.25-06 and barrel length

[garyc]

I've been looking at two different .25-06 bolt guns. One has 24 inch barrel the other 22.5 in. Does the .25-06 need the extra 1.5 inches to achieve its ballistic potential. I think I read somewhere that 24 inches is ideal for 25-06. What do you all think?

[Bill Steele]

I would get the 24" barrel. That is a big old case with lots of room for powder....

Some fun.

[wtkaiser]

I always opt for the longest barrel I can get. I've seen the .25-06 draw blood from a bystander who made a poor choice and stood even with the muzzle, so it's an intense cartridge and can use all the barrel it's allowed.

[Divernhunter]

Since it is a 25-06 I presume it will be for hunting. Because of that I can honestly say that the animal being shot will not be able to tell the difference in barrel length or bullet speed. I strongly suggest you buy the rifle that fits you best, you like the most and not worry about the length of the barrel. Oh----In brush the short barrel is an advantage.
In a 22" barrel I am getting 3435FPS SD15 with a 100gr Nosler PAR bullet and 3014FPS SD12 with a 120gr Swift A-Frame bullet. Both are very accurate and I have taken a number of pronhorns with the 100gr bullet load at short to very long ranges. The 120gr bullet load is for my Africa trip next year.

Bottom line BUY which rifle you like most and no animal will know the difference in FPS of the bullets.

[garyc]

Thanks Divernhunter for the data. I am inclined to agree with you. The game ain't going to care, but then should I consider another caliber? I love long action calibers but anything over .25-06 is overkill for anything I would hunt (mule deer and smaller) in my opinion.

[Divernhunter]

It is not a long action but I would consider a 260Rem/7mm-08. Ruger uses a long action for the 257Roberts.

[garyc]

Thanks for the suggestion, but for some reason i'm really set on the .25-06. The rifles I'm debating are a ruger m77 (24") and tikka t3 (22.45"). I prefer the tikka from what I know except for the barrel length. if it was 24" I would have 'pulled the trigger' on it already.

[Divernhunter]

I have both but my 2 Tikka's are 6.5X55 and 7mm-08. My Ruger m77 is 25-06 and all are tack drivers. Believe it or not my Rugger shoots a better group but with all of them under 1/2 inch who is to complain.

I would rather carry the Tikka when hunting and out of the box the Tikka has a better trigger. Put a good sling, a 3X9X40 or 3.5X10X40 Leupold on either and you will be set for life.

[garyc]

That is exactly what I was thinking Divernhunter. I plan on it being a hunting rig, but I was looking at the 2.5-8x36 leupold on it.