"Effective Range" .25-06

[Dgutter]

I'm about to start some serious yote hunting but wanted to get some thoughts on how far should be my limit on taking shots on yotes and bobcat. I shoot a .25-06 that I handload for. 1st load is an 85gr. nosler varmint ballistic tip at about 3200fps muzzle velocity. I only have about 20 rounds or so of this load before I run out. The 2nd load I have developed is a 115gr. Berger VLD moving approximately 3040fps at the muzzle. They both hold roughly 3/4 MOA or less. So what would be the effective killing range on yotes and bobcats with these loads? I'm planning on taking a shotgun with 00 or may be T for short range. Thoughts?

 

[MTWS525]

Hi from a noobie. I have an improved .25-06 which scares the heck out of .257 wby. velocities with a selected load using 117 VLD. That combo will kill coyotes just as far as you can hit them. I have numerous dogs over 700................lots of misses too! Good luck!

 

[oakflat]

Yep, just about as far as you can hit them, keeping in mind to shoot to your reasonable accurate range. I use one of the new 90 grain Sierra Blitz King these days in my 25-06 at about 3300 fps and it is really accurate out to 500 yards not to mention being devestating to the target. Good luck.

 

[struff55]

My rig kimber Select 25-06 4.5x 14 x44 ziess load is 52.5 gr imr 4831 100gr nos. B.P. 3200 fps i have many kills between 350-400yds with a few in the 450 range many misses as well Bushnell elite 1500 rangefinder.

 

[Catahoula]

If you are skinning coyotes I would use 75 gr. Sierra HP's or the Sierra 100 MK. Very accurate and mostly fur friendly. If not skinning then the Hornady 75 V-Max or a Nosler BT makes for a very DEAD coyote.
Good luck, Kirk

 

[sp6x6]

Im shooting 85 BT OUT OF MY 257WBY. I shot one last year at 570 w/ my 223 69 gr,smk

 

[SBruce]

Yep, just about as far as you can hit them, keeping in mind to shoot to your reasonable accurate range. I use one of the new 90 grain Sierra Blitz King these days in my 25-06 at about 3300 fps and it is really accurate out to 500 yards not to mention being devestating to the target. Good luck.

+1,

The 25-06 has plenty of power to cleany take a coyote as far as you can hit one, especially with the 115 grn bullets. Still has plenty of energy and velocity at 1/2 mile and further.

The key, is how tight are your groups at 1/2 mile??? The maximum distance should be tied closely to how far can I reliably hit an 8" diameter plate with my 1st shot. Because coyotes don't usually stand around for us long enough to get a 2nd shot.

PS, a 6" diameter plate would be better, 8" isn't leaving any wiggle room.

 

[orch]

Hey there...

I took 3 or 4 yotes last year with 100gr sierra mk's @ 3050 fps between 700 to 750 yards none of them made it more than 20 yards before piling up...

Since then the gun was rebarrelled to 25-06 ackley imp and is pushing 115gr Berger vld's @ 3340 fps... Shot one last weekend at 680yrds broadside and the bullet passed through both shoulders exiting leaving a hole the size of my fist....
Pretty sure the vld's got at least a few hundred more yards left in 'em but they aren't the most fur friendly.... They also group spectacular, I can get sub 1/2 MOA routinely and have had the odd sub 1/4 MOA groups at 1000 yards

Figure you should be good to go out to at least 700 to 800 with the vld's at your velocity if they shoot well in your rig....

Orch

Oh... And like some of the other guys.... I've had my share of misses at those ranges too....