good 25 cal catridge for hunting deer and maybe elk

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I would earnestly agree with buying the deer rifle now and waiting to get a more powerful rifle when you actually need it. In that scenario I would say get a .243 now and either a .270 or a 7mm/08 later for bigger game. The .243 will cover you nicely from varmints and targets to even the biggest deer.

If you have decided to buy just one rifle to use for everything from deer to moose then the two calibers that unquestionably stand miles above all others - bar none - are the .270 Winchester and the 7mm/08 Remington. The .270 and the 7mm/08 are the only two calibers ever invented anywhere, anytime that are truly "all-around" hunting calibers capable of bridging the entire gap between deer and moose with authority... at least for "all-around" hunters/riflemen. The more robust calibers are just for the lads who think gunpowder and Viagra are the same thing and need a quart of each for every shot.;)

Ballisitcs and field performance for the .270 and 7mm/08 are actually quite similar so deciding between them is close to being a coin toss. One way is to decide if you want a "short action" caliber (the 7mm/08) or a "long action" (the .270).

That issue doesn't matter much to many folks though, so if you don't particularly care about "short vs long action" then you could decide on the basis of which make/model rifle you really like and which of those two calibers does it come in.... OR...

...you could just look around and buy the rifle you find the best deal on as long as it is either a .270 or a 7mm/08.

Don't worry about ammo cost because compared to all the money you spend hunting, the difference in ammo cost between the .25/06 and .270 and 7mm/08 isn't enough to worry about.

There's my 50 cents wurff. :)

:cool:
 
@Shawnee Thx for your detailed answer. I think I will start with an 243 winchester for hunting deer and then in 2 years I will buy an another rilfe for ellk hunting. The 7mm-08 is an very intersting catridge, but it is not very common here in austria. The 270 winchester would be a better choice.

@oregonhunter I know that you were talking about the "normal" 270 winchester. The new wsm and ultra mag catridges ,are not very common here in austria and even if they were available the price would be way to much for my budget.
 
I have checked the prices of a few rifles know, and I like the remington model 700 and the savage model 11 bestt. The mannlicher rifles would also be great, but they are too expensiv for my buget. Mayby my futer elk rilfe in 270 win or in 7mm-08 remington will be an mannlicher. But at first I will start with an remington or savage rifle.
What do you think about the two mentioned rifles. Am talkling about the 243 win models.
 
Both rifles are very good, and both have many trim levels. Whichever you go with, you will behappy, but remember, the savages have the accutrigger:D
 
Hi Agent...


I would choose a Remington. That's because I've owned several and shot several dozen more, and they have all ranged from very good to fantastic.
I bought a BDL in 7mm/08 for one of my sons and he is firmly convinced that it is impossible to miss with that rifle.

Here is an SPS that you can "buy now" NIB on Gunbroker for $480 AND I think Remington is still offering a $40 rebate on them (check their site for their coupon deal).

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=119582839

I know a couple people with Savage 110s and have shot (years ago) perhaps twenty in an assortment of calibers. As best I can recall, they have all been very good, or better. My neighbor has a Varminter model in .22/250 and of course it is really accurate.

I cannot imagine you could go wrong with either choice.

So the obvious answer is to buy one of each. :D


:cool:
 
Shawnie!!!!!!!!!
I read your comment about Viagra and magnums. I am still chuckling. It is nice to see that not everyone thinks you need large calibers and gobbs of powder to kill something. One gunsmith I know wonders if Elk and Deer have started wearing Kevlar to protect themselves hence the need for the big mags.
agent00
I personally have met few factory rifles that I wanted to own. I build my own. With that said, I have the luxury to shoot any cartridge/rifle I want.
I have numerous rifles in my collection, including the 25-06. the largest caliber modern rifle I own is a 270. I have killed elk at amazing distances with this rifle. I have never felt the need to go bigger.
You really can't go wrong with either caliber. For that matter, there are quite a few calibers available between the 25-06 and 270 that would be up to the task. If it were me and at least for now I would own just one rifle for the job, I would lean toward the 270. Recoil of the 25-06 and 270 is not significantly different.
 
7mm08 and 270 win

I agree that this is a toss up. i use 7mm08 and both are really excellant rounds as shawnee has mentioned.

