How effective is the 25-06 with either of these bullets?

[JimP]

I think that the problem would be if you don't kill it with a brain shot the odd are it is going to go into the water, and I doubt that you could find a tracker willing to go in after it. I have seen shows where they shoot hippos in the water with brain shots also but the gases in their stomachs quickly bloat the animal and he floats to the surface for a easy recovery with a boat, that croc may just sink to the bottom and never come back up.

I don't know if you have ever watched Swamp People on the TV here in the US but when they are sniping alligators with high power rifles they use a very large weighted treble hook with a line attached to hook the gators in the skin to get him up off of the bottom of the water and up to the boat.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

I've never traveled to Africa yet, so I can't comment from firsthand experience. And although I lived and worked in rural SE Louisiana I never went gator hunting, and those in the know informed me you could get in serious trouble with the game warden for shooting even near alligators under 4 feet long. Those were to be reported for relocation to a gator arm. Above 4 feet they were legally considered enough of a hazard. I know the gator that took up residence in our pond for a while was maybe 3 feet long tops, and I know it disappeared with neighbors who had cats and some little long haired dachsund cross.

But I found this, detailing getting the projectile into the vitals from a full broadside presentation or a CNS neck shot. And .243 Winchester is noted adequate but any of the .300 calibers (sic) are recommended.

https://huntinginafricasafaris.com/...ng-africa/hunting-crocodiles-in-south-africa/

While this site recommends .338 minimum and .375 maximum.

https://www.somerbysafaris.com/listing/hunting-a-trophy-crocodile

And then there's this discussion.

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/hunting-crocodile.218/

There was more than one gator displaced while I worked on this as lead process design engineer for the section to produce jet turbine fuels (not rocket science but jet science) and commercial kerosene for home heating, and I don't know any details about their ultimate fates. I don't remember hearing anything about treble hooks though. No baiting naturally.

https://www.nola.com/news/business/article_04be809a-1393-5b9c-871c-3d82158580dd.html

 

[RayAtkinson]

Id stick with the std Hornady Interlock and void the SSTs as they are soft even on deer, but effective on deer, but not on elk...Lots of ranchers and there kids locally and in Wyoming used the 25-06 on elk for years, probably still do, and the used Nosler 120 gr partitions almost to the man and handloaded...but about any bullet properly place behind the shoulder will kill a bull elk, but you have no room for error..

 

[MS 9x56]

+1 On this.
My opinion, .25 cal SST is way too lightly constructed for big game, especially elk. Much better varmint bullet.
TTSX, Partition or A-Frame are much better choices.

I have used the 117 SST in a 250-3000 at about 2600 fps. At this speed they perform very well mushrooming just like the add shows. My son used them on deer in his 25 06 but they were too explosive destroying much meat. This at 3150 fps.

 

[RayAtkinson]

One can kill an elk or any animal with about any caliber, I killed deer with a 22 and elk with a 25-35 carbine at some point in my early life..Any caliber will work if you apply it properly..Today I use the 30-06, 338, even my 375 Ruger ( a favorite elk rifle of mine).

With a 25-35, you get within a 100 yards and place the shot behind the shoulder or in the shoulder, the long 117 gr. bullet will penetrate and do the job, the downside is you will have to be ready to turn down shots that would be easy with a 338 for instance..Same with the 22 LR on deer, 25 yards and two quick shot behind the shoulder works everytime, I fed a fencing crew of 20 in Mexico on the whitetail and mule deer on my dads leased ranch plus deer for the Forestals and traded deer for quail in Boquillas..

From a hunting standpoint today and guided by law and common since, we use a proper gun for big game guided by law and we have a lot of leeway on range, use enough gun is the name of the game and rightly so..enough gun is no more than common since, otherwise your playing tricks to prove a ridiculas point..

That said, the 25-06 is a second rate elk rifle and a excellent deer rifle for most folks...but with elk, its a 200 yard elk rifle and probably best for a experienced hunter, it will do the job but its anything but a proper elk rifle..That proper elk rifle starts with a 308, 7x57, 270 and 30-06 IMO..but to each his own and whats legal..

 

[steve white]

It kills all out of proportion to it's perceived size!

 

[coreydb]

Of the two options given in the OP my choice would be the traditional cup & core 120 grain bullet.

