Wanting New Rifle in 25 or 6.5

[newmexkid]

If you don't reload...Stay with what you have. A 25.06AI shooting the 131 gr. Blackjack bullet at 3150-3200 fps is serious medicine. It would need a barrel with either 7:25 or 7:50 twist. Guys are already hunting with the current BJ bullet. They are also going to have a 131 gr. "hunting' bullet. I had my .25 built specifically for the BJ bullet and I don't need or want any other bullet choice. Now, if they only made a 6.5 bullet for my 6.5-06AI I would be a very happy camper

 

[mindcrime]

Between the ones mentioned, I prefer the 25-06 hands down, loaded with Barnes 115 Hybrids. X-Bullets for ELK.

Personally, when comparing a 25 cal to a 6.5, why don't you completely jump ship to the 280 Ackley!

 

[skipglo]

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?

P.S. The Browning X bolt SAs are great guns...but maybe also consider Weatherby 257...you can get into a Stainless Vanguard for a very reasonable price

 

[fmuguira]

Barrett makes a 5 3/4# Fieldcraft in 25-06. 9 twist so should help with heavier bullets. If you want to plan ahead for 131 Blackjacks and other high BC bullets possibly coming then you ll probably have to go custom to get that much twist.

Someone mentioned 6.5x55; I ve got the Fieldcraft in that with 8 twist. Sweet rig.

 

[Randall Ketchum]

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?

I have a 25/06 number 1 ruger heavy barrel taken down mule's at 600 yards

 

[Brad7348]

I just went through the same thing. Needed room in the safe for a new rifle I just bought, so my first precision rifle (6.5x47) was chosen as the sacrificial lamb. Rather than selling it I decided to pull it apart, save the action and eventually rebuild it in a different caliber later on, so I don't suffer from separation anxiety. You should at least do that with your savage so you have a little piece of your first rifle. If you decided to re-barrel the savage you do have some options since it is a log action. I think I would lean toward the 6.5x284 if you are a re-loader. Its fast, super accurate and they are making heavier longer bullets for the hotter 6.5s now. It will work with your current bolt. It just makes sense. Also I tend to gravitate toward cartridges where 1. I dont have to fire form brass. 2. I can get Lapua Brass. 3. Cartridge design already has steep shoulder angles not requiring an AI variant. (So I dont have to fire form...ugh) For 2 of these three reasons I chose to build my long range rifle chambered in 7mm SAUM. (Wish I could get Lapua brass for that). I like the new PRC cartridge too. One thing to note, I had to deal with some cambering issues with the SAUM so I would expect to have to slightly tweak the magazine and follower if you want to shoot hand loaded "long" projectiles in one. The short action mags are just a bit funny shape to cycle, but if you dont mind fiddling with it its not too bad. They tend to prefert to chamber from the center so plan to install a center feed mag. You also may be limited to two rounds in the mag well on the short magnums unless you go detachable. But that's ok, most of us only need one bullet to get the job done. Right?

 

[teckjoe]

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?

All around hunting 308 or 270.

 

[Bruce Hall]

I have a WSM in 7mm, I love this gun. It is a stock Montana Rifle and has dropped many a Elk and whitetail for me. For longer range with a short action or brush busting there are so many bullet's and so little time.

 

[RogerE]

I have a 25/06 number 1 ruger heavy barrel taken down mule's at 600 yards

I own a couple of 6.5 .284 Savage...I never really considered them to be used for hunting anything larger than a mule deer, but last year found myself in a situation with elk at 292 ranged yds and killed a 6x6 bull and a cow that was approx. 30 yds further with single shot kills...the cow collapsed immediately, the bull took 2 steps and 45 seconds to fall. I was shooting 129 grain Accubonds, and was very pleased/surprised at the performance.

 

[mtnman5280]

FYI - I've got a 25/284 looking for a new home. Posted in guns for sale.

 

[CVCOBRA1]

Have a Tikka 3x coming in .260 with 8 twist. Been a Sako fan for years and after reading all the good things about the Tikka I couldn't resist. Affordable, slick action, good trigger and accurate. Will wring it out once I make up my mind on optics and get it broke in.

 

[DSheetz]

Keep your Savage 25-06 and have the barrel turned to a different taper then cut back to 24" and put a new stock on it . I had a Savage in 6.5x284 with a 9 twist 26" barrel that liked Nosler 120 grn factory loads and at 600 yrds would put 10 rounds in a 3 " group .At 1000 yrds it would put them in a 12 " group . When I retired from predator control I gave it to my predecessor .

 

[TravisLH]

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?

Personally I would go with a Bergara or Savage, out of the box they are 2 of the most accurate rifle makers. On caliber I'd lean towards on of the two 6.5s, nothing wrong with a 25/06 but the bullet selection for 6.5s is hard to ignore.

 

[IanCo]

I would add Fierce, Christensen, to your list of guns and
.270 wsm to calibers...just me

I've started looking at the Christensen and I'll check out the Fierce. I'm going to skip the 270 wsm for now, even though I recommend to everyone that wants something smaller than the 30 cal mags. I just had a 7 built last year so I really don't have much use for the 270 wsm right now.

 

[Goodtobetheking]

I have a Browning Xbolt Hell's Canyon Long Range in 6.5 Creedmoor with a Leupold VX 3i that has performed flawlessly with 143 ELDx handloads. I would recommend highly.

I saw one of these in a local shop but in 7mm Rem Mag. Probably should have picked it up. Been debating how much difference I would notice, and at what range, between the synthetic stocked Hell's Canyon and the Xbolt Pro with a "carbon" stock.