25-06 vs ????

[Fliptop05]

I have primarily used a 25-06 heavy barrell as my super long range rifle due to the bullett weights 25-06 can toss at the velocitys I can get (90gr HPBT3650 muzzle with 54.5 grans of IMR 4350).
I am about to buy that BEAUTIFUL Ruger KM77VT MKII in 25-06 and I thought I might ask this fine group of gentlemen -
For super long range shooting (350 to 650) I find the 25-06 hard to beat - Any suggestions?
Would a custon gun be WORTH the extra money? (Ruger = $712, customs start at $950).
Thank you all in advance.

When they came for the man across the street, I did nothing.
When they came for my next door neighbor, I did nothing.
When they came for me there was no one left to do anything.
(World war 2 parable I never forgot)

 

[Sunray]

650 yards is too far for a .25-06. A 120 grain .25-06 at 500 doesn't have enough energy to kill a deer cleanly and it drops 44". A 90 grain bullet will be less effective at that distance. Velocity isn't the only criteria.
Anyway, even thinking about a custom rifle is a personal budget thing. $950 for a custom rifle is dirt cheap. It depends on what you call 'custom' though. A Douglas barrel alone can cost more than half of that.
"...Ruger = $712..." That's a bit steep too. Ruger's MSRP is $695.

 

[GSPKurt]

.257 Weatherby

 

[redneck2]

What are you shooting?? Target, PD's? We're assuming deer. I'd have to wonder if you've got enough whack for deer at 600 yards with a 90 grain bullet.

For my long range work, I have a 700 Sendero in 7 Rem Mag. 162 grain A-Max. They stay supersonic past 1,000 yards.

 

[joneb]

I would step up to a 270 Win or 280 Rem . The 260 Rem. or 7mm-08 would be worth a look.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Moving this to Rifle Country.

 

[rangerruck]

yes it is a good round, but what are you trying to do with this at 600? I think the best long range round out there, is the 6.5 swedish. It is slower, but it's b.c. and s.d. ranges are through the roof. they just dont move in the wind. most of the 600 yds shooters are winning with this round, and the 1000 yd guys use the same round , but in the 6.5/284. Because the bullet is between 120 and 140 grns, it still has some authority way out there.

 

[atblis]

Semi Custom Long range deer rifle

Chambered in 6.5-284

 

[bp_cowboy]

humm

I like the 25-06 for out 300 yards on deer sized game, and you can probably get away with it for smaller game to the 600 you are talking about. The 6.5 mentioned earlier is a good round for mid range shooting, but if you want some knock down power out that far I would go with something a little bigger. 280, 30-06, 8mm, 8-06, 7mm, 300mag I really like as it is very versatile from a handloading standpoint.

 

[atblis]

I'd probably also take

a 300 mag, 7mm Mag, or even 338 mag of some sort for 600 yards. I don't like tracking game. 6.5-284 WOuld be the bare minimum, but I wouldn't hesitate to take a decent shot with a rifle I trusted in that round.

 

[AH-1]

again what are you planning on shooting at 600 yards???.I am a geezer and hunt with a 25-06 only twice in my life have I shot a deer over 100 yards.part of hunting is being a hunter stalk and make the shot count.
now coyotes I have shot out to 300 yards with the 25-06 no problem.
pete

 

[MachIVshooter]

.257 Weatherby

......has a hair's breadth advantage over the .25-06 (and none over the AI version) and is still limited to the same .257" bullets.

The .25-06 is a very capable open-plains gun for antelope and deer, and fine for elk at moderate ranges with proper bullet selection and excellent shot placement. My .25-06 is my primary critter gitter, but 650 yard shots are irrespnsible with any rifle in any condition short of perfect.

Also, you should not be using 90 gr. HP's on medium game. Stick to the 115/117/120 gr. pills for game animals; the lighter bullets are for varmints and will not perform well on 200+ lb. animals. The only lightweight that is acceptable for deer and the like is the Barnes TSX 100 gr. BT.

I personally use Sierra 117 gr. Gamekings loaded to 3195 FPS for everything.

 

[Jim Watson]

I had a Ruger 77 .25-06; bought it because it was the only non-magnum they made with a 24" barrel to look right.
It was not accurate enough to have been a long range rifle.

I hear the stories but 650 yards is too far for any gun on any game. You would have to have the trajectory charted and the range measured within less than 5% to get a hit at all. A little wiggle and you have a wounded critter. Unsportsmanlike.

 

[Fliptop05]

The 115 berger is delivering 1,158 FT/LBS of energy at 650 and explosive expansion (actually a side benefit they found AFTER designing the projectile) plenty enough to kill a deer sized animal.
Primarily, I use it for Wood chuck at that range. 90 grain HPBT at 3650 Muzzle velocity does VERY nicely out to 650 still at 1400 FPS, and a TTC compensates for hold over if you zero it for 350 max. PBR

 

[Shawnee]

Fliptop....

Where are you at in Texas ?