I am looking at getting a .25-06 for my girlfriend and myself, and I would like to hear about real world experience with shooting larger game with one. By larger I mean bigger hogs, aoudad, elk, red stag, oryx, etc. I know they are great on whitetail and antelope, but want her to be prepared for some medium size exotics and possible plains game. I own and hunt with a .308, 30-06, .270, 7-08 and .270 WSM, so I am looking for a low recoil cartridge with some speed and bullet weight options.

Thanks!

I wouldn't take my 25-06 out to hunt Elk...117 grain bullet just ain't enough. Why not consider 6.5x55 Swede? 140 grain bullet and its been used for elk in Europe for years. And it doesn't have anymore recoil than a 25-06

Except for the speed the 6.5's may work

Yeah, she can shoot the 7-08 fine, and I'm very confident in it on larger game (300-700 lbs) but I was just wanting something a little faster and maybe with even less recoil.

26-06 is enough for elk. With todays bullets you can do most anything with it. It is by far my favorite caliber.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/why_25-06.htm

I think 25-06 is light for elk. I have been shooting one since 1962 (25 Nieder on a 98 Mauser)here in Texas. Son lives in Missoula Mt and he tells me that the ranges they shoot those elk and mule deer can be extreme and they are large powerful animals. I am a big bore guy and of the rifles you listed, the 30-06 would make me the most comfortable. Free advice is worth.......

I shoot an 8MM O6 Ackley Improved (40 degree shoulder) at everything.... I know you have to load the bullets.... and it is wearisome sometimes.

My dad killed several Elk with a 25-06 and 117 softpoints
He was also an exceptional shot and wouldn't pull the trigger if he didn't have a perfect shot.

So, yes, it will work if you are responsible and can shoot.
"ideal" cartridge? probably not.

But I would rather see some one with a 243 that can shoot than a guy that flinches every time he pulls the trigger on a 300 Win Mag.

This gun is for a chick , 3006 is a terrible answer

People kill elk with bows and arrows. . . .

my girlfriend and her mom are both of smaller stature an my girlfriend shoots a 264wm and her mom shoots a 7mag... Me and her dad sight them in for them but they have no problems shooting them out of the blind but they also had many years experience. Would not recommend them or the 30-06 like stated above if you believe it may make her uncomfortable

You asked for personal experience. I'm not a big elk hunter, but I've killed three elk personally with a .25-06. No problem. Two were dead where they stood and the third didn't make it 20 yards. It's plenty of gun. Use it with confidence, but not arrogance. Like already said, a guide would much rather someone show up with a .25-06 who can shoot than with a magnum whiz-banger and a flinch. One thing, while it's accurate at long range the .25-06, like any caliber, does start bleeding off energy eventually. Just because you can hit the elk at 500 yards doesn't mean it'll kill the elk at 500 yards. All of mine were under 300. I think the longest was 275.

edited to add: I used 110 grain Core-Lokts, by the way. Might be better available these days.

Are you sure? Remington has offered 120gr and 100CLs, no 110s.

Thought about this some more and I think you are right. I think something in 7mm is best for a small frame person, 7mm-08, 7X57, something like that. They killed 1000s of elephants in Africa with 7X57 with the big military bullet (175 gr)...short range of course.

arrows kill differently.

Know a guide in Wyoming who uses the .25-06 on everything including elk and sheep. A female friend up there uses the .25 on elk, but went to a .270 for moose. With a good bullet, the .25-06 will get the job done.

With todays bullets choices 25-06 is great gun with in 300yards for all listed above

100gr partition, tsx, Accubond etc.

shot placement trumps everything

This.

Just use your 7mm-08 with 140gr. It punches hard, but has mild recoil. Past 200yds, it flies flatter and punches harder than the 30-06 with 150gr bullets. I compared this at the Remington website ballistic calculator.

Yes and no. Both kill by hypotension caused by bleeding. Bullets are rifle velocities can generally cause damange much bigger than their diamter (not the case for pistols generally), which is not the case of arrows.

I simply pointing out that I consider justa about any centerfilre rifle round to be much more effective than an arrow.

On North American game it is good up to elk size game. If you reload , a 120gr Partion will do a number on just about anything you want. Like anything else,,,shot placement. I shoot a 257 AI which I load a tad hotter than a factory 25-06 and run 100gr Partions exclusively. This gun has dumped several hogs over 350lbs and one pushing 400 last year. You take the heart/lungs out and it doesn't matter what you shoot them with, they are going to die quick. One friend of ours in Colorado quit shooting his 7-mag and went to a 25-06 for elk. He was accurate with it hince more confident and extermely deadly.

Yelp its amazing what a 100gr partition will do at 3300 or better

X2
X2. If she can shoot 7-08 then I'd just us that on elk if I were you/her.