the fire don't think the 25/06 is equal to the task so I want to hear what others have to say.
19 December 2003, 21:37
p dog shooterThe andswer is easy if you but the bullet where you are surppose to the deer well be dead. Any good 100 to 120 gr bullet well do the trick.
19 December 2003, 22:57
Hornetfan120 B-tip pushed as fast as safley possible should be about top end BC (around 3000fps). Shoot a truck load of them at 500yards (fear the man with only one gun). You are only about 200fps slower than a 257 Weatherby mag. IMHO Over 300 yards separates men from boys, under field conditions (wind,buck fever,uneven ground, up hill, down hill, cold fingers, blah, blah, blah ect,ect...). I would rather see someone shoot with a 25-06 and put it where it counts over a mega boomer magnum and miss or make a cripple because of recoil or lack of practice. B-tip expands down to about 1400fps I think. I do not have any info handy, 25-06 will do the job, if the job is done right and the shot is placed where it is intended. My two cents if it worth that much.
20 December 2003, 09:04
TaosI would think that it would be fine in that set of circumstances. Even out beyond that for a ways. As long as the shooter is up to the task.
20 December 2003, 10:53
<JOHAN>Well
It would work if the shooter knows what he's doing, not much margin left
. But a small bore magnum doesn't recoil much either but would give a bit more energy, and hedge the bets. A 257 wby, 6,5-284 Norma, 270 win, 270 wby would be better in my book.
Cheers
/ JOHAN
20 December 2003, 11:46
boilerroomWhat if you hit a 350lbs mulie square on the shoulder at 400? Using a well constructed bullet of course.
20 December 2003, 11:55
TaosI think one could assume a down, dead deer with a good bullet!!
20 December 2003, 15:41
GLCGiven a choice, why not stalk to within 100 yards or so and be sure you'll get the deer?
20 December 2003, 15:46
Lawdog_GaryNo problem. With a 115 grain Nosler Partition at around 3150 fps. it will get the job done just fine. Lawdog
20 December 2003, 15:55
boilerroomQuote:
Given a choice, why not stalk to within 100 yards or so and be sure you'll get the deer?
That's not the topic. It's not like a stalk away from the deer to make a 400yrd shot.
20 December 2003, 16:04
boilerroomQuote:
No problem. With a 115 grain Nosler Partition at around 3150 fps. it will get the job done just fine. Lawdog
3200fps at the muzzle gives me around 2250fps at 400yrds and 1300ft.lbs. Is 1300 ft.lbs with a 25cal enough if you were to have some bullet drift and have to drive through the shoulders?
I found myself thinking this when I was only packing this round loaded with a 100gr. Partition. I definately am going to load a heavier bullet next season but the 115 partitions did not shoot that well in my rifle. I'm going to try the A-Frames I think.
21 December 2003, 13:24
Lawdog_Garyboilerroom,
I have had no trouble with the 115 gr. Partition doing exactly what it was designed to do even at longer ranges. I have taken a few mule deer at ranges up to near 500 yards using the .25-06 and 115 gr. Partitions. Even going thru a shoulder which I never aim at unless there is no other way. Lawdog
24 December 2003, 22:18
todbartellI would not feel especially confident in shooting a large deer at 400 yards with a 25-06...
only if I was shooting a 115 gr. Barnes TSX would I feel good about the shot. Lauched @ 3100 fps, it is still going 2300 fps at 400 yards, with 1350 ft-lbs of energy, 11.2" wind drift in 10mph crosswind, 12" drop from a 275 yard zero. You will get penetration with this load, something that will go through some bone, but it will still open up on a lung shot too.
Why not go with a 270? 140 gr. Barnes TSX @ 2950 fps, you get 2235 fps impact speed at 400 yards, 1550 ft-lbs of energy, 10.8" of drift, and 13" bullet drop from a 275 yard zero. Seems like more sure of a bet on larger deer at long range....maybe I am wrong...seems not to recoil too much more.
