Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 25-06 or 7mm-08? Or??

I'm trying to decide between these two calibers. Would like it to be a reasonable light rifle for high country mule deer although it would be pressed into service with whitetails as well. AND, it might well be used by an aspiring teenage hunter as well. For discussion sake, I already have a 7mm Rem mag.

I'm thinking about possibly going with a 20" barrel (Howa Ranchland) to save size and weight. If I think the stock is too heavy, might switch to a lighter one but I kinda like the feel of their overmolded stock. Or maybe I'll consider a Tikka Lite Stainless (22" barrel). Is there a downside to a 20" barrel? I have heard a few comments that the 25-06 gets pretty loud with the short tube. How about ballistics? I've also heard that the 25-06 needs a longer barrel to take advantage of all that powder behind it. I'm no ballistics expert so hoping someone here can give some input

Regarding these two calibers, could either be a responsible consideration for elk? Are they both more than adequate for a rutting mule deer buck? Any other thoughts that would sway my decision? I've thought about the 270 but concerned that it might be a bit much for a young shooter and start to overlap my 7mm Rem Mag.

Thanks for any thoughts you may have!

Short answer.....the Tikka in 7-08.

There is a dude on another forum that loves to post about the virtues of the 7-08. And he has several pics of elk and deer dropped out to considerable ranges (500+ yards). Anyway, of the two you listed, I would definitely go with the 7-08.

I don't think a 25-06 would be well suited for a 20" barrel. Maybe a 22", but I think 24" is appropriate. The 25-06 is however an excellent cartridge.

The downside of a 20" barrel is going to be noise. Especially if you have a young hunter who might forget hearing protection, the noise will cause more permanent damage then one with a longer barrel.

I have both and like each differently. I would not hesitate to shoot an elk with either at respectable ranges. However, with what you propose with the shorter barrel, the 7mm-08 is the better choice. A 25-06 will be loud and not as efficient with a 20 inch barrel. Stoke the 7mm-08 with a decent bullet and hunt in confidence.

Allow me to be the first: .270 WCF, in a Tikka if you absolutely must.

A 25-06 won't do anything a 243 won't do as just well. A 7-08 will do everything the 7mm mag will do, just at slightly reduced ranges.

7-08 or 270 in a Tikka. You won't notice much difference.

Between those two choices, a 7/08.

I'd like the heavier 7mm bullets over the 25's for just about anything from rutting mule deer to the elk.

This ^. I am a 25/06 fan but with the barrel length you want, this is the way to go.

The Howa Ranchland is only made on a short action and therefore isn't available in .25-06. Problem solved.

I like my 25-06's! But to answer your question.

7mm-08.


As an added benefit, you already have 7mm bullets, correct?

I'm that dude.

So far, three bulls with three shots. Farthest was 346 yards, biggest was 225 yards.

One antelope, one shot.

Buncha deer, one shot each. Farthest was 541 yards.

140 Partitions, except for the biggest bull, that was a 140 AB. 2873 fps for the Partitions, 2850 fps for the AB.




P

This. The rifle will kill out to the point where velocity slows below the design minimum for the bullet -- and maybe then some.

If a 20 inch tube is a must, the 25-06 is wasted on noise.

The only reason I can see for a 7 Mag (not the OPs question, I know) is in a rifle twisted to support the 180 Bergers. That will push the capability envelope out past the 7mm 08.

I'm trying to decide between the two as well...except for myself. I currently use a 25-06 ands it my do everything from coyotes up to elk/moose. My wife shoots a 7-08 and I'm kinda growing fond of it. So I was thinking of changing over to it as well....BUT

I don't see any factory varmit type stuff for it, which is available for the 25-06. I don't reload....anyone use it for coyotes?

I used a 25-06 for over thirty years and harvested tons of Deer with it. Loved it but I am now shooting a 7-08 and love it even more. Both are great cartridges but with the 20 inch bbl, go with the 7-08. My Daughter has a Tikka compact in 7-08 and besides the Deer she has taken with it it will shoot under and inch group with what ever you put in it.

Well the 7-08 is coming out on top (and kinda the direction I was leaning anyway). Now I just have to decide about 20 or 22" barrel. The Howa Ranchaland with the 20" barrel sure felt quite balanced in my hand but that was without a scope.

I'll repeat. There is no 20" barreled Howa .25-06.

There's a stainless Tikka in the classifieds. Mine does this with handloads.




My Superlite does this with the same load.







P

There's likely less than 2 ounces difference between the two lengths, so balance won't be skewered one way or the other.

Darn it. the one in the classifieds just sold.