I already have a 30-06: Ruger tang safety, metal duracoated, B&C stock, 6x Leupold.
What I'm trying to decide is whether the second rifle should be a .243 or a 25-06. It'll be a Marlin XL-7 (or XS-7, as appropriate) with a Weaver Grand Slam 2.5-10x scope.
It will be used for deer and antelope in Nevada, and possibly for a backup on an elk hunt. However, elk tags are quite rare in Nevada, and it may be some time before I get the chance.
Pros and cons: the 25-06 has slightly greater range and the capability of using heavier bullets (although I'd be using a 100 gr bullet 95%+ of the time). The .243 costs less in factory configuration and is no slouch (3200 fps+) with a 85-87gr bullet.
I don't hunt varmints and I've got the necesary handloading gear, but I don't routinely handload.
What do you think?
With varmints not a consideration, I'd take the 25-o6 for sure of you find a rifle you like in that caliber.
If you find a rifle you like better in 243, then I'd get that..........243 with 85 gr. TSX is a wicked good sumbeetch.
As for a back up for elk, the edge goes to the 25 again, for sure.
MM
With antelope in the mix, I'd opt for 25-06.
If Elk is possibly on the menu, then .25-06 is the way to go.
Yep, elk would remove the 243 from consideration for me. Is a 243 even legal for elk in Nevada? Something to look into.
Like most othes, with Elk a possibility then 25-06.
Another vote for the 25-06.
Another vote for the 25-06.
First choice: 25-06.
Second choice: 25-06
I already have a 30-06: Ruger tang safety, metal duracoated, B&C stock, 6x Leupold.
What I'm trying to decide is whether the second rifle should be a .243 or a 25-06. It'll be a Marlin XL-7 (or XS-7, as appropriate) with a Weaver Grand Slam 2.5-10x scope.
It will be used for deer and antelope in Nevada, and possibly for a backup on an elk hunt. However, elk tags are quite rare in Nevada, and it may be some time before I get the chance.
Pros and cons: the 25-06 has slightly greater range and the capability of using heavier bullets (although I'd be using a 100 gr bullet 95%+ of the time). The .243 costs less in factory configuration and is no slouch (3200 fps+) with a 85-87gr bullet.
I don't hunt varmints and I've got the necesary handloading gear, but I don't routinely handload.
What do you think?
243.
Darn little muzzle blast, nil recoil, and although the wind can blow the bullet around more than the 25-06, I've seen enough muleys and pronghorns killed with 243's to think it's plenty good. Besides, the biggest pronghorn I've ever witnessed killed was by my reloading mentor--a 16 1/2 buck running dead away at 300+ yards. The 100 gr Sierra folded the buck up instantly.
Besides, I've killed 6 elk in recent years with a 243 and 100gr Partitions, and two different youngsters have killed two more bulls with the same rifle and load.
I'm not claiming the 243 as an elk cartridge by any stretch, but with the right bullets it will work when needed.
Casey
i had a lot of respect for the .243 and owned a lot of them. but since i tried the .25-06 i have one of those instead.
easy to load for, can load up for deer and elk or down for varmints.
Since you're not going to shoot varmints and want the ability to shoot elk, why not go with a 270 in lieu of either the 243 or 25-06?
Jeff
or the
best choice, the swede...
If you've been killing elk with your .243, then I would say that it's an elk rifle. It may not be an elk rifle for everyone, but it's an elk rifle for you. I wouldn't hesitate too much to shoot a big bull with an 85gr TSX.
Having said that, and having hunting a fair amount with the .243, and more recently with the .25-06, I would go with the .25-06 if varmints are out of the picture and if ammo and component prices, recoil, and muzzle blast of no concern.
Since you're not going to shoot varmints and want the ability to shoot elk, why not go with a 270 in lieu of either the 243 or 25-06?
Jeff
Because the .25-06 will do the job just as well with less muzzle blast and recoil.
Go with a 240 Weatherby mag and have a great deer, antelope cartridge, and with a solid copper bullet, able to make you as happy as the others for Elk emergency use.
I'd select the 25-06. The 243 (while it has taken elk) is too light, even with premium bullets.
First choice: 25-06.
Second choice: 25-06
My first choice would be a 30-06, with the 25-06 as second.
Since the question was between the 243 and 25-06, I picked the 25-06 previously, but the 30-06's versitility with light and heavy weight bullets is unmatched, IMO.
He already has a .30-06. He is trying to decide on a second rifle. Not to dodge the question, but either would be a worthwhile addition. Since he has the .30-06 for elk, I would pick the .25-06 if varminting was not in the cards and the .243 if it were.
I already have a 30-06: Ruger tang safety, metal duracoated, B&C stock, 6x Leupold.
What I'm trying to decide is whether the second rifle should be a .243 or a 25-06. It'll be a Marlin XL-7 (or XS-7, as appropriate) with a Weaver Grand Slam 2.5-10x scope.
