I have owned a Marlin .25-06 for a couple of years now. I had to float the barrel to get good accuracy, but that was quick and easy and the results were great. It has been 100% dependable. As for recoil, I've never fired a 7mm-08 so I can't compare the two. The recoil with the factory stock is not at all harsh in my opinion. I put a Boyd's Prairie hunter on mine and the recoil pad on it isn't nearly as effective as the original was, but it's still acceptable. Buy it. You'll like it.

 

My particular .25 likes the heavier (115 gr- 120gr) bullets, and I can always work up an accurate load with RL22.Its been my go-to powder after trying several others. Typically my accuracy load is near the bottom or the middle of the charge weights, this cartridge is already overbore so I dont feel a need to push it. It achieves excellent accuracy In a medium weight rifle the recoil is nothing -these are flat shooting and kill medium game with plenty enough authority. I use mine for the occasional hunt on power lines where I can shoot 350-400 yards. Mine is not an xl7, no idea on those.

 

Greetings MrBofis and welcome! I have had my XL7 25/06 now 2 yrs and am happy to report that for the price, a better rifle is very tough to find.
Here is a great thread to read on it. I have pics of targets with pet loads, and a pic of my rifle in a Boyds Walnut stock. Plenty to read.
Recoil is less than my 30-30.

Bottom line....BUY IT! From woodchuck to white tail...no problem BANG! DRT!

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/rifles/90159-70-gr-120-gr-ya-cant-beat-25-06-a.html

 

MrBofis - I'm a confirmed .25-06 nut case - but... I'm not sure that a .25-06 is really going to give you anything you can't already do with your 7mm-08.

For example, three of us hunted mule deer & pronghorn antelope in Wyoming in October. We each scored good quick, clean kills on two animals each.

The rifles were:
My .25-06 with 115 gr Noslers @ 3120 fps
A .280 Rem with 120 gr Noslers @ 3200+ fps
A 7mm-08 with 120 gr Noslers @ 3000+ fps

All had similar trajectory. All had excellent accuracy. All produced quick, clean, one-shot kills at ranges out to about 300 yards as I recall. The little 115 & 120 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips all left exit wounds. There was NO tracking of any wounded game, all six animals dropped immediately. So... Was any one of those cartridges superior? Despite my prejudice in favor of the .25-06, I have to admit that no, they were all pretty much equal in the field. The 7's of course also have the ability to handle much heavier bullets should that be desired.

Regards, Guy

 

Thats sounds way too practical. Why not have a .25-06? The more the merrier. :biggrin:

I imagine the .25-06 is better on varmints than the 7mm too. :marchmellow:

 

Well heck, I haven't limited myself to one rifle either! Enjoy!

The .25-06 is an awful lot of fun to mess with. Mine has given me several mule deer, one pronghorn and a few varmints & predators. I've come up with some very good handloads for it that work really well. Keep mine sighted-in at 300 yards, which makes hits out at 400 and beyond pretty easy.

Regards, Guy

 

M700,
If I may ask, are those hand loads and what powder is the 7/08 pushing the 120 noslers?

and I guess as my signature states....."its not a collection if you only have one"

Thanks

 

I just "perfected" a load for the 117gr Hornady round nose. Can't think of too much it won't take down.

Here is the range pic: 100yds, 4 shot group

 

I also found that 50 gr of imr4064 under the 75gr vmax is wicked nasty...near max load at 3460fps (chrony'd) 100yd group is less than 1 "
Takes heads off woodchucks

and drops deer in their tracks

 

Sooooo what ya waitin for?????? Go get 'er :driver: and bring 'er home! :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

Sooooo what ya waitin for?????? Go get 'er :driver: and bring 'er home! :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

I'll tell ya, I am this close/ / to getting it, But then reality sets in and as M700 has stated the 7-08 can reach real close to the 25-06 and looking at some ballistic charts so will my .243 that I dearly love to shoot sooooooo.........

We will see what if any the Christmas bonus amounts to this year. Then Maybe.....

Any concerns with barrel life pushing 3400 fps?

 

"Any concerns with barrel life pushing 3400 fps "

Well, neither the .243 or the .25-06 are known for long barrel life... It can be lengthened by not letting the barrel get too hot in firing - limiting the rapid fire stuff. Cartridges like the .308 offer far longer accurate barrel life, in my experience.

I get 5,000 - 6,000 rounds of accurate barrel life from my .308 Win barrels. Haven't worn out the .25-06 yet, but the day is coming... I figure 2000 rounds, maybe. We'll see. Also depends on your accuracy requirements. Some guys are happy with a barrel someone else would declare shot out.

FWIW, Guy

 

M700--If you personally shoot out a barrel, do you rebarrel it on trade it off for a new project?