25-06 AI

[rottie]

We have a trip to SA planned for next April.
We will be hunting Gemsbock,Kudu and some other smaller antelope species.
I am shooting a real tack driver in a 25-06 AI,it drives a 115 Nosler Partition at a chronographed velocity of 3297. This gives it 1397 ft-lbs at 400 yards

My question is to those that have more experience than I,will this combination work on the above animals,or will I be undergunned ?

Thxs guys

 

[sestoppelman]

A few years ago an editor of one of the glossy gun mags killed a 60" kudu with the .257 Roberts using factory 120gr Nosler Partitions if memory serves. I believe he only shot once, maybe twice, but dead kudu. Gemsbuck can be tough, but all will run if poorly hit regardless the caliber. It would not be my first choice but if you shoot it well from sticks and field positions, I think your combo will do fine. Be sure and run it by your outfitter for his opinion too. Good luck!!

 

[enysse]

I think it's a little light, but if you pick your shots you will be okay. Study the anatomy charts and aim for the double lung shot.

 

[rottie]

Thanks guys,I will be running it by the Outfitter and start to study those charts. I can get well under 1 inch groups off a bi pod,stick shooting practice has just started. I still need some work on it

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

A kid hunting with his dad that was in our group in June killed a Gemsbok with the garden variety 25-06 and I think 120gr projectiles of some sorts. I think the shot was some 200 yards plus too. As much as I love the partition, in that caliber for those species I'd prefer an A-Frame, NorthFork or TSX/TTSX.

I too think the caliber is a bit light for that big a critter. I also think a .308Win is too light for Eland, but I allowed my son to kill one with his....so go figure.

 

[rottie]

How would I be for animals under the Gemsbock and Kudu size,
Here is a list of what we will be chasing Kudu,Gemsbock,Wildebeest,Springbock,Blesbuck,and Steenbuck,how would it work on the others

 

[Wheels]

Thanks guys,I will be running it by the Outfitter and start to study those charts. I can get well under 1 inch groups off a bi pod,stick shooting practice has just started. I still need some work on it

Running it by the outfitter is probably a great idea. Good luck on the hunt.

 

[rottie]

Thxs Wheels,we are really looking foreword to it. It will be the first international hunt. I have being lucky and harvested a wide variety of Alberta game,now its time to play else where

 

[sestoppelman]

Wildebeest are notoriously tough, the others not so much. You might consider using the PH's rifle for the wilde unless he carries a .458 Lott! Many just carry an '06 for backup on PG.

 

[Bobpuckett]

rottie Welcome to AH! the 25-06 is a little light but if the shot placement is good then it'll do the job. But I do agree with Phil, Barnes has a 115 grain TSX bullet try those out in your 25-06 I think they'll work much better and I know they stay together better and the more wieght the bullet retains the better the penetration. and Ses is right for the Wildebeest borrow the PH's Rifle for those buggers I perfer the 30-06 or bigger.

 

[rottie]

rottie Welcome to AH! the 25-06 is a little light but if the shot placement is good then it'll do the job. But I do agree with Phil, Barnes has a 115 grain TSX bullet try those out in your 25-06 I think they'll work much better and I know they stay together better and the more wieght the bullet retains the better the penetration.

Thank you Bob I will try the TSX bullet,if it doesnt group I may have to re think the choice in firearms. Its just that its the most accurate firearm I own.
Looks like I have some thinking to do,I would like to thank all you guys for your input and advice

 

[enysse]

There is nothing wrong with bringing two guns. Wildebeest do have a reputation. I sometimes think accuracy can be a little overrated. A 2-3 inch group will kill most animals anyway. And that is tighter than most people can shoot under pressure. I care to bet plenty of people shoot + 4 inch groups. I'm just pointing out observations.

 

[rottie]

Just ordered some TTSX,now the fun of working up a new load

 

[rottie]

There is nothing wrong with bringing two guns. Wildebeest do have a reputation. I sometimes think accuracy can be a little overrated. A 2-3 inch group will kill most animals anyway. And that is tighter than most people can shoot under pressure. I care to bet plenty of people shoot + 4 inch groups. I'm just pointing out observations.

If my 25-06 AI load development doesnt work out then a different rifle is in order. If it does and my outfitter thinks its too light then I will have to put personel preferences aside and look at something else.

I will talk to my hunting partner,maybe we can get enough of a difference in calibers that we have all our basis covered.

Ego makes me want to use my own firearms,but I just may well have to put it aside and use the partners if he packs a heavier caliber

Thxs again guys

 

[Wheels]

A 2-3 inch group will kill most animals anyway. And that is tighter than most people can shoot under pressure. I care to bet plenty of people shoot + 4 inch groups. I'm just pointing out observations.

Ditto

When the PH's get together to talk I bet they wish their average hunter could hit an area the size of a dinner plate at 150 yards. It would make their lives a lot easier. I know I have made them work way to hard before.

rottie, if you can hit 3 moa off sticks at 200 yards with the 25-06 you will have a good hunt and your ph will be happy with you.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Wildebeest are notoriously tough, the others not so much. You might consider using the PH's rifle for the wilde unless he carries a .458 Lott! Many just carry an '06 for backup on PG.

+1 on that comment. I hit my Blue Wildebeest with a 250gr North Fork out of my .375. The bull left a blood train Stevie Wonder could follow. The impact side of the bull was just covered in frothy pink bubbly blood. And still he went a 100 yards or so.

