25-06 Rem in Africa

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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So this funny thing happened to me yesterday walk into my local gunshop and the two guys behind the counter are super friendly and I know something is up!!
They pull a brand new stainless 25-06 Howa 1500 with Hogue stock almost like above from the shelf and show it to me I said so what??

Then they tell me look at the price tag I had to look twice and could not belive the price tag. Told them listen guys 1 April is way gone by now then they start giggling like school girls.
So I ask what the hell is going on?
So the agent for Howa was geting rid of old stock that is not selling in calibres that is not moving in South Africa and 25-06 being one of them.
So what was the price?$440 for a brand new stainless rifle they got hold of 3 in the shop and the guys behind the counter took one each and they said I really need to take this one.

So with some very fast argument time with myself with pros and con I gave in and told them put my name on that one.

So here's my argument to meself.

Its light rifle easy to handle and carry up mountains.
I don't own a specific all weather rifle! That was a a big Pro!
This can shoot 120gr pills to around 3000fps perfect for longer shot and especially in mountains for the mountain species, Vaalie, mountain reedbuck and klipspringer as well as monkeys and baboons. Outperforms a 243 Win with 100gr bullets especially considering wind.
Then for flat areas springbuck, Blesbuck, Black wildebeest and gemsbuck. Wit a proper premium bullets it will take large game.

Yes I own a 6.5x55 but actually thats my son's rifle and also a 204 Ruger but that for varminting and just fun shooting.

So in the end I won the argument to myself if that makes any sense.

Basically my 7x57 was going to be my mountain rifle but with it being so great with the 160gr bullets at 2600fps in bushveld I'll stick to that and then go down to the 120gr bullet with the 25-06.

I'm going to top it with the same Zerotech scope 4-16 x 50 with Mildot as on my 7x57 which is great glass for the price.

Now for the long wait for firstly all the paperwork to get together for a new rifle license and secondly waiting for approval.
But that give time to get DIES, Brass and bullets together.

So what can you tell me about the 25-06 from your experience and you own???

@Frederik
You have just stolen a great rifle that usually give outstanding accuracy and if fantastic for a lot of plains game.
A 110 gn accubond at 3,100fps would be great but if you want a really good load especially if you hand load try a 100gn Barnes TTSX and 54gn of 2209/H4350 for 3,400 fps. This load will shoot flatter than a shit carters hat out to 400 yards and still be carrying more energy at that range than the 243 will be at 250 yards.
@One Day... Used a 257 Weatherby with 100gn TTSX at 3,500 fps and had one shot kills on his animals including several, wildebeest and kudu from memory.
A fast 25 is devastating on game with the right bullet.
You will not be disappointed with your decision, it will become your go to gun for most of your hunting.
My PH uses the 25-06 with 117-120 gn soft points on leopard with spectacular results. He has never had to shoot one twice.
Accuracy, speed and devastation on game what's not to like.
I'm a 25 & 35 tragic so what would I know.
Bob

 

[Frederik]

Thanks Bob,

I think when Spoor Bullet Company comes out with a 100gr .25 Cal bullet that will be my go to solid shank with bonded front bit what not to like and it will be long like the 117 or 120gr bullet.
But I have 200 rounds 100gr of green and yellow box ammo to play with first and break in the rifle.
My barrel is just short of 23" so doubt I will get very high velocities out of it but I am not planning to shoot game beyond 350 meters.

 

[BeeMaa]

When I think of using the 25-06 in Africa, I think of a cull or meat hunt where head and high-neck shots are the norm. Typically done by a very experienced shooter who’s completely “in-tune” with their equipment and capabilities. Not to mention having extensive knowledge of African animal anatomy.

Is it a good hunting cartridge, sure. But I can think of three or four that I’d rather have when considering a PG hunt than a 25-06.

 

[Fatback]

My 25-06 will be moslty used for plains animals springbuck, black wildebeest and mountain animals like mountain reedbuck, vaalie and mountain reedbuck.
Will also be culling with it for meat on headshots in thicker stuff.
I have other rifles that will do the job for other hunts.

It should work perfectly for that application.

 

[One Day...]

Hello Frederik;

Bob Nelson 35Whelen is right, I have acquired great confidence in the .257 Wby 100 gr TTSX in Africa, to the point that it is now my default caliber/load on virtually all PG and MG (Mountain Game).

I had 100% perfect results from Klipspringer to Roan, although, in all honesty, I would restrict my shots to behind-the-shoulder double-lung/heart shots on the big stuff (e.g. Sable, Roan, Greater Kudu, etc.), and I prefer to bolt the .300 Wby 165 gr TTSX barrel for a dedicated hunt on these just so that I could take a longuish quartering shot through tough shoulder or hip bones, if the new world record trophy was about to crest a distant ridge.

Here is the link to my test hunt with the .257 Wby 100 gr TTSX:

Thread 'SOUTH AFRICA: A Return To Huntershill Safaris - Even Better Than Last Year!'

Aug 10, 2019

As many of you know, I had gone to Huntershill in August 2018 for a plains game 12 days / 14 animals hunt. At the time I was just a client, and I had a fantastic time. I posted a report on the hunt on AH (https://www.africahunting.com/threa...faris-august-2018-plains-game-paradise.45017/).

