In your opinion, which is the better cartridge for deer hunting at long range (> 300 yards)? The 25-06 has the clear velocity advantage, but the 7mm bullets win when it comes to BC and will hold their velocity better. I have read a lot about the 25-06 being an excellent long range deer round, but it seems that the 7mm-08 should be able to compete in that department. What are your thoughts?
Better long range deer getter: 25-06 or 7mm-08
- Thread starter Craiger12
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Get R Done Guns
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Humm...tough question. Really is personal preference here. You are correct with the bullet selection of the 7mm but why not just use a 7 mag? Load it light and the kick is minimal.
Skylerbone
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Cut the distance or consider a 6.5, either way the shot placement is what counts.
Craigman
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25-06 is proven great for deer and antelope. I would feel very comfortable at 300 or so. I can hit the 6" plate every time at 400. but thats from a bench.
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At this point I would not take a shot greater than 300 yards on a game animal. It's more of a hypothetical and something to consider for the future as my shooting skills improve. Also, please no short vs. long action responses. I'm interested in what round you think would perform better, not which rifle you would prefer to shoot or carry.
Art Eatman
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Seems to me that it's six of one, half-dozen of the other as far as cartridge selection. What seems more important is the knowledge of trajectory along with skill at doping the wind. That's pretty much the case with any "deer cartridge" once you get outside of 300 yards.
I've seen two feet of drift from "just a breeze" with my '06 on my 500-yard target. At 300 yards on prairie dogs with .223 and .243, maybe only five or six inches of wind drift from a fairly stiff breeze. Distance matters.
I've seen two feet of drift from "just a breeze" with my '06 on my 500-yard target. At 300 yards on prairie dogs with .223 and .243, maybe only five or six inches of wind drift from a fairly stiff breeze. Distance matters.
hardluk1
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Either will work but you can get a bit lighter package with a 7-08 and then add the 260 to the mix. With a 300 yard limit I would pick either of the 308 based cartridges over the 25-06
nastynatesfish
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the 06 will do fine. good premium bullet and a good shot. the 08 is a good ballistic round due to the high bc of the 7mm bullets. i shoot a 25-06 and a 7mag. i think youll loose the efficiency of the 7mm bullets with the short charged 308 case. at 300 yards i wouldnt worry about it. as long as you can keep it in the boiler room your good to go.
NWCP
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I like the 25-06.
PowerG
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I have a heavy barrelled 7mm-08, and have taken deer with it out to 400 yards, the round is more than adequate. There's a lot more to it than that, as some have posted above, getting the right rifle is just the first step.
TexasPatriot.308
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these two will decide how good a shot you really are, get after it and find out for yourself.
Smokey in PHX
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I do not have either of these calibers. But I have shot both of them extensively with friends of mine over the last ten years or so. Both will do very well what you are asking about. My friends who have these use them as their primary huning rifle and both are experienced hunters and good marksmen. Also both shoot elk with these rifles and do very well with them. If I had to choose I would take the 7mm-08 for three reasons. I prefer the 140 gr over the 120gr bullet, and I'm thinking of elk hunting here. The bullet weight difference would not matter on a deer. I have never fired a 7mm-08 rifle that was not a very accurate rifle. All of them were very impressive. I have a 7x57 that I like very much and have been impressed with how well it kills animals.
Most of all it is important to have a rifle/cartridge combination that you have confidence in. It ends up being your decision between two very good calibers.
Most of all it is important to have a rifle/cartridge combination that you have confidence in. It ends up being your decision between two very good calibers.
Zak Smith
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In that case size, I'd look at 6.5-06, .280 Remington (aka 7mm-06), .30-06. .260 will get the job done. For that matter so will .308. Really it comes down to making sure you can make a first round hit with your rifle, and that the bullet is appropriate for the application.
pikid89
Member
how bout split the difference between the quarter bore and the true 7mm with the tried and true .270 winchester...that bad boy has dropped untold numbers of deer at just about every ethical range (and probably further) since 1925
Sav .250
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Of the two.......the 25-06.
Huckelberry75
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25-06 gets my vote.
Remo223
member
25-06.
JimKirk
Member
Compare the two... Point Blank Range using a 7" target zone ...
7-08 ...139 gr SPBT(MV 2850)... PBR 315 yds., Velocity 2530 fps, ME 1975 ft/lbs
25/06 ...117 gr SPBT(MV3100)...PBR 342 yds., Velocity 2730 fps, ME 1937 ft/lbs
At 315 yds the are basically equal in ME ... 1975 ft lbs(7-08) to 1978 ft lbs(25/06)
So the 25/06 has slightly better PBR
Jimmy K
7-08 ...139 gr SPBT(MV 2850)... PBR 315 yds., Velocity 2530 fps, ME 1975 ft/lbs
25/06 ...117 gr SPBT(MV3100)...PBR 342 yds., Velocity 2730 fps, ME 1937 ft/lbs
At 315 yds the are basically equal in ME ... 1975 ft lbs(7-08) to 1978 ft lbs(25/06)
So the 25/06 has slightly better PBR
Jimmy K
Dr T
Member
In general I would choose the 25-06 for the reason JimKirk so eloquently explained. The 27 yards in PBR provides a bit more margin for ever. But, if the choice were between two specific rifles, one of 25-06 and one of 7-08, I would choose the more accurate of the two.
In terms of "Killing Power" and Energy: With a well constructed bullet, I doubt that a deer or antelope could tell the difference.
In terms of "Killing Power" and Energy: With a well constructed bullet, I doubt that a deer or antelope could tell the difference.
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