25-06 for Mule Deer
#32
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Van Buren AR
Posts: 43
Sorry guys kinda forgot about the post, checked on it before I left and then it slipped my mind. I took my trusty ole 280 instead of the 25 not sure why just have lots of faith in one and just don't feel I have shot the 25 enough. It didn't make much difference, I didn't get a shot. a buddy got a nice 4x4 and we had a great time. I don't know enough about Muleys to know why but we didn't see many deer. I think the population is down in that area, one guy that went with us said we saw in a week what they used to see in a day. All around great hunt, going back again but probably to another unit. Thanks for all the responses couldn't believe it when I finally got back on here. I will have to get the 25 tuned in and give it a try on some hogs and whitetails. Thanks again.
#33
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,143
I couldn't agree more!!!!! While I will say a .243 IMO is a bit small for elk I just don't get these magnum loads!!
#34
I think the 25-06 is a great caliber and would be quite fine for mule deer. My only problem with the 25-06 is that there is not much bullet weight, so you don't really want to lose any of the bullet due to fragmentation at all or else you will lose your penetration. Because of this I recommend using some type of premium constructed bullet along the lines of the Nosler Partition, Nosler Accubond, Barnes Triple Shock or well you get the idea.
#38
Spike
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebastian, FL
Posts: 13
Thanks Ron. I'm currently shooting a .270 Tikka T3 Lite. I've scaled back from a 30/06. The .270 is still more than I need for our local deer. The T3 is nice and lite (6.2 pounds) for hunting. If I go to a .25/06, I'll have to go to a heavier rifle.
#39
25-06 is a 30-06 necked down. Great cartrige, one of my favorites...used to load 117gr but I really like the 110 accubond and suprisingly found RL22 with mag primers to work the best in mine. Between my two boys and I using it we have taken antelope, mule deer and cow elk and never wished we were carrying a different gun. The longest kill was 406 yards lung shot on a cow.
#40
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Yucca Valley,Ca
Posts: 2,496
Been shooting a 25-06 model 70 for a long time.117 gr round in the kill zone=dead deer.had a model 70 270 and alawys shot 130 gr bullets.to be honest they both killed deer on the spot.last deer i shot with the 25-06 was 300 yds laser,dropped where it was standing.25-06 is a excellent caliber for deer sized animals,flat shooting and hard hitting with a light recoil.enjoy!