25-06 for elk???
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Silentstalker
Long Time Member
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Although it obviously could kill an elk with good shot placement I believe the 25-06 is too small for a tough animal like an elk. I think a 7MM or 30. caliber is a much better "all around" gun. Elk are dang tough to bring down. I don't know why you would want to be under gunned! Good luck in your choice whatever it be!
Chad
Chad
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golfguy0912
Guest
i agree, it seems like a little light for elk. I personally woulndt go with anything less than a .300 win mag
I have used the 25 on elk. Loved it took a 5x5 at 200 yds sholder shot it did more damage with 120 gr. spitzers. Then my 7mm rem mag. I have also taken one rib shot. Nice hole going out the exit. Where the 7 zips through them.The thing I like about it. Well the elk absorbs all the enegry. And then if you use a light bullet say the 85 gr. It works well for yotes and small game. Cases are abundant and finding ammo is never a problem. I have never had an animal get away using the 25. Oh and rabbits it is a little heavy but the fur does fly. Go for it and if you don't like it when you are done let me know a M98 25 sounds way kewl.
Rut
Rut
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hornaddiction
Guest
My friend has hunted for years with his 25-06 and yes he has taken a lot of elk with it! Its all about shot placement!
Horn
www.trophiesonthewall.com
Horn
www.trophiesonthewall.com
Oh the hole on the sholder shot went clean through exit hole was the size of a large soft ball the sholder was trash and it has more then enough punch. Elk are tough but not as tough as the 25 and I have killed a lot of elk with the 25. Never had a problem but I have with the 7 and the 300 win. they have to much unless u slow em down or use lighter bullets that give you thin jackets then they do the same as the 25. except they have more zip and the bullet then comes apart. Go 25
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WyoAces
Guest
The nice thing about a 25-06 is how flat it shoots. You can really reach out with it. Makes a great antelope gun. I don't think i would go with it as a elk gun though. Not that it can't do the job. You just have better options available for a all around gun. a 7mm or a .300 can not only reach out farther then the .25. They have greater knockdown power. The problem is elk are one tough animal. A mistake on range can cause a few inches of difference on where the bullet makes contact, and a misplaced shot on a elk can mean miles of extra walking on your part. Why chance it. Just means more suffering for you and the animal. Like i said..it can get the job done. You just have guns out there that can get the job done better. I would go with the 7mm if you want a multiple species rifle that can handle the 360 class elk your looking for.
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RLH
Guest
wouldn't be my first choice, but there ain't anything wrong with it. my ol' man shot a real nice 6x6 with his .270 and 130 gr sierras just a few weeks ago. not enough difference in the two to argue about. marksmanship means more that bore size.
sneakem
Active Member
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Shot placement is everything. If you feel comfortable shooting the gun by all means use it. I like the way the .338 performs for elk. Have killed elk with a .243 though several times, just make sure you can place the shot. If you don't feel comfortable with your shooting ability, I wouldn't use a small caliber though.
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we_B_huntin
Guest
I love the 25-06, Ive been shooting one for thirty years. Ive killed alot of animals with mine. I've probably killed forty pigs with mine including some 300 plus pounders. I'm amazed at the knockdown power of this rifle. It's definitely my rifle of choice. That being said when I go on a rifle elk hunt I use my 300 win mag. Not that I don't think the 25-06 would do the job, I just think the 300 mag would do a better job if you made a marginal shot.I'm comfortable shooting my 300 mag, but if I wasn't I'd use my 25-06 or my 270.First and foremost use a gun that will do the job and you are comfortable shooting.
Lynn
Lynn
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300Winnie
Guest
Obviously there are mixed feelings on whether or not you should settle on a 25-06 for an all around big game rifle for game up to and including elk. I can't dispute that the 25-06, or other .25 caliber cartridges will kill elk because unlike several of the other posters here, I haven't killed many elk with the cartridge...in fact I haven't killed an elk with anything smaller that a .28 caliber (7mm Remington Magnum), and most of them with a .300 Winchester Magnum. What I can tell you is that anyone that tells you that a 7mm or .300 Magnum will zip through an animal without doing the necessary damage just hasn't used one enough to make that judgement. If those calibers are "zipping through" without doing the damage the hunter better look at his choice of bullet instead of blaming the cartridge.
