.25 06 with SHORT barrel...

[56Wrecker]

Sorry I should have also said that I handload, for 2 30-06s already and finding a good recipe with a faster powder wouldn't be an issue. Factory ammo would absolutely be a waste you're right.
I'm not by any stretch rushing out to do this, just got to thinking about it and found this thread

Grant A,

Fully understand. I have done considerable handloading myself.
A faster powder would be, I think, NECESSARY in a short-barrel rifle.
There are numerous SHORT cartridges (with heavier bullets that have excellent ballistic-coefficients) that would be MUCH BETTER choices than 25-06 in a short-barrel rifle. I happen to FAVOR the 7mm projectile for those reasons.
30 caliber is also good....MANY choices of bullets !!!
( and BETTER "knock-down" POWER. )
An Uncle of mine killed MANY Big-Game (including Elk, Moose, and Caribou) with a 300 Savage lever-action. A "smaller cartridge" WITH PUNCH !

Good Luck with YOUR choice !
---56Wrecker---

 

[Grant A]

Realistically I should stick with some sort of 30cal, since I already load 30-06 & 308 I have plenty of bullets on hand. Thanks for the advice!

 

[56Wrecker]

Grant A,
You are certainly WELCOME !
But....remember.....It's only One-Man's opinion. ( MY opinion )

I also like the 30 caliber !
MY FAVORITE rifle of ALL TIME....is the Military SPRINGFIELD 30-06 (sporterized)

BEST to YOU !
---56Wrecker---

 

[alaska]

Short barrel for 25-06 then you only have a 257 Roberts in performance......does not lend itself good to short barrels.....

..for suppressor work the 308 win and 20" work excellent

 

[AKGuide]

Unless you have a particular reason for a short barrel and a Suppressor.....
I'd rebarrel the rifle with a LONG THICK HEAVY (Varmint-Style) barrel ....
.....so that you can get "full-value" from the 25-06 cartridge.

Otherwise ...you're just shooting an under-performing rifle.

just the opinion of a LONG-TIME 25-06 shooter/hunter.

BUT....this is ONLY MY opinion.....and I have NO idea what your "original objectives" entailed.

GOOD LUCK !!!

X2 I wouldn't go shorter than 24", 26" preferred.

Reuben

 

[BOWLSEYE]

I would be making some handloads starting with Varget or R15 and CCI Magnum primers. Varget works great with 75 grain V-maxs in a 24" barrel. Had been using H4350 max load and got playing around and realized the faster powder does work. Look at the faster powders listed for the 25-06 and give them a try. My next 25-06 is going to be a shorter 22" barrel truck gun. I think you can still get the velosity with the right bullet/powder combo to do the job. What other caliber can you shoot 75-90 grain bullets out of a 22" barrel as fast as the 25-06?

 

[USCGLongBow]

I shoot a .7mm-08 M77 Compact for thick Brush or long hikes, and I agree with above, fast powder. I worked loads for my dad's 7mm-08 and my own, and found the slowest powders showed the best performance in my dad's 22inch varmint barrel, and faster powders were better for my compact, when I was finished the FPS spread between both rifles was almost exactly 100.
What bullets did you wanna use? and what is your barrel twist? I have a T/c Encore in 25-06 and if I had accidently lopped the barrel off right now, I would start with three each 100gr Nos BT three over 40gr of Reloder 15(extremely fast for -06s) and three over 50gr of RL17 or RL19, and three with 115gr Barnes TSX over 48gr of RL19, and work up from there. These are bullets and powders I have readily available, and from my research would feel safe working with. In almost every manual or powder website I referenced, IMR4350 seemed to be the fastest powder that gave consistent velocity with a full case, but they all used 24" test barrels. I would do your own research before attempting any of these, as my opinions are based on personal experience and my own research and I am not a professional on gunpowders.

 

[flashhole]

You could have your smith set the chamber back and convert to a 25 Super. Same bolt face with an efficient cartridge.