I don't know that I'd go that far... well, maybe... I dunno. I guess it's not really that pressing, since I have both a .25-06 and a 6mm, but I'm starting to reflexively snap up anything I think that might not be around long... think SPS SS .257 Weatherby, Creedmoor, .358 Winchester...
25-06 vs .243?
- Thread starter huntnfool
- Start date
It works great, but there are a few things I don't like about the 25-06. One is the lack of high BC bullets available. There just isn't anything I've found in a hunting bullet over .466 and every little bit helps at longer ranges in windy conditions. The newer 100gr scirocco looks wicked but I've not tried it. The other is that it really needs 24" of barrel to perform. If I'm using a rifle that long, I would step up to a 264WM and push higher BC bullets fast. The 270win can push a 140gr AccuBond to 3000fps from a 22" barrel and be a handier length. The 260 rem or 6.5x284 with a short action and 23-24" barrel will do the same thing with a 130gr AccuBond, and both these have better BC's. To me when you step up to a round as powerful as the 25-06 you had just as well step on up to a larger caliber. The way I see it, I don't like the longer rifles for predators or varmints, so why not go on up to a 6.5 or 270 for deer. I've shot several deer with the 25-06 and seen many others shot with it, and have no doubts about it's ability. I've seen the 25-06 put them down as fast as anything. I've owned 3 in my life but the reasons I listed are why I don't own one now.
I've also used the 243 for deer and it does a good job too. It's light recoiling and can be efficient with a short enough overall length to be a gun I'd shoot alot on predators and varmints and still work for deer. I still like the bigger guns for deer, but I'd still feel very comfortable using a 243 under most conditions. Especially if the 243 was a tackdriver that I'd been punching lots of paper & varmints with in the off season. In fact, that's what I do if I want a doe for meat during the antlerless season.
I just wanted to put some ideas out to consider. Any of them will do a great job as long as you do your part, and many of my ideas aren't chambered in the new Model 70.
I've also used the 243 for deer and it does a good job too. It's light recoiling and can be efficient with a short enough overall length to be a gun I'd shoot alot on predators and varmints and still work for deer. I still like the bigger guns for deer, but I'd still feel very comfortable using a 243 under most conditions. Especially if the 243 was a tackdriver that I'd been punching lots of paper & varmints with in the off season. In fact, that's what I do if I want a doe for meat during the antlerless season.
I just wanted to put some ideas out to consider. Any of them will do a great job as long as you do your part, and many of my ideas aren't chambered in the new Model 70.
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
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mcseal2":2cro50u6 said:
The 260 is a great caliber for deer sized animals and the 6.5 bullets do have great BC's. I don't think the 260 is as versatile as either the 243 or 25-06 if you want a caliber for deer and varmints. Everyone I talk to that has a 6.5 X 284 is using either a long action or a Winchester short action to seat the bullets out far enough to realize the advantages this caliber offers.
Yes, the 25-06 needs 24" barrels to really shine with heavy for caliber bullets and slower burning powders, but does really well in a 22" barrel Tikka that I shoot with 110 grain AB's. I have killed enough deer with this combo to know it works very well and have not yet recovered a bullet from one of them.
Based on what I have seen from the 95 grain BT in a .243 shooting into water jugs (penetration) and small groups I have been able to shoot with it in load development, it is a great 250-300 yard deer combo. If I want to shoot varmints, it is fantastic with 70 grain BT's. If someone is looking for one rifle that will serve both purpposes, the .243 would be tough to beat. Who just wants one rifle and caliber though?? :mrgreen:
ElmerThud
Handloader
- Jul 16, 2011
- 809
- 119
Ah well now J. I made that sacrifice!
I had for 20 years been shooting deer with .243Win.
A 20" barrel Steyr Mannlicher Stutzen it was, but last year I sold after it remained in the cabinet untouched after I bought my .25-06Rem.
For 7 years it remained in the cabinet all but forgotten, yet the .243 was a great rifle & calibre for hunting. Trouble was, it just didn't quite have the knock down thrutch needed when it came to a long shot on a Red Deer Stag.
