240 Weatherby > 6mm-06 > 25-06

[popeyespappy]

I am looking for something that shoots flatter and faster than the 223, 308 and 45-70 rifles I currently own. Something I can use to hunt with, which probably rules out a Savage model 12 or similar weighted rifle, but I will probably just mainly use it for punching paper out to 600 yards. I do not shoot competitively.

My search started with a 240 Weatherby Magnum. A cartridge/rifle combination that I have owned and am familiar with but currently do not have. The 240 pretty much got squashed due to the high cost of Weatherby brass coupled with short barrel life. I considered a 6.5x284 but once again short barrel life and the high cost/limited availability of factory loaded ammunition made me discount it. Someone suggested I look into a 6mm-06. I did and liked what I saw except that the 6mm-06 seems to be even harder to come by in a factory chambered rifle than even a Weatherby 240.

So I started looking at the 25-06. The 25-06 has been around for quite awhile and there are several choices in factory weapons available in this caliber. There is also a fair amount of reasonably priced factory loaded ammunition available for the 25-06. Ballistics compares favorably to the 240 Wby Mag, 6mm-06 and even the 6.5x284.

Here is what I’m considering:

Remington 700 SPS Stainless, $578 – The highest priced and only stainless weapon on my list. I have a couple of other 700s and like them.

Weatherby Vangaurd Sporter, $534 – Nice looking wood stock plus I don’t currently own a Weatherby and should probably fix that….

Savage 111G, $480 – The only thing on my list with iron sights. The rifle will be mounted with a decent scope but I have always liked the idea of having a backup. I picked my first Savage a few months ago. A model 12 in 223 and am more than a little impressed. Who wouldn’t be with a one hole at a 100 yards factory rifle?

Stevens 200, $296 – The cheapest rifle on the list.

Comments from those with experience with these rifles welcomed. Anything else is this price range or maybe a little bit more I should be looking at?

 

[Rancho Relaxo]

It seems to me that if you're interested in long range performance maybe you should think about learning to reload your own ammo and getting a rifle with a custom barrel. You'll probably end up being disappointed in factory ammo performance at longer ranges.

 

[JimmAr]

What will you be hunting when you do is the question? Also like mentioned above to see accuracy out to 600yds you MUST reload.

I believe 6mm's(243) or 6.5mm(260) are your best bet..from varmint to deer sized game they carry decent energy while bucking the wind..and are recoil friendlier, 308-300wm out to 1000yards dont win competitions like 6mm-6.5mm do with their superior BC.

http://www.savagearms.com/16fhsak.htm in 243 $545 on gunbroker.. muzzle broken 243 is a very friendly combination to do repeat shots and be back on target..quicker. Work up a load in using the 105gr v-max and you will be very happy.

If you really want a paper puncher in 25-06 in the long sure bet is to drop a little more cash.. http://www.savagearms.com/110fcp.htm I know I want to.. money is just an issue..

 

[longdayjake]

Looks like you are leaning toward the .25-06. I have one that is a 70's winchester model 70. It was my first gun and I got it from a coworker in trade for my first car -a 1983 buick riviera that had no reverse. He ended up using it in and winning a crash derby. I was not impressed with the rifle when I first got it because I could not shoot very good groups with it. It sat in my closet for 8 years until I finally pulled it out to look at it again. In those 8 years I learned a little something about mounts and optics. I took the bushnell sportsman off of it and the aluminum mounts and replaced them with leupold mounts and a vari-x III 2.5x8 leupold scope. All of the sudden I was hitting targets at 300 yards without a problem. I bought some reloading dies for it and have since had more fun reloading for it than any of my other rifles. I absolutely love it now. Once you find the right load for your rifle, you can shoot some really fast bullets and do it very accurately. I cannot recommend the caliber enough. The brand of rifle you buy is another question. If I were you I would go with the 700. The choice is yours though. I doubt you could go wrong with either one. Just don't put a cheap scope on it or you will not get all that you could out of it.

 

[Sinixstar]

Have you thought about the .257 Roberts? A quick lookup on some reloading data shows you can get some pretty good zip out of it.

As far as Rifles...
The Stevens 200 is basically the Savage 110. Only differences that I'm aware of, is the Stevens has a cheaper synthetic stock, and doesn't have (nor is capable of being fitted with) an accu-trigger. Both are fairly easily fixed though. If you do get the Stevens, first thing - check to make sure the cheap tupperware isn't pinching on the barrel anywhere - if it is, sand it down (this seems to be a pretty common complaint)

I'm kind of in the same boat as trying to decide what to get for a new rifle. Narrowed mine down to a Vanguard Sporter (or deluxe, but that's just being flashy), Stevens 200, or possibly a CZ 550 American (Found a place that has one for $499, but it's in .270 - and probably is gone by now :banghead: ) In either .243 or .257. Light enough for my girlfriend to shoot, but with a little more power to make it fun for me. I've always wanted a weatherby - but cost considerations mean i'll probably be using the Stevens as a platform to build off over time.

