Stevens Model 200 .25-06

[Larry in SD]

Just this past week I put a Stevens Model 200 .25-06 on lay a way at a local pawn shop. It appears to have been shot very little. In looking over this .25-06 I believe it is the newer center feed version.

I have had a few people tell me that a .25-06 from a 22" barrel does not perform much if any better than a .243. I would like you opinion on that statement.

Thanks

Larry

[keith1]

I have been shooting a Savage 20/06 now for about a year and really like it. I don't shoot many groups as I don't shoot of a bench but the groups that I have shot are all under an inch. For sure a longer barrel will produce more speed if that is what you want.

I would imagine that rifle would shoot as well as mine.

Regards, Keith

[snowgetter1]

It will be good. I did part mine out and replaced the barrel with a Savage 26" varmint barrel. It shoots very well and is my go to deer rifle.

[Larry in SD]

Thanks for the replies. This will be my first go with a .25-06. I have hunted and handloaded for the .223, .243, 6mm, .270, .280 & .30-06 for many years but never a .25-06. I am kind of excited to try out a new cartridge I have never worked with before.

Larry

[stomp442]

25-06 and a 115 grain berger is about as deadly as you can get in my opinion. Great caliber with fantastic terminal performance.

[LHitchcox]

Even with a 22 inch barrel, the .25-06 has a muzzle velocity of 3300 fps with a 100 grain bullet. A .243 cannot match that. Plus you have the option of a 115-120 grain bullet going close to 3100 fps which is close to the velocity of a .243 using a 100 grain bullet. I have had more DRTs with the .25-06 than anything else.

[big honkin jeep]

The Savage 110 22" sporter in 25-06 is a fantastic hunting rig. I worked an old flatback over for my youngest son topped it with an elite 3200 and gave it to him at about age 10 or 11 and he still hunts with it to this day as a grown man. I had a decent load worked up for it (IMR 4350) but then found out it's stupid accurate with RL22 WLR primers and 110gr accubonds and gets a little better velocity with the RL22. It shoots dead center bullseye and you can completely cover a 5 shot group at 100 with a dime. He usually hunts a green field stand with a crossing with lots of activity at about an honest 250yds, it drops em at that distance like the hammer of Thor, and the shot goes exactly where he intended. It's light weight, has minimal recoil, super accurate and powerful what's not to love? I cant say my accutriggered model 110FP in 25-06 with the heavy 24" barrel is anymore accurate or deadly than his old flatback sporter. PS. It definitely hits harder than a .243, That's why I initially chose it.

[shagerott]

New ER Shaw 24-inch factory contour barrel on a regular Savage 110 LA and composite stock. It was comfortable to shoot with factory loads, Remington 120gr PSP. Five shots in a row with about 1 minute gaps and it was pretty warm. Tested it before I got a chronograph so I don't have a recorded velocity with that Rem load. IMHO - have a 243 and really like the 25-06 too.

[Larry in SD]

Thanks again guys. You guys are great.

Larry

[Maztech89]

If I had to only own 1 caliber as a moose to mouse gun it would be my 25-06. Mine is all stock other than a modified trigger and a stiffened forearm in the factory plastic stock which has been fully free floated. I shoot 75 grain Hornady Vmax for coyote and ground hogs at 3400 FPS at 1650' elevation. I've shot 5 shot groups sub 1/4" center to center on random good days, but consistent sub half MOA. It shoots the 75 grain Hornady Varmint bullets almost as good but not quite.

My load (well actually my buddy's who set it up for previous owner) is 55.0gr IMR 4350, fed 210 primer, Rem brass, and seated into the lands pretty hard to where the marks on a sharpied bullet are square, as long as the lands are wide. It flattens primers but they always seem loose is Rem brass and bolt lift is normal with no ejector mark. I do back off a half grain when it is really hot out but I don't have to to feel safe.

Saturday I'll continue working a load with the 117 SST, my random small testing last weekend had them all in an inch but I was at book seating depth, more getting a feel for how much powder it wants was all I was doing with my limited time.

Here it is with ugly paint job and one with coyoteTLR red light.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f108/maztech89/9569D257-2B3F-40A6-B446-9919B7272EEE-1979-0000065BDACE2D52_zpsd9b7f159.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f108/maztech89/5590DA62-2C0F-4E89-92D1-1CFD78574919-1979-0000065C261FE5C3_zpsdea85aec.jpg

[snowgetter1]

Just shot two deer this weekend with my 25-06 new load and it was a hammer. 115gr nosler partition One at 30 yards and one at 140 yards, both just reared up and dropped dead with good broadside vitals shots. I was very impressed.

[Larry in SD]

Once again thanks a bunch guys. I wouldn't call that paint job on your rifle ugly. I think it looks pretty good.

Larry

[Mach2]

Just shot two deer this weekend with my 25-06 new load and it was a hammer. 115gr nosler partition One at 30 yards and one at 140 yards, both just reared up and dropped dead with good broadside vitals shots. I was very impressed.

At 30 yards! If you had waited a second or two longer you could have just wrestled the deer to the ground.

[jonsrm125k5]

Look up some old articles from Bob Milek, that was when I decided to get one. Guy shot elk at 200+ yards. Consistently... Should tell you what you need to know (way above a .243, not in size but a 30-06 carries more powder than a 308). I have one in a Remington 700 CDL, and it works awesome. Just for fun it's going to be Ackley Improved. And those 115 Nosler's are a blast. Got a muley last year in Idaho running down a ridge, quartering away. He jumped up in front of me, ran 250-ish paces away and it hit him right where it was aimed. Yes it was a neck shot right behind and below the head (luck), but I haven't gut shot a deer. Missed few, hit a few.

[Larry in SD]

Back when I first started hunting with Speciality Pistols back in 1982 I talked to Bob Milek many times on the phone. He was a great guy and very knowledgeable. I'll have to see if I have any articles by him on the .25-06.

Larry

[jeffman3]

My wife shoots a 25-06 Savage. Sub 3/4 min groups are the norm. I load a 90 grain Sierra HPBT for her to hunt deer with and it drops deer like they were hit by lighting! Don't let the 2" of barrel concern you! It will drop 'um where they stand if you can do your part!

Just my input,

jeffman3

[wlleven]

My Remington 25-06 Sendero is a rocket. I have only used it on long shots at varmints, and the results are bang/poof !

I have used 100gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, but mostly Winchester factory 90gr HP's, when the 90gr'ers hit it is like a bomb going off !


wll

[jonsrm125k5]

Try the 115 noslers they put in the black box supreme. Little boogers knock deer, elk, and as many people will testify, even black bear. 30-06 was a good round, but the .25 and .27s dont have high SD's. They don't leave your target. And the 85 grain supremes smack coyotes like a 308 with a 110gr in it. This thing will meet you halfway, each and every time.