A fact we have over looked is that the original poster is in Austria. In Europe there are other rounds in common use. How about the classic 7 x 57 mauser or 8 x 57 mauser. or for a bit more speed a 7 x 68 brenneke. A 7mm mauser is a great round that will do for just about all uses. It is not quite as quick as 7mm08 however it is excellant.

interlock
 
I load a Hornady interlock to 3050 fps from my old Remington M722 .257 Roberts. That bullet is a penetrating SOB. That load would do the job with proper placement out to a few hundred yards, easily. That said, when I was planning an elk hunt years ago, I felt the need for more and bought a 7 Rem Mag. It's a sweet shootin' gun with a lot more umph. And, hey, I wanted a belted magnum. I guess I'm the only one here that thinks they're neat, too. :rolleyes:
 
@interlock Thx for your answer. I have allready considered buying an hunting rilfe chambered for an "european" catridge, but there is only one poblem. I have only found na few factory rilfes chambered in 8x57 mauser, but they are very expensive. The 7x57 mm mauser would be a great catridge but I it is not easy to find an brandew factory rifle in that caliber. It would be no problem to get an old military bolt action rilfe in 7mm mauser, but I don't know if such an an old rifle is capable to handle modern hunting loads. The 7mm brenneke would also be a good chocie, but I have to check the availability of the rifles first, but It should be no problem to get an mauser type rilfe in that caliber.
 
7 x 57 rifles

Agent,
how about CZ? they are a good make and are european they make thier 55o in 7 x 64.

Tikka make rifles in 7 x 64 and 8 x 57.

both are reasonably priced

interlock
 
interlock Thx for your tipp. I must admit that I haven't cosidered cz and tikka rifles yet. I will check if they are available at my local gunstore immediately:)

ps: Which factory load in 7x64 brenneke would be the best choice for deer?
 
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Agent....

I heartell the box clips for the Tikka are retailed at $100 and, for me with my talent for losing things, that's pretty scary.

Would suggest you confirm that price before making your decision.


Good Luck !
:cool:
 
Shawnee Thx for the warning. Maybe the prices of the clips are cheaper here in austria, but I have to check it first before I 'll buy new new rifle. Another intersting rifle would be an wichester model 70. I have seen an used 243 win. model at my local gunstore at a very good price.
 
Hi Agent...

The Winchester model 70 went through a time period when they were much lower quality than they had been. That time period started in 1964.

At some point,I'm told the quality was greatly improved again but I don't really know when the improvement happened. Several others on here could probably tell you.

It woulld be great if you could get the serial number and check it to determine the year it was made. Then the Winchester gurus here could give good advice about buying that particular rifle.

If it is one of the high-quality model 70s and, as Oregonhunter said - if it is in good shape - it will very likely be an excellent rifle.

Good Luck !
:cool:
 
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Some people do say the late 64's through 68's I believe? had lower quality standards. I have owned a late 64 300 win mag and it is a great rifle, but I cant say that other mid 60's examples are as well made. As Shawnee said can you give us the serial number, manufacture dates can be looked up rather quickly on the internet.
 
7 x 64 factory ammo

Hi agent,
Norma do a really good range of 7 x 64 ammunition. thier 156 gr oryx would be an excellant round for everything. The controlled expansion bullet will not give huge damage in smaller deer (roe etc)and will penetrate deeply for bigger game and boar etc.

Thier componants are excellant quality although they will not be the cheapest.

It will also allow you to travel and hunt in france as it is not a military round.

I use a 7mm08 and find it an excellant all rounder.

cz

http://www.czub.cz/index.php?p=32&idp=3&ids=10&idz=39&lang=en

have a look at Steyr- Mannlicher.

http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/en/jagdwaffen/pro-hunter/

sauer

http://www.sauer-waffen.de/index.php?id=634&lang=en

(these american fellows would have us believe that they have the monopoly on rifles!)
 
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oregonhunter Yes, the winchester is acording to the gunsmith in a good condition.

@Interlock Yes, the mannlicher and sauer rifles are great, but there are are a bit too expensive for my budget, CZ rifles would be a good choice.

Und I will also consider to buy an rilfe in 7-08 remington. According to an buddy, this would be a great catridge allround catridge. He says also the same thing about the 270 win.
 
agent, the steyr prohunter is pretty cheap in the uk.... althouh admitedly more than others. Howa are also available. or that second hand winchester. Is there much hunting in austria?
 
Agent,

I would strongly suggest you seriously consider the 6.5x55 excellent cartridge for the game you are seeking. We have taken Yukon moose with it.

CZ makes a beautiful full stock version, Tikka make various hunting styles.
 
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@Interlock yes it would be also possible to get an howa rilfe, but I haven't herad much about that rifle brand.

@daroccot Thx for your tipp.
 
Going on Agent's first options, I would pick the 25-06, and be a little picky on my shots at elk. But I have to wonder, what would be wrong with a 270, 308, or 30-06 as an all around "one gun" battery to start with? Then when the chance/opportunity comes he can add whatever strikes his fancy. My personal opinions only, your mileage may vary.:D
 
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