These are the 2 rifles that I own. One is a Remington 700 .308 with a 20" barrel. I shoot 175 SGK handloads at 1/2 moa out to 600yds. The other is a Ruger M77 25-06 that I shoot Speer 100gr handloads at 1 moa out to 600yds. If you was to be hunting elk, deer and antelope at 500 yrds or less would you pick up a 25-06 Rem or a .308 win??

I would not want to shoot an Elk @500 yds with either one....But given a more reasonable range id carry the .308 hands down 👍....If Only deer and goats id take either rifle with equal confidence.....Hb

As far as cartridges, the difference on game is conversational. I’d pick the one I’m more comfortable with in my hands on a mountain.

I don't like the .308 one bit, but if I were shooting long distance with either, it would be the 178 gr. over 100 grain..

308

Neither is a 500 yard elk cartridge. For deer and antelope only, I would take the .25-06.

Good grief...

308 but not with SGK on elk

308

I have a .257 Roberts and I would not use a 100gr. Speer on an Elk at any distance. I'd load a 120 AB/Partition or TSX/GMX/ETip and keep the shots at 300 or less.

The 308 would be a better choice and I'd go 165 or 180, AB/NP or TSX/GMX/ETip.

Why not?

I’m sure it’s because of bad SD. Bwahahaha.

I'm sure tons of elk have been shot with game kings without issue. I've never shot an elk with one but I have shot a bunch of deer, pigs, and exotics with them. Their performance on stuff up to 500lbs doesn't inspire me to think they would be a top pick for an elk bullet. I don't like the idea of elk shoulders at 500 yards with a sgk. Will they work? Yeah probably but there's definitely better bullets for the elk. I would personally prefer to shoot something a little tougher

Is a 175 a Game King, or a Match King?

My own 308 is loaded with 165 SGK's for elk this year... I'm not worried

You've killed a few ...

SGKs are great at 308 velocities imho.

They have to be a Match King or TMK, Sierra doesn't make a 175 GK.



I think they're great at .30-06 velocities as well, I've killed a few cows with the 150 SGK out of my .270 no complaints there either. I prefer the 180 for bullets on elk for the extra mass in the 06, but I find the 165 SGK more pleasant in a 7lb rifle. I'd probably drop to a 150 for a mono metal, then find something in the middle for a bonded core bullet.

.25-06 I'd find a better bullet than the Speer for elk. I'd be more worried about penetration of that bullet at close range than 500 yards. I'd want a bullet for elk that would hold together better at velocities of +3000 fps and still expand at 1800-2000.

Given the info we have the .308 is the best choice for all three game animals.

My ranching neighbor, who is also a guide, has used the 25-06 on elk for almost 40 years, and uses the 100 gr Speer HC. I call Hotcores "the poor man's partition"... they're really excellent bullets, though I've only used them in the 308 on elk.

I wouldn't hesitate to use the 100 Hotcore on elk, but would prefer the 120 Hotcore. Either way, the difference is largely academic IMO.

I'd take the 308, don't have one but have the 25-06. I like the quarter bores as recoil is very mild and I use bullets in the 110 to 120gr range. All of my shots on game have been under 200 yards due to places I hunt that have limited opportunities over 200 yards. My personal limits with the 25-06 would be out to 400 yards on deer, just don't see the need to increase odds of something going wrong in flight with that little bullet. At 500 yards the energy delivered by the 25-06 will be enough to kill an elk, but you've got a more accurate 308 that will deliver more energy at that range and handle winds in flight a bit better. To me an easy choice

Seriously?.....

There's nothing redeeming in either chambering. Hint.

Sell both and get something good.

Re-hint..................

308 would be my call, but i'd use 165gr accubonds or 180gr if they were more accurate. i don't have the skills or desire to shoot an elk at 500 yards but i've killed a bunch of them at 326yards and closer. op, whatever you select, good hunting.

Lol, good one hh 😁

I'm guessing you might not know that Sierra makes certain bullets with Jackets that are double the thickness of some of there more frangible bullets. The Sierra conundrum is largely due to folks picking the wrong bullet for the task at hand

I would chose the 308 given your bullet choices.

