Would you use a 25-06 for Moose?

[Species8472]

Fox,

I know BW has made some statements in the past that some have a hard time believing but commenting on a shot made by BW's daughter serves no purpose other than to stir up chit. 268 yards may be long for some people, but there are plenty of people capable of making an ethical shot at that distance - why not extend the benefit of the doubt and take him at his word.

[Blackwolf]

There was 5 of us that saw it, it took her almost 10 minutes to shoot her first buck. Nice 12 pointer. She shot it in the heart, field dressed it on the spot. She has since shot about a dozen deer, all one shot one kill. She did upgrade to a 3030

[Bluebulldog]

The 130g 270win, 100g 243win have sectional density equal to a 165g 30 calibre, were do you think that puts a 25-06. A heavy bullit is not thee all, end all of killing. It needs speed as well. I would put a 170g 30-30 on the very bottom of my list because IMO it would limit me the most because of poor performance.

Answer the question.

You know you are going into the woods for moose. You have a few guns in the safe. Are you going to take the 25-06? Or are you going to take the 270, 308, or maybe the 30-06?

Participating in an academic exercise over whether or not a 25-06 will do the job is one thing. Same as the thread where you said much the same of the .243

You however are not helping a new shooter out there by indicating that the round is fine. In perfect circumstance, with an experienced shooter, yes, the smaller bullets will do the job. You assume much on the part of a shooters ability though.

Personally, I would rather advocate that a new shooter, looking for their first big game rifle, go with a caliber that has more power, and weight to its bullets, ensuring that the new shooter has enough gun to do the job regardless of what game he has in front of him. If he gets a bit of experience and range time, and feels confident enough in his abilities, then sure, search out that sweetheart little rifle in 25-06. But as a beginners, do all caliber? Poor advice friend.

[jlmorgan]

260 Remington is almost a 6.5x55mm but the bullet length on this has to be shorter, although a gun in this caliber is more available.

.260 rem. is superior to the 6.5 x 55 by at least 100 fps in every bullet weight according to all my reloading manuals, I have not had a problem with bullet length in any bullet weight, as with any reload the bullet is set to the manuals recommended COL and then chambered in the rifle it will be used in, I usually set a bullet to recommended COL in a primerless, powderless cartridge and make adjustments if required to bullet seating depth. I wouldn't recommend a 25-06 as a moose gun but if that was all I had available I wouldn't hesitate to take it, I have a .257 Rob. that I would also use if that was all that was available to me, I also would not hesitate to take my .260 rem. just for the record my go to moose gun is .280 rem. loaded with 150 gr. swift scirocco bullets

[Fox]

“To me, the .260 Remington has no advantage over the 6.5×55 if one is going to use a long action. Likewise, the only advantage the .260 has in a modern rifle is it can be used in a short-action. There is more powder capacity in the 6.5×55 so you have the potential to get more velocity plus there is a lot of reloading data available to you for loading at lower velocity/pressure if you choose. The Lapua brass is great and Winchester brass is pretty good at low pressures. Having loaded a good bit for both, the 6.5×55 would always get the nod from me. To me, if someone wants to use a short-action, the 6.5×47 Lapua is even a better option than the .260 for a target rifle.” — Olympian

Either way, shoot what you want. I will take my 6.5x55mm mauser to hunt moose, I would take a 25-06 if I knew the gun and could hit the mark. I would also use a shotgun with slugs or the 303 Brit, not eithe of these at 500 yards, but most calibers discussed here in the boiler room would kill a moose no problem within the effective range of the user (for most of us that is 300 yards or less with a good scope, 100 yards with irons). If you feel that you can kill a moose at 700 yards with your setup then great, have at it.

[canadaman30]

Answer the question.

You know you are going into the woods for moose. You have a few guns in the safe. Are you going to take the 25-06? Or are you going to take the 270, 308, or maybe the 30-06?

Participating in an academic exercise over whether or not a 25-06 will do the job is one thing. Same as the thread where you said much the same of the .243

You however are not helping a new shooter out there by indicating that the round is fine. In perfect circumstance, with an experienced shooter, yes, the smaller bullets will do the job. You assume much on the part of a shooters ability though.

