25-06 264 wm OR 270 wsm?

[FOTIS]

If you had to choose between the two which would you choose and why?
This will be mainly for deer hunting and maybe antelope.

Let us pretend that rifle availability and price is same for all.

And yes do not take factory loads into account. I never use them.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I believe I'd take the WSM...

I really like the 25-06 (barrel burner if you shoot alot, needs a long barrel), never shot a 264 but I'm sure its a fine round (likely another barrel burner that needs a long 26" barrel)...

I don't even like 24" barrels to be honest...but they are necessary on most, if not all, long action calibers...so I surely would hate a 26" barrel.

Thats why I say 270 WSM (I'd rather have a 7mm WSM though)...it'll do what it'll do in a 24" barrel.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I guess that I would opt for the .270 WSM. The practical reason being one of being large and having enough power for elk hunting with a 140/150 gr bullet, although I woiuld not be my first choice, it would suffice for this task.

The perenial emotional favorite would be the .264 WM. I have never owned a .264 and would enjoy doing so.

 

[FOTIS]

2 for 2 so far...

 

[SJB358]

Antelope and deer. 264 Win Mag. With 140's, they run the same speed really, and then you get a ballistic edge with most bullets with the 264. That was a tough one as I like both of them quite alot.

 

[FOTIS]

No surprise there Scottie!

 

[REDGREEN]

I would opt for the 25 06. Nothing that I have shot with one needed a second. Extremely flat, deer are DRT and easy to load for, and it don't beat you up. Buddy that I load for uses his for moose and elk, and he sold his 7mm Rem mag when I turned him on to the 25. Calls it his "25 'O' Death"

 

[DrMike]

In my estimate, since you are using the rifle for deer and possibly antelope, flip a coin. My personal choice would be 264WM, primarily because I don't own one. :mrgreen: Otherwise, it would be the 270WSM, which is a great round for deer.

 

[Guy Miner]

The very light recoil and excellent deer killing power of the .25-06 won me over. This one has taken deer most years since 2005. Deer don't need a cannon. A 6mm Rem works about as well.

Also do some coyote hunting with it. I look at it as a very good coyote & mule deer rifle. Your question was for "mainly for deer hunting and maybe antelope." I see no need for a larger bore, harder kicking rifle for that purpose. Enjoy the light touch of a .24 or .25 cal rifle.

Guy

 

[FOTIS]

Some nice ones there Guy!

 

[DrMike]

I wouldn't turn down a good 25-06, and Guy could be one of the main reasons. Yours does deliver for you, Guy.

 

[JD338]

I would go with the 264 Win Mag. The 6.5mm bore offers some great BC bullets.

JD338

 

[nitis]

Well I have or have had all three at some point.

My 25.06 is my go to gun over my 257 weatherby and that is mainly because I love the platform it is on being a 700 classic it's a dream to carry and points so right also with the advent of rl17 I can darn near get weatherby velocities. 100 gr ballistic tips are giving me 3500 fps in a 24" pipe

The 264 I just got so no comment

The 270 wsm is the only gun I regret selling very versatile it did everything my 7 mag could do and it didn't beat me up 110-160 gr pills I may just own one again someday

 

[AzDak42]

That's just not a fair question. A classic quarter bore or the 270 WSM new hotness? It's like deciding between blond or read head. Pizza or beer.

Screw it... The only answer is BOTH!

Claim one is the backup to the other.... don't want to be out on a hunt and only have one rifle with and it fail right?

 

[Greg Nolan]

270 WSM. Offers heavier bullet options so I guess I would feel better with that. I have a 25.06 and 270 WSM but the darn deer just won't come out and play when I'm around. Guy makes a strong case for the 25-06 though. Can't argue with success.

 

[wbyfan1]

I have a 25-06 and a 270WSM. If shooting deer and antelope at ranges less than 600 yards, choosing the 264 or WSM over the 25-06 is waste of time and powder. The 270WSM is a fine cartridge, but overkill for deer and antelope. The 264??? Well, if you want cool and different..that's your cartridge.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Well to each his own. I have always been a real fan of the .257 Roberts and with today's powders and bullets I can nearly equal the .25-06 with a round that is approaching 100 years young. I also owned a .25-06 for years and killed several mule deer with the caliber with great success. Just a litle different viewpoint on the .25 caliber.

 

[6mm Remington]

Fotis I have to go with the 25-06 shooting those 110 Accubonds or 120 Partitions. Not much recoil, plenty of pop, and easy to shoot.

My wife Jennifer and a buck she shot at just over 300 yards with HER 25-06 and one 120 gr. Partition.

Another one with the 25-06!

Elk 250 yards, one shot with a 120 gr. Partition out of a 25-06 that exited. Went 40 yards!

How about this Fotis as a thought. Why not a 6.5-06? :grin: Those sleek .264 bullets, neck up 25-06 brass (simple), no recoil, no fuss, no muss, and velocities not far behind the 264 Mag! Or how about the 270 WSM necked down to make a 6.5 WSM? Either of those would be sweet. Sure hope we have helped you make your decision sir.
David

 

[Hank Hunter]

All good choices but if I had to pick one 270 wsm

 

[FOTIS]

Those are some nice animals indeed! Congratulations on all of them.
The reason for this question was mainly trying to decide whether I "need" a 25-06 or a 264 Win Mag when I already have a 243 win and a 270 WSM.

Truth be told I decided against either....
243-- 270 WSM---- 7mm rum
308--- 30-06-- 30-378--- blah blah blah.

I think I have it all covered. Save the money and hunt more.