A different bullet in the 25 would make it more appealing.


But, I wouldn't choose a 100gr for deer,
And prefer a 30 caliber to 25.

JMHO

I have a rancher friend and another that is a govt hunter... Both gave up on the .25-06 for general elk hunting.. Both have lots of experience with elk.. It wasn't that it would not kill elk, but just not quickly enough...

This. I have had more than one elk guide tell me that if you shoot enough elk with a 25-06 you are going to loose one. The 25-06 is one of my favorites but I have never chosen it for anything larger than a cow elk. The 308 with a 165-168 Barnes or the 175 LRX would be my choice of the two for elk. The LRX may match your Sierra load with no change of sight setting if your lucky.

A 20" 308 in Today's current atmosphere,with the 165 SGK,if only because a 175 version doesn't exist. For every (1) MPH of full value 500yd wind,you yield a 2.5" shift in impact. Of the initial start velocity(2800fps),it has lost 1033fps at the 500yd line,for a 1767fps impact velocity,for 1144 ft lbs if you believe in "energy". Hint.




The 24" 25-06 with a cookie tossed and assuming the 100 Speer BTSP at 3300fps. Hint. For every (1) MPH of full value 500yd wind,you yield a 2.00" shift in impact. Of the initial start velocity(3300fps),it has lost 1186fps at the 500yd line,for a 2114fps impact velocity,for 992 ft lbs if you believe in "energy". Hint.




21" Kreedmire and a 147 Factory Load at 2700fps. Hint. For every (1) MPH of full value 500yd wind,you yield a 1.4" shift in impact. Of the initial start velocity(2700fps),it has lost but 622fps at the 500yd line,for a 2078fps impact velocity,for 1410 ft lbs if you believe in "energy". Hint.




For even more extrapolation and because you CLUELESS Fhuqks are soooooooooo incredibly Stupid. 21" 7-08 with 180 ELD at 2600fps. Hint. For every (1) MPH of full value 500yd wind,you yield a 1.25" shift in impact. Of the initial start velocity(2600fps),it has lost 537fps at the 500yd line,for a 2063fps impact velocity,for 1700 ft lbs if you believe in "energy". Hint.



I get it,that you STUPID Fhuqks are doing your best and rest assured...that is the only reason it is sooooooooooo fhuqking HILARIOUS! Hint.

Bless your hearts for trying.

Hint.

LAUGHING!.....................

Low recoil and long range retained velocity and energy advantage....whats not to like??? In all fairness though this year when you were gunning the 135 Atip I was gunning the 147 eld and had zero clue as to what you were thinking! 😁

Trystain,

You suck a mean ass. Hint. Congratulations?!?

Your fascinating inside look at Retardation,never wanes in it's magnificent Oblivious Grandeur. You'll haveta' pardon my shooting it all and then some,as you ride your couch and lust wantonly at the Splendid Pixels.

Bless your heart for trying.

Hint.

LAUGHING!....................

Thank you, for the complement.........You are always rather generous and I look forward to our next episode of toldjaso 😁

“Nothing redeeming in either of those cartridges”. So, what a “good one”? In your fine estimation?

Mrs_Hairy,

Reread,take a deep breath and pen some notes. Hint. Congratulations?!?

Bless your heart for trying.

Hint.

Laughing!.....................

Wild guess here, but the 7-08 using a 180gr eldx or 6.5 kreedmire and 147 eldx.

The answer is that the most experienced, best shot in your group should be the only one attempting a shot at that distance and then only when his or her confidence in making it were high. Caliber ? If put in the right place either would work.

I don't see why one would compare the 25 to the 30? Put a Barnes 168 gr TTSX in the .308 using a carefully developed load. And put a more reasonable distance between you and the target. It is alive and deserves a stalk. If he takes off, well, that's hunting. Be Well. RZ

I see an opportunity to buy another rifle
If you really want to get elk at 500 yd, improve the trajectory and ability to take heavier projectiles vs. the .308. .300 win mag or go to a .338 with long barrel or .340.
Shorter range, maybe out to 300, just take the .308. As Elmer would say, leave the needle blowing coyote rifle home, lol.

Pick one and go hunting.