25-06 rem vs 243 win

[Muzzlelover]

hi everybody i've been looking around here awhile and thought i'd join.i am having a hard time deciding between these two.i already have a 7 mag,270,a22mag and a 22 lr.so i dont need another .22 caliber.this gun will be used for varmints predators and deer.the rifle will be a savage axis.if i get the 25-06 i will probably in the end end up selling the 270 but i won't be too sad,that rifle has had problems accepting rounds in the magazine!which would you get?thanks in advance.

 

[critter]

If deer are in the mix, I'd personally go for the 25-06. I love mine. Shilen barrel on a 1909 Argentine M98 action. Shoots like a dream. DEADLY on deer with 100 gr Nosler BT's (rather smallish whitetails-big muleys MIGHT be another story).

 

[68wj]

They are very close, but if you are looking to replace the .270, I would lean towards the .25-06. Or, get a .270 that you like better and be done with it.

 

[jmr40]

I'd much rather have both a 243 and 270 than a single rifle in 25-06. Anything I need to do with a 25-06 I can do better with a 243 and the 270 takes it to another level, as does the 7 mag. Buy a new 243, sell the troublesome 270 and just use the 7mag in its place. You'll have all your bases covered and money in the bank.

 

[R H Clark]

I wold get the 243.Ammo is much more common and the balistic difference won't matter unless it's extremly long range.With todays bullets the 243 is more than enough for deer and can be loaded for long range varmints as well.

 

[AABEN]

The 270 has a lot more different bullets weight to pick from. If only one rifle 270 would be it. I have 22 223 243 25.06 270 30.06 but if only had one it will be the 270.

 

[Craigman]

I have found many more accurate loads in my .243. The shorter action is preferable to me but thats hust my oppinion. For reloading, bullets are cheaper and brass is found everywhere, sometimes free! For store bought ammo, its easier to find and usually quite a bit cheaper too. Dont let anyone tell you .243 is not enough for deer. Both are great but I usually reach for the .243 for plinking and hunting too.

 

[nathan]

What i have are,

.22 LR for plinking with scope
7mm 08 for medium range deer hunting with scope
.25 06 for varmints, deer and antelope with scope
.3006 (Garand with Schuster adjustable gas plug) open sight .

I probably need a .22 WMR or .17 HMR just just to have one. The Cz 455 combo package at Bass Pro Shop or Budsgunshop comes to mind.

 

[Olympus]

Huge fan of the .25-06 and I use it for everything I can. Great on deer and I've taken several hogs with it too.

I used to hunt with a .243. That was until I was turned on to the .25-06.

 

[adelbridge]

you didnt tell us what model the .270 was. I think the caliber choices are splitting hairs. I am not trying to talk you out of a savage axis, they go bang every time but it is an entry level rifle and if you are trading down I would suggest keeping the .270.

 

[nathan]

My eye was the .270 cal many years ago until a buddy at my local gun club persuaded me to buy his Remington 700 BDL in .2506. I had hesitations but he convinced me to take it. I had no regrets afterwards. Besides he helped me find the right load , and he bedded the action . Can't complain really.....

 

[sappyg]

Dump the 270 and go for the 25-06, then add a 223. That should be close to brake even.

 

[rule303]

The .243 is the best common all-around cartridge IMO. Rifles are short action, and lighter (the Savage Axis series are all long action, so this is a moot point in the OP's case). There are tons of bullet choices in factory ammo, and even more if you reload. I have seen more one shot kills on deer, including large mulies, with the .243 than any other caliber. The .25-06 doesn't have nearly as many bullet options, and have significantly more recoil for varmint shooting. It is a great cartridge in its own right, and probably does hold a slight edge for large game, but is not as versatile as the .243.

 

[Fullboar1]

Which would I get 243 or 25-06?

If you handload neither, I would get a 260rem

 

[Kachok]

Which would I get 243 or 25-06?

If you handload neither, I would get a 260rem

+1 6.5s are great though I prefer mine in the 6.5x55 flavor
25-06 will always be the better deer cartage, and the 243 will always make a better varmint round. Which is more important to you?

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

the 25-06 makes the .243 look anemic....great flat shooting round....wouuld say great zombie round but zombie stuff is BS and that does not fit here, it will get you shut down if you say anti zombie stuff....anyway.....25-06 makes a .243 look puny.

 

[mshootnit]

If you are going to be toting around the long action anyways might as well take advantage of the longer cartridge...

 

[Eb1]

I was faced with this choice a few years ago. A .243 or .25-06 for hunting over a pasture.

I choose the .25-06, and with 115 grain Winchester Supreme BT, I put two down @ 300 yards before you could count to 5. As far as varmints you can load 75 or 87 grain bullets, or you can find a good 100 grain bullet that will do it all from rats to deer, even big deer in the .25-06.
It doesn't have a huge bullet selection, but the caliber doesn't need them. It works, and works well.

I am glad I did not choose the .243. There isn't anything wrong with the .243, but a 100 grain bullet from a .243 makes 3000 fps where in a .25-06 makes 3400+ using a 24" barrel. Recoil? What recoil? Yes, there is a report from shooing 50+ grains of powder, but there isn't enough recoil to say it is more than the .243. A 30-30 shooting a 170 grain bullet has more recoil than a .25-06 shooting anything from 115 gr to 120 gr.

Elk? Dead with a 115 grain Nosler Partition or BT. Probably even a 100 grain Barnes Triple Shock.

The only way I would take a .243 over a .25-06 is if I was shooting 1000 yard competitions, but for hunting, the .25-06 is hands down more gun than the .243. Not only on paper, but for real world shock and awe.

 

[mshootnit]

I might be wrong but if the rifle is going to be a budget rifle like an axis, the 243 will be in the same long action, in that case might as well go with the 25-06.

 

[Davek1977]

Crtitter, I wouldn't worry the least bit about the 2506 handling big mulies. We routinely take mule deer out to 300 yards with .243's. There's absolutely no reason to even hesitate using the the 25-06 for mule deer. In fact, if I were to buy a dedicated mule deer rifle, it would likley be chambered in 25-06

 

[Lloyd Smale]

25-06 hands down. It defineatly has more athourity on big game and if recoil is a problem for a long day of shooting small stuff it can be eaisly loaded down to 243 levels.

 

[sansone]

I'm a 243 fanboy but if you're looking to replace your 270.. you might be disappointed with the 243.

 

[Sav .250]

The 25-06 is a really nice round.

I think the true indicater maybe .................the 243 has out sold the 25-06
for a number of years.

Can`t go wrong with either but I`ve been a 243 guy for over 40 years.

 

[j1]

The 25 06 is better for deer than the 243. Have you considered the 257 Roberts? Nice old cartridge and a stone killer on deer. I have never used mine for varmints as I have a 223 but it would also do that job well. I am old fashioned though.

 

[303tom]

If you are asking which is better, the .243 or the .25-06 well the .25-06 is, around the same weight bullet, a 100 to 110gr. it is faster & has more energy, and being a slightly larger bullet it has more staying power down range................