Still I think the .25-06 can handle it with the proper bullet and placement as always Best of luck with the TTSX. My relationship with those has been up and down. Currently it's up with a .300H&H I've just started working on. Pay attention to copper fouling in your barrel. If it's excessive, don't be surprised if your groups open.

 

[rottie]

+1 on that comment. I hit my Blue Wildebeest with a 250gr North Fork out of my .375. The bull left a blood train Stevie Wonder could follow. The impact side of the bull was just covered in frothy pink bubbly blood. And still he went a 100 yards or so.

Still I think the .25-06 can handle it with the proper bullet and placement as always Best of luck with the TTSX. My relationship with those has been up and down. Currently it's up with a .300H&H I've just started working on. Pay attention to copper fouling in your barrel. If it's excessive, don't be surprised if your groups open.

Do you feel that there is that much difference between the TTSX and the Partition. I only have experience with the partition.

Shooting wise the rifle is a Cooper model 52,it will group 3 shots into 1 ragged hole. The field position practice has begun,both bi pod and stick are how I am practicing now.

Any tips on how to use sticks properly,again I am proficient off a bi pod,but free hand and sticks are something I have done very little of

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Do you feel that there is that much difference between the TTSX and the Partition. I only have experience with the partition.

Shooting wise the rifle is a Cooper model 52,it will group 3 shots into 1 ragged hole. The field position practice has begun,both bi pod and stick are how I am practicing now.

Any tips on how to use sticks properly,again I am proficient off a bi pod,but free hand and sticks are something I have done very little of

The knock against the partition is it sheds the front portion off as it travels through the animal. I don't know why it's a knock as that is exactly what it was designed to do. The intent is that the smaller rear portion with now less frontal surface area will continue to penetrate. Mostly from my experience it does this very well.

The TTSX is designed to expand creating something of an "X" but maintaining most of it's weight. This of course means retention of momentum, but with a larger surface area thus reducing speed more quickly and stopping the bullet sooner.

So who wins? Well from what I've read the bullets that hold their mass eventually win out. Since you're shooting a smaller caliber against fairly large animals, I'm more inclined to take the weight retaining bullets.

If you were shooting a .300 Win Mag with 180gr Partitions, I would not concern myself in the least. I've knocked down elk and a Shiras moose using my 7mm Rem Mag and 160gr Partitions with little problem. But in the end we're talking about a .25-06 and much lighter bullets, so I'm more inclined to shoot the weight retaining bullets.

On the sticks I prefer in medium calibers or smaller to leave my forward (left) hand off the rifle as much as possible. Just use a finger or two to help steady the rifle. Let the sticks do their job. So I kind of grab the sticks just below the notch using my forefinger as a horizontal steady. I try to shoot the same way off the bench too in order to minimize changes in point of impact.

No doubt in my mind a rifle can change it's point of impact with changes in how it's held/rested at the front. Other than that, just keep practicing. Don't be afraid to do your own thing that feels best for you. Some prefer 3 legged sticks, others two. Whatever works best for you is what you should do.

 

[rottie]

The knock against the partition is it sheds the front portion off as it travels through the animal. I don't know why it's a knock as that is exactly what it was designed to do. The intent is that the smaller rear portion with now less frontal surface area will continue to penetrate. Mostly from my experience it does this very well.

The TTSX is designed to expand creating something of an "X" but maintaining most of it's weight. This of course means retention of momentum, but with a larger surface area thus reducing speed more quickly and stopping the bullet sooner.

So who wins? Well from what I've read the bullets that hold their mass eventually win out. Since you're shooting a smaller caliber against fairly large animals, I'm more inclined to take the weight retaining bullets.

If you were shooting a .300 Win Mag with 180gr Partitions, I would not concern myself in the least. I've knocked down elk and a Shiras moose using my 7mm Rem Mag and 160gr Partitions with little problem. But in the end we're talking about a .25-06 and much lighter bullets, so I'm more inclined to shoot the weight retaining bullets.

On the sticks I prefer in medium calibers or smaller to leave my forward (left) hand off the rifle as much as possible. Just use a finger or two to help steady the rifle. Let the sticks do their job. So I kind of grab the sticks just below the notch using my forefinger as a horizontal steady. I try to shoot the same way off the bench too in order to minimize changes in point of impact.

No doubt in my mind a rifle can change it's point of impact with changes in how it's held/rested at the front. Other than that, just keep practicing. Don't be afraid to do your own thing that feels best for you. Some prefer 3 legged sticks, others two. Whatever works best for you is what you should do.

Thanks again.
I have used the 25-06 AI on a cow moose last fall at maybe 300-325 yards,standing broadside I hit her 3 times as fast as I could work the bolt. All three bullets (115 part )made it to the skin on the far side then stopped. This is the reason I was hoping to use it over seas.

Rest wise the bi pod doesnt seem to affect it too much, but with the sticks I am still figureing out how to use them effectively to tell if its my shooting,or just poor technique,hoping more trigger time will sort that out.

All you guys have made some good points and its appreciated.
I have some thinking and practice to do. I may need to invest in a heavier caliber,kinda a nice way to justify another gun

 

[FerRGarza]

Ditto
When the PH's get together to talk I bet they wish their average hunter could hit an area the size of a dinner plate at 150 yards. It would make their lives a lot easier.

Yup, with you on that one. Have had clients miss paper plates at 75yrds...however a few lessons on trigger squeeze, not pull jerk and flinch got them on their way. I believe that if able to correctly place a lethal shot, 25-06 would be sufficient for plains game.