25-06 vs 30-06 and why?

[06caurru]

Ok, I have both a 25-06 and a 30-06. Both are 22" barreled. Since I've been reloading for a couple years now, I have been wondering why one would choose the 25-06 with a 100-117gr bullet going 3200-3300fps ( upper loads in Lee Manual) instead of a 30-06 with a 130gr bullet going 3200fps (upper load Lee Manual) for deer and antelope?

I always hear about how 'flat-shooting' the 25-06 is, and understand that, but I'd have to venture to guess a lighter weight bullet traveling at a good clip out of the 30-06 would also have a flatter trajectory, as well as pack more energy as it'd be carrying a few more grains of bullet weight. Am I missing something? I must be. Can someone please explain the science to me as I'm a little slow….?

 

[dnb86]

Better BC with the 25-06 at that weight and just like the 6.5 crowd there is a 25cal fan boy crowd as well. Nothing wrong with either set up just personal preference. Both will kill just fine

 

[RB II]

Well, I have about 15 rifles, from 223 up to 300 PRC and there is a LOT of overlap in "coverage". I load some heavy and also light. 6 Creedmore with 70 weight for PD/varmints and 103 grain for larger targets. 6.5-284 with 99 Hammer for antelope and 143 for deer. 28 Nosler with 169 Hammers, 180 VLD-H and 195 EOL-EH. And the list goes on. I like having rifles for specific tasks but also like loading for multiple uses. I shoot them more like that.

 

[cajun]

Better BC with the 25-06 at that weight and just like the 6.5 crowd there is a 25cal fan boy crowd as well. Nothing wrong with either set up just personal preference. Both will kill just fine

The berger 115 gr has a bc of .483
The berger 155 has .464
Not that much difference. I'll take the 30 cal 155.

 

[Barrelnut]

25-06 does better in that varmints to deer category with bullets that go down to about 75 gr. (which scream in a 25-06). The 25-06 tends to have less recoil since it typically only works with bullets up to 120.
Deer to Elk? 30-06 would definitely be better.

 

[dnb86]

The berger 115 gr has a bc of .483
The berger 155 has .464
Not that much difference. I'll take the 30 cal 155.

He was referring to 130gr in 30cal not 155

 

[cajun]

He was referring to 130gr in 30cal not 155

I get it. But it's all relative. The 25 is a good antelope deer round. The 06 gives you more options for elk and bigger game. Personally I'll take anything 7mm over either.

 

[06caurru]

How about a 110 or 125gr bullet out of the 30-06? I understand the BCs would probably be even less, but it'd be comparing more apples to apples in weight-wise. If one found a monolithic bullet in 110gr for the 30-06, would you use that over the 25-06?

 

[FEENIX]

How about a 110 or 125gr bullet out of the 30-06? I understand the BCs would probably be even less, but it'd be comparing more apples to apples in weight-wise. If one found a monolithic bullet in 110gr for the 30-06, would you use that over the 25-06?

No!

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

How about a 110 or 125gr bullet out of the 30-06? I understand the BCs would probably be even less, but it'd be comparing more apples to apples in weight-wise. If one found a monolithic bullet in 110gr for the 30-06, would you use that over the 25-06?

Stubby bullets in rifles don't tend to do well over distance. They slow down like they have a parachute on and get blown around by any real wind. I run mid weight and heavy bullets in rifles. It's fun to run a 120gr. 7mm at 4K fps but when you can't hit squat with it past a couple hundred yards it's useless. I've got plenty of pistols if I want to play around with stubby bullets at short range.

As far as 25-06 vs. 30-06 the answer is either... I've killed with both and both poke holes in stuff.
I am partial to 7mm's and 30's though.

 

[coop2564]

Recoil is a factor many would choose the 25-06 over the 30-06 also. I personally shoot 130gr Barnes in my 30-06 for deer size game and 165gr barnes for elk and bigger game. So, I sold my 25-06, the 130gr load is close in everything the 25-06 did, I'm getting 3220fps. With today's bullets I just see no need for 25, 270 etc in the 06 case. The 30-06 can be loaded to cover what they do. Might not be quite as efficient, but really close for me at hunting ranges.