And the 25

[joelkdouglas]

The 25-06 needs work too, but not too much.


I appreciate when I leave myself love notes:


Here's how it shot the load previously:


I think I didn't mess with seating depth or anything much. It was good enough from the start.

This rifle is probably my best shooting hunting rifle. It likes anything. Powder charge too light? Wrong bullet? Whatever, it shoots them all fine.

Here's the 115 Berger:


Another seating depth with the Berger:


I have also shot a few TTSXs out of her, but I don't have any pics of those. Scotty and I had a discussion about fragments and killing, and whether a TTSX is too tough a bullet for deer. Scotty has killed just a few deer in his lifetime. Maybe 9000 or so.

 

[FOTIS]

Try rl 25 got 3250 and 1/2" groups Ruger 1B

Front chest shot at 289 yards!

 

[Guy Miner]

Great cartridge to work with! Capable of excellent accuracy and velocity.

I've been so happy with the 115's I haven't even messed with the 110 Accubonds I've got on hand.

Guy

 

[Dwh7271]

Man, you got to be liking that rifle. :grin:
Nice shooting.
I think I need a rifle pic. Anything that shoots like that I gotta see. :lol: :lol:
Seriously, nice shooting and cool bullet choice. My 250 AI and 25-06 both like the AB.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Here she is!



I thought I posted this earlier, but maybe not. I can't find it.

My grandpa hunted mule deer in Wyoming and whitetail deer in Missouri. I never hunted with him, but he had this 1965 Winchester Model 70.

He passed away in 1992. I don't know when my grandma gave my dad this rifle, but whenever that happened it sat under my dad's bed or wherever for a while, at least 15 years.

I started hunting after college, around 22 or 23 years old, and maybe five years after that my dad gave me grandpa's old rifle, in pretty significant disrepair. The safety no longer worked, stock was the original 1965 Winchester that didn't fit me well and had the pressed wood checkering. It was chambered in 30-06.

I sat on this rifle for maybe 5 years, didn't really know what to do with it because I already had a good 30-06, and I didn't really "need" anything else to hunt with. Then my Rem 700 30-06 was getting a new barrel, and despite the barrel maker's prediction that I would have it "well before hunting season," Missouri deer opened and I wasn't going to have a rifle. I took grandpa's rifle to the range complete with 1965 era 4x Leupold scope, sighted her in, and took it to Missouri. Long story short the scope sucked (if you pointed it anywhere near a bright light, like in the direction of the sun, it washed out the view), the safety still didn't work...I took a couple of does, had an opportunity at a really good buck but I didn't get a chance to count points and passed on the shot.

When I got home I decided if I was going to have a rifle taking up room in the gun safe it would be a good one. I already had a 30-06 (and another one on the way at a stock maker's), so I thought I would rebarrel her to 25-06.

I sent the bolt to Skip Baldwin for rejeweling.

More barrel maker drama. Short version, Mike Rock made me a 25 cal barrel after more than a year waiting, almost using a Lilja barrel instead, then Mike sent the barrel to Lee Christianson (the gunsmith) a week before I was ready to send the Lilja to Lee.

Lee turned the rifle and sent it to Eddie Fosnaugh for cerakote.

I tried to keep the rifle either the same, or the same in concept, as grandpa's. He used it only as a deer rifle, I don't think he ever hunted elk, so 25-06 was fine. I still think whether I should have kept her a 30-06, but I already have 2 others. This is the only hunting rifle I have that's NOT a 30-06.

What's the same: action, bolt, original trigger, sling (made in West Germany).

What's the same in concept: Deer rifle. Fixed Leupold scope, though now a 6x36. Leupold mounts, though grandpa had a 1-piece windage adjustable mount, and I prefer the dual dovetails. Wood stock, I acquired a Winchester featherweight pattern and Lee fit it to the action. I tried to like a McMillan Hunter's Edge and it just never felt right for this rifle. I might drop her into a wood stock with some more figure some day.

I know the 1965 Winchester Model 70 wasn't a good year for Winchester. But I'm not ready to get rid of the rifle, and she shoots really, really well. I hope my son and daughter kill their first deer with it.

Winchester Model 70, manufactured in 1965, push feed
Assembled by Lee Christianson
Rock Creek #2 stainless barrel, 9 twist, chambered in 25-06, 24 inches long
Cerakote graphite black by Eddie Fosnaugh
Original trigger, set to 3 lbs
Winchester Featherweight stock, manufactured in the South Carolina days
Brownells Latigo sling
Leupold 6x36 LRD
Leupold Dual Dovetail mounts
Weighs around 8.25 lbs

She shoots really well. I started doing "load development" like I would for my 30-06, and then realized it was unnecessary. Now I just pick a bullet, pick a reasonable powder, and sight her in. H4831 + 115 BTs, 115 Bergers, 110 Accubonds, all sub MOA. H4350 + 100 TTSXs, 100 Partitions, 100 BTs, all sub MOA. I know 25 cal bullets supposedly suck, poor B.C. and all, but I don't care about B.C. I don't shoot at animals past 300 yards typically, and I've never taken a shot at a deer past 175 yards.

Thanks to Lee for rebuilding a fantastic shooter.

 

[DrMike]

I have owned several push feed Winchesters, and all shot very well. You've made a good rifle much better through your work. I believe your grandpa would be proud of what you've done with his old deer rifle. Congratulations. It does appear to be producing well for you.

 

[Dwh7271]

Thank you sir.
Great rifle and the work you've done is top notch.

 

[gerry]

A great looking gun and even better with the family history. The push feed actions were nice and they got an undeserved bad reputation. In short, I wouldn't want to mess with such a good looking and accurate gun.

 

[Guy Miner]

Nice rifle, nice shooting!

 

[sask boy]

Very nice looking rifle , the 25-06 or in some peoples minds the 25 Whelen :mrgreen: it a excellent calibre and one that I hope to own in the not to distant future .
Good post.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

It a excellent calibre and one that I hope to own in the not to decent future .
Good post.

Blessings,
Dan

Should I worry about that not to decent future Dan? :shock:

 

[JD338]

Looking good!

JD338

 

[sask boy]

OOOPS !!!