243 or 25-06
- Thread starter greyeyezz
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mlheppl
Member
I think that the type of terrain that you will be hunting would be one of the deciding factors in choosing. Both are fine calibers. Personally I would pick the 25-06. It is a flatter shooting caliber and is a little more versatile.
I couldn't decide between the two, so I have one of each.
I couldn't decide between the two, so I have one of each.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
No flies on the .25-'06, but I've been really happy with my .243. I've gotten lazy and settled on the Sierra 85-grain HPBT bullet, but you can get outstanding results on varmints with lighter bullets, and the 100-grain is probably more effective for body shots on larger deer.
I dunno. My little Sako totals out at seven pounds all ready to go, and the recoil is trivial. It's always been a tack-driver.
If you really need to shoot at longer ranges, the .25-'06 would have more retained energy due to heavier bullets. Inside of 300 yards, though, it seems to be six of one, half-dozen of the otheer...
, Art
I dunno. My little Sako totals out at seven pounds all ready to go, and the recoil is trivial. It's always been a tack-driver.
If you really need to shoot at longer ranges, the .25-'06 would have more retained energy due to heavier bullets. Inside of 300 yards, though, it seems to be six of one, half-dozen of the otheer...
, Artmlheppl
Member
I agree with the six of one, half a dozen of the other comment. One thing that I like about my 25-06 is that I can shoot 87, 100 or 120 grain bullets without re-sighting in my gun. All three loads hit within 1" groups of each other.
My Dad's gun performs the same way. My 243 needs to be sighted in with each different bullet weight.
My Dad's gun performs the same way. My 243 needs to be sighted in with each different bullet weight.
Wryfox
Member
Biggest diff is 25-06 is long action, 243 is shoart action. If you want a carbine length, get the 243. Wanna hit further out? Get the 25-06.
artherd
member
Either one will do fine, but why avoid .308?
It's perfect on deer, and maybe a bit 'overkill' on varmants, but why is this a problem?
It's signifigantly cheaper to shoot, which will allow you to peg more varmants!
It's perfect on deer, and maybe a bit 'overkill' on varmants, but why is this a problem?
It's signifigantly cheaper to shoot, which will allow you to peg more varmants!
cratz2
Member
Two of my favorite cartridges... I really like the 25-06 and if was forced to only have one, I'd probably stay with the 25-06.
On the other hand, the 243 is very capable in the hands of a good marksman though and I think a 30-06 and a 243 is an excellent two gun combo.
If you're looking at mostly medium sized deer and smaller targets, it really doesn't matter between the two and getting into handloading (if you aren't already) is a great idea with either cartridge.
On the other hand, the 243 is very capable in the hands of a good marksman though and I think a 30-06 and a 243 is an excellent two gun combo.
If you're looking at mostly medium sized deer and smaller targets, it really doesn't matter between the two and getting into handloading (if you aren't already) is a great idea with either cartridge.
ThreadKiller
Member
Both are good. Why not split the difference and go with a 260 Rem or a 7mm/08? Then there's that old favorite, the 257 Roberts. But they're hard to find.
Tim
Tim
Mulliga
Member
If .308 is overkill, .270 surely is
.The Tikka T3 only has one action length. They have different magazines for different cartridges, but that's the only difference. .243 is a fine caliber - great for varminting, great for light-to-medium size game. .25-06 is definitely more powerful and can handle bigger bullets, but with every increase in power comes more blast and more recoil, until it almost becomes .270-like.
Personally, I'd go for the .243.
MeekandMild
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243
GunNut
Member
25-06
Plenty of power, very little recoil.
From varmints to mule deer, you'll be covered.
I've go a Tikka Whitetail Stainless Synthetic and absolutely love it. If the T3 is anything like the Whitetail, you'll love it.
Steve
Plenty of power, very little recoil.
From varmints to mule deer, you'll be covered.
I've go a Tikka Whitetail Stainless Synthetic and absolutely love it. If the T3 is anything like the Whitetail, you'll love it.
Steve
rugerfreak
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Although I'm really fond of my T3's------Tikka missed the boat with the .25-06----they are putting 22in barrels on the rifles chambered in .25-06----they really should be 24in.
My T3 .243 Lite/stainless is a dang tack driver. I passed on the .25-06 when I found out the barrel length and took home the .243.
