25-06 or 7mm-08 dilemma

[Roamin_Wade]

That 6.5 Creedmoor round lands in between the 25-06 and the 270 Win. Might consider it. Its a really sweet shooting round.

 

[d2wing]

I think the 7-08 is fine for Moose and Elk with quality bullets. After a guy named Bell shot Elephants with the 7x57 which is very close to the same thing.

 

[horsey300]

If you already have the 7x57and the 280 then what your need is either the 7 mag or 7-08 because the family is missing a few members, realistically, the x57 isn't much different than the 08, but brass, coal, and preference have graced the 08.

 

[sage5907]

I think it depends on whether you want a short action or a long action. For me, I have big hands so I like a long action better so all of my rifles are long action. I can load or unload a long action in the dark with gloves and not drop cartridges. If you have small hands with short fingers a short action could be better for you. I like a Model 70 Winchester and I noticed that current production standard grade rifles which have 24 inch barrels are made in 25-06 and not made in 7mm 08. In the featherweight model with 22 inch barrel they make both short action 7mm 08 and the long action 25-06. I personally would not want a 25-06 with a 22 inch barrel.

I like to carry my 25-06 as a scouting rifle so when I am walking a mile or two away from the vehicle and could walk upon a coyote or other varmint it's a good choice. The lightest rifle that I own is a slim barrel 25-06.

 

[joseywales76]

7 08ai. Build on a long action with some freebore.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

I confess. To the core I am a rifle loony. What's wrong with getting both calibers in good decent rifles. To me you choices are on the edge of an apples and oranges situation. Don't live in conflict. Get both! My two favorites here are a 257 Roberts and a 7mm-08. Now, that's this week....

Addendum: Get a 256 Newton and put all this 6.5 mess to sleep.

 

[Keyfer 55]

No, dilemma here 2506 Rem.

 

[cdb1]

I’ve shot a number of 25-06 rifles by different makers. Doesn’t make sense but I didn’t care for the recoil. It felt sharper to me than the recoil of a .270 or 30-06. So I’d get a 7mm-08.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

For me 25-06 will always be a varmint rifle....that's my perception. I know, the 25-06 has probably taken all possible came in North America. I'll always go with a heavier bullet. You gotta keep in mind it's all about personal preference. The preference here is the 7mm-08.

 

[Legionnaire]

OP, you have only spoken to cartridge, not your preferred launcher. Your .243 is most likely a short action, and the .30-06 is long. A 7-08 could be built on either a short or a long action, although I would only consider a long action in 7-08 if I were going to blow it out into an Ackley and throat it for long heavy-for-caliber bullets.

I am 73 inches tall but still prefer carbine-length short actions for walkaround rifles. That's another reason for opting for the 7-08. You won't fit a 25-06 in a short action.