Use the heaviest Barnes LRX or TTSX bullets you can find. They will handle an elk is properly placed shots are obtained.First off, I know that 25-06 is on the small end for elk. I know a lot of people advise not shooting anything smaller than a 300 win mag at Elk. I'm well aware of the limitations of using a 25-06 for elk. However, I do know that a lot of people have harvested elk with a 25-06. For those that have had experience with harvesting Elk with a 25-06 or are familiar with the cartridge, what factory ammo would you recommend?
Would you go something like Federal Premium 115gr partition, Federal Premium 110 Accubond, or something like a 100 grain mono (Barnes TTSX, Hornady GMX, Federal Trophy Copper Tipped)?
It will be my son's first year to hunt, and he is very small for his age. He is always among the smallest in his entire grade. Very small frame. I don't want him developing a flinch at such a young age. I figure I would back up his shot with my 30-06 in case the elk doesn't look like it is going down.
I know I could maybe move up in caliber with a good muzzle break, but I really don't like them. I would like to hear from the 25-06 people what rounds they have had success with.
I have taken 2 elk with a 25-06 handloads using 117 SGK's. I would recommend keeping your shots within 500 yards, but the 25-06 is very capable of harvesting an elk.
Use the heaviest Barnes LRX or TTSX bullets you can find. They will handle an elk is properly placed shots are obtained.
I have used the 115 Berger VLD for years out of my 25-06 and have never had one go more then 50 yards with it. I have also used Speer 120 Gr BTSP's with great success on Elk, and Mule Deer... I have NOT had luck with Barnes bullets. You probably have a 1 in 10 twist in your stock 25-06 so that kinda rules out Hammer bullets. For my 2 cent's I would go with the Berger with the Speer BTSP as a close second. The 25 is a great starter caliber and is plenty of rifle to reach out 400 yards or more for big Mule deer and Elk..Thanks for the replies. Has anyone tried the HSM 115 VLD factory ammo? The specs on it look pretty darn good. The only question is if the 115 VLD is a tough enough bullet...?
This caliber is no softie. IF you can find the ammunition, i would stick with Hornady or Remington core lokt at 117 or 120 grains. And use a 24 or 26 inch barrel. Finally, sight in at 2 inches high at 50 yards -- for most ammunition this means dead on at 275 to 300 yFirst off, I know that 25-06 is on the small end for elk. I know a lot of people advise not shooting anything smaller than a 300 win mag at Elk. I'm well aware of the limitations of using a 25-06 for elk. However, I do know that a lot of people have harvested elk with a 25-06. For those that have had experience with harvesting Elk with a 25-06 or are familiar with the cartridge, what factory ammo would you recommend?
Would you go something like Federal Premium 115gr partition, Federal Premium 110 Accubond, or something like a 100 grain mono (Barnes TTSX, Hornady GMX, Federal Trophy Copper Tipped)?
It will be my son's first year to hunt, and he is very small for his age. He is always among the smallest in his entire grade. Very small frame. I don't want him developing a flinch at such a young age. I figure I would back up his shot with my 30-06 in case the elk doesn't look like it is going down.
I know I could maybe move up in caliber with a good muzzle break, but I really don't like them. I would like to hear from the 25-06 people what rounds they have had success with.