I've got a stainless laminated stocked ruger 25-06 in the varmint configuration 26" bull bbl large broad forend for benchrest and a 4.5 x 14 x 40mm leupold scope and with a bipod and good solid rest and no wind I can hit golf balls at 200 yds very cosistently, but it's a heavy mutha about 10-12 lbs I'd say, not well suited for tree stand hunting but I've done it and it kills real well, makes an ideal porch, or bed of the pick up rifle. they also make a standard 24" bb' in bolt or single shot,that are both real nice. recoil is very mild. I reload 75gr hollowpoints for varmints that are zippin along at 3400-3600fps, 100gr innexpensive bullets for targets, or 100 gr nosler partitions at 3300 fps for hunting over 200yds, but my fav are nosler 120 gr partitions for under 200 yds. it is a very efficient cartridge based on 30-06 brass doesn't burn alot of powder, pressures are not too high and it won't wear your bbl out quickly like the 257 weatherby mag. but it is a long action and a light bullet ,too light I feel for big hogs at close range. for close range potentialy dangerous game a 7mm minimum diam and 150 gr wt or heavier I like. a 7mm08 with a 175 gr nosler partition at 2400-2600 fps is nice, but definately more recoil than a 25 cal. I know alot of you guys kill hogs regularly with 243's and 85 gr bullets, but I don't think youre the Joe avg hunter, shot placement and bullet selection with that set up has gotta be spot on. if your wife is gonna hunt from a tree stand the ruger single shot is real nice.I have no idea what a 25wssm is , is it winchester short small mag? there are faster 25 cals but the downside is increased noise and muzzle blast, increased bbl wear and pressure,and powder cosumption. from a reloading standpoint they realy struck gold with the 30-06 and 308 cases, whether necked up or down they are all very good.
the 270 wsm is excelent for elk with a quality 150 gr bullet. and the rem sendero is one bad whama jamma, but pricey and heavy similar to my ruger but nicer and more expensive. now if you got the sendero in 270wsm the extra wt wouldnt be too bad for the mrs, recoil wise and you could take any game on the continent at any range, and it's a short action to boot. a little limited in bullet wt selection basicly 130 or 150 gr, but you realy don't need anything else.
I'm mainly looking for something to deer hunt with and take 200 yard + shots. I just may one day take another trip out west again and want to make sure I'm packing enough heat to knock a bull on his butt first shot.
i used to own a Savage 110L in 7mm mag. toted it in Washington and oregon for elk. when i left , i figured i won't need it anymore and sold it. the only left-handed bolt action i have ever owned, even to this day. sure wish i would of kept it.
Are the 25 wssm's hard to find ? they seem a little expensive.
