Need a newer small caliber. Any ideas?

B

bucknvelvet

Beginner
Jul 26, 2006
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My dad and i a javelina hunt coming fairly soon and my father doesnt have an adequate rifle. He gave me his 22-250 and I was thinking of buying him a rifle for christmas. I would rather not get another 22-250, but it has to be at least an average deer rifle. so I was thinking along the lines of a .243, 25-06, or maybe a 6mm. What do u guys suggest for me?
 
I think we need a little more information. What are the main purposes of this rifle going to be used for, and at what yardages?? If you plan to use it as a pure dual purpose rifle, varmints/deer it would be hard pressed to beat the .243. However, if its going to be more of a coyote/deer rifle at longer ranges, I would go for the 25-06. Either of the cartridges you mentioned will take deer to 500 yards with the right bullet in the hands of the right shooter no problem. I personally would go with the 25-06 shooting 100g or 115g bullets. Plenty for javelina, coyotes, deer, antelope, black bear and pretty much everything else inbetween. I have had great success with mine out to 600 yards on coyotes and deer. The 25-06 is an accurate, hard hitting, flat shooting, and mild recoiling cartridge that kills better then it should, or it might be that I'm a bit biased. Either way, the 25-06 is my favorite cartridge and probly always will be.
 
+1 For hvy barrel

.260 or 7-08......I use them both for yote's in the winter and have taken elk with both.......
 
Alright, this comes right down my alley. A cartridge that I have been jumping up and down about for years, and doesn't get looked at even in this forum, is the 240 Wby. Nice thing about this gun is that it is in the non-magnum Mark V action, so it is about a pound+ lighter. I believe it weighs in empty at 6 or 6 1/4 lbs. The accumark is 5 3/4. Now, a 100g Partition bullet does a job on whitetails. If you look at the 6mm bullet options, there are numerous selections. 13.1 lbs of recoil if I recall correctly, which I believe is about 1 lb heavier than the 243 (obviously depending on bullet). My wife actually loves shooting it, because the recoil is so light. These Mark Vs come factory with a Pacmyr Decelerator pad as well, so felt recoil might even be lighter. Factory Wby rounds for 100g partitions, have a MV of 3400fps. Very flat, very effective. Loading this round down to lets say 87g will tip the Javelina upside down, or whatever else you run into. Heck I shot a moose at 450yds in the shoulder with my 240, and it flipped over backwards and died within about 2 minutes. Yes, I am kidding :wink:. But it is a great cartridge! Oh yeah, the factory rounds are awesome for this gun and very consistant, so you wouldn't have to reload til after the hunt. I reload my 240s to factory specs. My best group is about 3/4" @ 100yds, with 2 of the rounds half inside the other, the stray was the cold bore shot.
 
The .243 was the first caliber I ever bought, still have it, and probably always will. If you stumble on to a 6mm, grab it; I doubt that either of these two can do anything the other can't. From the little I've shot the .25, I've been impressed with it as well. Fast and very flat. Close your eyes and pick whatever your finger lands on!
 
Original question asked about .243, .25-06 and the 6mm...

Heck, they're all great choices. In the field a guy can't tell any difference in performance between a 6mm Rem and a .243 Winchester. I've got the 6mm Rem. Or at least I did until I gave it to my son. That little 6mm has done in a whole lotta critters over the past 32 years...

Replaced it with a .25-06 which I've taken to heart. Great cartridge!

Minimal recoil, but a 100 grainer at 3340 fps does a serious number on pretty much anything that gets in the way... :grin: Accurate too.

Regards, Guy
 
I have never gotten behind the ;ittle .243 as a good deer antelope round, especially for new shooter. I love the .25-06, but long action, loud muzzle blast. I would go .260 or 7-08. Plenty for deer & antelope to any reasonable range & from most angles w/ good bullets.
 
My vote would go for a 257 Roberts. Of course I am a little biased towards it as it is my favorite round. The Roberts has light recoil and is a very accurate round. You can load it with 75 grainers for varmints and predators or with bullets from 100gr. to 120gr. for big game.
 
Hi ya,
If you will be doing your own reloading you might look at a 6.5x55 Swede.
Ruger still puts this together & so did Winchester.
 
Boy- any of the above arguments for all the callibers listed make good sense. I'm not familiar with the weatherby but have shot the others. If I had to give a nod it would be to the 25-06 just for the bullet weight (117 gr) advantage over the 243. If I have my facts straight. The '06 has a great rep. as a deer slayer. That said, I personally shoot a 250 Savage, parent case to your 22-250. It looses out just slightly in most respects to all of the rounds mentioned. and ammo is tough to find. However, I would not hesitate to use it in any of the situations you mentioned. I like it for its low recoil, outstanding accuracy and uniqueness. My point is, find any of them in a rifle you are comfortable with and use them within there limits and you cant go wrong. All of them have some good options for off the shelf for ammo (again, not sure about the 240) All of us should have such tough decisions :) have fun. CL
 
If you asked me, either of the two 6MM will be my choice for dual purpose rifle. I have both caliber and both are solid performer but then again I never owned a 25-06 so I can't comment on them. :?
 
cloverleaf brought up a great point here..... except !
If your a handloader, it's not a big deal, but off the shelf ammo selection for the .260 is terrible right now.
Great round though, I'm having #2 built right now.
 
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