Now that I have defended the larger calibers, let me address your question from a different perspective. How about a 28 guage for geese? Sure, it will get the job done...most of the time if a hunter is very well disciplined and only takes very high percentage shots. However, a 20 guage would be a better choice, a 12 guage even better, and depending on the type of hunting you do a 10 guage might even be a better choice.
I think this analogy works very well with your question. Sure, a 25-06 will get the job done...most of the time if you are well disciplined and only take high percentage shots. But, are you willing to keep your distance to a minimum to make sure you have enough energy to get the job done? Are you willing to pay the extra money for premium bullets to make sure you get the penetration necessary with the light bullet weights you will be shooting (120 grains max.) and last but not least, are you willing to pass on the less than perfect shot angles you will be presented with on a typical elk hunt (most elk don't stand broadside for you to shoot through the slats for very long)?
As a final thought, I think if you were able to talk to many, many hunters that have harvested at least a few elk in their lifetimes you would find that the 25-06 would have a very small following...while the 7mm's, .30's and .338's of both standard and magnum guises would lead the pack. There is a reason for that.
If it were me, based on the gun you have needing to be rebarreled I would look at the .280 Remington as a minimum, but with elk on the menu a 30-06 might be a better choice.
If you have to question whether the gun you carry is adequate, you will never be totally confident.
FWIW
Now that I have defended the larger calibers, let me address your question from a different perspective. How about a 28 guage for geese? Sure, it will get the job done...most of the time if a hunter is very well disciplined and only takes very high percentage shots. However, a 20 guage would be a better choice, a 12 guage even better, and depending on the type of hunting you do a 10 guage might even be a better choice.
I think this analogy works very well with your question. Sure, a 25-06 will get the job done...most of the time if you are well disciplined and only take high percentage shots. But, are you willing to keep your distance to a minimum to make sure you have enough energy to get the job done? Are you willing to pay the extra money for premium bullets to make sure you get the penetration necessary with the light bullet weights you will be shooting (120 grains max.) and last but not least, are you willing to pass on the less than perfect shot angles you will be presented with on a typical elk hunt (most elk don't stand broadside for you to shoot through the slats for very long)?
As a final thought, I think if you were able to talk to many, many hunters that have harvested at least a few elk in their lifetimes you would find that the 25-06 would have a very small following...while the 7mm's, .30's and .338's of both standard and magnum guises would lead the pack. There is a reason for that.
If it were me, based on the gun you have needing to be rebarreled I would look at the .280 Remington as a minimum, but with elk on the menu a 30-06 might be a better choice.
If you have to question whether the gun you carry is adequate, you will never be totally confident.
FWIW
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300Winnie
Guest
You are right. Shot placement is everything. So what all of you light caliber fans are telling the rest of us is that presented with a large bull (what's large is in the eye of the beholder)you are going to be willing and able to control and discipline yourselves to wait for that opportune moment when a high percentage shot will present itself that will make a humane kill within a short distance of the shot, just like the bowhunters. Sure, bows kill elk all the time, but ask any experienced bow hunter if they are going to take the shot that doesn't give them good access to the vitals, usually through the slats behind the front shoulder. Not many of them are going to take a shot at a bull quartering hard towards them and try to bust through the onside shoulder on the hope that the arrow has enough punch to get through to the vitals. Most bow hunters I know have passed up more shots than they have taken because they didn't feel comfortable with the shot presented to them. Are you light caliber fans willing to do the same? Most hunters that have hunted elk very long have figured out that you may not get the "perfect" shot presented to you especially if you are on an over the counter hunt. Many of the shots will be at elk that are already buzzed up and you may bump them in the timber with only a raking shot, or a forward quartering shot where penetration becomes paramount. Bigger bullets of proper construction do a better job of this, period!
However, if you so choose to discipline yourself to wait for the "perfect" shot, and while doing so I see the bull myself, don't be surprised if he gets a 200 grain Accubond out my .300 Win Mag through his vitals...even if I have to drive it through more than a couple of ribs.
However, if you so choose to discipline yourself to wait for the "perfect" shot, and while doing so I see the bull myself, don't be surprised if he gets a 200 grain Accubond out my .300 Win Mag through his vitals...even if I have to drive it through more than a couple of ribs.
