how far will a 25 06 shoot?

johnnyappleseed

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Nov 20, 2011
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Cody, Wyoming
i've got a tack driving winchester 25 06 sporter with a nightforce f1 mildot on top of it. i haven't shot any big game past 200 yards with it, but i shot a prairie dog at 450 yards with a cheap Leupold scope once with the same rifle. anyway i'm thinking about getting rid of them both to get a 243 ar built and a lighter scope. i plan to use match bullets and try to hit stuff out to 1000 yards. before i start wheeling and dealing, i could get a kenton industries turret and experiment with it for long range. what would you do?
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

For precision long range target shooting, your NF is a superb scope.
I'm not sure an AR would be a good first choice for a precision rifle. I suggest staying with a bolt gun.
A 243, 260, or 6.5 creedmoor are great long range rounds.
Also the 308 is good for people who don't reload and want match ammo for $1 per round along with very long barrel life.

That being said, if you are happy with your 25-06, it will do fine. If you reload, try shooting a match bullet.
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

I have 2 friends who made 2nd or 3rd round hits at 1300 yards with their 25-06's a couple of weeks ago in a local steel match. The target was 24x24.
Nothing wrong with the 25-06...
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

The only problem with the 25-06 is bullet selection. There's the Berger 115gr (G1 BC: .466) and the SMK 100gr (G1 BC: .394). The Berger shouldn't have too much issue getting to 1000 yards, but the SMK might. I'd play with the rifle more before getting rid of it.

If you sell the rifle, I would recommend going with a bolt gun for a first precision rifle. They're much less finicky about how they're shot and much nicer to reload for.
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

Downside to the quarter bores is the bullet company's don't have a lot to offer for LR work as they have more for the 6mm's.

Also downside to going gas guns is the weight when you get into the AR10 platform. But to say not a good idea is wrong as last I checked a gas gun has the smallest group on the shootouts.
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

great caliber for a hunting rifle,they used to call it the king of the quarter mile,bullet selection will limit you for long range but try the 115 bergers first,they're not really barrel friendly,mine is on its 4th barrel now
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

I run the 110 Accubonds on my 25-06 and 257 Bob. the 25-06 with retumbo and 100 ABs runns 3100 and it gnats ass accurate. the .257 are not boolit picky run the bergers and get retumbo under them and have a blast.

I killed coyotes with mine out to 700 in the dead of the ND winter. they round has the accuracy and the scope you have is awesome.

If you decide to sell the gun PM me.
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

The 25-06 with the available target bullets will be great to 600 yards (and even beyond).

No, it won't hang with the 6s, 6.5s, 7s and high capacity 30s at 1000, but if 1000 yards isn't needed, you should just shoot the 25-06 and enjoy it till the barrel is toast.

Then rebarrel to something more up your alley - which might be another 25-06 barrel!
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

You said your Winchester is a real tack driver. If this is true,Keep it. I have always regreated selling a gun the shot really well. I have even tried to buy one back from the guy I sold it to. No Luck. Bottom line is, Not every gun is a 1000 yd gun. There are different tools for different jobs. That 25-06 is a fine hunting gun. use it for that and save your $$$ and buy or build a 1000 yd rifle. You already have the NF scope for it. You can pick up a used bolt gun here on this site without a scope for a reasonable price. That would get you started in the long range game. Its hard to build one gun that is the best at everything. It would be to heavy for one job and to light for another. ECT, ECT.
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

my latest thought is to trade the 3-15 nightforce for their 10 power with a 600 yard reticle and put it on the 25 06. it'll at least reduce weight. the winchester weighs 7 3/4 lbs, the nightforce 30 ounces, add my harris bipod and i'm lugging around about 11 lbs of rifle. i'm about 57 1/2 years old and the thrill is nearly gone for carrying heavy rifles up and down mountains. i've got a kid's bolt savage 243 i can always fall back on.
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

I hear you on the weight issue. My Gradous 308 is nicknamed FSOB for a reason. Hunted it 1 time and it is batting 1000. I highly doubt it will go out again for that purpose.

I have had 3 25-06's and like the caliber. Don't have one now, but I would not hesitate to get another, but not for a target gun. I have more than enough rifles that suit that purpose. As long as your budget allows, keep it for hunting and get a Creedmoor (shameless plug) and move along smartly.

Again, as long as your budget allows, keep that NF and get the 2.5-10x32 too. Both of my NF's are 5.5-22x50 and I will not part with them, but I will get the 2.5-10x32 soon for my hunting rifle.

My $.02 and all that.....

Oh yeah, your original questions answer is "a long damn way". Figured I should add that.
 
Re: how far will a 25 06 shoot?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnnyappleseed</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i've got a tack driving winchester 25 06 sporter with a nightforce f1 mildot on top of it. i haven't shot any big game past 200 yards with it, but i shot a prairie dog at 450 yards with a cheap Leupold scope once with the same rifle. anyway i'm thinking about getting rid of them both to get a 243 ar built and a lighter scope. i plan to use match bullets and try to hit stuff out to 1000 yards. before i start wheeling and dealing, i could get a kenton industries turret and experiment with it for long range. what would you do? </div></div>

I had a DPMS 243. It was pretty heavy but a fun rifle.

25-06 although hamstrung concerning high BC bullet selection still kicks ass with the 115 Berger. Look up the ballistics compared to 308 which many consider "the" long range cartridge.

Sounds like you better start over and build/buy a dedicated light weight rifle in your cartridge of choice.


I happen to own a NF F1 HS and a NF 2.5-10x24 with LV reticle.

As a all around scope the F1 is hard to beat being FFP. All things considered I'd rather have it than most of the more expensive scopes out there. BTW It's light compared to most scopes that it would compete with.

The 2.5-10 is on a AR shorty using 75 grainers at 2730 fps. It's fun to see peoples faces when they see what can be done with it out to 600Y.

I prefer mil/mil FFP so the F1 edges out the 2.5-10.