The .25-06 rifle cartridge is one of the most versatile hunting rounds ever developed. It's basically a necked down version of the hard-hitting .30-06 but with a much wider range of applications.
RELATED: Modern Sportsman: A look At the .243 Win Rifle Cartridge
.25-06 Cartridge | The Premium Round for Hunters
Great Round for Hunters
The .25-06 was simply a custom cartridge until Remington picked it up in 1969. While it is still relatively expensive compared to other rifle cartridges, the 25-06 ballistics more than make up for any extra cost.
What is a Rifle Cartridge? A casing that houses the gunpowder and specifically made for rifles and carbines.
In addition, if you happen to reload your own ammunition, the cost per round can go down tremendously. Undoubtedly, the.25-06 cartridge is the go-to round for many hunters, as with the 25-06 sniper rifle.
1. Muzzle Velocity
[instagram url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BonAvdFBQdP/ hidecaption=true width=625]
The projectiles can reach a muzzle velocity of 3100 fps and a fairly manageable .25-06 recoil. That means because the bullet travels so fast, it doesn't drop anywhere near as much as its competition does. Also, because it moves so fast, it has a good habit of bucking the wind, allowing the projectile to have tack driving accuracy even at long distances.
RELATED: My Favorite Long Distance Rifle Cartridges
2. Cartridge Sizes
.25-06 Remington Cartridge Laser Bore Sighterhttps://t.co/u5WwdH5kCs pic.twitter.com/wbFsJbteB4
— NorthernHunt (@Northern_Hunt) April 13, 2018
Second, while most rifle rounds are only available in limited sizes — either big or small — the .25-06 cartridge can be found in sizes as small as 75 grains all the way up to 120 grains. This means that there is a projectile for every application.
If you're a varmint hunter, you can use smaller grain projectiles. If you're looking for deer, the 117-120 grain bullets are more than sufficient.
3. Availability of Rifles
Despite the popularity of new cartridge introductions, @TeamHornady hasn't forgotten about the decades-old favorites like the .25-06 Rem. https://t.co/qyqHpsAQ7N pic.twitter.com/OMcJOmq1uj
— RifleShooter Magazine (@RifleShooterMag) October 11, 2018
If you can't afford a rifle for every application, one rifle will suffice, so long as you purchase the proper ammunition for it. Real marksmen develop their skill throughout the years and many of them don't have a variety of firearms at their disposal.
Who makes these versatile bolt-action rifles? For starters, the Remington 700 is one of the most popular rifles out there, and it also comes chambered in .25-06. There are others, too. For example, the Savage 111 Trophy is likely the most affordable rifle chambered in this round.
Here's a deer hunting video by BlackandChrome using .25-06 rounds:
The .25-06 rifle round is the best multi-application hunting cartridge available today. It travels ultra fast, is super accurate, and is available to take games of many different sizes due to its wide variety of ammunition sizes. I've seen three consecutive shots fired with this round at a distance of 100 yards. All three shots barely reach a centimeter apart from each other — that's how accurate a .25-06 round can be!
What can you say about the versatility of the .25-06? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
UP NEXT:
- Shooter’s Guide To Choosing The Best Self-Defense Cartridge
- Modern Shooter: .270 Winchester Hunting Cartridge
- 40 Best Rifles Perfect For Hunting Season | Gun Carrier
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on August 30, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.