Fortunately here in the USA we have plenty more optionsin .257 hunting projectiles. I've been particularly impressed with the .257 110 grain Nosler Accubond from my .25-06 in both flight (G1 BC = .418) and terminal ballistics. Underwood loads this at 3250 fps published muzzle velocity.

https://www.underwoodammo.com/colle...osler-accubond-spitzer?variant=18785712242745

I just returned from South Africa where I used a 25-06 to drop two Blesbok at 400 yds, a Golden Wildebeest at 300 yds, and a Red Hartebeest at 250 yds, using Nosler 115 gr partition bullets. Recovered bullets all had the same expansion.

 

[HankBuck]

have found the 25-06 to way under perform with fac ammo get some custom ammo with barnes or noslers then you will be happy

@crudeoildude: I am surprised by that and especially for the past 15-20 years with the excellent factory ammo and Swift A-frame, TSX bullets for deeper penetration or the Hornady Superformance & sierra gameking for rapid expansion. But I’m Not a hand loader and satisfied with any sub inch MOA. I have Never taken Elk with .25-06 but Antelope, Deer (Mule & whitetail) and one Black bear and it performed fine on All. I like the .25-06 and started using it for the softer recoil, enjoyed the accuracy, and results on medium sized game — it has plenty of power. Still, I prefer the .270 over the .25-06 and don’t find much difference in recoil and only very slight difference in bullet drop - All seem to give the edge to the .270. So for the past few hunts out West I’ve taken the .270. The .25-06 would Not be my choice for Elk, Moose, or Grizzly - but it would certainly work on them

 

[HankBuck]

COElk- unless you have a big reason to tale your own firearm, I would encourage using a rental/loaner for any Plains Game hunt. Your PH wants you to he sucessful, and as such will provide an accurate rifle and ammo suitable to the task at hand. My PH provided me a Ruger American .308 that I enjoyed so much that I bought one when I came back.

@Tbitty - I don’t want to “rent” a rifle from my PH or borrow his Underwear — prefer my own…it adds to the experience to use my own equipment. But, in a ”pinch” I might borrow an extra pair of jockey briefs sz 36.

 

[CBH Australia]

@Tbitty - I don’t want to “rent” a rifle from my PH or borrow his Underwear — prefer my own…it adds to the experience to use my own equipment. But, in a ”pinch” I might borrow an extra pair of jockey briefs sz 36.

I understand the reasoning for taking your own rifle for the experience, the photographs and making memories with your own gear.
As for underpants, most safari operators offer daily laundry. Just saying.
I put it to the test. We trapped with small back packs in carryon for a 7 day hunt.
Hired a quality rifle at a reasonable price to simplify things but I respect the notions for taking your own.

 

[HankBuck]

I understand the reasoning for taking your own rifle for the experience, the photographs and making memories with your own gear.
As for underpants, most safari operators offer daily laundry. Just saying.
I put it to the test. We trapped with small back packs in carryon for a 7 day hunt.
Hired a quality rifle at a reasonable price to simplify things but I respect the notions for taking your own.

@CBH Australia: I just like to Hunt with my own gear and not just because I’m familiar with it and handle it well - it becomes part of the memory and “history” of those items and might mean something to those that inherit them later (a Story to tell). Also, don’t get too hung up on needing clean underwear - unlike a good rifle —- it is Not essential !

 

[FlyGuy]

The 25-06 is probably the most underrated hunting cartridge in the world!
Here in SA, the cartridge has a very small, but loyal fan base.
Actually; more like a cult following…

To a man, every 25-06 cult member that I’ve met have a few things in common.
1: They are all expert hand-loaders.
2: They are all very experienced hunters.
3: They can all read wind and mirage like a book.
4: They are all phenomenal marksmen!

It’s amazing to see what a 100gr Matchking between a kudu or eland bull’s eyes at 400 yards can do. The eyes pop out of their sockets, the horns collapse inward and the trees behind look like a Jackson Pollock painting.
I’d imagine that a SST would have the same effect on an elk if placed in the same spot.

 

[HankBuck]

The 25-06 is probably the most underrated hunting cartridge in the world!
Here in SA, the cartridge has a very small, but loyal fan base.
Actually; more like a cult following…

To a man, every 25-06 cult member that I’ve met have a few things in common.
1: They are all expert hand-loaders.
2: They are all very experienced hunters.
3: They can all read wind and mirage like a book.
4: They are all phenomenal marksmen!

