Exactly my point.

Midway only offers 54 bullets total in 25 cal, 81 for the 6.5, 100 for the 7mm, and 261 for the 30 cal.

25 cal is a one trick pony. Can you kill deer with it? Of course, but so can all the others. Forgive me if I'm not impressed.

Heavy for caliber bullets require a fast twist. There is no getting around that. How nice would a round nose 150 grain 25 cal bullet have been? Or, dare I say it, higher bc 130-135 grainers for making those 400 yard wind calls a little more forgiving?

When was the last time 25 calibers won major matches? Short range benchrest are dominated by 6mm and 30 cals. Mid and long range comps are dominated by 6mm, 6.5's, 7mm, and 30 cals. Silhouette shooting is all 6.5's and 7's.

How much bullet development has gone into the 25 cals in the last 10 years? Crickets...........

Do you realize not everyone wants to use the heaviest high bc bullet possible? How many bullet choices do you need to be happy? Did you realize if a .257 bullet weighed 140 grains it's bc would beat a 140 6.5? They don't, so don't worry you won't have to change to it. Give it a few years and something else will be winning matches and everyone will switch.

[quote=bo323]

Heavy for caliber bullets has as much or more to do with sectional density than bc.

I don't consider myself a caliber snob.

If nosler released a 25 cal 140 grain partitian and accubond. And berger released a 130 and 140 grain hybrid. And hornady released a 150 grain round nose bullet.
I would order up a 25 cal blank with an 8ish twist and run with them. But these companies haven't released anything close to these bullets, and I don't blame them.

And, of course, the bc would be better for a 25 cal of the same weight compared to a 6.5. Given the same form factor, of course. I thought that would have been a given. But you couldn't stabilize that bullet in a 10 twist. Not by a long shot.

Heavy for caliber bullets has as much or more to do with sectional density than bc.

[Heavy for caliber bullets has as much or more to do with sectional density than bc.

The .25-06 is the queen of the dual-purpose varmint/big game cartridges (with apologies to the .243 Win).

If that's not the very definition of VERSATILE, I don't know what is. The OP should work up an accurate, fast load with a good hunting bullet from 100 to 120 grs and go forth.

The very idea of burning 53-60 grains of powder to shoot a prairie dog is silly.

So, in closing.

Little man syndrome is strong.
25 cal bullet selection stinks.
Twist rate stinks.
SD stinks.
BC stinks.

But yes, you can kill a deer with it.

The very idea of burning 53-60 grains of powder to shoot a prairie dog is silly.

So, in closing.

Little man syndrome is strong.
25 cal bullet selection stinks.
Twist rate stinks.
SD stinks.
BC stinks.

But yes, you can kill a deer with it.

Going back to the beginning Hoofandwings said deer hunting 250 yards and in. Maybe a pronghorn hunt one day.

Being that is the case just about any cartridge using a bullet from .243" to .500" will work. Short action, long action, belted magnum, short mag, ect ect. So whatever he chooses will be because he wanted that rifle and that's that.

If he came to me wanting to shoot through the day course and was going to use a .25-06 I would say "sure, we'll push it to 800 no problem" and the point of that is so that 400 yards doesn't seem so daunting later on. I want guys leaving with the ability to kill hogs and coyotes way farther. And a .25-06 may not be the best choice, but the guy that practices with it will be deadly with it because the round is quite capable of farther than most people will shoot. No, it's not a "long range round" but that was never his intended use.

The very idea of burning 53-60 grains of powder to shoot a prairie dog is silly.

So, in closing.

Little man syndrome is strong.
25 cal bullet selection stinks.
Twist rate stinks.
SD stinks.
BC stinks.

But yes, you can kill a deer with it.

This has never been about long range shooting. How many ways do I have to say that?

I may be misreading RiverRider's intent, but I believe he is speaking of the "if the cartridge is not good for long range, then it is worthless and you are stupid for considering it even though the longest shot you will ever make is 300 yards" mentality that some have adopted.

I have to agree. It is, in my opinion, a pretty arrogant stance to take... much less to say/type. Don't know what I am talking about? Take a scroll through past threads about "which caliber do I need," or others concerning the 25 and 27 calibers, specifically. It doesn't take long to get swallowed with egos and big-"Richard" contests.

As I stated previously, I used to have a very narrow mind concerning the 25 calibers... It was based solely on writings/post of the internet "experts." Real world results have told me a VERY different tale than those "experts" and have taught me to form my own opinions based on experience rather than other's thoughts.

Not saying that I don't enjoy shooting long range... it is a LOT of fun!!! I don't knock the long range guys for taking 700 yard shots at big game. If they have put in the time, developed their own DOPE (not pulled it off of a "should be" website/app,) and can make an ethical, clean kill 99% of the time; more power to them. They are impressive.

But please don't let your big head/arrogance/ego allow your mouth and fingertips to cause an unnecessary divide in our shooting/hunting community. It takes all kinds to make this world go around and everyone is entitled to their own opinions/preferences. A little respect for others goes a LONG ways...

Very well said, ckat.

To the OP, the 25-06 would be a great choice for your purposes, especially Pronghorn. As Chad stated, "speed kills" and I think it is very useful in helping to reduce ranging errors for us mere mortal hunters. It is one of my favorite cartridges. You can't go wrong with either choice. Also, I wonder if Roy Weatherby realizes he was so stupid choosing the .257 as his favorite...poor dumb bastard!

I always find it interesting when someone is so negative on a particular cartridge and so positive on others. Makes me wonder if their golf bag only contains 1 single club...

QUICK... Someone grab a thermometer, I think FJG is coming down with something!!! Maybe it's the love bug... Or maybe he broke out the tie-dye, sandals, hashish and headbands to "give peace a chance." Whatever it is, I like it. A long range guy who can appreciate the attributes of a not-so-long range caliber.