25-06 and Elk

[Stray Horse]

How many of you have used the 25-06 on elk? Let's hear your story. Please tell us some loads that you have used.

Thanks,
Don

 

[jmcd]

Cow elk at 350 yds. Took a few steps then tipped over. 100gr Barnes TTSX.
Put the bullet in the right spot and use good bullets. I wouldn’t shoot longer shots than thst.

 

[35WhelenAI]

No 25-06, but .270 Win and 110 TTSx at good velocity has done pronghorn, deer and elk in our house.

Point being, 25-06 is gonna be not much different, and as jmcd said above, they tip over without vitals working.

Good bullets let cartridges punch way above their weight compared to most bullets used 30 years ago.

 

[Customweld]

My wife has tipped a few cows over with her quarter bore. All have been sub 200yards. 117GR Interlocks.

 

[OneSkinnyHunter]

Ive killed 2 bulls - one at 100yards and one at 350, both with 100 grain Remington corelokts
Also 1 cow at 400, also with a corelokt

 

[Indian Summer]

Why! Here we go again. Go ahead and bash the hell out of me but elk aren’t deer and that’s a deer gun.

Placement it’s all about placement. BS!

You will always hear stories about every caliber killing elk. Nobody ever posts about the ones that got away.

I know a guy who killed an elk with a .22. That doesn’t mean it’s an elk gun does it? If we all tried that most would never be found right. But everyone who did find their elk would be thrilled to tell you about it.

Why?

 

[JPeters218]

Why! Here we go again. Go ahead and bash the hell out of me but elk aren’t deer and that’s a deer gun.

Placement it’s all about placement. BS!

You will always hear stories about every caliber killing elk. Nobody ever posts about the ones that got away.

I know a guy who killed an elk with a .22. That doesn’t mean it’s an elk gun does it? If we all tried that most would never be found right. But everyone who did find their elk would be thrilled to tell you about it.

Why?

Tell me how a 100-115 grain bullet at 3200 fps isn’t going to kill an elk

 

[hiker270]

Why! Here we go again. Go ahead and bash the hell out of me but elk aren’t deer and that’s a deer gun.

Placement it’s all about placement. BS!

You will always hear stories about every caliber killing elk. Nobody ever posts about the ones that got away.

I know a guy who killed an elk with a .22. That doesn’t mean it’s an elk gun does it? If we all tried that most would never be found right. But everyone who did find their elk would be thrilled to tell you about it.

Why?

Every outfitter I hunt with I ask what caliber do you prefer? I most always hear magnum of some sort (7mm, 300). Many have a minimum caliber restriction, as do several states. Most outfitters have a policy that if you draw blood and don't recover your done. A marginal shot with a light caliber compared to magnum can be the difference between a kill or a lost animal. I get the fact that recoil can be difficult for some to handle but with a muzzle brake that can be mitigated. Elk are majestic animals and for me have my utmost respect as a game animal. That and the fact the are really good eating. Good luck fellow hunters and shoot straight with whatever caliber you choose.

 

[Scoot]

Indian Summer is spot on. His .22 example is just an exaggerated version of what the OP asked. Shoot a better caliber instead of justifying how your marginally adequate caliber is "plenty good".



Oh, and this topic got old about 3 dozen versions ago...

 

[RyanT26]

Tell me how a 100-115 grain bullet at 3200 fps isn’t going to kill an elk

tHeiR sHoulDeRS r duLleTpRoOf.

OP, the 25-06 would be fine if that is what you have. Go read .223 77tmk thread or the 6mm/6.5cm thread. Plenty of dead deer, elk, and other animals.

 

[Indian Summer]

Indian Summer is spot on. His .22 example is just an exaggerated version of what the OP asked. Shoot a better caliber instead of justifying how your marginally adequate caliber is "plenty good".



Oh, and this topic got old about 3 dozen versions ago...

That IS a true story. He was a young kid growing up in western Montana. Him and friends were grouse hunting and he came upon a bedded bull. I guess placement is everything…. and so are follow up shots with pea shooters. He shot it in the eye, 5 times! So if I see a thread that says “Will my .22 kill an elk” I guess the truth is yes it will.

But like I said… that doesn’t make it an ethical elk gun.

 

[woods89]

Tell me how a 100-115 grain bullet at 3200 fps isn’t going to kill an elk

@Ryan Avery has some insights on this......

 

[Ryan Avery]

@Ryan Avery has some insights on this......

When people lose elk to a big magnum it’s because elk are tough, when they lose elk to a 6.5, 25 or 6mm it’s because the cartridge is to small. It’s how the game is played…..

 

[cmahoney]

What’s the minimum if a .25 is too small?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I had a Rem700 Sendero SFII in 25-06 for several years. Killed a nice 5 point with it using 115gr Bergers. I sold it and bought a 6mm CM a few years ago. I regret it some days, it was a sweet gun.

 

[Tmac]

I have used the 25-06 on a number of elk, all cows. I generally use my 270 or 280, but have used the 25-06 enough to know it works fine. 117 gr. Interlock and 115 Nosler BT. Quick clean kills. Interestingly the 115BT exited on a large cow, broadside at 70 ish yards. Pick a bullet designed for big game and it will work about as well as you do. They are not armored.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Tell me how a 100-115 grain bullet at 3200 fps isn’t going to kill an elk

I can't tell you that , as for me the outdated 270 Win and 110 TTSX has done it, along with the 130 TTSX from a boring old 30-06.

I will absolutely prefer the 35 Whelen AI when I head to the elk woods, but am not at a disadvantage with either of the above rifles and loads. However, something about a .358 Barnes bullet that expands to .736" recovered diameter with respect to carrying considerable momentum after impact and what it does to elk from any hard angle presentation, and broadside as well.

Maybe that makes me versatile, having done the same job with different tools. But then again, a guy is lying if he doesn't say he has a favorite hammer in the shed.

 

[S-3 ranch]

25-06 , 257 wetherby , are some hard punching SOBS’s probably = to .270 130gr
a 257 Robert well never even thought about it before, but there’s a load of guys on a thread I think are idiots talking about using a .223 on elk

 

[Indian Summer]

When people lose elk to a big magnum it’s because elk are tough, when they lose elk to a 6.5, 25 or 6mm it’s because the cartridge is to small. It’s how the game is played…..

Weak! Dude cmon. A freaking.25-06! You pea shooter guys have a cliché answer for everything. That is NOT an ethical elk caliber and you know it! And so far you’re the only one who used the word magnum. Nobody here said that is necessary.

 

[Formidilosus]

Weak! Dude cmon. A freaking.25-06! You pea shooter guys have a cliché answer for everything. That is NOT an ethical elk caliber and you know it!

Ryan is a pea shooter?