Final caliber decision.
Sorry if this is becoming a PITA. 25-06 or 243?
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7mm Rem mag and be done with it
you can take any thing in North America with it [:D][:p][;)]0 -
Not having ever fired either, I'll say .243 [a random choice] 0 -
I would get a short action
I did not "get" the 25-06 I had for a while
.243 or .308
or .260 if you reload!0 -
Really, you won't go wrong with either. But, if it were me:
.25-06
I don't find the recoil abusive, it's fast, flat, and can take anything from prairie dogs to whitetails (some say you can go bigger than whitetail (like elk), but I, personally, wouldn't). I believe I've read you're going to handload for it, and there's plenty of bullet choices in .25.
I'm building a .25-06, so you could say I'm biased, though...0 -
The factors I would consider are:
Cost of the round.
Availability.
The Reloaders I've met don't consider either to be much of a factor, but I do. If you can't find the round in either Wal-Mart, Rural King, Big R, or Farm & Fleet, I wouldn't care for it.
.2430 -
Have had experience with both. Nothing wrong with either. However, 25-06 is over bore capacity unless you have a longer barrel (if you care). Mine have been very accurate and with minimal recoil. 243 is a good choice and probably performs better than it should. My opinion is that the light recoil contributes to better shooting for many. If I wanted a shorter rifle, I would likely choose the 243. If barrel length and weight was not an issue, the 25-06 is fast and flat. However, I doubt that the animal on the receiving end would know the difference.
Now for the confusing information --- why not a 260?0 -
25-06, likemhot jr. loves his. He is small in stature and can shoot it all day. Flat and fast. I reload for it according to the hunt of the day, and it drops whitetails where they stand.
Get a hand on a few reloading manuals and read what they have to say. Right now I am using the Nosler fifth edition, Hornaday fourth edition and the Sierra 50th anniversary editions. And yes there is a multitude of bullet choices. The 25-06 is a 30-06 necked down and everyone knows the following that round has received.
Shootlow, I also have a 7mm Rem mag and I llloooovvvvveeeeee it. However there is a slight difference in the ballistics and that thing called recoil.
Wait around and see if gagirl replies, and see what she has to say about her 25-06 I know she just picked one up befor the holidays.0 -
I would also go with the 25-06. I love mine. Very little recoil even with high loads. It can be used for almost anything on thing on this continent. 0 -
I had the opportunity on a prairie dog hunt to shoot those calibers back to back. I really liked the 25-06 better. 0 -
Hey Cubs I have had the 25-06 and still have the 243 if that tells ya anything [:D][:D][:D] 0 -
I think you would be better off with a short action 243
this is the short part.
I could give you all kinds of reasons.0 -
.260 Rem, second choice .243. 0 -
The 260 is not offered in the gun I've chosen. I really want a 257 Roberts, but it is not offered as well. I do reload and that is why I want a rifle, to develop it's own load. 0 -
That just means you have probably chosen the wrong rifle.[}:)] .257 is my favorite and the one I carry most often. Next is the .260 and I had an H&R 300 Ultra in .243 rebarreled to .260. 0 -
6mm 0 -
Savage 99 in 250-3000 0 -
You all are making this very difficult! [:)]
I asked for you to help me decide between the two. Not give me more choices.[:D]0 -
Cubs--
If you WANT a .257, look at .257 Ackley Improved. Almost .25-06 performance in a short cartridge.
I nearly went with it, but decided that I didn't want to go with a wildcat my first time out.0 -
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
You all are making this very difficult! [:)]
I asked for you to help me decide between the two. Not give me more choices.[:D]
I strongly second Captplaid's opinion.
All else being equal, pick the one that's easier to find ammo for.
Not only will the gun be easier (and probably cheaper) to find ammo and brass for, but it also probably makes the rifle easier to sell later if (when) you decide you need something else.
So in this case, that's the .243.0 -
I would go with the .243 cubs. The short action will make the .243 a little lighter. If you don't reload ammo is more abundant and cheaper, and if you do reload it uses less powder without suffering much in the velocity catergory. Both are great rounds though and you will be happy with either choice.
Jon0 -
6mm. 0 -
I posted my comments prior with regard to your two alternatives. However, others have suggested consideration of the 257 Roberts, either standard or improved. I feel the need to weigh in with my own opinions on it. I love the 257. I no longer own a 25-06 (hunted with one for some years back in my high velocity days). The last rifle that I purchased was a 257. But, understand that the rifle that I mostly used for many years after the 25-06 was a 7x57. The old 7 did everything that I asked of it. The 257 will too. You cannot go wrong with any of the choices that have been recommended to you.
Remember -- beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The important question is which one do you want? (Notice -- I said want not "need") Or more likely -- which one do you want to acquire first?
Good hunting.0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
6mm
almost the same as a .243, but harder to find the ammo at your local store. Stir0 -
25-06....hands down... 0 -
This thread is full of Blasphemy! Shame on you all! The 25-06 rules...[}:)][:(!] 0 -
quote:This thread is full of Blasphemy! Shame on you all! The 25-06 rules...
Only in your dreams.[}:)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by cartod
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
6mm
almost the same as a .243, but harder to find the ammo at your local store. Stir
That aint no joke.
As much as i love my 6mm i am sad to report that ammo is not that abundant for this very fine chambering.
If i were you Cubslover i would pick the 243.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Texas Hunter
quote:Originally posted by cartod
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
6mm
almost the same as a .243, but harder to find the ammo at your local store. Stir
That aint no joke.
As much as i love my 6mm i am sad to report that ammo is not that abundant for this very fine chambering.
If i were you Cubslover i would pick the 243.
Not a problem.. Posters quote: I do reload and that is why I want a rifle, to develop it's own load0 -
.30-'06. 0 -
243. Knocks down anything from a prairie dog to mule deer easily. Huge bullet selection, and not that expensive to reload. I don't think you'd go wrong with either one, but I have a 243 and am not planning on getting rid of it any time soon. 0
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