Need input on center fire choice

[TheDr]

Havent hunted much with centerfires,generally been a slug gun or muzzleloader,although I have taken deer with mil surplus mausers.
Anyway...I'm trying to decide between a savage axis in .243 and a rem 700 adl in 25-06.
Those are the ONLY calibers I'm interested in,and my budget is $400 for a rifle.
Just looking for honest reviews from people who've shot the axis series and 700adl series,and what they think of build quality and accuracy.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have no experience with the 700 ADL. I just popped in to say that if you are buying ammo vs reloading I agree with LRDGCO. Also, I see .243 on the shelves at gun stores pretty much everywhere I go. I definitely cannot say that about 25-06.

Just for grins I am posting this comparison that I found between the two rounds. It’s actually humorous. Where do they find these people?
https://www.foundryoutdoors.com/blo...mington-ammo-comparison-ballistics-info-chart

 

[horsey300]

I'd vote .243 every day, but if you're open to options, I'd throw in a ruger American and a used savage 10/11/16 can be had sub $400 quite often

 

[horsey300]

I have no experience with the 700 ADL. I just popped in to say that if you are buying ammo vs reloading I agree with LRDGCO. Also, I see .243 on the shelves at gun stores pretty much everywhere I go. I definitely cannot say that about 25-06.

Just for grins I am posting this comparison that I found between the two rounds. It’s actually humorous. Where do they find these people?
https://www.foundryoutdoors.com/blo...mington-ammo-comparison-ballistics-info-chart

That article was almost painful, thanks for the grin! Realistically, as far as purpose the 2 cartridges have too much overlap, time is simply favoring metric shooters.

 

[Bfh_auto]

The plastic stocked Axis needs some minor modifications. I've never shot the wood stocked ones. A 700 is more refined.

 

[Jbird45]

I have shot both. The Remington in my opinion is the better rifle as it just feels like a better built gun. Both rifles are are accurate. If you are buying off the shelf ammo I would suggest going with the .243.

 

[lightman]

Neither choice would be wrong. I'm a Remington 700 fan so thats the way I would go. Caliber wise, both have their loyal followers. The 243 would be easier to find ammo for. Academy Sports has ADLs pretty cheap at times.

You didn't ask but for deer hunting you might consider going with a bigger cartridge. You would have a better selection of bullets with a 308 Winchester.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

1. .243 better ammo availability.
2. .243 has more bullet choices than .257
3. .243 has less recoil.

1. .25-06 has more power
2. .25-06 has in this case the nicer gun
3. .25-06 has -06 in its name instead of ‘08

I’d choose the later because really the decision for me on this one would be 100% based on the rifle not the caliber. Which rifle do i like more...

Greg

 

[doubleh]

I have an Axis. While it's great in the accuracy department I'll never buy another. It just has too many negative little things for me. That makes my recommendation the Remington of course.

You say 243 and 25/06 are you only caliber interests. I have always kind of wanted a 25/06 so that would probably be my choice as I handload. On the other hand the 243 is readily available and if I didn't reload I would choose it.

 

[TheDr]

Thanks folks!
The 25-06 is where I'm leaning.
I figure I get the best of both worlds from one rifle.
Lighter recoil of like the 243,but the knockdown almost like the 270.
The tad more weight in the bullet is a factor too.
I'll handload,cause I like to find the sweet spot for any firearm. That's a reason I've enjoyed muzzleloader so much. I've had people say they dropped 2 pellets in and their rifle would group well.
I start measuring loose pyrodex,and that same rifle would be a target I driver with say 82gr.
I decided on these 2 calibers simply because a buddy shoots a 243 and does well on deer,and after over 40yrs hunting,I've decided deer really aren't that hard to kill,and most of us are over gunned.
Plus I can use either round for coyotes and such.

 

[TheDr]

I have an Axis. While it's great in the accuracy department I'll never buy another. It just has too many negative little things for me. That makes my recommendation the Remington of course.

You say 243 and 25/06 are you only caliber interests. I have always kind of wanted a 25/06 so that would probably be my choice as I handload. On the other hand the 243 is readily available and if I didn't reload I would choose it.