It will be used for deer and antelope in Nevada, and possibly for a backup on an elk hunt. However, elk tags are quite rare in Nevada, and it may be some time before I get the chance.
Pros and cons: the 25-06 has slightly greater range and the capability of using heavier bullets (although I'd be using a 100 gr bullet 95%+ of the time). The .243 costs less in factory configuration and is no slouch (3200 fps+) with a 85-87gr bullet.
I don't hunt varmints and I've got the necesary handloading gear, but I don't routinely handload.
What do you think?
I have been in your situation.
I used to use Sako .243 Heavy Barrel rifles for small deer and varmint shooting for a lot of years and then the barrels went, I decided to make up a customer barreled rifle on a spare Model 70 action I had laying around.
The primary use would be culling, varmints and fallow deer that could be either on open plains or in timber. My next caliber up the line was 7mm, so I went for the .25/06 on the basis that if I ever needed something in between, a 120gn bullet was the simple answer.
As it turned out, the 100gn bullets regularly shade .5 MOA with several bullets shooting itno an average of .4MOA. It has a match grade #5 stainless fluted barrel and the 26 inch length generates just on 3500fps with 100gn TSX's with the 115's shooting just under an inch which while ok, is not the equal or consistency of the 100's.
I topped this rifle off with a 6.5-20 Leupy in Leupy mounts and a Micky stock which I bedded in Devcon Steel.
That was 15 years ago.
After using this rifle since, I would recommend the .25/06 as the recoil is inconsequential and the rifle is a hot performer. Becuase you aluded to elk in your "needs" list, I would recommend you go with this cartridge. As good as the .243 is, and it is good, it is no .25/06.
John
And yet again: .25/06! And if you want to use it on rockchucks and the like, a 75gr V-max or 85gr ballistic tip will waffle 'em like nobody's business.
The .25-06 is a mulie-whacking cartridge! I've taken five of 'em in the past five years from 30 - 400 yards. All dropped instantly.
Just don't mix up the ammo between your .25-06 & .30-06 and you'll be a happy camper!
Like others have said, with elk in the mix, 25-06 would be the way to go. Tom
Since you're not going to shoot varmints and want the ability to shoot elk, why not go with a 270 in lieu of either the 243 or 25-06?
Jeff
Because he already has a 270 on steriods; a 30-06.
I'd do 25-06 for the same reasons others cite.
I have a 257 AI which is nearly as powerful as the 25-06 and just as versatile. You won't be disappointed. They're awesome.
I just had the same decision to make. My other rifles are the 300 Win Mag, and a 45-70. Being kind of an oddball, I bought a 243 wssm. Really havent got to shoot it much but what I've done I really like it. My son shoots a 25-06 my dad bought in 1969. He loves it. Pretty much whatever trips your trigger, no bad choices.
A friend recently called the 243 a dramatic underachiever. I couldn't have said it better.
The 25-06? Beauty eh!
Based upon the original criteria of deer and antelope, no varminting and backup for elk; then I cast my vote for the 25-06 also. But then I could be biased 'cause I've had my 25-06 for 12 years now and I love it. The existing 30-06 could also be used quite nicely for those requirements, but one always needs a good reason for "needing" another rifle, right?
The .25-06 is a mulie-whacking cartridge! I've taken five of 'em in the past five years from 30 - 400 yards. All dropped instantly.
Just don't mix up the ammo between your .25-06 & .30-06 and you'll be a happy camper!
the 243 makes a bit more sense...
i went coyote hunting with my 25-06 a few weeks back... had a coyote coming to the call before i discovered that i had 30-06 rounds in the mag of my 25-06...
Even though I'm a big fan of both cartridges, I can't argue with the 25-06 over the 243 for your application...
Except...grin...it might be worth considering the rifle which will house the cartridge. If you're willing to consider some other possibilities than what you've listed, (or at least one) - a Kimber Montana in 243 would sure be a nice rifle to compliment the 30-06 you already have.
I've got a Montana 243, and it's dreamy...grin.
DJ
What's wrong with the 7x57 your selling? 100 and 120 grain bullets shoot very flat, velocity is pretty close to a 25-06 with either bullet weight, just not as flat shooting as the 25-06.
Allen
i have used both the 243 and the 25-06 on deer. the 243 left me a little uneasy about things. i needed to wait for a very good shot. the 25-06 gives me a little more oomph and confidence for those less than perfect opportunities.
I like the .25/06.
Friends and I use a light load of 44 grains of 4895 and a 75 grain HP
for an off season load, heavier bullets on game.
Many here started on the 243/6MM and went to the .25 after it came out.
It seems to cover more bases than the .243, although both work well.
I think the best solution would be an option not stated: get a second similar 30-06 and get good with both, using interchangeable ammo.
If forced to choose, I'd go 243, as it can do amazing things with premium bullets.