243 vs 25-06

[FOTIS]

For an occasional varmint coyote but mainly antelope and deer.

What say you and why?

 

[joelkdouglas]

I think this really means long action or short action, as either are fine for all of the above.

For mountain climbers, a lightweight 243.

For the plains, a solid 25-06.

 

[Songdog]

I'll put it this way.... the .25-06 has been my favorite caliber for 25 years. But, I won't buy another one... because what you can do with the .243 Win, 105 Amax and 40ish grains of powder is simply amazing.

 

[6mm Remington]

Either would be excellent Fotis as would a 6mm Remington as it has a bit more pop than the 243 does. As much as I love the 6mm Remington, it would be hard to argue with the 25-06 with that 110 gr. AccuBond or 115 & 120 gr. Partition. I would have to also throw in the 100 gr. E-tip in the 25-06, that E-tip is an awesome bullet and it would scream out of a 25-06.

I know reloading them makes the gap a little closer, but I was just looking at some Federal Premium loaded ammunition both with 100 gr. Partitions in the 6mm Remington and the 243 Winchester. They listed the 243 at 2850 fps and the 6mm at 3100 fps for a 250 fps difference which is quite a bit.

 

[FOTIS]

I'll put it this way.... the .25-06 has been my favorite caliber for 25 years. But, I won't buy another one... because what you can do with the .243 Win, 105 Amax and 40ish grains of powder is simply amazing.

What is the minimum twist needed for that bullet?

 

[Songdog]

Recommended at 1/9.... but I've seen them shoot in a 1/10"

 

[onesonek]

I have gone by the thought of,,, as caliber is reduced more Sectional Density is prefered.
It would be the .25-06 for me. I hunt big game primarily with NPT's, as I never had on fail me. With that, the .25's offer SD.
A yote won't know the difference

 

[Guy Miner]

My 6mm Remington with a 1:9 twist stabilizes the 105 AMax. You might want to consider a good 6mm Remington if you're looking at .243's and .25-06's... :grin:

Yeah, I had the 6mm Rem for about forever and it never came up short on deer. After I gave it to my youngest son I missed having a flat-shooting, mild-kicking deer & 'yote slayer, so I went through a few .25-06 rifles until I found the one that stayed.

Any of them will do what you want, and do it well:

.243, .243 AI
6mm Rem
.257 Roberts (the AI version is particularly appealing)
.25-06

Or just go with the .257 Wby and be done with it... :grin:

None of those have any significant recoil. They all shoot flat & fast. Mule deer, no problem. Same with coyotes.

Wonder where you could get a good 6mm Remington? That's a classy cartridge...

Guy

 

[onesonek]

Wonder where you could get a good 6mm Remington? That's a classy cartridge...

There's NIB Remington Limited Edition Model 700 on gunbroker right now. Also a 600.

 

[buckfever]

I would go with a 2506 and it would be really nice if you could get a high B.C. bullet hmmm I wonder who could make one :roll:

 

[RiverRider]

I would choose the .25-06 over .243 Winchester. The .243 seems to be somewhat persnickety and the .25 offers a little more oomph if it's wanted.

 

[Guy Miner]

I was just giving Fotis a bad time - he just sold a real nice 6mm Rem 700 in our classifieds...

Serious case of rifle swapping going on there! :grin:

Fotis - before you leap - take a look at the .243 Win & .243 Win AI article over at 6mmBR.com - excellent info.

I like the .25-06 a lot, no problem getting 3100+ fps from a good 115 gr bullet, with just a standard 24" barrel. Mine has been a mulie & coyote whacking machine.

The .243 is a hot ticket if you load it right. It's done some great stuff in some of the tactical competitions, and also does well for a multi-purpose varmint/coyote/deer rifle. I just happen to like the 6mm Rem more - but that puts me in a distinct minority.

Don't you still have a .257 Weatherby? Sort of takes care of the deer/pronghorn/coyote problem doesn't it?

Regards, Guy

 

[onesonek]

I'm with you in that group of the 6mm user's,,,well the AI here, I just seldom if ever use it on big game myself.

 

[Woodycreek]

My vote is 243 since I have a few that I really like, but a 25-06AI or 257 Bee would be fun. It's hard to beat the 105 Amax out of the 243AI for long range varmints or steel. I would like to try the 105 Amax and 100gr PT on deer this season.

 

[runtohunt]

I know it was not an option, but I would like to place a vote for the 240 Roy! Reminds me of shooting a very loud 22-250. I took a few antelope last year with one. My nephew also took his first antelope which was his first "big game" animal with the gun.

 

[FOTIS]

Don't you still have a .257 Weatherby? Sort of takes care of the deer/pronghorn/coyote problem doesn't it?

Regards, Guy

Not for long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :!:

 

[SJB358]

Man, that is a SWEET 257 Fotis.. I hope it is not on the chopping block.. I am not sure I could help myself......

I vote 25-06 for the original question. I had a short lived one, but I loved the cartridge and it just gets it done with 110-120 bullets...

 

[BK]

Glad I don't have to choose... I don't have the emotional attachment to my .243 that I have to my .25-06, but I like 'em both. And my .257 Weatherby. My 6mm belonged to my grandfather, so I have that tie.

I will say that the next one I get will probably be a .240 Weatherby... it's all I can do to keep from ordering a McMillan for it right now! :roll:

 

[AzDak42]

Fotis - before you leap - take a look at the .243 Win & .243 Win AI article over at 6mmBR.com - excellent info.

Great read. It was the reason I did a .243 AICS 700 build.

The .243 shoots flatter, has double the number of bullet options and can utilize a short action. Win. Win. Win.

 

[wbyfan1]

What I've noticed with the 243 guy's is they always have to use the Ackley version coupled with the Amax and the VLD to prove their point. If your standard twist 243 won't shoot one of the long, high BC bullets, you're not going to touch the 25-06.

The 243 is a very capable cartridge and will shoot flatter than the 25-06 with high BC bullets. Fact is, sans the most extreme examples, the 25-06 is a more versatile and capable cartridge than the 243.