I'm leaning on the 25-06.
My buddy here shoots a 243 and does well on deer,and I figure the 25-06 will give me better distance and I'll be able to use one gun for deer and coyote.

 

[horsey300]

Neither choice would be wrong. I'm a Remington 700 fan so thats the way I would go. Caliber wise, both have their loyal followers. The 243 would be easier to find ammo for. Academy Sports has ADLs pretty cheap at times.

You didn't ask but for deer hunting you might consider going with a bigger cartridge. You would have a better selection of bullets with a 308 Winchester.

With deer being taken by center fire 22s and the measly blackout, maybe even the .308 isn't enough, perhaps a .338 federal or .35 rem would make more sense.

 

[lightman]

Neither of those two choices will give you much more bullet selection than the 243 or 25-06. But your sarcasm and fairly useless post is well noted!

 

[TheDr]

I e taken deer with a mauser in 308.
And have shot rem 700 338 lapua.
That one gets real expensive to shoot real fast.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have a .243 and the guys who said ammo is easier to get are right. Ammo for it is everywhere.

I also have a .257 Roberts, which is a bit less powerful than the .25-06. Finding shelf ammo for these two is much more of an Easter egg hunt...Especially for the Roberts.

You have a bit more versatility upwards with the .25-06, as the premium 117-120 gr bullets can be used for elk-sized critters with good shot placement. The .243 is a bit further down the game spectrum, but recoils less if you choose to go for lighter game like coyotes and varmints.

With the Axis and ADL being the sole choices you list, I’d go with the ADL in .25-06.

Stay safe.

 

[Hookeye]

FWIW on this "ammo availability" thing.....


Do people buy a box of A ammo from B store, then next week try C ammo from D store, and come hunting season buy X ammo from Z store?

C'mon.

They will try a couple, and go with what shoots best.
If not available local, have it ordered by a real gunshop or heaven forbid.............buy it online.

The "availability" argument is silly.

The .243 vs .25-06 deal..............

If one wants to shoot varmints more than deer, .243.
If you want to shoot deer more than varmints, .25-06.
Both will do double duty.

Just depends on what rifle you want IMHO.
Having owned an Axis in .243...............that shot great after a few mods............

I sold it and went back to a 700ADL synth.
In .243 win.

It is my chuck/yote gun (mostly yote since no chucks around anymore).
Shot a deer w .243 win (Ruger #1 RSI) and was not impressed w that bullet.
Shot great but whistled through.

Bought diff ammo, also shot good...........but never saw a critter big enough to test it on.

IMHO the Savage Axis sucks for short cartridges, because it still is a long action.
If you like a long action, so be it.
But if going that route I'd pick a long action cartridge.

Actually prefer short actions, so would go .243 win in 700.

Shot a 700 stainless BDL in .25-06 yrs ago, 85 gr varmint loads. Was more bounce but comfy.
Nice rifle.
If I was to hunt out west, stretch out the shooting............def go .25-06.

Buddy had a Browning that smoked a few deer/pronghorn.
This before new bullet tech.
It was wicked good then, should only be better nowadays.

Want a .25-06 but hate long actions?
Ruger #1 might be doable

A stainless Savage 110 style in .25-06 might be a great all arounder.......but they are thick through the middle.
I rather like the feel of a reg boring ol 700.
A stainless BDL like the one my coworker has..................nice rig.

And I'd buy one.
Older model.
But man the price on them has gone up.

Did look for a Steyr Pro Hunter in .25-06. Really did.
Sold out.

 

[Hookeye]

Axis or ADL............the synth stock will be flexy.
IMHO it would benefit from free float and stiffening.
But if it shoots great "as is", might as well leave it alone.

Even after stock mods, I think the ADL synth (old checkered style) to feel better and be entirely usable.

700 ADL .243 win.
Stock stiffened, free floated, painted.
Steel trigger guard (factory plastic is junk). Since the pic was taken I have upgraded to a Gre-Tan firing pin/shroud (ditched the never used J lock).
Shoots cheap WW 80gr psp to .75" at 100 (5 shots).
Not great but good enough for a yote rig IMHO.

