7mm-08 vs .25-06 Questions

[AKElroy]

The 7mm-08 and the .243 are NOT the same. Not even close. The 7mm-08 carries more energy to the target than does a .243. The fact that they're on the same case means nothing. A reasonably well placed shot with a 7mm-08 will drop that deer where he stands. Same shot or worse with a .243 you'll probably be looking for the thing after it runs off. It's about energy, and where energy is concerned the 7mm-08 wins.

I never said they were comparable with regard to energy, only that they are both effective on whitetail. My experience is based on South Central Texas game, where a 90lb buck is a good sized deer. The .243 drops them like a stone with decent placement. When my daughter is ready to start hunting, she will be starting with a .243. .223's, .220 swifts, .22-250's are all popular deer season chamberings around here, and the .243 is over-gunning it in that company. Recoil is critical to good shot placement for a new shooter, particularly a female. If I am buying a short action for me, then I would have to toss a coin between the 7mm-08 or the .308. The OP was buying for his wife, and that changes my recommendation to the .243. Back to effectiveness, on everything short of the largest boars, there is no South Texas game I can't take as cleanly with a .243 as you can with a 7mm-08.

 

[hotlead]

What is the big difference between long and short actions?
Dont mean to sound crass, just curious what the experts had too say.

 

[ECVMatt]

hotlead,

Rifle actions come in different lengths to fit various size cartridges. .223, .22-250, .243, .260, 7-08, .308 and other similar sized cartridges fit into small actions. Each mfg. has their own specs for what they call a short action. Generally the .30-06 family of cartridges fits into a long action. Some mfgs. also have a magnum action for the really large stuff like the Rigby.

Kimber models are labeled by action size. You might give them a look for more info.

Hope this helps,

Matt

I guess I read your post wrong. The biggest difference is how the rounds feed into the chamber. Some mfg. use a magazine spacer to fit short action cartridges into long action rifles as they are too short to "Jump" from the mag to the chamber. Others feel that a short action is "stiffer" and thus more accurate. I am sure others will have more info for you.

 

[AKElroy]

Traditional "short actions" are based on the .308; the .243, .260 rem and 7mm-08. Shorter bolt throws are desirable for faster followups, and shorter receivers mean a rifle with less weight & more compact overall length. The short action quest has become a bit of a craze with numerous "Short Magnums" promissing long range ballistics in a short action. Most people refer to standard actions as belonging to those cartriges typified by the .30-06 family; .270 win, .280 rem, .25-06, .35 Whelen.

 

[hotlead]

Thank you Clamper Matt & AKElroy!

Another question. Does a extra/less 1/4" of bolt throw really effect anything?
Again, I am not trying to be a smart/dumb butt, just curious.

 

[ants]

BlayGlock, as a reloader you can make any of those cartridges work for deer. They are all very flexible and very effective.

But as an experienced reloader, go look up the available bullet sizes, types, weights, manufacturers and cost in 284 (7mm) compared to either 25 cal or 6.5mm (or even 243/6mm for that matter).

I suspect that you will appreciate the wider range of 7mm bullets available, and the fact that you already use them for your 7mm Mag.

 

[AKElroy]

Does a extra/less 1/4" of bolt throw really effect anything?

Not for me. The only reason I would consider one is the really handy way the shorter actions carry & shoulder. I have two bolt action hunting rifles, and they are standard length actions (.270 & 7 mag). I fill my tag every year, and do not feel the least bit disadvantaged to a shorter action.

 

[BlayGlock]

Thanks Ants, now that’s some good advice,

The other conundrum I run into is this: I am really interested in the 6.5 Swede, but it is not as readily available in a rifle as the 7mm-08. I have seen a CZ and some Tikka rifles; I can get the 7mm-08 in almost anything. And I really like Savage, I’ve had good results with them.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

7-08 vs 25-06

I am new here but I will spout off, the 7-08 is just a tad below the .308, less recoil and a favorite with sillouette shooters so that tells you something. the 6.5 Swede is now my favorite after years of larger calibers (I am 55) the Swede will take anything here in Texas. ammo availability is a minus but Hornady makes some good factory loads. the .25-06, flat shooting, low recoil (less than a .308). so many choices, so little time.

 

[BlayGlock]

word on the street is thet the 6.5 is one of Europe's most popular calibers and that they use it on large game (bigger than a mule deer).

 

[High Planes Drifter]

Does a extra/less 1/4" of bolt throw really effect anything?
Again, I am not trying to be a smart/dumb butt, just curious.

Not a thing. However, if you hung around internet gun forums, you'd think it meant the difference between life and death.

 

[proplinker]

7-08 will out shoot the 25-06, if the guns are the same.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

For the record:

Magnum Action - >69mm cartridges (375H&H and similar)
Long action - ~63mm cartridges (30-06 and all of its spawn)
Intermediate action - ~57mm cartridges (7x57 and its spawn)
short action - ~51mm cartridges (7.62x51 and all of its spawn)
mini action - <=45mm and below bolt action centerfire (.222, 5.56x45, 7.62x39)

That makes a short action 12mm, or roughly 1/2" shorter, not 1/4" shorter than a long action.