25-06 Rem in Africa

[Frederik]

So I keep bumping good deals with this buy.
Cases are not in stock in most places and Norma seems a bit expensive which I can get hold off but then I bumped into this at a gunshop.

Stock from 2 years ago and they left the price as is, since its not selling.
100gr Core-Lokt ammo.
Asked the shop if they can keep them for me untill I get the license for the rifle it works out 15% more expensives than buying new cases.
So ten of these boxes are kept one side for me that means I will 200 rounds to play and hunt with and the added bonus of cases.

 

[FlyGuy]

@Frederik,

I've said it many times before.... The 25-06 is the most underrated and under appreciated cartridge out there. Especially here in SA!

They're perfect as a plains rifle, or as we know it, a "vlakte geweer" for anything from gemsbok to jackal.
Load up good quality bullets on top of a slow burning powder like VV N160, N555, H4350, Win 760, Norma URP or S385 if you can find it. Depending on barrel length, 3100-3300fps is easy to achieve.

On the local 2nd hand market, the 25-06 is like the 7x64. Those that have them, keep them!

 

[C.W. Richter]

'LOVE .257. Had a 25-06 in my teens/20s, then several 257 Wby (those are the bbl burners, NOT the 2506, as the Vs are 3500+,) and finally settled for a 257 Ackley Improved (257 x 757 Improved) and it's a nice happy medium between the two (.257 benefits from a 26" bbl; it'll do 3,450 w/ 100 gr and 3,300 w/ 115-120 gr.) Great deer/antelope/varmint guns. I personally wouldn't take anything but the Wby to Africa, as I don't believe it's really enough gun for the larger PG that might show up (Kudu, Eland, Wildebeest-these are 750-2400 lb animals,) and so much better cartridges/bullets exist. Even in sheep country the .257s are just perfect (NA, not 450 lb Argalis, although the Wby would do the trick!) For gazelles and tiny antelope the 2506 would be just fine! I'm sure there have been some spectacular kills witnessed, but that's probably also the exception, not the rule. I used to call the 257 Wby "The Cannon!," as everything I lined up on moved about -3' vertically, and that was IT! Nothing in an 06 case is magic (ok a 6.5-06 AI might be considered magic. 'Too many better 7s out there to consider the factory 280 AI or 7-06 Improved LOL). They are the middle of works fine/bets the job done but best on more thin-skinned NA animals (i.e. a 750 elk is NOT a 750 lb Wildebeest or Kudu!) Good luck! Enjoy. Handloading will make 1-hole groups in the 257s no problemo. Why it's such a great combo varmint-deer gun.

 

[shark_za]

The other caliber that they seem to have on special is the .338 WinMag.
Get one of those too.

The 25-06 was quite popular at one point, enough for PMP to even make ammo for it.
Its far from the ideal Impala cartridge, given where you find Impala.

Its the perfect Black Wildebeest or Red Hartebeest cartridge. As mentioned, make sure it can shoot 120gr bullets fine.

 

[Frederik]

The other caliber that they seem to have on special is the .338 WinMag.
Get one of those too.

The 25-06 was quite popular at one point, enough for PMP to even make ammo for it.
Its far from the ideal Impala cartridge, given where you find Impala.

Its the perfect Black Wildebeest or Red Hartebeest cartridge. As mentioned, make sure it can shoot 120gr bullets fine.

It should be fine with 120gr we checked the twist before buying it.

 

[Bandera]

I’ve hunted with a 25-06 for years.
I’ve used 117 and 120 grain loads in my Ruger MKII.
I’ve shot Whitetail deer, hogs, coyotes, Axis deer, cow elk with it.

On one Whitetail buck, that was trotting , a quartering away shot at about 80 yards , I caught the deer in the ribs, the bullet penetrated through six ribs lengthwise towards the front. The bullet exploded or deflected, I only recovered fragments of the Speer soft point. Deer went 25 yards roughly and dropped. Admittedly it was not the best shot I’ve ever made.

