The 25-06 Is it really enough for mule deer?

[Antelope_Sniper]

Shoot 5, a .30 cal magnum makes a great all around rifle. Load it with something like a 180gr BT and you can confidently hunt deer, antelope, and elk. IME elk are tough, especially those public land elk that are usually shot under less then ideal circumstances. So, a .32 Cal bullet around 3k evens that playing field. On the flip side, these larger bullets don't always like to expand properly on smaller game, such as deer and antelope. A good .277 bullet will actually deliver more damage to deer sized game then the big .32 and .338's.

So for those of us who have the luxary of choice, for NA game, I like the .25-.284 for Deer and antelope, .30 magnum (such as your) for general purpose, and for the dedicated "Elk Rifle" something with a little more oomph....such as the .338 Win Mag.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I just use different bullets for different game from .257 Roberts to 9.3x74R. One bullet for every need, one gun for every bullet! That are me!

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

But JD, you don't use a .280, you use the Magical .280 AI.
That makes it almost as good as a .270. :grin:

 

[JD338]

But JD, you don't use a .280, you use the Magical .280 AI.
That makes it almost as good as a .270. :grin:

A_S,

Pre 280 AI days, I used the 280 Rem quite a bit. It is one of the best for deer hunting.
The 140 gr PT accounted for a few deer and then I switched to the 140 gr BT. I also used the 280 Rem on a couple of Caribou and it worked quite well.

JD338

 

[Oldtrader3]

My .270 is known by a lot of folk for being the DRT rifle in mule deer camp. I killed whitetails with everything from a .250 Savage (Model 70) to a .35 Rem, but most with the .32 Win Special.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

JD, the .280 AI with a 26" barrel is an efficent combination.
It solves the data problem of the origina .280, and allows you to get the most out of all your components.
It makes for a well balances, all-round medium rifle.

 

[bullet]

25-06 is more than enough on mule deer even on long shots.

 

[jmad_81]

I've got the 120 gr. Nosler Partition at 3223 fps. I tried to go as heavy and dependable as I could.

I've seen this combo dump elk! I think you'll be fine :wink:

 

[FOTIS]

25-06 is more than enough on mule deer even on long shots.

Amen! :wink:

 

[FOTIS]

.243
6mm
.257
.264
.270
.280
.30
.32

are ALL good deer cartridges.....

Nice compilation there One shot.

You listed diameters but not chamberings.

 

[bullet]

Well he left out the .284 diameters and one of the best is a 7mm08 and 7x57 not to mention the 7mmRem Mag or 7mm STW There I listed the cartridges as well.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Haha never thought I'd see this topic come up...

Don't tell the many muleys and few black bears that fell to my 25/06 on the further side of 300 yards which is considered long range still by most out there.

Haven't lost an animal that's been hit solid with the 25/06 out to 600 yards with the 115 NBT at 3200fps.

I think it easily qualifies as being "enough" gun for muleys out west...

 

[FOTIS]

I have killed more BG animals with this chambering than any other.

Bullets used were

177 Hornady BT
100 gr Hornady SP and 110 Nosler AccuBond.

I never recovered a bullet

 

[.280 Remington]

Seems to work out here in Nebraska :grin: :grin:

 

[FOTIS]

Nice bucks! Good on the lady!

 

[.280 Remington]

Thanks Fotis! She's bummed she won't be able to go this year.....We've got a bun in the oven

 

[FOTIS]

CONGRATULATIONS BUDDY!

 

[DrMike]

Mike,

Congratulations on the anticipated arrival of a tax deduction. Those are some great bucks. Your good lady has done very well, indeed.

 

[Wincheringen]

I have killed more BG animals with this chambering than any other.

Bullets used were

177 Hornady BT
100 gr Hornady SP and 110 Nosler AccuBond.

I never recovered a bullet

I have a very nicely expanded 115 Partition and 110 AccuBond. The rest have all escaped me. I've recovered a few blue tips though.

 

[IdahoCTD]

Congrats on the new addition. We had 2 13 months apart recently. Now the bullets are out of the gun if you know what I mean.