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sampson
Guest
You said that you wanted a good all around rifle. You won't be disapointed with the 25-06, especially if you are not a super die hard elk hunter.
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Pappabull
Guest
I don't understand why people want to use such a big (25-06) caliber for elk. Shot placement is everything. I think the 22-250 or the 220 Swift is a lot better, not so much meat damaged. I have a friend that uses the 22-250 and never shoots unless he can place the bullet right behind the ear. With the 22-250 or the 220 swift I think a bullet can always be placed between two ribs to get to the vitals.
Pappabull
Pappabull
Well Said Fwiw
Sorry if said it wrong. I should have said I love My 7 mm and my 300 win. OH I have about 14 other calibers. and the thousands of rounds i have fired and 100's and hundreds different species and numours elk killed by me and my guns in several different states and countrys to Include bear moose bison pigs. To only mention a few. Well i just wanted to say I have used so many different types bullets and Calibers. The story goes the 25 has never let me down. I like my 7 and my 300 and they are great guns. But don't under estamate the 25. It don't matter where you hit thin skined elk it has all the enegry and the penitration you need. If the elk is headed north and you hit him in the south. Well it will come out his nose. And yes the 300 7mm and a dozen more are probably suited better. but the 25 works fine.
Rut
Sorry if said it wrong. I should have said I love My 7 mm and my 300 win. OH I have about 14 other calibers. and the thousands of rounds i have fired and 100's and hundreds different species and numours elk killed by me and my guns in several different states and countrys to Include bear moose bison pigs. To only mention a few. Well i just wanted to say I have used so many different types bullets and Calibers. The story goes the 25 has never let me down. I like my 7 and my 300 and they are great guns. But don't under estamate the 25. It don't matter where you hit thin skined elk it has all the enegry and the penitration you need. If the elk is headed north and you hit him in the south. Well it will come out his nose. And yes the 300 7mm and a dozen more are probably suited better. but the 25 works fine.
Rut
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intimidater37
Guest
pappabull you have got to be joking right?
NO Way-Shot placement is no doubt key. They deserve the most humane kill you can muster. I've seen many a .270 take an elk. Did the bullet hit the vitals, yes. How far did it go? Sometimes 500 yards in rough terrain. Were we freaking out wondering if we had lost him? U's damn right! I give all I can handle effectively. Right now its a .338.
Come on Jfwrc.
Ya know 270 is a catch and release rifle. Didn't you see Dec issue of Outdoor life and the 270. And all the test the guru's did on it. Even though it was a pet of the Late Jack O<Conner. The real men figure it is just a good square pet. Works well on Mice, House cats and sparrows etc. And if you don't think it works well on them shoot one with it.
Rut
Ya know 270 is a catch and release rifle. Didn't you see Dec issue of Outdoor life and the 270. And all the test the guru's did on it. Even though it was a pet of the Late Jack O<Conner. The real men figure it is just a good square pet. Works well on Mice, House cats and sparrows etc. And if you don't think it works well on them shoot one with it.
Rut
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Pappabull
Guest
Your right Intimidater 37 I am joking but many people believe that what I said is the gospel truth.
Pappabull
Pappabull
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RIMROCK338
Guest
Rut: you know as well as I that when we were hiking that ridge
and saw that 6-point turn and look at us, he saw the mighty 25-06 and he ran about 100 yards. We then found him lying on his back with all four hoofs straight in the air, dead as hell, not a shot fired. He was just plain scared to death. RIMROCK
<IF IT BLEEDS WE CAN KILL IT>
and saw that 6-point turn and look at us, he saw the mighty 25-06 and he ran about 100 yards. We then found him lying on his back with all four hoofs straight in the air, dead as hell, not a shot fired. He was just plain scared to death. RIMROCK
<IF IT BLEEDS WE CAN KILL IT>
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chevy4x4
Guest
I prefer a red ryder bb gun because Im most comfortable with it. Its all about shot placement.... I wouldnt use anything less than a 270 on elk. Chances are that youre not going to be able to make perfect shots everytime. Why not just buy another gun?
