25/06

[freeto]

I've decided on the 25/06 to be my next rifle. since I am left handed there isn't much of a choice. I decide on either the tikka or the browning. my question is the browning has a 24 inch barrel and the tikka has a 22 inch barrel is there much difference in fpe and energy to worry about. i'll be reloading it in 110 accubound or 100 bal tip.
thanks

 

[Hilltop]

General rule of thumb here is you will lose 50fps per inch of barrel. Some of that will depend on what powder you use. If you go with the 22inch barrel, use a faster burning powder and you may not see a full 100 fps drop. That said I would still choose the 24" unless the size is uncomfortable to handle. My thought would be why lower performance on the cartridge unless I had good reason to do so. (for youth/women's comfort)

 

[Mr Drysdale]

I like both rifles. Own the Browning and have shot the Tikka. I would have a hard time making up my mind?!?! Sorry, no help here.

 

[roknHS]

Both are quality. I think the Tikka has a smoother working action. My opinion.................
Unless you are a numbers nerd (some are), I don't think the average sportsman (not a bench rest shooter) would notice any difference between a 22" and a 24" barrel. I've got a Ruger 77 25-06 with a 24" barrel. It has served me well. I'd still love it if it had a 22" barrel.

 

[Musket Man]

I have guns with 22'' and 24'' barrels and have never really noticed a difference. i would pick the gun you like best and not worry about the barrel length.

 

[Ricochet]

I have the tikka 25-06 and I like it a lot. It worked well in Wyoming this year. It shoots the Barnes 100 grain TSX really well. I can shoot half inch groups over and over. Both antelope I shot were bang flops. At first I didn't like the stock but it has grown on me. I plan on keeping it. Good luck with your choice. I wish I was shopping for a gun.

 

[Eberle]

I love my 25-06, it is a Remington Model 700. My dad has a Browning A-Bolt in the 25-06. The only thing I didn't like about it was the trigger. We ordered a spring from Timney & got it down to 2#s now. It shoots good, I think you will be happy with either gun, They are both great guns and the 25-06 is an awesome caliber. I hope you have some 110 grain accubonds. I'm out and been looking for several weeks. Good Luck!

 

[libidilatimmy]

Been using a 25-06 for as long as I've been hunting. I like the heavier bullets to try and negate wind drift which can get significant with the lighter bullets, 110 grains and under. I shoot either 117gr SGK or 120gr Partitions for big game. Both perform well in my experience.

 

[Retterath]

I have a buddy that has shot custom rifles his whole life and bought a few tikka's and has been so impressed with there accuracy compared to a custom. I just bought my wife a 7mm-08 in a tikka t3.

 

[stevevan]

I couldn't decide between 22" and 24" when I rebarreled for my 25-06. So, I went with 23". I still get 3140 fps with a 120 gr. Plenty of speed.

 

[buckbull]

I like both of those rifles. the both come in around 6.5 - 7 pounds which I like for carrying in the mountains. I prefer the tang safety on the browning. I own tikka T3 hunter and it is very accurate. Never heard of a tikka not being a shooter.

 

[mcseal2]

I have had several Tikka rifles, and a couple Brownings and they all shot sub MOA with the right load. I much prefer the tang safety or a 3 position like Winchester M70 or Ruger M77's have to the one the Remington 700 or Tikka have though. I like to switch shoulders when carrying a rifle on a sling, and found that the slide safety would rub into the fire position against my pack when carrying a right handed bolt gun on my left shoulder. Even if a round wasn't chambered it let the bolt come open and exposed the action to debris. It was an issue for me, may not be for you.

I have owned and loaded for a few 25-06 rifles over the years and feel that they really benefit from a longer barrel. I know different barrels will generate different velocities due to a number of factors, but when chronographing my 22" gun next to a buddies 24" gun he got an extra 250fps from the same loads. We tried factory Winchester 90gr loads and handloaded Sierra 90gr bullets with IMR 4831. I later got a 24" rifle and it shot the same speeds as his had with those loads. It made a believer out of me. He has gone to shooting the 110 accubond from both that 25-06 and a 257 weatherby he bought since. The accubond has performed really well for him in both. His weatherby is pushing it 3400fps and I've seen him take whitetail inside 100yds through the shoulder and the bullet held together and worked well. I'd love to see an accubond long range in the 25 cal to play with. If I ever get another .25 I'd also like to try the 100gr Swift Scirocco.