25-06 D0 U Thinks ITS big Enough for ELK

CDENTON

CDENTON

New member
just wanting you thoughts on it i have one it will toch bullet holes just about every time I sure like it it;s in a weatherby i've had it for a long time . your thuoghs is it big enough for elk or not. thanks /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
Honestly, you could possibly kill an elk with one, but I wouldn't shoot one with less than a .270. I'm not trying to down the great .25-06, but I don't think it has enough knockdown energy for tough bodied elk.
 
Within range and with the right bullet, yes. Is it ideal, no. The 25-06 is my second favorite cartridge but I wouldn't use it on an elk, but thats just my opinion.


ELJ
 
I think elk are over-rated in their toughness department.... and shot placement is much more important than cartridge choice. We "predator" hunters probably know this better than most hunters.

I say this and I hunt them with a 190 grain 30 caliber magnum rifle.

Not too many years ago these "Magnums" didn't exist. The most popular elk gun from the 1940-80's was the 30-06....which is now considered by most to be the minimum for elk.

That said the 30-06, .280, .270 and 25-06 all use the same parent brass case and just size up or down for different bullet diameter. Most of us also know that by sizing down you gain velocity and by sizing up you get more energy.

The thing that most people overlook is distance.
Taking the heaviest 30-06 in a 180 grain, velocity about 2600ft/sec has muzzle energy of 2700ft/lbs, but at 100 yards the energy has dropped to about 2070ft/lbs.
Now taking a 25-06 with a 100 grain bullet at 3200ft/sec and 2273ft/lbs at the muzzle it drops to 1781 ft/lbs at 100 yards.

Most people like the little fast cartridges because of their lack of bullet drop...I agree. But used in an application for big game hunting such as elk...as long as only close shots are taken...it will be almost as effective as the bigger diameter cartridges.

I can hear the flames already building in some people.

I'm not saying there aren't better choices for elk rifles than a 25-06, but it would be adequate if the shooter can put the bullets where they need to go and you don't push distance for those shots much past 100 yards.

I have guided elk hunts in Colorado and the rifle that impressed me the most for 1-shot kills is the little cousin of the 25-06...the .243 Most of the shooters who shoot these are very comfotable with them and can put a bullet where ever they desire...with no recoil flinch. The most common rifle in the field are the 7mm and 300 magnums and these shooters usually rely on their rifle instead of their skill and wound the most animals...most commonly using 2-4 shots to harvest their animal...I have seen as many as 8 hits with a 300 mag to drop a smaller cow elk....it makes my heart drop when this happens.
 
The 25-06 will work fine for Elk. Put a 120 gr Nosler Part. or Barnes Triple Shock in the lungs and they won't care a bit that you aren't shooting them with a 300 mag. Bullet placement is the key to killing Elk. The bigger cal's and heavy bullets give you a little more room for errors and really shine if you are shooting at the south end of a north bound Elk. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Kinda like you're hearing above... Yes, with reservations. Good bullets, heavy ones for that round. Careful (picky) shot placement. Then, sure, yeah.

I wouldn't though. I wouldn't because I have others in the cabinet that are much more sure things for elk. (300WM, 338WM, and even the 308 I'd be more confident in.)
 
Nope it isn't. Will it kill elk, Yes it will, but so will a 22 long rifle given the right range and right shot. Since 1963 I've killed better the 40 elk and I've seen a bunch more killed.

Sometimes the perfect shot doesn't present itself, sometimes the elk just jumps when you shoot, stuff happens.

Any legal gun will work, but most folks simply do better with cartridges designed more for heavier game like an elk.

I happen to like the magnums and shoot one of Remingtons old 8mm mags with a 220 grain spitzer boattail. Got friends here in Idaho and Montana that like the 06, various 7mm's, the multitude of 300 mags and on up.

Like I said you certainly can use the 25-06 and premium bullets will help, but if you ain't dead on that big bull can run to the bottom of frying pan canyon and you can easily spend days trying to get the meat out before it spoils. If the 25-06 is the top of your recoil limit then go for it and shoot straight, if not, well, it's still your decision isn't it.
 
My cousin has done it with a single shot from a .243. Colorado requires you to have at least a .25 caliber rifle. They wouldn't want you to just injure the animal, so the .25-06 is at least adequate...not preferred, but adequate. Know your gun's/your capabilites and limit your shots to what you think is your maximum killing range. I say go for it! Good luck.
 
Here is my unworthy opinion (for what its worth).

It depends on what kind of elk you are going after. I have a friend that goes over to Colorado on a late cow hunt most every year. He usually passes up a couple of cows until he finds the perfect broadside shot at less than 200 yards. If you are doing this the 25-06 with some Noslers will do the trick.

But, I would NEVER use a 25-06 if I were hunting in an area that I thought had the potential to produce a trophy. When Mr Big 6x6 steps out (which is not that often) it is not always at the perfect distance and position. You can't pass on Mr. Big and seek for another the way you can a cow.

That being said, I hate strong recoil, and toting around some heavy 26" barreled magnum as much as the next guy.


Calcoyote
 
Quote:
My cousin has done it with a single shot from a .243. Colorado requires you to have at least a .25 caliber rifle.




UMMM.
http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres...information.pdf
Copied from Colorado Big Game Regs: Page 8

LEGAL HUNTING METHODS
1.CENTERFIRE RIFLES
a.Must be min..24 caliber (6 mm)
b.Must have min.a 16-inch barrel and be at least 26 inches long.
c.If semiautomatic,they can hold max.of 6 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined.
d.Must use expanding bullets that weigh min.70 grains for deer,pronghorn and bear,85 grains for elk and moose,and have an impact energy (at 100 yds.)of 1,000-ft.pounds as rated by manufacturer.
 
I didn't say my cousin hunted in Colorado. I'm just repeating what my dad told me is the required minimum for elk in Colorado. Sorry if I confused some people. I'll try not to do it again.
 
I believe what ColoradoOsprey was saing is that the minimum for Co. for any big game Must be min. .24 caliber (6 mm).
And for elk must also meet these requirements, "85 grains for elk ,and have an impact energy (at 100 yds.)of 1,000-ft.pounds as rated by manufacturer."
 
Colorado allows you to hunt Elk with the 243 or 6mm. Where did the poster come up with 25 cal being the smallest you can use ?
 
thanks for all the help. it's a sweet shooting rifle and i like it very much. just wanting someone else opion most of my friends are big bore shooters. they want to belive a 300 wsm is small. I don't like all that buck. thanks agin
 
I would have to agree with most of the post above. Will it? Yes. Should you? I would say no. In my book bigger is better, as stated above $#!^ happens! Its always better to have too much gun... I think.

Personally I use a .338RUM soon to be a .338Edge Improved!
 
Get a good bullet and you will have no problem. Shoot the heaviest bullet you shoot good and put it where it belongs and the elk will go down.
 
Just a conclusion that I reached; the minimum caliber for a given game animal is usually not the best choice. And yes, a lot of people disagree with me. But although my 222 Remington is legal for deer in this state I wouldn't be caught dead triing to use it for deer.
 


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