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chevy4x4
Guest
I personally like to use my red ryder bb gun with those new bbs daisy came out with......... You shouldnt be shooting at elk with anything less than a 270 because chances are you're not allways going to be able to make a perfect shot.
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RACKMASTER
Guest
some old timer I met only use an .243 another like weatherby in .257mag both in about 120gr!!!! sounds crazy I know
however its bullet placement!!! not every shot will kill or kill quickly! I know an 25.06 will work fine if you practice shooting and know your limits!
RACKMASTER
however its bullet placement!!! not every shot will kill or kill quickly! I know an 25.06 will work fine if you practice shooting and know your limits!
RACKMASTER
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deerbedead
Guest
I don't like to argue about caliber with anyone so I will just tell my little story. I hunted with a 25-06 for my whole life, killing many large mule deer, coyotes, elk, and everything else that moved. I love the caliber more than any other, period!
I was tracking a bull elk in the cedars and jumped him on the edge of a clay basin. I ran to the edge of the canyon and saw him just on the other side halfway up the sidehill. I ranged him at 411 yards. To some of you that is too far. To others that is within range by a couple of hundred yards. To me it was well within range.
I hit him in the chest on the right side and he stumbled and went down. He got back up and I hit him in the chest on the opposite side. He laid down again. I waited to make sure he was dead before I started toward him. He got up and tried to make it out of the canyon. I shot him in the rear end, because that was the only shot I could get before he disapeared. He rolled down the hill into a patch of cedars. I again waited and he did not move again. It took me about 30 minutes to get to him and when I arrived he was gone! Blood everywhere and tracks heading north. I tracked him for about 400 yards and jumped him in the thick cedars. I shot at the only thing you see on an elk going straight away. I hit him in the left cheek. He kept going but he came to a wash that was too sheer to cross and he went up it until he hit an old fence, and he couldn't cross it because his back end was broke down pretty bad. I jumped him again and I shot him in the back end again dropping his rear end and then I quickly shot him between the shoulder blades to finish him off.
I don't tell this to make it look like I am a poor shot or some kind of slob hunter. I tell this to illustrate my feelings about this caliber for elk. I think I made him suffer a lot because I was under gunned for the situation. I skinned him and measured the penetration, and not one of the slugs went in more than 7 inches. I was anti magnum from the start, but I decided that year to get me one for elk. I bought a 7mm stw and have since killed several more elk with it, at similar ranges, and only one required more than one shot.
I still hunt deer with the 25-06, and I killed a 30" buck with it this year in Wyoming, but it stays home now on the elk hunts. I hunt too hard, and spend too much money on hunting to have to pass on a shot that I could take with a slightly larger caliber.
This is a little bit lengthy, but for my two cents, use enough gun when it comes to elk. Small bulls, and cows are easy to kill, but big older bulls are tougher than hell.
Roundy
I was tracking a bull elk in the cedars and jumped him on the edge of a clay basin. I ran to the edge of the canyon and saw him just on the other side halfway up the sidehill. I ranged him at 411 yards. To some of you that is too far. To others that is within range by a couple of hundred yards. To me it was well within range.
I hit him in the chest on the right side and he stumbled and went down. He got back up and I hit him in the chest on the opposite side. He laid down again. I waited to make sure he was dead before I started toward him. He got up and tried to make it out of the canyon. I shot him in the rear end, because that was the only shot I could get before he disapeared. He rolled down the hill into a patch of cedars. I again waited and he did not move again. It took me about 30 minutes to get to him and when I arrived he was gone! Blood everywhere and tracks heading north. I tracked him for about 400 yards and jumped him in the thick cedars. I shot at the only thing you see on an elk going straight away. I hit him in the left cheek. He kept going but he came to a wash that was too sheer to cross and he went up it until he hit an old fence, and he couldn't cross it because his back end was broke down pretty bad. I jumped him again and I shot him in the back end again dropping his rear end and then I quickly shot him between the shoulder blades to finish him off.
I don't tell this to make it look like I am a poor shot or some kind of slob hunter. I tell this to illustrate my feelings about this caliber for elk. I think I made him suffer a lot because I was under gunned for the situation. I skinned him and measured the penetration, and not one of the slugs went in more than 7 inches. I was anti magnum from the start, but I decided that year to get me one for elk. I bought a 7mm stw and have since killed several more elk with it, at similar ranges, and only one required more than one shot.