The 25-06 is hell on Coyotes. Would not use it if pelt hunting.

For me the 25-06 is a keeper.

 

[Frederik]

Well got a great message on my phone this morning License approved picking up the 25-06 Tomorrow and going to see if weather permits to shoot it and break in the barrel Saturday.

 

[HankBuck]

So I keep bumping good deals with this buy.
Cases are not in stock in most places and Norma seems a bit expensive which I can get hold off but then I bumped into this at a gunshop.

Stock from 2 years ago and they left the price as is, since its not selling.
100gr Core-Lokt ammo.
Asked the shop if they can keep them for me untill I get the license for the rifle it works out 15% more expensives than buying new cases.
So ten of these boxes are kept one side for me that means I will 200 rounds to play and hunt with and the added bonus of cases.

@Frederik: I’ve often used Remington “green & yellow” box ammo with very good results. In the U.S. it is one of the cheapest rifle ammos you can buy and the Corelok bullets perform well on game (I’ve taken many deer with it) and expansion is controlled & consistent and accuracy has been good too. It’s also economical for practice - plus available in most stores.
On most Guided Hunts I usually invest in more expensive ammo but I doubt it ever made a difference except on DG where I really want as close to the “best bullet” I can get. Hope you enjoy your .25-06 !!

 

[375er]

Welcome to the fraternity, you will love it!

 

[elkocountygun]

Nice thing with that cartridge is all you need to do is to neck size 30-06 cases and you are good to go if you can't find any .25-06 ones.

Powder wise I am using RL22 in mine.

great point. thx
25-06 rem and .300 win. mag. and a .357 mag or .45 LC on my hip (i have stated for 40 + years) in lower 48 states, is all I NEED.
provided well made, sturdy, rugged, accurate, good ammo, primo optic, dependable, patient shooter, well tuned, and you practice shooting your rifles etc.,
this statement does not mix well with consumerism and the if 1 is good 200 is better... but i have found it was, is, and will be... fact for me

 

[elkocountygun]

'LOVE .257. Had a 25-06 in my teens/20s, then several 257 Wby (those are the bbl burners, NOT the 2506, as the Vs are 3500+,) and finally settled for a 257 Ackley Improved (257 x 757 Improved) and it's a nice happy medium between the two (.257 benefits from a 26" bbl; it'll do 3,450 w/ 100 gr and 3,300 w/ 115-120 gr.) Great deer/antelope/varmint guns. I personally wouldn't take anything but the Wby to Africa, as I don't believe it's really enough gun for the larger PG that might show up (Kudu, Eland, Wildebeest-these are 750-2400 lb animals,) and so much better cartridges/bullets exist. Even in sheep country the .257s are just perfect (NA, not 450 lb Argalis, although the Wby would do the trick!) For gazelles and tiny antelope the 2506 would be just fine! I'm sure there have been some spectacular kills witnessed, but that's probably also the exception, not the rule. I used to call the 257 Wby "The Cannon!," as everything I lined up on moved about -3' vertically, and that was IT! Nothing in an 06 case is magic (ok a 6.5-06 AI might be considered magic. 'Too many better 7s out there to consider the factory 280 AI or 7-06 Improved LOL). They are the middle of works fine/bets the job done but best on more thin-skinned NA animals (i.e. a 750 elk is NOT a 750 lb Wildebeest or Kudu!) Good luck! Enjoy. Handloading will make 1-hole groups in the 257s no problemo. Why it's such a great combo varmint-deer gun.

good point. R Rourke "Use Enough Gun," a book on hunting big game. one of my favorites. you and I agree

 

[Frederik]

@Frederik: I’ve often used Remington “green & yellow” box ammo with very good results. In the U.S. it is one of the cheapest rifle ammos you can buy and the Corelok bullets perform well on game (I’ve taken many deer with it) and expansion is controlled & consistent and accuracy has been good too. It’s also economical for practice - plus available in most stores.
On most Guided Hunts I usually invest in more expensive ammo but I doubt it ever made a difference except on DG where I really want as close to the “best bullet” I can get. Hope you enjoy your .25-06 !!