Other .243 advantages:
1. More loadings than the .25-06
2. Lower price
3. Easier to find.
My T3 .243 Lite/stainless is a dang tack driver. I passed on the .25-06 when I found out the barrel length and took home the .243.
Other .243 advantages:
1. More loadings than the .25-06
2. Lower price
3. Easier to find.
I picked up a T3 stainless synthetic in 308 a couple months ago, but haven't shot it much due to weather. You'll like whatever caliber you get. I see that in some configurations a 7-08 is available, and by now there may be more calibers such as 260 rem or 6.5x55. If so, I hope you'll carefully consider the versatility of these chamberings.
I started hunting deer with a 6mm rem, and had good luck with it. It and the very similar 243 try to do too many things, however, and are generally a bit light for deer and overkill for varmints. They'll do either job with good bullet placement, but don't leave much margin for error. The 25-06 is a little better medicine for deer, but still light for elk or bigger game if you should want to take that up later.
The slightly larger calibers have a greater bullet selection, retain more energy and yet are very pleasant to shoot.
Any of them will work, and I know you'll enjoy the T3. You can't go wrong.
I started hunting deer with a 6mm rem, and had good luck with it. It and the very similar 243 try to do too many things, however, and are generally a bit light for deer and overkill for varmints. They'll do either job with good bullet placement, but don't leave much margin for error. The 25-06 is a little better medicine for deer, but still light for elk or bigger game if you should want to take that up later.
The slightly larger calibers have a greater bullet selection, retain more energy and yet are very pleasant to shoot.
Any of them will work, and I know you'll enjoy the T3. You can't go wrong.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Just a tag on the thread end .. I load for my .243 savage 99C .... and with N-140 and using a 105 grain Speer spitzer SP .. it shoots extremely well and that bullet has thoroughly vindicated itself.
I admit ... no experience of 25-06 at all! Just being honest!
I admit ... no experience of 25-06 at all! Just being honest!
rbernie
Contributing Member
If you're going to shoot factory ammo, the 243 has it all over the 25-06; it's easier to find in stores and the choices are far more plentiful.
If you're going to handload *and* you're stuck with a full-length action anyway, the 25-06 will be more versatile and you can always load up/down as you need.
If you're going to handload *and* you're stuck with a full-length action anyway, the 25-06 will be more versatile and you can always load up/down as you need.
JohnMc
Member
1) Obtain a trial randomizing device, dual outcome format (a coin).
2) Pre-select one caliber for each outcome (Heads for .243 & tails for 25-06 or vice-versa)
3) Peform the randomized outcome test (flip it)
4) Buy that caliber
5) Wait for some amount of time and buy the other one. (Until you can save enough)
Seriously, both calibers have much to say for them and neither are all that common such that Wally-world (for example) will have a big selection of ammo, if any. This is why I generally go for stuff like .270 or .223.
Beyond that, I'd certainly like one of each.
JohnMc
2) Pre-select one caliber for each outcome (Heads for .243 & tails for 25-06 or vice-versa)
3) Peform the randomized outcome test (flip it)
4) Buy that caliber
5) Wait for some amount of time and buy the other one. (Until you can save enough)
Seriously, both calibers have much to say for them and neither are all that common such that Wally-world (for example) will have a big selection of ammo, if any. This is why I generally go for stuff like .270 or .223.
Beyond that, I'd certainly like one of each.
JohnMc
trigger45
Member
.243
For whatever reason, at 200 yards I always always always shoot tighter groups with .243 than any other caliber.
It doesn't matter whether it's my rifle or someone else's, I cannot string together 5 shots any better consecutively with any other caliber than I can with .243.
I own a .223, .243, .270, 7mm mag, 30-06, and a 30-30 in high powered rifles. The first caliber that I will double up with another rifle will be .243.
I've shot my cousin's 25-06 Ruger 77. Nice rifle. Nice round. Not as tight of groups.
Just my two cents.
It doesn't matter whether it's my rifle or someone else's, I cannot string together 5 shots any better consecutively with any other caliber than I can with .243.
I own a .223, .243, .270, 7mm mag, 30-06, and a 30-30 in high powered rifles. The first caliber that I will double up with another rifle will be .243.
I've shot my cousin's 25-06 Ruger 77. Nice rifle. Nice round. Not as tight of groups.
Just my two cents.
tbige
Member
A lucky toss, I'd say! Great round, great rifle.
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