Originally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeIf someone can offer up a few hundred deer that needs kill'n to test these ideas out,I'm in !
We've got 'em here in the SE... You can't kill but 2 bucks (or 4 depending on what county you’re in) but we have unlimited doe tags & have a target rich environment. However, I would hate for you to have to make the drive all the way from MI. I'll just shoot a few extra for you
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With a good population, I have shot a LOT of deer with about every cartridge, especially 7mag (my primary rifle for years when I was really trigger happy). When I got a 25/06 I was amazed it killed deer just as good as the 7Rem. Then I kept getting smaller… Even killed many deer with a variety of .22 cals & they work just fine with good shots. Just does not have enough “ummpth” with shoulder shots on big deer. However with “bow style” shots it’s VERY effective. Step up to the 243Win & it works really well with more room for a little shooter error, but still is a little light for heavy bone shots (but it's just as good as any cartridge when shooting double lung). Then I went back up & shot deer with everything all the way to the 300Rum. Not that it doesn’t work well; you just don't need it (& it beats you to death)... Come full circle & I have found the .25, .26" cartridges are about perfect (yea, the 7mm family is GREAT too, but not needed).
Once you start shooting long range, you get into marginal shot placement on game. That’s when the larger, heavier bullets (from 7mag, & big 300’s) show an advantage (but only because you not hitting them were your supposed to). With good shots (long or short range) the 25/26 cal cartridges are every bit as effective on deer. The reason I lump the 25 & 26 together is they are VERY similar. To say one kills deer (with similar bullets) better than the other is confusing to me… Lets look at them on paper.
From Hodgdon Reloading Center
Fastest 25/06 with 120gr bullet……3065 fps
Fastest 260 with 120gr bullet……….2968 fps
YOU CAN NOT TELL 100FPS DIFF IN THE FIELD!
As for the “long action” and all that extra case capacity… Lets look closer at the averages for the two cartridges….
Again, looking again at the Hodgdon Reloading center with 120 gr Bullets (referenced it because everyone reading this with internet access can check it)
Powder.....260..............25/06.........Difference
H1000......51.0/2810.......55.5/2902......4.5/92fps
S 780......48.5/2862.......53.0/298.......4.5/122 fps
H 100v.....45.0/2934 ......50.0/3009......5.0/75fps
H4831......50.0/2954.......51.5/2856......1.5/-98
Imr 4831...44.0/2885.......53.0/3065......9.0/180fps
Imr4350....46.5/2960...... 52.0/3049......5.5/89fps
H4350......46.5/2960.......47.5/2816..... 1.0/-144fps
Varget.....39.0/2877.......41.0/2755......2.0/-122fps
Yes that is correct… With certain powders the 260 is FASTER than the 25/06 with LESS powder (case capacity is not always a good thing).
The above data references all the MAX load listings. In summary the 25/06 is an average of 25 FPS faster with an average of 4.1 gr more powder. Can you explain one more time how the LA 25/06 is such a better deer killer???
Just because you are using a short action doesn’t mean it has to be a 22” barrel. Run a 26” 260 against a 24” 25/06 & the velocities of the 260 will likely equal or exceed the 25/06. Not sure how the bigger 26 caliber bullet is less effective…??? Step up to the higher BC .26cal bullets & the 260 is much better than the 25/06 past 500 yards. Makes you wonder why carry that longer, heavier L/A gun??? I'd be really carefull what you put up for wadger in a bet like this...