 

[hotlead]

I have a Tikka t3 hunter in .25-06 that is a laser. I got mine for $475.00. I think they can be had through a dealer for $5-550.00 usd.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Dude - the .240 Weatherby is going to have a much shorter bbl life than a 6.5-284. I'd go with a .25 cal or 6.5mm, not a 6.0mm, with that much powder behind it. Perhaps the .257 Weatherby, .25-06, 6.5-284, .264 Win Mag, or 6.5mm-06 if you want a real long-range screamer. Remington has a special 700 right now offered solely in .257 Weatherby mag.

So yeah, as you mention, the .25-06 is a great choice.

 

[lefteyedom]

257 weatherby is the route I went.

Barrel life issues is mostly Gun Scribe lore than a real world concern. Keep the barrel clean and let the barrel cool down between rounds and you won't live long enough to ware out a barrel.

If you shoot a Weatherby you must reload or win the Lotto.... 120 grn 257 Weatherby at Cabels $77 for a box of 20!!!

 

[gvnwst]

I personally think that the .243 is a better cartridge (mostly due to much better bullet selection and brass) but if ou have to get a 25-06, i would go with the weatherby. Cheap, accurate.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Bullet makes almost as much difference in drop at long ranges as the cartridge does. There are no 25 cal high BC target quality bullets I`m aware of.
I`d go with the 6 or 6.5. A 260 is easy on barrels, if you shoot targets you`ll know the range making sight adjustments a snap, and drop a fairly moot figure. The wind drift at long range is as important as drop. You can compensate drop, but you`ll have to learn to figure the wind.

 

[gvnwst]

There are no 25 cal high BC target quality bullets I`m aware of.

berger VLDs, but those are hard to find and cost $$$. that was why i suggested the .243, the .260 is nice too, with almost the ballistics of the 25-06 IIRC.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

berger VLDs, but those are hard to find and cost $$$.

AND require a faster twist than most rifles have. 1 in 10 ain't gonna cut it.

 

[gvnwst]

That too.

 

[Horsemany]

240 Gibbs. Very similar to the 6mm-06 but more mysterious.

 

[mr.trooper]

sounds like the perfect reason to get a Tikka T3 deluxe in 6.5x55 Mauser!

 

[Jim Watson]

It isn't clear whether the OP handloads or not. He mentions the price of Weatherby brass, but after that it is factory loads all the way.

You can tinker about any caliber into good accuracy if you have a good barrel and a selection of bullets. But if you are buying ammo, the choice in target ammo is limited. I guess you could get lucky and an antelope round shoot well at 600 yards, but I would not count on it. Dollar+ a pop .308 Black Hills Match is one of the few things I have seen actually shot at mid or long range.

A friend has a pure quill target rifle in 6mm Remington. It is very accurate, noticeably faster than a .243 Win and he hopes the long neck will reduce throat erosion. But that is a specialty piece you are not going to find down at the local hardware store. Another guy here has a good .243 that works very well for him at 500 and 600 yards and still takes less windage than my .308 at 1000.

 

[jerkface11]

6.5x.284 in a savage or stevens.

 

[NCsmitty]

Something I can use to hunt with.....

If you're not going to reload, it's going to limit your choices to 243, 25-06, or my choice the 270. They all shoot flat, and are reasonably priced in both ammo and firearm, and most factory ammo is reasonably accurate in all, with proper bullet selection. You really can't consider the more "exotic" chamberings that some mentioned due to the cost or lack of loaded ammo.

If you reload or plan on doing so, then the sky's the limit.

NCsmitty

 

[popeyespappy]

I've added 1 more rifle to the mix since my first post. A Savage 110FP in 25-06. Problem is I can't find one. I've also been advised that the Savage custom shop will put together anything I want for a reasonable price.

What will you be hunting when you do is the question? Also like mentioned above to see accuracy out to 600yds you MUST reload.

Actually I've been quite happy with Black Hills 223 and have shot a handful of groups < 5" at 600 yards with my Savage 12 using the 75 grain heavy match.

It isn't clear whether the OP handloads or not. He mentions the price of Weatherby brass, but after that it is factory loads all the way.

I've reloaded pistol cartridges for years but I am about to try rifle cartridges shortly. I'll be reloading 223, 308 and 45-70 to start. I have all the basics for those 3 but it will probably be 45-70 first.

 

[popeyespappy]

BTW. If I ever use this 25-06 to hunt it will be pronghorn in southern New Mexico.

 

[Jim Watson]

I've been quite happy with Black Hills 223 and have shot a handful of groups < 5" at 600 yards with my Savage 12 using the 75 grain heavy match.

Might be time to quit while you are ahead, that is darned good work.

The .25-06 Ruger I had would not shoot for sour apples, 1.5 MOA was about all it would do.

 

[popeyespappy]

Might be time to quit while you are ahead, that is darned good work.

I'm looking for something to fill the gap between 223 and 308.

I’ve been quite happy with my 7 twist 12 LRPV. But with the 4200 8-32x40 and the Harris Bipod it probably tips the scales at 14 lbs. Not something I’d want to carry through the scrub.

This group was shot at 200 yards my first time out with the rifle. It had less than 20 rounds through it. This was the Black Hills 68 grain heavy match. It likes the 75 even better.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I would stay with the 25-06. Here is what my stock sendero can do at 100 yards. I blew the upper left shot. Misread the wind on a gusty day.