I still hunt deer with the 25-06, and I killed a 30" buck with it this year in Wyoming, but it stays home now on the elk hunts. I hunt too hard, and spend too much money on hunting to have to pass on a shot that I could take with a slightly larger caliber.
This is a little bit lengthy, but for my two cents, use enough gun when it comes to elk. Small bulls, and cows are easy to kill, but big older bulls are tougher than hell.
Roundy
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slider
Guest
We owe it to the Animal to dispatch them as Humainly as Possible!!! I have seen Big Bulls take good hit's and Not go down!!! 5 with a 270, 2 with a 300 Win Mag!!! Use the largest Caliber you can shoot!!! Use a muzzle brake if recoil is a problem!!! Good Luck
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300Winnie
Guest
Deerbedead,
Thanks for your candidness. I think you summed up what a lot of us already knew, but didn't have the experience you have to relate.
Thanks for your candidness. I think you summed up what a lot of us already knew, but didn't have the experience you have to relate.
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sampson
Guest
Deerbedead- When your chasing them around shooting them in the hind quarters and guts, they suffer, even if you have a bigger caliber rifle. Limit your shots and you will do better next time. Maybe hunt with some older guys, they may be able to give you some pointers too. Good luck in the future...
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300Winnie
Guest
I'm not sure I get your point Sampson. He shot the elk in the chest on the right side. Then he turned around and he shot him in the chest on the other side. Pretty text book if you ask me. He then took the only shot offered him, the texas head shot...which if you have hunted elk very many times, when one is wounded you take the shot presented, because if you wait for the "perfect" shot, you may be in the next county before you catch up to them again. He then took the only shot presented him, another texas head shot.
Now, I think this illustrates the subject of this post very well. A shot through the right side of the elk should have killed the animal. A second shot through the other side of the chest should have just been academic. The fact is, and is backed up by the lack of penetration in deerbedead's post that not enough gun was used for this shot. Take any of the 7mm, 300, or 338 magnums on the market today and put one through each side of the chest and you wouldn't be tracking very far. I believe the same could be said for any of the 7mm, 300 and 338 non-magnums.
Just to illustrate my feelings on this matter lets take a monster step up the caliber ladder and talk about the .270 Winchester. Several years ago my wife drew a late cow tag. She had a cow step out at about 300 yards. She put the crosshairs on and busted the left shoulder. The elk was sick, but still on its feet. It turned around and she busted the right shoulder. Elk went down. Still alive when we got to her and we were able to pick our shot to the head. Upon dressing her out, neither .277 caliber bullet made it to the vitals, and that elk would have had a very slow, painful death.
If you have to question whether you have enough gun, get a bigger one and learn how to shoot it.
Now, I think this illustrates the subject of this post very well. A shot through the right side of the elk should have killed the animal. A second shot through the other side of the chest should have just been academic. The fact is, and is backed up by the lack of penetration in deerbedead's post that not enough gun was used for this shot. Take any of the 7mm, 300, or 338 magnums on the market today and put one through each side of the chest and you wouldn't be tracking very far. I believe the same could be said for any of the 7mm, 300 and 338 non-magnums.
Just to illustrate my feelings on this matter lets take a monster step up the caliber ladder and talk about the .270 Winchester. Several years ago my wife drew a late cow tag. She had a cow step out at about 300 yards. She put the crosshairs on and busted the left shoulder. The elk was sick, but still on its feet. It turned around and she busted the right shoulder. Elk went down. Still alive when we got to her and we were able to pick our shot to the head. Upon dressing her out, neither .277 caliber bullet made it to the vitals, and that elk would have had a very slow, painful death.
If you have to question whether you have enough gun, get a bigger one and learn how to shoot it.
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deerbedead
Guest
Sampson, I guess you forgot to pay attention when you read my post. There was nothing in there about shooting elk in the guts. It was a little farther towards the front of the elk, namely the chest. My point is that with a smaller caliber rifle, bullet weights tend to be on the light side, which in turn equates to less penetration.
