Which Caliber?

[Hokkmike]

My personal choice would be a 6.5X55 or a .260. But a 7mm 08 is GREAT!

 

[Specialized]

Another vote for 7mm08. I think it's the best deer cartridge around, with the best balance of features. Bullet availability & weight, short action (more choices and lighter actions), and hits like a ton of bricks on deer. I have one in a Browning '81 BLR, and another one on the way in a Browning A-Bolt. Very accurate round, too -- I'm getting sub-MOA from a lever action.

 

[AAM67]

I agree with a post above. The .260 Remington is a nice cartridge that falls right between what he has been looking at.

 

[redneck2]

Wow. We actually got 7 posts into the thread before people started suggesting calibers other than the two the original poster asked for opinions on.

That's 6 more than I expected.

Hey...at least nobody suggested a new superwizbang short-fat-long-skinny magnum

Oh...my vote...me, I'd go to the gun shop and find something used, but that's in like new condition for about 1/2 the price and forget about caliber.

7-08 seems perfect, but a .260, .270, or .280 would be nearly identical. Put the difference into a really good scope since you're using it for hunting.

If you're really set on one of those two listed, I'd go 7-08. It would do everything you need but it's enough bigger to make a difference.

 

[Bodo]

didn't say he would not get a 25-06 I just said he did not like the long bolt throw. He would have kept the 243 but it was in a youth model and he needed a full size stock. So since he was going to buy a new rifle he wanted to get a new caliber.

Oh yea he just picked up a Remington 700 CDL in 7mm-08 today.

 

[MCgunner]

You might consider the .257 Roberts.

Sentimental favorite of mine. However, unless you reload, it ain't a big step above the .243. The way I load it, it rivals the .25-06. Fine deer caliber and a classic. I like short action guns, too. This one's a little long, but still chambered in my short action Remington 722, based on a necked down 7x57 Mauser. A little smaller neck and you have the 6mm Remington.

 

[g5reality]

7mm-08, or 30-06 if it's a choice

 

[koja48]

I've harvested many a deer with the 25 (not mention antelope & some coyotes WAY out there!), but would recommend the 7mm08 based on the intended use. Both are fine rounds.

 

[MWenzel]

I prefer a 30-06, but if I had to pick between a 25-06 and a 7mm-08, I would choose the 7mm-08. I have heard many good things about them.