It’s amazing to see what a 100gr Matchking between a kudu or eland bull’s eyes at 400 yards can do. The eyes pop out of their sockets, the horns collapse inward and the trees behind look like a Jackson Pollock painting.
I’d imagine that a SST would have the same effect on an elk if placed in the same spot.

@FlyGuy - well if any bullet is placed “Between the Eyes” wouldn’t You expect similar results? I shoot a .25-06 and would Also expect good things to happen with a .25-06 bullet hitting the Heart-Lung-Liver area…any .223 between the Eyes can work too but how often are Hunters aiming “Between the Eyes”?

 

[FlyGuy]

Hank.
I’m sure that with a good bullet, the 25-06 will do a fine job on game with chest shots. I’ve just never seen one of the cult members I know aiming there.
It’s either between the eyes, between the eye and ear or behind the ear.
As mentioned, they’re phenomenal marksmen! So what is it that they know that 99.9% of us don’t?

 

[HankBuck]

Hank.
I’m sure that with a good bullet, the 25-06 will do a fine job on game with chest shots. I’ve just never seen one of the cult members I know aiming there.
It’s either between the eyes, between the eye and ear or behind the ear.
As mentioned, they’re phenomenal marksmen! So what is it that they know that 99.9% of us don’t?

OK, I haven’t noticed problems with well placed shots at ranges 300 yrds and under….never took any Head Shots …Sounds like an assassination — and one messy job for the taxidermist to clean up.

 

[Finprof]

South Carolina Fish and Game did a survey on cartridge and bullet effectiveness a few years back. Deer shot with a 25-06 went less far after being shot than any other cartridge. SC deer tend to be small bodied so it doesn’t mean much for elk, but I thought it was interesting.

 

[HankBuck]

South Carolina Fish and Game did a survey on cartridge and bullet effectiveness a few years back. Deer shot with a 25-06 went less far after being shot than any other cartridge. SC deer tend to be small bodied so it doesn’t mean much for elk, but I thought it was interesting.

@Finprof - I guess the “both” the South Carolina Hunters that own a .25-06 —-can actually shoot them accurately.
I like the .25-06 but it’s Not a common caliber in any area vs. 30-30, .30-06, .308, .270, and buckshot or slugs.

 

[CBH Australia]

The 25-06 is probably the most underrated hunting cartridge in the world!
Here in SA, the cartridge has a very small, but loyal fan base.
Actually; more like a cult following…

To a man, every 25-06 cult member that I’ve met have a few things in common.
1: They are all expert hand-loaders.
2: They are all very experienced hunters.
3: They can all read wind and mirage like a book.
4: They are all phenomenal marksmen!

It’s amazing to see what a 100gr Matchking between a kudu or eland bull’s eyes at 400 yards can do. The eyes pop out of their sockets, the horns collapse inward and the trees behind look like a Jackson Pollock painting.
I’d imagine that a SST would have the same effect on an elk if placed in the same spot.

Where I hunted in South Africa there were respectable Kudu Bulls on display.

Both were taken with a Sako .25-06, both were hunted by a female. It seems the outfitters wife Clare was an expert shot too.

On another note there are some restrictions on minimum calibre for certain deer species in Australia. One I am sure of is that Victoria requires a minimum of .270 calibre to hunt Sambar. A large bodied deer. Our largest species .

There are guidelines set by DPI in NSW for almost all hunt able species and pests but those are only guidelines set out to guide shooters and pest officers.

I hear there are small populations of Wapiti (Elk) in NSW.

.25-06 is certainly underrated and those that have them love them.

Hornsby SST are considered a good hunting projectile

 

[C.W. Richter]

With TSX, TTSX, Weldcore, Partition, or A-Frame 117 - 120 GR, it may be the best deer round for anywhere in North America - And I love my .270's.

i'd use more (.257 Case) on Elk. Wby, Wildcats (WSM-NOT WSSM, et. al.) with the bullets Red Leg mentions. It's a small pill-it needs Steam, solid construction (not necess. solid) and high SD for caliber!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@CBH Australia: I just like to Hunt with my own gear and not just because I’m familiar with it and handle it well - it becomes part of the memory and “history” of those items and might mean something to those that inherit them later (a Story to tell). Also, don’t get too hung up on needing clean underwear - unlike a good rifle —- it is Not essential !

@HankBuck
Just go commando and don't worry about underwear
Bob