My son sold his 243 and Is going to be getting a new deer rifle very soon. He wanted to get something a little bit bigger than the 243 and he has narrowed it down to either the 25-06 or a 7mm-08. The only thing he doesn't like about the 25-06 is the long bolt throw. He will be hunting deer and hogs with it. Which do you think is more accurate.....which would you go with? Thanks
Which Caliber?
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NateG
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I'd go with the 7mm08. My wife's got a 7x57 mauser that's an excellent deer rifle, and, unless you're handloading the 7x57 to its limits (probably above its SAAMI spec) in a modern gun, the 7mm08 has nearly identical ballistics out of a short action. So, that's the one I'd go with. But I don't think a .25-06 is a *bad* choice, especially in a good gun.
Have fun.
Have fun.
I don't know how big the hogs will be, but I would opt for the 7mm-08, since I like heavier bullets. However, I wouldn't bat an eye if handed a .25-06 and told to go kill either animal.
Both cartridges are accurate enough for any big game hunting. Actually, the hunter himself provides the biggest variable in accuracy, followed by the rifle as a distant second.
Both cartridges are accurate enough for any big game hunting. Actually, the hunter himself provides the biggest variable in accuracy, followed by the rifle as a distant second.
Sunray
Member
7mm-08. If he knows the ammo is readily available where he hunts. The .25-06 may not be.
OK-gobbler
Member
7mm-08 if bigger is what he wants. The 25-06 is a great cartridge, but so was the .243 that he got rid of. The 7mm-08 w/ 140 gr partitions should be a great deer and hog gun.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
I'd choose the 7mm08. A bit heavier bullet, for one thing. Better selection of bullets, for another. Standard stuff for deer; I'd go with tougher jackets for hogs on general principles due to thicker hide and heavier bones.
Inherent accuracy? Not enough difference to care about. Both are quite good--particularly when considering hunting needs. I'm getting inside of one MOA from my 7mm08.
Art
Inherent accuracy? Not enough difference to care about. Both are quite good--particularly when considering hunting needs. I'm getting inside of one MOA from my 7mm08.
Art
sumpnz
Member
Me? Neither. 6.5x55mm, or if you MUST save the 1/4" of bolt throw, .260Rem. I took a large cow elk with my 6.5x55 CZ in '05. It was a steeply angled shoulder shot (she was probably 25deg off from head on). No exit, but it did shatter a rib on the off side. That was with a 140gr Barnes XLC handloaded to 2850fps at the muzzle. I'm stepping up to a 9.3x62mm for elk now, but the 6.5 will remain as my backup rifle. The 6.5's penetrate like crazy.
Why not get a .308? It can double in your SHTF arsenal. I am not sure if you are into that, but it certainly is something to think about. It is a short action, capable of all north american animals with the exception of Grizz bears.
It is used by a lot of LE and Military, and is a caliber easy to find in just about any location...
It is used by a lot of LE and Military, and is a caliber easy to find in just about any location...
one eye joe
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If you reload, I second the 6.5x55. Otherwise, although I have shot a .25-06 for years, I would opt for the 7/08.
As for the long "bolt throw", that is a non issue brought on by gun writers with nothing better to complain about. The .003 or so "extra" time needed to cycle the bolt can't be too important or African professional hunters whose life depends on their rifles would be screaming for a short throw cartridge equal to the .458. It ain't no big thing. Deer and hogs aren't likely to be shooting back at you.
As for the long "bolt throw", that is a non issue brought on by gun writers with nothing better to complain about. The .003 or so "extra" time needed to cycle the bolt can't be too important or African professional hunters whose life depends on their rifles would be screaming for a short throw cartridge equal to the .458. It ain't no big thing. Deer and hogs aren't likely to be shooting back at you.
LittleLebowski
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Third that on the 6.5 or if the bolt throw is that annoying, second that on the .260.
'Card
Member
Wow. We actually got 7 posts into the thread before people started suggesting calibers other than the two the original poster asked for opinions on.
That's 6 more than I expected.
That's 6 more than I expected.
Pumpkinheaver
Member
Both are great cartridges. I would go with the 7mm08 because of the heavier bullets you can use on hogs.
mpmarty
Member
Absolutely the 7mm08 would be my choice. You can load 140, 160 or even 175 grain bullets and the brass is easily formed from readily available 308 stuff.
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I don't get how 1/4" more bolt throw is a problem. But given the choices I'd go with the .7MM/08.
Just a better all around cartridge.