So I elected to buy my new rifle in .25-06 Rem. have used 100gn bullets in it for the last eight years and effectively have become a one rifle only hunter...except for my rimmy of course.
p.s. My 110gn Nosler AB's have arrived at the dealer today...just need picking up now!! :grin:
Cheers, ET
I had for 20 years been shooting deer with .243Win.
A 20" barrel Steyr Mannlicher Stutzen it was, but last year I sold after it remained in the cabinet untouched after I bought my .25-06Rem.
For 7 years it remained in the cabinet all but forgotten, yet the .243 was a great rifle & calibre for hunting. Trouble was, it just didn't quite have the knock down thrutch needed when it came to a long shot on a Red Deer Stag.
So I elected to buy my new rifle in .25-06 Rem. have used 100gn bullets in it for the last eight years and effectively have become a one rifle only hunter...except for my rimmy of course.
p.s. My 110gn Nosler AB's have arrived at the dealer today...just need picking up now!! :grin:
Cheers, ET
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,314
- 5,979
ET,
Great that you at last have your AccuBonds. It'll be great to see what that rifle will do with them.
Great that you at last have your AccuBonds. It'll be great to see what that rifle will do with them.
I used to have a 257 weatherby mag very similar to the 25/06. I sold the Weatherby a few years ago. The older I get the less recoil I want. I bought a 308 encore barrel for me and a 243 for my son when de was 14. Now he has muscled the 308 from me and I use the 243, that's if I am not Snipering deer with the 300 whisper. When using the 243 I just pick my shots and shoot my 243 win single shot Encore loaded with a single 100 Nos Partition. Have never lost a deer.
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
- 1,763
- 0
ElmerThud":3ayrqodj said:
I am really happy for you Tom! Does that give you enough time for load work before your hunt in Scotland?
ElmerThud
Handloader
- Jul 16, 2011
- 809
- 119
I have a little time and with the guide you folks have given me I can probably put together something that works in the 3 weeks I have available prior to our first trip on Stags.
It's the most important appointment on the seasonal calender as the first stags coming in for the rut should be arriving on our land at the 3rd week of Sept.
If I'm not comfortable with what I've done by then, I can always carry on until the following hunting trip 1st week of October.
If all fails, I still have my regular load to see me through.....I'm hoping for success with these though.
Last week I was pretty surprised at the chrono readings with 20.5" barrel I got from some loads:
Sierra 1620 100gn/H4350 x53gn Rem.9 1/2 primer 3310 fps Avg. Max spread 22fps. (Regular load)
Nosler 100gn BT/IMR4350 x 52gn Fed 215M Gold primer 3353 fps Avg. Max spread 83fps.
I have an idea a primer change to Rem 9 1/2 will help the Nosler load.
Cheers, Tom
It's the most important appointment on the seasonal calender as the first stags coming in for the rut should be arriving on our land at the 3rd week of Sept.
If I'm not comfortable with what I've done by then, I can always carry on until the following hunting trip 1st week of October.
If all fails, I still have my regular load to see me through.....I'm hoping for success with these though.
Last week I was pretty surprised at the chrono readings with 20.5" barrel I got from some loads:
Sierra 1620 100gn/H4350 x53gn Rem.9 1/2 primer 3310 fps Avg. Max spread 22fps. (Regular load)
Nosler 100gn BT/IMR4350 x 52gn Fed 215M Gold primer 3353 fps Avg. Max spread 83fps.
I have an idea a primer change to Rem 9 1/2 will help the Nosler load.
Cheers, Tom
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
- 1,763
- 0
Tom -
That is great velocity coming out of that short of a barrel! You will loose a little of that going to the 110 AB, but will have improved BC and a much better bullet for any of your longer shots. Good luck with load development.
That is great velocity coming out of that short of a barrel! You will loose a little of that going to the 110 AB, but will have improved BC and a much better bullet for any of your longer shots. Good luck with load development.
ElmerThud
Handloader
- Jul 16, 2011
- 809
- 119
Thanks for that J.
