Thread: 25-06 why hasn't it achieved fame and success in New Zealand?

Greetings 257 Weatherby and All,
In his opening post Rock river arms hunter, clearly a fan of the 25-06, asked the question why it was more popular in NZ. Clearly both of you have had excellent results and I don't dispute that. I also don't dispute that the 25-06 is not an excellent cartridge but the question posed by RRAH was not if it was any good but why it was not more popular and my comments addressed that. Although Remington introduced the 25-06 late in 1969 it had already been a semi wildcat for 50 years at least. I seem to remember that it was quite popular after introduction but since then laser range finders have made flat trajectory less desirable than heavier high BC projectiles that are less deflected by the breeze. No projectile manufacturer is going to develop high BC projectile if there are no rifles that can stabilise them.
The cartridge market is a fickle place. Decisions by rifle purchasers are often made for reasons far removed from how well they perform. Most people like something new and there is plenty of new about at the moment but not much for the 25 calibre. I thought that FN/ Winchester dropped the ball by not using a faster twist in the 25 WSSM to allow some higher BC projectiles but it has flopped for various reasons.
In summary to both you and RRAH enjoy your 25 calibre rifles, they work just as well as they ever did, or better with some of the newer projectiles but I think they are likely to continue to lose market share to the 6.5 cartridges especially the PRC.
Finally like you I am a fan of the less popular cartridges, the 6.5 x 55 and 7mm SAUM being examples in my rifle cupboard and I do have 25-06 and 257 Roberts dies so one day perhaps.
Regards Grandpamac.