You say to limit your shots... I hit the elk with EVERY shot! Had the 120 grain slug had enough energy left to penetrate past the first layer of the lung it would have been unneccessary for any consequent follow up shots. If I can consistently hit where I want to at 400 yards, why would I limit myself with a caliber that does not have the energy left to do an adequate job at that range. I have since shot a 7x7 bull at over 400 yards with the 7mm stw through the chest. This time the slug went all the way through the animal. In my opinion that is more like it! One shot, One very dead elk!
Your comment on hunting with some older guys is very good advice. I own and operate an outfitting co for mule deer and elk. Have done for the last 12 years. Most of my clients have been older gentlemen. Obviously they are the ones who can typically afford a guided hunt for trophy mule deer and elk. I have observed what caliber these older gents bring on their hunts, and you may be surprised to know that the most popular by far and away is the 7mm rem mag. {for deer?} yep. Running farther behind is the 300 win mag. Followed by the 30.06. Never in my career has a hunter showed up in my camp with a 25.06, even for deer. I have killed a bunch with this caliber, but not one of these older men have uncased a 25.
Jim Zumbo hunted with me a few years back, and damned if he didn't use a Browning Stainless Stalker in 7mm Rem Mag! I guess he isn't that old though yet is he.
Maybe when he gets a little age on him he'll smarten up a little!
Like I said before, I don't like to argue caliber, but when it comes to big bull elk, use enough gun! If you like to only shoot at standing broadside elk at less than 200 yards, that is fine with me. Remember, limit those shots!
You say to limit your shots... I hit the elk with EVERY shot! Had the 120 grain slug had enough energy left to penetrate past the first layer of the lung it would have been unneccessary for any consequent follow up shots. If I can consistently hit where I want to at 400 yards, why would I limit myself with a caliber that does not have the energy left to do an adequate job at that range. I have since shot a 7x7 bull at over 400 yards with the 7mm stw through the chest. This time the slug went all the way through the animal. In my opinion that is more like it! One shot, One very dead elk!
Your comment on hunting with some older guys is very good advice. I own and operate an outfitting co for mule deer and elk. Have done for the last 12 years. Most of my clients have been older gentlemen. Obviously they are the ones who can typically afford a guided hunt for trophy mule deer and elk. I have observed what caliber these older gents bring on their hunts, and you may be surprised to know that the most popular by far and away is the 7mm rem mag. {for deer?} yep. Running farther behind is the 300 win mag. Followed by the 30.06. Never in my career has a hunter showed up in my camp with a 25.06, even for deer. I have killed a bunch with this caliber, but not one of these older men have uncased a 25.
Jim Zumbo hunted with me a few years back, and damned if he didn't use a Browning Stainless Stalker in 7mm Rem Mag! I guess he isn't that old though yet is he.
Maybe when he gets a little age on him he'll smarten up a little!
Like I said before, I don't like to argue caliber, but when it comes to big bull elk, use enough gun! If you like to only shoot at standing broadside elk at less than 200 yards, that is fine with me. Remember, limit those shots!
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Pappabull
Guest
Well said Deerbedead and Winnie
Pappabull
Pappabull
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taxidermynut
Guest
One more story. The first 3 years my wife hunted with me she used a 25-06. The first 2 years, she killed to cows with one shot, neiether travling farther than 100 yds. Both hit in the chest just behind the sholder. The next year, we are walking down a trail about 4:00 pm, a herd of elk starts feeding out at about 100 yds, we sit down and pick out yearling cow. The first shot she hits her in the front sholder. The herd runs off. We walk to were she went out of site, she is no were to be found. It takes us about 30 minutes to start find any blood. We track her tell dark that night. The next morning we pick it up again. We finaly jump her again in the next canyon over. This time she breaks her back while she tries to run off. We still got her, but she was still alive the next day. The bullet did break the front sholder, but didn't penetrat far enough to get into the vitals. Needless to say, she now has a 300 wsm. I put a muzzle brake and a good recoil pad on it, and she says there is less recoil than with the 25-06.
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sampson
Guest
Talk talk talk. Anyone can throw a few names around on the web and act like a hotshot. Good luck on your next bull, I hope you don't have to empty your gun several times before he goes down for good.
By the way, I shoot a 7 mag too, have for years.
By the way, I shoot a 7 mag too, have for years.
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deerbedead
Guest
Nuff said!