Thanks Hank,

Yes the Green and Yellow box ammo cost is cheaper than finding cases bullets powder and primers combined.
So after thsoe 10 noxes I will have 200 cases more than enough to keep me busy and then load them up with 100gr Spoor Bullet company bullets. Premium bullet at 3000fps or more should do the trick out to 350 yards.

 

[Flbt]

View attachment 622015

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???

I like it. Have seen them do a wonderful job.
All the way out to 400yd on deer and 200 yds and in on hogs.

I personally went with the 257 wb mag over the 25-06 when I was looking at the 2.
It was neck in neck but I could justify the extra cost off ammo because I was getting it for crop deprivation permit.
And the extra fps was worth it on the 100-500 acer crop fields

 

[Graham Hunter]

I got my 1st 25-06 when I was 16. It was the new hot cartridge back then. I shot the barrel out at about 5500 rnds. It has a new barrel now. Shot everything from gophers to coyotes, Black Bear, Whitetail and Mule Deer, Elk and anything else that got in the way. My favorite Deer bullet was the Winchester 120gr PEP. Absolutely flattened them. Where I hunted you could run into anything from a coyote to Moose so I switched to the Nosler Partition in 117 or 120gr. Still use it for everything. I have shot 9 Bull Elk with 11 shots from 100 t0 250yds and none made it 100 yds. Still one of my favorite calibers. I suspect it would work very well oin Africa from Jackal to Kudu. You have a winner!

 

[Hyena]

I’ve been a huge fan of the .25/06 for years in both rifles and handguns. Taken groundhogs, coyotes, whitetails, mule deer and pronghorn with them. Back in the 1980’s I had a #1 that loved the 117gr Sierra SBT. My most recent was a Rem 700 LR that was spooky accurate with Barnes TSX 100 and 115gr. The TC Encore handgun is deadly with the now discontinued 100gr Hornady SPT. Fortunately I have a stash of these.
I like the .25’s.… A LOT! In addition to the .25/06, I have a Roberts and just added a .257 Wby barrel for my Blaser last week.
You made a great choice.

I agree 100% on the Remington LR load. Mine was a tack driver as well. I am currently
working a load for my Roy Jr.(257) as I call it on the R93. Will be going to SA for the smaller PG like Springbok and BW.

 

[Jim Golden]

View attachment 622015

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???

Man it's excellent! I've smoked a TON of white tail deer with a .25-06. Mine is a Remington 700 BDL. I got it when I was like 13 in 1983. Prior to that I'd killed deer with another 700 BDL in .22-250 (which works wonders and is NUCLEAR on deer if you hit them right). It's a great caliber. The .257 Weatherby is even better....but nothing wrong with the quarter bore from Remington. It's excellent!

 

[Jim Golden]

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, I used 120's and dropped dozens of Bambi's with this calibration. It's good JooJoo!

 

[JimP]

On this picture you can see the exit wound on a coues buck that I shot at 420 yards with a Barnes 100 grain TTSX at 3300 fps out of my Weatherby Vanguard 25-06

 

[BeeMaa]

Beemaa, I used 120's and dropped dozens of Bambi's with this calibration. It's good JooJoo!

First, remember that Bambi was a boy. Although I'd give it the nod for whitetail, I'd want a little more for elk.

Second, African animals are not the same as NA animals. They are heavier boned and thicker skinned.

Yes, it's good joo joo...but ALL cartridges have limitations. I'd much rather have a 7RM, 30-06 or 300WM for the majority of PG animals, and if I'm being perfectly honest the 375H&H would be a better choice...getting you all the way to eland and giraffe.

That said, the 25-06 would be wonderful up to kudu. Beyond that, I'd like something heavier.

 

[Frederik]

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.