Tikka T3 in 25.06

[nitis]

Anyone on here got one? I wanna get one in the T3 Lite and camo it out. For the price i have heard nothing but good things but how does the 25.06 do in theat short barrel? I was always under the impression you needed at least a 24" barrel to optimise the round and some really wanta 26. It waont change my mind on which rifle I get I may just wind up with a 243 similar ballistics but maybe not so sensitive to barrel length.

[RJM158]

I asked the same question some time ago but didn't get any specific replies. I shoot a 25-06 as my primary deer rifle but it's a Sauer 202.

I have three T3's (223,243,308) and think they are fantastic. All are tack driving pieces of machinery if the shooter does their part.

You will lose a small amount of velocity from the T3's barrel but since it's 22 7/16 (?) (I forgot the specific fraction) the difference compared to a 24 would be insignificant I would think. The only time it might be a factor is if you are planning on shooting at something way way out there. I sincerely doubt Bambi could tell the difference.

For what it's worth, the 25-06 caliber covers my needs with ease. I love what it does to deer!!!

If you get one let me know how it shoots for you.

Ron

[hunter29]

i love my tikka its a hard recoil gun though mine is in a .270 i love the heck out of it

[pappabear]

I just bought a used A-Bolt in 25-06. Its getting a trigger job right now, but I have heard nothing but great things from folks about the caliber that I have been asking. And I love my T3 in 22-250. I can easily see buying more T3's. Enjoy your great gun in 25-06.

[haffieldj]

If you're like me and want a gun that will easily get the job done and doesn't require shoulder surgery the next day than let me talk to you about the best caliber available. I have always been a .270 kind of guy but after a day of shooting I never liked the sore shoulder so I spent a lot of time researching a new caliber that would have similar results with less recoil. It is the almighty 7mm-08. I am in love with this bullet. It has light recoil maybe just a tad more than the .243 but with ballistics of a .308 or 30/06. As a matter of fact after 300 yards the 7mm-08 performs better than the 30/06. So if you don't stick with the 25/06 than go with the 7mm-08 with bullet weights from 100-170 grains. Awesome caliber! Just bought a Tikka T3 Hunter in 7mm/08 and absolutely love it! Best gun I've ever owned and won't buy another brand! I "was" a Remington man but until I felt the quality of the Tikka I never knew how good I could have it for less money. I have owned Savages, Remington's, Marlin's, Winchester's, and none of them compare to the quality of the Tikka. Listen I know that you hear guys and gals all over these forums putting in there opinions of there favorite gun but it's so obvious who has held a Tikka and who has not. I promise you that without paying thousands of dollars you will NOT find a better rifle. You will get an awesome, crisp, user adjustable trigger and the action is the best I've ever felt, yes much better than the Remington 700. Also you get a match grade Sako barrel and the looks of the synthetic and wood are hard to beat. Can you tell I'm a Tikka fan? Please don't change your mind on the make and like I said if you want a fun target shooter as well as a caliber that can take anything in North America than you want the 7mm-08. Thanks, JBird!

[bob33]

I own a Tikka T3 in 30-06. It has some kick but is manageable (and I'm recoil sensitive). A primary advantage of the 30-06 is the widest variety of factory ammunitions of any cartridge is available. It can be loaded down to have milder recoil than a .243 (check out "Managed Recoil" ammuniton), or loaded up to nearly match 300 Magnum capabilities. I also own a 25-06.

The 7mm-08 is a good caliber but I'd either stick with a ligher faster 25 caliber, or go up to a 30 caliber like 30-06.

[nitis]

I want something that will be really flat and fast for coytes mainly but something I am not afarid to take a deer with if necessary. With the 25 I can load down to 75 and up to 120. Plus I already have a 7mm08 so it is between a 243 and 2506.

[Lodiman]

I think you will lose between 25 to 50 fps per barrel inch versus a 24 or 26 inch barrel. If you handload you can utilyze fster burning powders to adjust for this. I have a load of 51 grains of 4064 behind the 75 grain varmint bullet at 3700 fps. It's the same as the Sierra load almost. The faster burn helps in the shorter barrel. We load for a 22" barrel in a Savage. I will chrony that load this weekend and tell you the results. The fps data on this load is from Sierra and the website we get some handload info out of.

[bob33]

If it's between a 243 and a 25-06, go 2506 hands down. Much more versatile.

[Lodiman]

I agree with Bob on versatility. 75 to 120 grain. the 120's are big enough for elk withthe right bullets and the 75's are fine varmint rounds.

[Athabasca]

If it's between a 243 and a 25-06, go 2506 hands down. Much more versatile.


Yup!
What the man said!

[Lodiman]

Hey Doug, You have any favorite loads in the 25.06 you'd care to share?

[Athabasca]

I've always used IMR 4831 or 4350 and RL 19 as powder in the 25-06. Winchester brass and primers and Nosler bullets.
I dont think there is another cartridge out there that covers everything from ground squirrels to elk like the 25-06 does.

[nitis]

Ok here id the deal I do not hand load yet that is why I was curious how much difference there would be between the 243 and the quarter bore with the shorter barrel. I also already have a 2506 barrel for my encore so I am definately leaning that way . Plus I guess if I wanted a 243 I could steal my moms 788 and have a better gun than I caould buy today.

Hey Lodiman does :"Lodi stand for Lodi California by chance? I am only 25 minutes away if it does I would like to shoot with you and try some of your recipes if it does. I really want to get into reloading just kinda scary to get started with all the stuff to buy and then all the different components it starts to add up fast.

[Lodiman]

I've been there Nitis, stood under the spanish arch at 2:00 am and took pictures. But no, I hail from Lodi WI.

[haffieldj]

Usually when people say they are stuck between two calibers it's not so wise to try and talk them into another. Sorry! If I were you deciding between the two I would definitely go 25/06. This will be my next caliber as I can shoot varmint up to deer with this outstanding bullet. And definite kudos to Bob as it is very versatile.
Thanks,
JBird