Personally, I would rather advocate that a new shooter, looking for their first big game rifle, go with a caliber that has more power, and weight to its bullets, ensuring that the new shooter has enough gun to do the job regardless of what game he has in front of him. If he gets a bit of experience and range time, and feels confident enough in his abilities, then sure, search out that sweetheart little rifle in 25-06. But as a beginners, do all caliber? Poor advice friend.

This may indeed be your opinion, but not mine. Telling a "new" shooter to buy a 30-06 and go to it, IMO is not the best advice. A new shooter should get a smaller bore rifle..243, 25-06 so he or she can go out to the range and practice with pleasure and not adopt a flinch from what a bolt gun 30-06 can well do to a new shooter. Shooting a smaller bore rifle will build confidence and the ability to become a great shooter. Getting a new shooter a rifle they enjoy to use makes a world of difference. You give your average new shooter a bolt 30-06 and a 25-06 and you see which rifle he can make better use of after a few range visits. Talking about experienced shooters, getting a new shooter behind an enjoyable rifle to use is how they become expierenced. If they feel confident with their gun then they should consider bullit construction when hunting certain game and not just looking at calibres. When you can shoot with confidence, then is the time to take the jump to a bigger gun IMO. And yes I use bigger calibres, and have been shooting a long time, but I have alot of respect for the smaller bores capabilities

[Bluebulldog]

Check the posts again chum. Once again you are putting words in my mouth that I did not say.

At at no point did I recommend the 30-06. Not a big fan, even if it does have a huge bullet selection. But advocate for a .270, or .308 as a first gun, yes, I will. Particularly since the felt recoil on either is within 1-2 lbs of the 25-06 anyhow. Hardly a flinch factor worth noting. The .243? Sure real light recoil, a lot like the 5.56 NATO that I've shot tons of. Still wouldn't recommend it as a first gun. Maybe for a junior shooter, sure.

Your post from last year:



Originally Posted by Muskokaguy20
What do u like Canadaman?
Browning BLR
Marlin 336
Rem750 Carbine


My preference is a semi-auto carbine, 308 or 30-06. 18.5" barrel makes for a fast handling gun in thick stuff.



So why didn't you advocate for the BLR or Rem 750 in .243? ...and for what it's worth, you still didn't answer the question. If you knew you were going for moose, and had a 25-06, .243, .270, .308, and a 30-06 in the safe. Which gun is the one you'd take?

[JF Sabou]

I've become a big fan of the 7mm mag. It's great for moose. The Hornady Superformance. Fantastic. 162 gr.
It is too big for deer (7mm mag), but it can be done. Just like all caliber discussions. I'm a GM truck guy.
All my friends have Fords. Not smart guys but they are my friends and I RESPECT the choices they make.
They happen to be Leaf's fans... not smart guys again. lol For the OP, I would prefer something bigger.
270 and 308 are great calibers. I predict you will buy a 270. 3 of them in our hunt camp and great success.
cheers

[robster]

This may indeed be your opinion, but not mine. Telling a "new" shooter to buy a 30-06 and go to it, IMO is not the best advice. A new shooter should get a smaller bore rifle..243, 25-06 so he or she can go out to the range and practice with pleasure and not adopt a flinch from what a bolt gun 30-06 can well do to a new shooter. Shooting a smaller bore rifle will build confidence and the ability to become a great shooter. Getting a new shooter a rifle they enjoy to use makes a world of difference. You give your average new shooter a bolt 30-06 and a 25-06 and you see which rifle he can make better use of after a few range visits. Talking about experienced shooters, getting a new shooter behind an enjoyable rifle to use is how they become expierenced. If they feel confident with their gun then they should consider bullit construction when hunting certain game and not just looking at calibres. When you can shoot with confidence, then is the time to take the jump to a bigger gun IMO. And yes I use bigger calibres, and have been shooting a long time, but I have alot of respect for the smaller bores capabilities

A new shooter should start with a 22 rim fire. They will learn better with this than any. Now in ideal conditions any centre fire will do the job. Do moose always show up and give beginners or experienced hunters that perfect broadside shot? When you drive up north put in the time and money and have your adult moose tag in hand wich gun will you bring up to camp? 25-06 or 270? This is original question?

[Blackwolf]

For moose I'd definitely pick the .308. As for recoil? I really don't find a lot of difference between a .243, 12 gauge and my 444 marlin. Hold the butt tight to your shoulder and position yourself right and its all the same. Its really all a matter of how you hold your tongue.