Just got back from collecting the precious little rascals :grin: ...& set now to get stuck in.
I'm kind of hoping to end up with accuracy & around 3100 fps....but I'm not going to know whether I get that for a little while.
First, put together some loads I think may work - then check - do some 'tuning' check again...you know the drill!!!
By the way, Roger thinks he's about a week away from collecting his new custom rifle.
Cheers, Tom
Just got back from collecting the precious little rascals :grin: ...& set now to get stuck in.
I'm kind of hoping to end up with accuracy & around 3100 fps....but I'm not going to know whether I get that for a little while.
First, put together some loads I think may work - then check - do some 'tuning' check again...you know the drill!!!
By the way, Roger thinks he's about a week away from collecting his new custom rifle.
Cheers, Tom
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,746
- 5,818
"Last week I was pretty surprised at the chrono readings with 20.5" barrel I got from some loads:
Sierra 1620 100gn/H4350 x53gn Rem.9 1/2 primer 3310 fps Avg. Max spread 22fps. (Regular load)
Nosler 100gn BT/IMR4350 x 52gn Fed 215M Gold primer 3353 fps Avg. Max spread 83fps.
I have an idea a primer change to Rem 9 1/2 will help the Nosler load."
Tom - looks like the rifle & loads are coming together nicely! I'm impressed with the 3300+ fps from the short barrel. Congrats. I'd recommend trying a standard primer rather than a magnum primer. My .25-06 using either H4350 (or Retumbo with the heavier bullets) normally gets a Federal 210 match primer, and it's worked reliably even in temps well below freezing.
Regards, Guy
Sierra 1620 100gn/H4350 x53gn Rem.9 1/2 primer 3310 fps Avg. Max spread 22fps. (Regular load)
Nosler 100gn BT/IMR4350 x 52gn Fed 215M Gold primer 3353 fps Avg. Max spread 83fps.
I have an idea a primer change to Rem 9 1/2 will help the Nosler load."
Tom - looks like the rifle & loads are coming together nicely! I'm impressed with the 3300+ fps from the short barrel. Congrats. I'd recommend trying a standard primer rather than a magnum primer. My .25-06 using either H4350 (or Retumbo with the heavier bullets) normally gets a Federal 210 match primer, and it's worked reliably even in temps well below freezing.
Regards, Guy
ElmerThud
Handloader
- Jul 16, 2011
- 809
- 119
Yes cheers Guy, I was surprised at the velocities too, only expecting around 3120/50 fps.
The forthcoming primers to use will be Rem 9 1/2.
If I find a dealer with Fed 210 in stock I'll get some to try.
The Fed magnum primers are 215 Gold Match & I've had them a while. They were worth a shot or two just to see. But I reckon they're somewhat inconsistent. Can't prove that, but the variation of 83 fps with the load was caused by something...& I'm almost certain it wasn't brass prep. propellant or seating depth.
Cheers, Tom
The forthcoming primers to use will be Rem 9 1/2.
If I find a dealer with Fed 210 in stock I'll get some to try.
The Fed magnum primers are 215 Gold Match & I've had them a while. They were worth a shot or two just to see. But I reckon they're somewhat inconsistent. Can't prove that, but the variation of 83 fps with the load was caused by something...& I'm almost certain it wasn't brass prep. propellant or seating depth.
Cheers, Tom
ElmerThud
Handloader
- Jul 16, 2011
- 809
- 119
Posted the results from last weekend under 'Reloading for short barrelled .25-06' Cheers, ET
ElmerThud
Handloader
- Jul 16, 2011
- 809
- 119
That would be an illegal bullet weight for hunting/shooting Sika & Reds in the UK Okie. Cheers, ET
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
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okie2":3sc5q3mo said:
The Sika and Reds can be substantially larger than deer in the US, especially deer in the southern states. The 85 grain BT is a varmint bullet in the 25 caliber, and isn't a good choice IMO for deer hunting. I have shot deer with a 50 grain cup and core bullet from a 22-250, that doesn't mean it is the best choice when working up loads for a hunt.