During my two weeks at Huntershill in 2018 I developed a friendship with Greg Harvey the owner, and Jason Olivier, the Head PH, as well as the entire crew. Maybe it is me - I do not show up in camp with preset expectations, I avoid like the plague “guiding the guide,”...

• One Day...
• Replies: 97
• Forum: Hunting reports Africa

• 

 

[Odinsraven]

They work got a steal on that one...perfect for most plainsgame have used one culling Springbok Impala Besbok etc worked everytime.....

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Monday we will double check the barrel twist on the rifles at the shop and then the search for bullets and cases will start.

I take it IMR4350 and similar is the powder to us to load on this calibre?

Thanks all it was a tough intense argument but glad it worked out.

@Freder

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

H4831SC will be your friend in this cartridge.

@375er
H4831sc is a great powder for heavier bullets but I found Hodgon superformance gave me higher velocity and better accuracy.
In my 25 it has similar case capacity as the 25-06 I found by substituting superformance for H4831sc at the same charge weight I got up to 200fps more velocity for the same charge weight, better accuracy and similar pressure.
WARNING THIS INFORMATION WAS WORKED UP IN MY RIFLE ALWAYS USE STARTING LOADS AND WORK UP WATCHING FOR PRESSURE SIGNS.
You will not find this information in the reloading books but a phonecall to Hogdon said you could use the same charge weight as 4831sc BUT not to exceed the max charge.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The 257WBY is the big brother to the 25-06 and both have an incredible history in Africa.

The best thing about the 25-06 is it's "right sized" case where it doesn't shoot a two foot flame out the end of the barrel like the Weatherby...not to mention the added recoil. You made a good decision.

The 25-06 with 100 grain Barnes TTSX has the ability to take all manner of PG, up to and including eland and giraffe with proper shot placement. Insert frozen herring joke here.

Is a .257 caliber ideal for this? IMO - I'd like something a little bigger for the larger PG species, but if you are well practiced theres no reason you can't use it.

@BeeMaa
Dang man you could even use it for DG. That good ol boy Roy Weatherby shot hissef a rhino with his 257 so it must be DG compatible.
Just not in my book. Limit it to appropriate size game and your fine. It's the last thing I would use on DG .
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I also relied on Reloader 22 in the 2506.

American gun writer John Barness is also a fan of the 25-06. He wrote about using 120 grain Remington Core Lokts on a cull hunt and being very impressed with the results on game. He was reviewing a Heym straight pull bolt action at the time in Europe.

@Ruraldoc
John also complained about over shooting game until he got used to the flat trajectory of the 25-06. He also had a HR single shot break action that would group 0.5" groups he would never part with. His write up in his big book of fun GACK is a great read about his e
Bob

 

[Jack Stevens]

What make of rifle would the 25-06 gurus here recommend as the most accurate current-production rifle for use in the field? Not looking for a 12lb heavy barreled, thick-stocked bench rifle, but suitable one for all-day carry that shoots sub-MOA with factory ammo.

Thanks.

 

[JimP]

I love my Weatherby Vanguard, that is made by Howa.

My first 4 shots ever out of it when I sighted it in were touching each other and that was with Hornady factory ammo.

 

[112Savage]

I only used 100gr sierra SBT, 117 sierra SBT, and 115 Berger VLD.
For whitetail in Southwestern Virginia my longest shot was less than 300yds and exit wounds were not common. My last load was a max load of Retumbo (Berger manual) and 115 Berger at 3200 fps from the 26” barrel. I also used H4831SC and H4350 but at that point in life I was trying to push velocity as much as possible. I think now days I would use the LRX or the partition for African game. It’s not going to bounce off.

 

[Ruraldoc]

I have had three half moa 25s.

A Stainless Synthetic Remington M700

A Walnut Blue Weatherby Vanguard

A Stainless Synthetic Steyr SBS

All would shoot great with factory ammunition

 

[CBH Australia]

What make of rifle would the 25-06 gurus here recommend as the most accurate current-production rifle for use in the field? Not looking for a 12lb heavy barreled, thick-stocked bench rifle, but suitable one for all-day carry that shoots sub-MOA with factory ammo.

Thanks.

A Tikka would possibly meet that requirement. Most of them shoot well and with a handload worked up for the rifle you should be able to meet your goal of 1/2 moa

 

[Jack Stevens]

I love my Weatherby Vanguard, that is made by Howa.

My first 4 shots ever out of it when I sighted it in were touching each other and that was with Hornady factory ammo.

Plus, the Weatherby VG appears to be a light-weight rig.

 

[pilar]

What make of rifle would the 25-06 gurus here recommend as the most accurate current-production rifle for use in the field? Not looking for a 12lb heavy barreled, thick-stocked bench rifle, but suitable one for all-day carry that shoots sub-MOA with factory ammo.

Thanks.

In college I bought a Remington 700 25-06 @ a gun show with a leupold fixed 6x
Guy said it’s a shooter, and it was ! 1st 3 117gr I shot out of it where clover leaf .
Unfortunately I was a broke college student and sold it to a buddy who was impressed with it shooting a ragged holes
25-06 is GTG on plains game up to kudo imo , my buddy did 4-5 safari in Tanzania & Zambia, Mozambican with a .25 and nosler partition , leopard- kudos