25-06 AI for elk..???

[liltank]

I know its not and elk, but never had a Whitetail get away from the 25-06 I used here in PA.

[ballistictip2506]

Just my 2 cents. In 2009 I elk hunted out of Pagosa Springs Co. About the 5th eve. I babysat a small wallow from about 275 yards up hill from the water. A young 4x4 came in about 5 pm. and approached the water broadside to me. I was shooting a 25-06 with 115 grain TSX 's at 3200 fps. My first shot was the typical behind the shoulder shot about a third the way up from his chest. He kept drinking without even a flinch. Being somewhat confused I sent the next one to exactly the same spot and again no visible reaction. I,m sitting there thinking , " what the @*&# ! ", and decided on plan B. The third shot was a purposeful broadside shoulder shot . he walked about 20 yards and slowly laid down and died . When my Brother and I began the inspection I discovered that all 3 shots were pass thru's and the shoulder shot blew huge chuncks out of the lower far side shoulder bone. Amazing ! I learned something that day. # 1 Barnes bullets are astonishing . #2 I'll never use them again out of a small caliber bullet because there is just not enough frontal diameter for adequate wound channel size on an animal that big. # 3 I wouldn't hesitate to do it again with with a Partition bullet or an A Frame or any other premium high weight retention fully expanding bullet. The 25-06 will absolutely take down an elk with proper bullet , distance and shot location. Hope this helps !

[longrangefreek]

25-06 was my first hunting rifle as a kid. killed my first 7 elk with it and it did a fantastic job. I would not shoot past 600 yards at elk with it but for the ranges I shot at them as a kid which was around 300 yards average it did great. I have larger elk calibers now but will always have great respect for the 25 caliber that was a great part of my young hunting success.

[Sully2]

Pro or Con...all input appreciated gentlemen. Thanks

[shooter7]

Murphy's Law........... When it happens, it's probably better to have a bigger gun. That being said, I have worked on an elk farm and "slaughtered" a few my self. A 22lr and a 17hmr will work with a perfect shot but we could control that on the farm. Out in the hunting world, I'd be skeptical to chase after those wapiti with anything less than a 300wm. It's better to have too much gun than not enough. just my .02

[TannerGun]

Threading needles is far easier done with rigs that balance nicely and recoil nicely too, IME. I love the whole 'needing a 300 Mag' to kill elk thing.

[RangerBrad]

How about the 115gr VLD Berger's? Brad