View attachment 845418

Stock stiffening (epoxy in forend hollows)

View attachment 845420

 

[Hookeye]

I'd let my daughter run the 700 for deer, but she's short and would need the scope moved.
Not gonna do that.
I'd build her an AR in 6.5 Grendel before moving my 700's scope LOL

I have several boxes of WW Deer Season XP 95gr to try.
Would run the 700 myself, if that's all I had.
But I have a .35 rem pump that is just too perfect for the woods.
And I have a .30-06 that has yet to be blooded.

So my 700 .243 is just a backup deer gun for me (primary use is yotes).

It wears a 3-9X Leupold now.
AFAIC it's a decent rig.
Have had it for quite a while.

 

[Hookeye]

Looked at the new 700 ADL's at a farm shop gun area, they had several and were discounted.
I think, rightly or wrongly, that the newer style stock just looks ugly, and would prefer a stock swap.
Older checkered ADL synth stocks run 50-75 on auction sites used.
Then of course I'd have to epoxy the front and free float. So add $100 bucks to the cost............dunno if there a market for new style take off stocks..........seems a lot for cheap, and not selling.
The trigger guard being plastic............sucks. $35 for a steel one.
Mo' money.

It is a shame how one can't just buy a solid rig that needs nothing.

Also...............dunno about new gun quality............scary on all brands IMHO.
I bought mine used.
Had one before, bought new, back in the 90's.
It was a shooter.
But so were the 70's model BDL's I bought used.

Not a Remington 700 fan boy. But dang if they haven't worked well for me.
Lucky? I dunno.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Thanks folks!
The 25-06 is where I'm leaning.
I figure I get the best of both worlds from one rifle.
Lighter recoil of like the 243,but the knockdown almost like the 270.
The tad more weight in the bullet is a factor too.
I'll handload,cause I like to find the sweet spot for any firearm. That's a reason I've enjoyed muzzleloader so much. I've had people say they dropped 2 pellets in and their rifle would group well.
I start measuring loose pyrodex,and that same rifle would be a target I driver with say 82gr.
I decided on these 2 calibers simply because a buddy shoots a 243 and does well on deer,and after over 40yrs hunting,I've decided deer really aren't that hard to kill,and most of us are over gunned.
Plus I can use either round for coyotes and such.

The recoil will be closer to a 270 than a 243. You are burning a lot more powder. That being said, both are well below the recoil threshold for most people.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

Ammo availability is a real thing in California.

I imagine it is in some other communist states too.
If it isn’t for you then be happy and pray for us.

Greg

 

[Jbird45]

Ammo availability is indeed a valid argument. What happens if you forget to bring your ammo with you on a hunt and have to find something locally quickly? This happened to my uncle once when he was rushing to get ready. Not saying it happens often but it happens. What about the people who live in little towns and don't want to drive an hour or pay for shipping from ordering online? If you plan ahead ammo availability is not a problem, but what happens when you are in a pinch? I'm not saying you should buy a rifle based solely on ammo availability but I argue it is a valid consideration.

 

[Anchorite]

Havent hunted much with centerfires,generally been a slug gun or muzzleloader,although I have taken deer with mil surplus mausers.
Anyway...I'm trying to decide between a savage axis in .243 and a rem 700 adl in 25-06.
Those are the ONLY calibers I'm interested in,and my budget is $400 for a rifle.
Just looking for honest reviews from people who've shot the axis series and 700adl series,and what they think of build quality and accuracy.

25-06 Rem 700, hands down. If you are shooting a 6mm and heavy-for-caliber bullets, go bigger. Don’t lean on the caliber. Move up in caliber. You’ll never have to worry about wether or not you have enough gun for deer and varmints. I personally think the 243 is over rated, but that’s based on my experiences. YMMV.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Remington in 7mm-08

 

[Hookeye]

IMHO if one forgets their ammo they should stay home and watch golf.

I take my hunting a bit more serious I guess.
And folks that flub stuff, like forgetting ammo...........I don't trust them to remember other things, like safety.