one of the yotes i shot this year with the 25-06 75gr vmax at 425yds+ hit him a little far back in the last few ribs and it was almost two pieces. Bullet placement wasnt all that important. I have 3 .243's, a 22-250, a .223, a .220swift and a 25-06 all of which i consider my varmint guns, i also have a .270, 2 30-30's, 7.62x39, 22 mag,and a 30-06 plus about 30 other guns. For some reason when i go hunting for varmint or deer or just about any other critter I always grab my 25-06. Truth is that in most of the country im not sure there is a better choice of rifle.