25-06 Effective Range

[rzpalm]

I’m planning on carrying my 25-06 out west on a mule deer hunt. I have an assortment of calibers but I’m most confident with this gun. What would be the max effective range on a mule deer in your opinion?


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[PNWGATOR]

What bullet at what velocity?

 

[Laramie]

With a quality bullet in a factory load, the 25-06 is very capable of taking mule deer at 500 yards. The caliber is capable of further with load development but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who isn't very practiced and educated on their particular gun/loads performance. Small errors exponentially become larger errors the further out you get. Practice a bunch and find your maximum effective range that you are confident in. I believe you will likely find your rifle to be more capable than your abilities. At least that is true with most, including myself.

 

[6mm Remington]

If you are using a good bullet along the lines of a Nosler 110 gr. Accubond, 115 or 120 gr. Paritition, and you are a good shot, anything from 25-500 yards and you would be able to take a deer effectively. The 25-06 is an excellent cartridge. Practice a lot until you feel comfortable shooting up to those ranges. Also practice from hunting positions such as shooting over your pack as a rest, maybe using a bi-pod, or a downed tree as a rest. And practice some more. Best of luck on your hunt.

 

[Laramie]

Here is a good article on your chosen caliber that will offer you more information; https://www.chuckhawks.com/why_25-0...oves into the,270 Winchester load is suitable.

 

[Tmac]

My 25-06 with the Federal Fusion 120 gr. load is good to 500 ish at about 3’ in elevation on cold days. I try an keep impact speeds over 2k with it. 415 yards is my longest kill with it. Was a bang flop on a very large mule deer. Depending on your skill, load and environmental details, you might be able to stretch it to 600 or more.

 

[rzpalm]

Thanks all for responses. I’ll be practiced up before my trip. I have many many kills with this rifle doing doe management on our home farm. Most shots are under 200 yards.


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[Dcrafton]

I’ve carried a 25-06 for many years, I had mine set up for the 100 g triple shock Barnes. Awesome set up. 3308 FPS.
I hunted Texas for hogs (well over 50 hogs)
Colorado with over (18 deer)
Wyoming and utah(5 pronghorn)
Canada (2 bear)
That being said, most anything over 450 is a gamble.
The energy really starts to drop off


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[rzpalm]

I have to make sure I can get close enough. Im already spending a ton on my gear. I also have a 30-06 and a 7Mag. But they are both heavy, one is stainless with wood stock and one is not stainless. Im not sure I want to carry either one through the mountains. So that leads me back to my favorite rifle. 25-06

 

[Laramie]

I have to make sure I can get close enough. Im already spending a ton on my gear. I also have a 30-06 and a 7Mag. But they are both heavy, one is stainless with wood stock and one is not stainless. Im not sure I want to carry either one through the mountains. So that leads me back to my favorite rifle. 25-06

If you are comfortable shooting 300 you should be fine. I have shot a few deer further than that but in most cases, you can get withing that range. A 25-06 is a GREAT mule deer caliber. Don't overthink it too much. Good luck to you!

 

[PathFinder]

If you really lit a fire under a 115 VLD, it would easily do 1k. A 131 ACE is capable of more... Typical ammo will do 500 easily.

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[rzpalm]

131 ace? Not familiar with that


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[Dcrafton]

131 ace? Not familiar with that


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The 131 ACE blackjack is a great bullet but the standard 25-06 will not have a fast enough twist barrel to stabilize it.
I have a 25 PRC with a 1-7.5 twist pushing that 131 around 3160 FPS. It’s an awesome bullet but don’t waste your time and money with it until you Get a faster twist


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[rzpalm]

Ah ok. My 25-06 is a browning X-Bolt stainless stalker. Not sure how hot I can get with it.


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[Laramie]

If you are looking for solid, accurate factory ammo, this is a good selection imo- https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/25-06-remington-110-gr-eld-x-precision-hunter

 

[FLAK]

I have one I bought new years ago and I've killed one deer with it.
Planning on using it almost exclusively this year. Thing is like a Laser.
Think I've got 100 rounds of 110gr. Accubonds loaded up.

 

[fwafwow]

Subscribed. I’m a recent addition to the 25-06 (a Cooper that I’ve since had threaded, btw) fan club.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

I believe the 25/06 is effective as far as the person can confidently shoot it.
Be more concerned with memorizing a Windrift table then how far it’s effective.

I shot a muley in Nebraska a few years ago under 50 to 60 mph wind conditions. I was never so thankful to have memorized statistics as I was at that moment.

 

[rzpalm]

I’m not one for memorizing things. Don’t they have an app for that?


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[Reburn]

quarter bores kill great out to 500-600. Anymore then that and the wind drift and low BC starts to overtake you. If you are a legit 900 yard killer its not the best choice. If your an average guy with average shots the 25-06 / 257 weatherby will serve you well. It does get there pretty darn quick with less drop. 36"ish of drop at 500 by my app.