25-06 or 7mm-08 dilemma

[357smallbore]

I have a wonderful 243 I use for most my hunting needs. If I get my Elk tag I uncase my 30-06. I've never found myself wanting more when using the 243. But I have the itch for another rifle. I like the 25-06 from all I've read on it. Have a few friends that swear by them. I did have a 7mm-08 and that was a beauty to shoot. I think I would like to either get a 25-06 or another 7mm-08. I reload so that is a non issue.

 

[Texas10mm]

Personally between the two I would go with a 7mm-08.

Shorter action = lighter rifle. .308 brass is easy to get and neck down, .30-06 brass is not as common and is more expensive.

Ya really need to figure out what you're going to use this rifle for.

 

[357smallbore]

Personally between the two I would go with a 7mm-08.

Shorter action = lighter rifle. .308 brass is easy to get and neck down, .30-06 brass is not as common and is more expensive.

Ya really need to figure out what you're going to use this rifle for.

The gun would be a safe queen probably It wouldn't replace the 243 or 06. Just another rife to shoot. I might us it for Elk and Moose though.

 

[Texas10mm]

If that's the case I'd go big then. Maybe a .35 Whelen.

 

[edwardware]

It doesn't sound like you have a mission you lack equipment for, so you're buying for interest.

In similar circumstances I bought a .375H&H because I wanted to learn recoil management. Buy something interesting!

 

[troy fairweather]

7-08

 

[onegunred]

So I guess you have MOOSE in Arizona, interesting. I had a 25-06 Weatherby Vanguard with a really nice wood stock. My son's friend has it now. I had much the same dilemma a year ago so I went with a Howa 1500 in 270 Win. The 7-08 is a great cartridge. I know that I didn't help.

 

[Ks5shooter]

7MM-08.....

 

[redneck2]

I used to have safes full of rifles that I rarely or never used simply because they over lapped. You’re headed the same direction. Now I have one bigger rifle, a really accurate 7 Mag that will do any big game hunting I’m gonna do. It’s got a very high end scope. Your ‘06 will do exactly the same thing.

My firearms now all fall into different use categories

Me? I’d get something different. A really nice, really accurate 6.5 of some flavor with a good scope.

 

[Hookeye]

Id like an octagon bbl B78 in .25-06

 

[Legionnaire]

7-08

 

[VoodooMountain]

For elk: 7mm-08

For anything smaller: 25-06.
I really like the 25-06. Fast, flat and light recoil.

 

[jmr40]

243 and 25-06 are good dual purpose varmint and deer cartridges. Both can be pressed into service as elk cartridges, but both are borderline. And 25-06 just doesn't offer much of an advantage over 243. The 25-06 shoots bullets 10 gr heavier to about the same speed. Neither shoot bullets heavy enough to be ideal for game bigger than deer.

The 26 caliber/6.5mm options will handle 140-160 gr bullets that are starting to be a serious big game option. Personally I'd go 6.5 Creedmoor but 7-08 or 308 would be good options too. Your 243 will do anything you can do with a 25-06, and then some. Since you hand load there are far more GOOD bullets available in 24, 26, 28 and 30 caliber than 25.

 

[Picher]

If you want lighter, don't get a .25-06 because it begs for a longer barrel than a 7mm08. The rifle could end up being heavier than a 22" 30-06. The 7mm-08 is a really great, nice shooting medium game cartridge. My neighbor has a stainless Rem 7 in a synthetic stock that shoots factory ammo under 1/2 MOA, after I bedded it for her. The person who had the rifle before her over-tightened the forward screw, cracking the stock. I repaired the crack and pillar-bedded/free-floated it. Rem Core-Locts went into a perfect clover-leaf at 100 yards after sighting it in. She got a huge buck with it a year ago and will never give it up!!!

 

[joed]

Big .25-06 fan here, owned one for 41 years now. I've used it to hunt groundhogs in OH, bear in Canada and deer in FL. It is a very versatile cartridge. Everything I ever shot with it was a one shot kill. The .25-06 is a hunting cartridge and it does a great job at that, shoots fast and flat at hunting distances without a lot of recoil.

I own other rifles too including a .243. If you like the .243 wait till you see how the .25-06 compares, it shoots a heavier bullet than the .243 at a higher velocity. Of the two, my first choice is the .25-06 for anything I hunt and I like the .243. I just prefer the .25-06 more.

Would I hunt Elk with a .25-06? Heck yes, I have no doubt the .25-06 is capable of taking an Elk at a reasonable distance using a good hunting bullet.

 

[Newtosavage]

The gun would be a safe queen probably It wouldn't replace the 243 or 06. Just another rife to shoot. I might us it for Elk and Moose though.

In that case, it's the 7mm-08 for sure.

One of the most versatile calibers ever created.

A perfect bridge between your .243 and 30-06 and can serve as a backup for either if you ever needed it.

 

[357smallbore]

So I guess you have MOOSE in Arizona, interesting. I had a 25-06 Weatherby Vanguard with a really nice wood stock. My son's friend has it now. I had much the same dilemma a year ago so I went with a Howa 1500 in 270 Win. The 7-08 is a great cartridge. I know that I didn't help.

Sounds to me like a smartass
Moose hunt is in TX (LOL) Actually WY. I really dont need a thing. Just bored!!!!
I am leaning to the 7mm-08. So many good bullets for reloading. And its an excellent between cartridge with what I have.
Thanks fellow gunners for your input.

 

[Legionnaire]

If you're bored, punch a 7-08 out to an Ackley and have at it.

 

[Olympus]

You just posted a thread about having a 257 Roberts. There’s very little practical difference between the 257 you already have and the 25-06 that you’re considering.

It’s like owning a 222 and saying you’re thinking about buying a 223.

 

[357smallbore]

You just posted a thread about having a 257 Roberts. There’s very little practical difference between the 257 you already have and the 25-06 that you’re considering.

I know. Like I said. I am bored. Have had everything from 222 to 45-70. My favorites I own are: 243, 7x57, 280, 30-30, 30-06, 358, and 444
My 243 and 06 are my usual hunters. The 257 is a keeper because I only gave $150 for it. I have thought about buying a 338 win mag. That would cover me if I went to Alaska.

 

[BigBore44]

For more of a safe queen, I think I’d consider a 7mm Mauser. For a shooter, 7mm-08.

 

[d2wing]

I have a 7-08 and I think it is ideal.

 

[Hokkmike]

The gun would be a safe queen probably It wouldn't replace the 243 or 06. Just another rife to shoot. I might us it for Elk and Moose though.

I don't know that I would choose either the 25.06 or the 7mm08 for elk or moose. Of the two I would choose the latter. I have fired both. The 25.06 is l-o-u-d. Explore the niche of 6.5 cartridges out there as a possible alternative. If I had to buy a new gun (I currently favor the 6.5x55) I would strongly considered the 7mm08 - But I would only go as large as white tail deer with it.

 

[mshootnit]

7MM-08.....
View attachment 843337 View attachment 843338

That is a sweet rifle.
I like 25-06 because if it is a quick shot, I like the extra point blank range.

 

[someguy2800]

I've had a 25-06 for 16 years. I don't regret getting it but if I knew then what I know know I would have gotten a 7mm-08.