Wanting New Rifle in 25 or 6.5

[IanCo]

Looking at making room in the gun safe by getting rid of a 6.5 CM Kimber and a 25/06 Savage. The 25/06 was my first rifle and has a 26" heavy barrel and hasn't left the house since I started getting normal hunting weight rifles. I don't really have any issues with the Kimber, just not that excited about it anymore.

I am looking for advice on a middle to upper quality factory rifle in 25/06, 6.5/284 or 6.5PRC for lighter big game or all-around hunting rig. I like some of the Browning X-bolts, the Montana Rifle X3 and a couple of the Winchester's.

Anybody have anything to add from experience with these rifles or cartridges that I should know before I go through with this?

 

[idcwby]

I'd say go with a 6.5 because you would have better bullet selection available. Haven't had any of the rifles you mentioned so no help there.

idcwby

 

[FIGJAM]

Looking at making room in the gun safe by getting rid of a 6.5 CM Kimber and a 25/06 Savage. The 25/06 was my first rifle and has a 26" heavy barrel and hasn't left the house since I started getting normal hunting weight rifles. I don't really have any issues with the Kimber, just not that excited about it anymore.

I am looking for advice on a middle to upper quality factory rifle in 25/06, 6.5/284 or 6.5PRC for lighter big game or all-around hunting rig. I like some of the Browning X-bolts, the Montana Rifle X3 and a couple of the Winchester's.

Anybody have anything to add from experience with these rifles or cartridges that I should know before I go through with this?

Browing XBolt pro or McMillan. The Bergara Premier stuff is also awesome. Out to 600 yards the 25-06 is hard to beat. It loses steam after that due to the weak BC's. if you want to stretch it out further than 600 go with one of the 6.5's. They are Ballistic twins, so either one will do the job, the 6.5x284 needs a long action, the PRC does just fine in a short action.

 

[YZ-80]

I'm went through this process last year (kinda) and was looking at the Sako Finnlight, Finnlight 2, Kimber Moutain Ascent and Christensen Arms Mesa. I ended up with a Weatherby Altitude (6.5 crdm) and I'm happy with it. I think I would have been just as happpy with the Mesa or the Sako but the availability wasn't there. I have a soft spot for the .25-06 as well. If you do go with the quarterbore, get a 24" bbl. The .25-06 needs that extra 2" of bore to burn those medium speed powders efficiently and this really helps them shine in the accuracy department, IMHO. Let us know what you decide!

 

[FIGJAM]

I'm went through this process last year (kinda) and was looking at the Sako Finnlight, Finnlight 2, Kimber Moutain Ascent and Christensen Arms Mesa. I ended up with a Weatherby Altitude (6.5 crdm) and I'm happy with it. I think I would have been just as happpy with the Mesa or the Sako but the availability wasn't there. I have a soft spot for the .25-06 as well. If you do go with the quarterbore, get a 24" bbl. The .25-06 needs that extra 2" of bore to burn those medium speed powders efficiently and this really helps them shine in the accuracy department, IMHO. Let us know what you decide!

The 25-06 really shines in 26" pipe . I am getting 3275 fps with 115gr bergers and I am not even pushing it.

 

[YZ-80]

The 25-06 really shines in 26" pipe . I am getting 3275 fps with 115gr bergers and I am not even pushing it.

I'll bet it does! I'm pushing 115's at 2990 with a modest 50 grain charge of IMR 4831 out of my 24" bbl Cooper Jackson Game Rifle. I should probably push that a little bit more but most of my shots are under 300 yds., so I figure I'll baby it a little! Still makes does do back flips out to that distance!

 

[jjmp]

OP , read up on the blackjack 131grn .257 bullet already out and for sale, you'll need a 1/7.5 Or 1/7 twist bbl , many great barrel makers already making them , maybe you know , pick your action of all you've talked about would be great ,conture #4 through light Palma would rock !, good luck ,cheers !

 

[ducky]

Even with those 131 grain Black Jack bullets, I'd go 6mm ot 6.5mm before building another .257 caliber. Bullet choices just aren't there for the .25 cals yet, if you had 3-4 good options the .25 wouldn't be a bad choice. It still isnt a bad choice it just isnt the best.

 

[YZ-80]

OP , read up on the blackjack 131grn .257 bullet already out and for sale, you'll need a 1/7.5 Or 1/7 twist bbl , many great barrel makers already making them , maybe you know , pick your action of all you've talked about would be great ,conture #4 through light Palma would rock !, good luck ,cheers !

Very interesting. This might really make the .25-06 a bit less "marginal" (in many camps) for elk. I might consider having one of these built.

 

[jjmp]

There's a second new .257 Blackjack bullet in the works also , didn't you read he's dis/ in chanted with his 6.5 cm .

 

[FIGJAM]

Very interesting. This might really make the .25-06 a bit less "marginal" (in many camps) for elk. I might consider having one of these built.

My 25-06 is a hammer on elk . I think its one of those don't knock it till you've tried it things...

 

[Don A Parsons]

My friend in Northern BC Canada has been hunting Moose for years with his 25/06,,, don't tell anyone since that the land of big bore Grizzly Bears... Ha...

3rd largest Grizzly was taken up North of him... LOL.

Weigh out your options on what the long term goal of this cartridge would look like,,, then add 10 or 20% more oumpha behind it to be on the safe side...

I'd did a Wildcat 6.5 that's getting tested this year on Mule Deer,,, Elk,,, and Moose,,, I don't know how it's going to pan out till the freezer door is closed after the season raps up...

 

[Ross1147]

I'll bet it does! I'm pushing 115's at 2990 with a modest 50 grain charge of IMR 4831 out of my 24" bbl Cooper Jackson Game Rifle. I should probably push that a little bit more but most of my shots are under 300 yds., so I figure I'll baby it a little! Still makes does do back flips out to that distance!

YZ, I'm right at that exact speed with 49 grns of IMR 4350 and the 115 Berger. I found that load before I had a chrono. It really surprised me when I shot it over one. So slow compared to other people but man oh man does it knock the socks off of deer!

 

[IanCo]

My current 25/06 liked the IMR4831 with the old Hornady 117 inter-bonds, hammered some deer and coyotes with that load.
I think I might be leaning towards finding a nice light weight 25/06.