25-06?

[Cowboy611]

so im making plans for a new rifle i already have a savage model 14 in .308 and a .17hmr but was thinking a 25-06 savage would be a good for coyotes, antelope, and even mule deer it would be flat shooting and ammo would be easy enought to get is there an better caliber for this application?

 

[Beastmode]

Definitely a great round. Many people I know use them for elk as well.

 

[Cowboy611]

what is a good coyote round if i wanted to be fur friendly?

 

[Justin Crossley]

so im making plans for a new rifle i already have a savage model 14 in .308 and a .17hmr but was thinking a 25-06 savage would be a good for coyotes, antelope, and even mule deer it would be flat shooting and ammo would be easy enought to get is there an better caliber for this application?

I would go .280AI over the 25-06 myself.

 

[WyoElk]

I kill all of those things with a .257WBY but I like the 25-06 too

 

[Jason Snyder]

Definitely a great round. Many people I know use them for elk as well.

^^This.

If you want to be fur friendly, have someone load some FMJ rounds for you.

 

[Hoyts n Mulies]

A 25-06 will make a mess of your fur. It's a highly efficient 25 caliber round, especially when loaded for. I would stick with the .22 calibers for coyotes if fur is a concern. 223 and 22-250 are standard and if you want something a little different the 220 swift is a sweet little round capable of reaching out. The 204 and 221 fireball are also fun little rounds. If you want dual purpose look for a 257 Roberts, 243 or 6mm.

The real problem is there are just so many fun rounds to choose from.

Oh... Another one that I love to shoot is a 250-3000 (250 savage) with 75 gr. vmax bullets.

 

[GKPrice]

250 Savage AI is an impressive round as well - I used to use 85 Ballistic Silvertips from a 25.06 with awesome results but I never wanted to save a song dog pelt so I don't know how bad it would mess one up but most likely pretty bad - those 75 V-max's are also pretty spectacular from a 25.06, fun 400+ rock chuck bullet - I wanted to use the 85 BST for antelope but wasn't sure about the toughness so I talked to a Nosler ballistic engineer who told me to go for it, he said he'd not hesitate to use that bullet on deer either, what the heck ? he should know ...... worked good on the speed goat for sure

 

[AXEL]

The ideal choice for what you posted as your intended quarry, I have wanted a .25-06 for decades, but, for some reason, I seem to always get .270Win. and .280Rem. rifles in that cartridge family.

I realize that some use this for Elk, but, I would not do so in BC Elk hunting, largely due to antler regs. and our bushy hunting conditions.

Mature, rutting bull Elk, are tough, can sustain a lethal hit and still get into horrible places where you must process them and I really feel better about using one of my .300 mags, .338WMs or 9.3s, YMMV.

Still, a Montana in 25-06 keeps popping up in my dreams.....

 

[GKPrice]

AXEL "IF" you keep waking up and there's not a nice shiny 25/06 Montana leaning in the corner it sounds more like NIGHTMARES ! (if only Tikka's didn't insist on having 22" barrels ....)

 

[Chad E]

^^This.

If you want to be fur friendly, have someone load some FMJ rounds for you.

I highly recommend against using Fmjs in any caliber. Coyotes can soak up a surprising amount of punishment and an in and out hole without expansion is a recipe for a lost coyote. I've seen a coyote take a 30 06 fmj at less than 20 yards. We lost it after trailing it for close to a mile. If I was going to shoot the 2506 and try to save fur I'd look at a well put together soft point.

 

[tstowater]

Is there a better caliber? Possibly, but the 25-06 is a really good choice for your intended application. A quick look says that the bullets are going to be from at least 70 to 120 grains for a reloader and lots of factory options. I have two 25-06's and used one on a mule deer last year with great success. I used Berger 115's and while I think it would kill an elk, it wouldn't be my first choice. Hard to go wrong with what you have in mind. I like a 25-06 for coyotes also, but I haven't worried about being fur friendly.

 

[tenth1]

If I ever make it down to the L48, I will likely use a 25-06 for everything save Elk. That said, I have killed numerous elk with a .257 Roberts, just have better tools now.

 

[tony m]

so im making plans for a new rifle i already have a savage model 14 in .308 and a .17hmr but was thinking a 25-06 savage would be a good for coyotes, antelope, and even mule deer it would be flat shooting and ammo would be easy enought to get is there an better caliber for this application?

I am a 270 user..for decades but I use the 25/06 as well.My 25/06 is even easier to shoot that the 270's...a little more accurate .Have used this on elk and moose ...use a good bullet.The only detractor is the longer than 22"barrel.