.243 vs .25-06 Utility/Hunting

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JohnnyCal55

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I am still looking for the ideal utility and truck gun for Idaho and Montana, but ive narrowed it down to these two calibers. I would mainly like having the rifle as a utility rifle, camping rifle, and as my primary coyote, deer, and pronghorn rifle. I would prefer a light bolt action, as I will probably be carrying it for long periods of time when im hunting. Im planning on either a 2x7 or 3x9 variable zoom scope. Weight is definately a factor. I would also prefer a "slimmer" rifle, that seems handy and is easily carried. Any suggestions (caliber, guns,etc..)?

Thanks!
 
Howa ranchand compact rifle in .243 will serve you well. I own a full size sporter model in .308 and it rocks. sub MOA accurate all day. just remember to let her cool down.
 
The .243 is more common meaning easier to find and cheaper ammo, lighter recoil and may be a better choice in a light rifle. The 25-06 is bigger and faster and flatter shooting but not by much. If you reload, or don't shot alot or want maximun performance buy the 25-06. If you want something easy to shoot in a shorter lighter action, and keep in ammo buy the .243.
 
There is the ranchland serurity, which is a heavy barrel 20" now known as the 20" varmint. comes in .223 .22-250 and .308 i think. Its heavy though. My fully size 22" Howa is 10.5 pounds with scope and sling. so I would go with the ranchland compact.
I would reccomend Howa over about anything due to my perfect experience, But remember, buy new rings. the stock ones are poo. get A set of Warne medium on it and yer set. It comes with a Nikko stirling scope, works fine for me :)
IF you are totally against Howa a 700 ADL would work I guess. but not be as short and light.
Get 'er (Howa ranchland compact) the price will be 500-550 out the door. I saw one at bass pro today when I was buying camo for 499.99 with the scope and egw mount. very good.
 
some questions:
do you reload?
what is the expected range of target?
which chambering gives you the most confidence to take a 250 yd shot at a whitetail?

my idea of a truck/utility gun my be different than yours. glass may be more important than the rifle. i've been very pleased with 2x7 scopes personally. given the OP i would lean towards a .243 but thats just what i like. i dought you would notice much difference between the two out to 250 yds. for the intended purpose.
 
It seems that ive decided on the .243 over the .25-06 due to price of ammo, availability, and for my intended purpose.

Now the main question is, which rifle would be best for me. The tikka lite sounds very nice to me, somewhere around 6.5 pounds? Are there any other rifles in this price range and weight?
 
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Tikkas are amazing. I would not trade my T3 Stainless in 6.5x55 for any rifle on earth, it is the pride of my collection, I highly recomend them. If you reload the 25-06 is best, but if you only buy factory ammo the 243 is your best bet.
 
I just dropped by the new big Cabellas up by Reno. Was looking for other stuff, but I wanted to see and handle a T3 Lite. I was amazed at the slim lite feel, S-M-O-O-T-H bolt, and balance. The action is built around the 06 for length, so that's a natural, but they come in all the calibers you could be interested in. they also come with rings and a drilled for Weaver bases. The stock is lite - it feels it, but they not had any come back for broken stocks yet, so I'd bet it's tough enough. The stock will handle up to .338 Win Mag so it's got to be tough.

The thing that sold me (I'm raiding the cookie jar, just a bit short :( ) is that it comes to shoulder like a nice OU shotgun. Pretty amazing balance :)

I'll get mine in .308 as I already stock that for other guns in the safe. But the action will handle 06 style rounds without question or complaint. It's pretty much a value/accuracy leader along with some others. But I don't think the other cost effective rifles can equal the accuracy and very light carry for the same $$. 6 1/4 lbs :)

http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/specs/LiteStainless.pdf :)
 
BOOOO. .243 is so boring.

The .25-06 is so much more fun. BUT if you are buying factory loads only then the .243 is for you. Enjoy your boring gun. :neener:
 
I would actualy say that if you handload to actualy get the 6.5x55 insted of the 25-06, you can handload the 120 gr bullets to 25-06 speeds + you have the option of 140 and 160 class bullets that the 25-06 does not have. The 6.5x55 is simply the most versitile caliber ever, literlay rabbit to Moose the 6.5 does it all. I love my 6.5 even if the big gun guys talk smack to me sometimes, I have never had to track anything I have shot EVER. Every single person that has shot my Tikka has wanted one, that will tell you something right there.
 
I would actually say that if you hand load to actually get the 6.5x55 instead of the 25-06, you can hand load the 120 gr bullets to 25-06 speeds + you have the option of 140 and 160 class bullets that the 25-06 does not have. The 6.5x55 is simply the most versatile caliber ever, literally rabbit to Moose the 6.5 does it all. I love my 6.5 even if the big gun guys talk smack to me sometimes, I have never had to track anything I have shot EVER. Every single person that has shot my Tikka has wanted one, that will tell you something right there.
Click to expand...

You're missing it.... that only covers the heavier bullet weights.... 6.5 cannot shoot 75gr bullets or 87gr bullets.

I love the swede but it's limited to large game for any practical purposes.

Everyone can argue THEIR favorite cartridge but lets not let the facts get in the way...LOL
 
The .25-06 is far more overbore than the .243, and really needs a 26" tube, which detracts from your "handi-rifle" requirement. Speaking of handy, if you are keeping this on a tight budget, check out the H&R break-open single shot in .243. Given the short receiver, it is very short. I stuck a Nikon prostaff on mine & finally got it to shoot. Awesome bang for the buck & exceptionally handy.
 
kaferhaus you have not reloaded 6.5s before have you? There are a wide selection of 85-87 gr 6.5 bullets out there, and yes they shoot very well in the 6.5x55. The only real advantage of the 25-06 is hotter handloads due to its larger case. The 260 rem is another fine choice with the lighter bullets.
 
I know that a .243 carbine with a 2x7 is ruinacious on prairie dogs to 300 yards, and it led me to putting a tag on over twenty Bambi-critters. Using my old Sierra 85-grain HPBT load tends to fertilize about a half-acre if used on Ol' Wily--and that load is now available from Federal.
 
absolutely .243 // if you shoot heavier than 90gr pills you will want 1:9 twist // most are 1:10 // my 1:10 "Handi-rifle" does great with 87gr hornady pills, but hates 100gr
 
I must be lucky. My 1:10 twist will handle 100 grain down to 55 grains. And will shoot one just as good as another. I think it has something to do with the age of the gun. 1968 Winchester 70. Tried the same loads with some newer model 243's and it would either do one or the other, but not both.
 
Savage 11 in 243 has a 1:9.25 twist that will stabilize 90 and 100 gr bullets. Should you go with the 243, Federal loaded Serria 85 gr SP would probably be your best dual purpose bullet, and Winchester 95 gr Ballistic tips, and 100gr core lock should be your go to during deer season. Just be sure of your shot, 100 gr bullet does not leave alot of room for error when it comes to deer not in any caliber or at any speed IMHO.
 
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yes some 1:10 brrls do ok with 100gr but if you take a long shot the pill could start to wobble. My 1:9 twist likes 70gr-100gr // actually the twist is 1:9.25"
 
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