I have never seen the charms of the 25 calibers....
24 December 2003, 22:36
Kensco400 yards is probably pushin' it for me.
I didn't mind a 325 yd shot on a pronghorn with a 120 gr. Sierra HPBT.
If I had no way of getting closer, and it was a still day, and he had a really big rack, and he was standing broadside, and I had good light, and it wasn't raining or snowing straight down (good visibility); I would probably hunker down and squeeze one off.
I think he would then run off a short distance, find out he had no lungs, and fall over dead.
25 December 2003, 00:13
boilerroomI can't come up with a reason not to try a 400yrd shot with my 270 using a 140gr. bullet(as far as it being capible).
I cant come up with a reason not to try the same shot with my 25 06 using 115 and 120gr bullets. The load I'm using at the moment is a 100gr. partiton and it's accurate. I'm not completely confident with the energy it holds at 400yrds so I'm just taking in some opinions on the subject.
I have to say that my 25 06 is the fastest killer out of all my rifles. Almost instant death.
If I was to move up to 26 cal would that be charming Tod?
25 December 2003, 04:35
Big-EdI lived in the middle of 500 acres of clutivated land on our ranch for 9 years. At times I counted over 100 deer around our house. It was 500 to 600 yards to the edge of the field in all directions depending on angle (roughly rectangular). With that in mind, I zero'd my .25-06 for 300yds.
Most of my shots (9 years of filling the freezer) were 300 or less. However, because I lived in my hunting stand (heh), I knew exactly how that rifle and my loads performed out to 600 yards.
I took several deer around 500 yards. All one-shot kills with 117gr Nosler Partitions and Sierra BTs. One was a quartering shot on a large buck that broke the right front shoulder, a rib or two, and the left hip. I recovered the bullet (Nolser Partition) in good shape from that ham. The distance was approximately 480 yards. (That was one of the few bullets I ever recovered - most were pass throughs)
The .25-06 will definately work at 400+ yards. With proper loads, it packs plenty of punch at long ranges. It is not the action at the muzzle, but the action at the trigger that is important at those distances.
25 December 2003, 19:46
AtkinsonIn my opinnion 400 yards is 300 country....I have seen some deer wounded with the lighter calibers at that range with some fairly decent hits that would have put them down IMO with a larger caliber, or would have left a much better blood trail to follow....bullets start failing at 400 yds or so..
25 December 2003, 21:19
todbartellQuote:
If I was to move up to 26 cal would that be charming Tod?
Now you're talkin! 
AR has gone through the 25-06 vs 260 thread last year already... 
But a 6.5mm IMO is a better long range choice than a 25 cal, especially when you get to the larger 6.5's, like the 6.5-06 & 264 Win Mag.
Eg.
260 Rem 140 gr. Partition @ 2750 fps
400 yard velocity - 2090 fps
energy - 1360 ft-lbs
drift - 11.4"
drop - 15" (275 yard zero)
6.5-06 140 gr. Partition @ 2900 fps
400 yard velocity - 2220 fps
energy - 1530 ft-lbs
drift - 10.5"
drop - 13.3" (275 yard zero)
264 Win Mag 140 gr. Partition @ 3100 fps
400 yard velocity - 2390 fps
energy - 1770 ft-lbs
drift - 9.6"
drop - 11.5" (275 yard zero)
If I were looking for a 400 yard deer round, for big deer, I'd look at a 264 Win Mag, 270 Win, 270 WSM, 280, 7mm rem mag, 7saum/7wsm, 300saum/wsm or 300 Win Mag.
27 December 2003, 05:28
AggieDogThe 25-06 is known as a long range deer cartridge. Like Lawdog told you, use a Partition or better, and if you put the bullet where it belongs, it is more than capable at 400 yds. You can put the bullet "where it doesnt belong" with 30 calibers also. Your caliber is not an issue at 400 yds, your shooting accuracy capability is, at 400 yds.