Actually I'd go with a 7X57 Mauser becasue it is about the same ballistics as a 7MM/08 but it's a neat historical cartridge as well.
I hope that didn't offend anyone.
Just a better all around cartridge.
Actually I'd go with a 7X57 Mauser becasue it is about the same ballistics as a 7MM/08 but it's a neat historical cartridge as well.
I hope that didn't offend anyone.
one-shot-one
Member
mho
7mm-08
out of all the cartridges discussed above in my expearance the 25-06 will provide the most kick to your shoulder without more performance an game.
i'll second the vote for you to look at the 6.5X55 or the .308, both great rounds.
of the two you listed, if i was spending my $$$ i'd go with the 7mm-08.
7mm-08
out of all the cartridges discussed above in my expearance the 25-06 will provide the most kick to your shoulder without more performance an game.
i'll second the vote for you to look at the 6.5X55 or the .308, both great rounds.
of the two you listed, if i was spending my $$$ i'd go with the 7mm-08.
I'm going to go order the gun tonight but I have one last question sould I get a 20'' barrel in the remington model 7? Or the 24'' barrel in the remington 700 CDL? I was originally going to get the 24'' barrel but I was thinking it might be to long for treestand hunting. What do you think? Would there be a diffeence in accuracy. Thanks
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Barrel length has almost no effect on accuracy. In fact shorter stiffer barrels tend to be more accurate than longer whippier ones.
Length does have a nominal effect on velocity. But in a tame round like the .7mm/08 the velocity difference will be almost nothing.
That round really deserves a light, short rifle like a #7. That would be my choice.
Length does have a nominal effect on velocity. But in a tame round like the .7mm/08 the velocity difference will be almost nothing.
That round really deserves a light, short rifle like a #7. That would be my choice.
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Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
The best barrel length for accuracy is 21.75 inches.
Per "Secrets of the Houston warehouse".
http://www.angelfire.com/ma3/max357/houston.html
Based on multitudes of groups "in the zeroes", as in five-shot groups of less that 0.010 inches.
, Art
Per "Secrets of the Houston warehouse".
http://www.angelfire.com/ma3/max357/houston.html
Based on multitudes of groups "in the zeroes", as in five-shot groups of less that 0.010 inches.
, Art
Hokkmike
Member
The 25. -06 is also very loud. Go with the 7mm 08.
Bud Tugly
Member
Sounds like a done deal, but I'm curious. If he felt the .243 was too small, why not step up even more? Neither of these two choices are THAT much more potent than the .243.
JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone
Member
That's my question, Why get rid of a .243?
That said, I don't have either of the rounds queried, but I love the 25-06 on paper. I bet that I will own one some day. The 7mm 08 would also be a fine choice. I truly don't understand the long bolt throw issue. I can cycle my 30-06 just as fast. Although I don't hunt piggies here in the northwest. Still, when I harvested a good Blackbear at close range, I certainly don't remember the miliseconds it took to cycle and load a longer cartridge for a follow-up shot.
I know that this thread had specific questions about two different cartridges, and you've already made your choice, I would also chose the shorter barrel for the 7mm.
Next to a 30-06 as the one chambering everyone should own, I'd plug a second for the .308. A much more versital round than either of the two mentioned.
For the record, My teen boys use single shot .243's.
-Steve
That said, I don't have either of the rounds queried, but I love the 25-06 on paper. I bet that I will own one some day. The 7mm 08 would also be a fine choice. I truly don't understand the long bolt throw issue. I can cycle my 30-06 just as fast. Although I don't hunt piggies here in the northwest. Still, when I harvested a good Blackbear at close range, I certainly don't remember the miliseconds it took to cycle and load a longer cartridge for a follow-up shot.
I know that this thread had specific questions about two different cartridges, and you've already made your choice, I would also chose the shorter barrel for the 7mm.
Next to a 30-06 as the one chambering everyone should own, I'd plug a second for the .308. A much more versital round than either of the two mentioned.
For the record, My teen boys use single shot .243's.
-Steve
Bud Tugly
Member
I can totally understand the itch for a new gun. When you've got it bad, you've got to scratch it. I always hate to part with the old ones, though. I sure wish I had some of the guns back that I sold years ago.
The .243 is an excellent round for deer and a well-placed shot will certainly bring down a hog, too, Too many people think that a bigger gun is a substitute for learning good marksmanship.
The .243 is an excellent round for deer and a well-placed shot will certainly bring down a hog, too, Too many people think that a bigger gun is a substitute for learning good marksmanship.
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