WHICH ONE?

[Vince]

Need some advice.
I have a 25-06 that I'm using for deer and antelope this year. I also have a .300 Win Mag. I'm considering a 270 WSM as an intermediate gun between the two. I hunt the western United States and shots tend to be long at times. Long for me is out to 500 Yards.
The max distance I will use the 25-06 on antelope is 350 Yards. I'd like to move the 25-06 in to the predator catagory and use it for coyotes mostly as I can't get a bullet heavier than 87 Grains to stabilize in that rifle but for this year it's what I got so it's what I'll use. The .300 Win Mag is more than I care to shoot most days. I think the .270 Winchester needs some help, and the WSM certainly does that. I'm also not fond of the 30-06 and it's "rainbow" trajectory although I do like that it uses heavier bullets. My other option is a 7mm WSM but I'm thinking it's too close to the .300 for filling the gap.
What say you all?

 

[taylorce1]

Honestly, I'd hunt with what you have this year. After the season is over I'd send the .25-06 off for a new barrel by manufacturer of your choice. I'd then pick up a .204 Ruger or .22-250 for coyotes. I wouldn't own a .25-06 that would only stabilized 87 grain bullets.

If you think the 7mm WSM is too close to your .300 WM then so is the .270 WSM. There isn't any real world difference between the two WSM cartridges other than the fact the 7mm has floundered while the .270 has flourished. Plus at 500 yards neither really improve on the regular old .270 by much, only 8" of drop, 5" of windage, and just under 500 ft-lbs of energy seperate the 7mm WSN from the .270 Win when comparing 140 grain and 130 grain factory loads.

 

[R Flowers]

I think a 270 WSM would fit your needs very well. I won a Winchester Model 70 chambered in 270 WSM that I really like a lot.

That 270 WSM is a pretty good rifle. My favorite load for mine shoots a 140 grain Nosler Partition at 3200 fps. It has worked well on mule deer, black bear, wild hogs, and the occasional coyote. I am quite surprised at how little recoil there is for that type of performance.
Since I live in CA I had to develop a "no lead" load and wound up shooting the 110 grain Barnes Tipped TSX at 3600 fps. That load has proved deadly for myself and some friends on antelope and mule deer.

In regard to the 25-06, if you are stuck with light bullets try the 80 grain Barnes Tipped TSX bullet. I load it to 3600 fps in my 25-06 and just last month I shot another antelope with it, with oustanding performance. I have shot several antelope with that load and have never been dissapointed.

 

[BK]

Some people here, and I'm not naming anyone (Scotty) believe that I am the hater of all things .270, but I'd like to think that my preference for the 7 WSM over the .270 WSM is based on a better selection of high-BC bullets, and the ability to shoot 175 grain slugs from the 7mm. But I will say that better brass is available in the .270 (Norma), and I kinda doubt that the better bullets available for the 7 are going to make a huge difference with the distances I tend to shoot.

I would put some serious effort into figuring out what is wrong with the .25-06, though. With good bullets, I wouldn't have any regrets using it on cow or spike elk.

 

[wildgene]

...I'd look @ a 7mm WSM or possibly a .280...

 

[Oldtrader3]

I use my .270 Winchester and .257 Roberts for deer mostly. Then I jump to 7mm Rem mag with 160 gr bullets at 3060 fps for mountain deer hunting (long range) and perhaps elk. The next step for me is up to a .340 Weatherby for North American big game. I also have a .30-06 and a .338 Federal for local rain forest jungle use on deer and elk.

 

[.280 Remington]

...I'd look @ a 7mm WSM or possibly a .280...

I'll have to second the .280, not sure why :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[JD338]

The 280 Rem is a solid choice for hunting Antelope. Flat shooting with a 140 gr bullet and it has mild recoil.
I am taking my 280 AI to WY in a few weeks and I know it will work well.

BTW, nothing wrong with the 25-06 either. A 115 gr BT would be just about perfect for antelope.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

I'd surely consider a new barrel on the 25-06, or even selling it and buying another. Between it and the 300 WM, I have a 270WSM, a 280, a 7mm WSM and a 7RM. Any will get the job done, depending on the individual pulling the trigger.

 

[Anonymous]

If you want flat trajectory and light recoil- pick up a .257Wby.

The .270WSM and 7WSM are just not going to hit that much less than your .300

 

[FOTIS]

I have a sako 75 7mm rum so i chose the Tikka t3 270 wsm

here is the sako

 

[Oldtrader3]

Nice Sako Deluxe, Fotis. I really like those older Sakos.

 

[SJB358]

Vince, like Mike, I have the 300WSM, 7WSM and 270WSM's.. I like the 7mm and 270 alot. Probably like the 270 a little more, but they are both pretty light in recoil (at least less than the 300WSM) and they offer alot of performance in a decently sized package. I the 7WSM can push the 160's in the 3050-3100 range pretty easily and the 270 WSM easily pushes the 150 PT into the 3100+ range. I really can't think of a place or animal where I would use one over the other, since, well, they are the same exact rifles too!

 

[Vince]

I think after this year's hunting seaon I'll get a different 25-06 and use the action on this rifle for a custom build.

 

[DrMike]

I think after this year's hunting seaon I'll get a different 25-06 and use the action on this rifle for a custom build.

That is a sound decision; I don't believe you'll regret it.

 

[irocbarry]

I agree with some of the others that a 270/280 would be a great choice. The WSM and the Win Mag are extremely close. If one is to much recoil than the other will be also.

Personally i have a thing for the 270 and a 140 AB, I use it for everything most of the time.