27 December 2003, 06:21
packratI've seen the big 25 at work some years back, and I think it would work, especially with premium bullets. Now, back to the story... A friend of mine took a looong shot at a mulie with his .25-06, and at the shot, the deer crumpled like a pile of dirty laundry. While recovering the animal, we thought it took a long time for the buck to bleed out. Never gave it another thought until we skinned the critter that evening. As we pulled the hide off the rear end, a bullet hit the floor. Looked like a Speer G/S, looked to be a 25 too! Upon closer examination there was a gash in the deer's cheek, a hole in the armpit, and no real entry/exit wound. Moreover, there was a long red scar running from the front ribs, to the hip, just under the hide. The conclusion: the shot to the side of the deer's head didn't kill it, only knocked it out! That buck succumbed to a "buck" knife, not a bullet.
Yes, the .25-06 will do the job, if you do yours.
27 December 2003, 06:43
HolmesHello Boilerroom,
I hunt antelope and deer at what I consider to be long range with a 25/06 which is often beyond 400 yards.
Your theoretical scenario involves a large deer. A buck muley at that weight will have a powerful chunk of bone in that shoulder. The 25/06 is capable of the kill with an accurate controlled-expansion hand load and a skilled shooter, but I would personally pass on the shot and wait for a clear path through the airbags.
With regard to the wind, I'd shoot if it were steady and 10mph or less.
My comments assume the use of a laser ranger, a wind gauge, and a solid prone or other supported rest. I'd be using my 100 grain MK load, of course
27 December 2003, 06:47
<JOHAN>todbartell
Nice,
A great suggestion. There are very few calibers that bucks the wind soo well as the 140 grainers in 6,5. Quarter bore fans knows this and still tries to ignore it
You can make the 6,5-06 roar just as well as the 6,5-284 with the right powders and a 25 inch barrel.
A good choice would be the 6,5-284 Norma that is shorter with simular powder capacity as the -06. Acess to match grade brass from Hornady, Norma and Lapua is a plus. Dies are also avilable off the shelf. Some other exotic rounds requires more money and time.
Cheers
/ JOHAN
05 January 2004, 04:17
wolferThe real question is the person behind the rifle up to the task.The 2506 would do the job with 117 or 120 grain bullets.Just because your gun will shoot that far isn't reason enough to pull the trigger.How many people practice at that range? When I was younger I got a kick out of long range shots on Big Game.I'm older and sneakier now.
07 January 2004, 19:14
boilerroomI agree. I used to shoot at game farther than necessary. Not any longer. I'm passing on animals I never dreamed of these days also. It goes hand in hand. I look at it like carma will pay off. I'm not claiming that I won't try a hail mary shot at a trophy of a life time though.
I almost live at the range come spring. I also can shoot at the gravel pit out to 300 just a mile from my house. I shoot at all positions and have a portable target stand.
I don't know if I'm capible at shooting farther than 400 at game cause I've never taken it seriously and have no scope more powerful than 10x. I'm going to move up to 12x maybe but not so I can push those shots further, just make the reasonable ones easier.
14 January 2004, 16:03
stolivar7mm-08 Rem 130 sierra gr. @ 3000 fps
400 yard velocity - 2143 fps
energy - 1325 ft-lbs
drift -13.03"
drop - 15.84" (250 yard zero)
about any of the guns will have enough out around 400 yards. 7mm-08, 25-06, etc
steve
16 January 2004, 06:37
fredj338I have to go w/ Ray on this one. A 1/4 bore w/ a good bullet is ok for smaller deer & just about perfect for antelope out to 400, but a 350# deer is a BIG deer. I would want a bit more gas out @ the 400yds mark than a .25-06 can give. I would look @ the 7mag/160gr as the min., that's my choice for possible 400yd shooting on med. size big game (I haven't had to shoot that far yet, I can usually get closer).
