25-06 or 7mm-08

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TrevorMack

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So shortly I will be ordering the model 700 mountain ss. I want a short action so it's either 25-06 or 7mm-08 as I already have a .308. I am not very familiar with either of these calibres. Will be using it for mainly whitetail and black bear. What is the better of the 2 or what would everyone recommend. Thanks Trevor
 
hawk-i said:
Both will work just fine...I really like the 7-08...the 25-06 is a long action though.
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Was gonna say...

As far as caliber goes you really can't go wrong with either. I am not sure if you wanted a long action or short action from your OP, but since you said you had a .308 I'm presuming you want to try a long action? If so then the .25-06 fits the bill.
I would look into the .270 as well. If you shoot factory rounds it will make your life a lot easier.
 
Either would work for deer or black bears.

I own both calibers and consider the 25.06 suitable for Eastern Moose @ 200 yards or less, but hunt them with my 7.08.

If you are looking for flat shooting over distance, the 25.06 is one of the flattest "non magnum" calibers out there (comparable to the "much hyped" 6.5 Creedmoor).

If you buy off on the "need 1000 ft pounds to take down a deer or black bear" a 25.06 would be about a 500 yard rifle, the 7.08 is still packing well over 1000 ft/lbs out "past" 500 yards using "typical off the shelf ammo" for each of the respective calibers (call it about 115'ish grains bullets with the .06 and 140'ish with the .08) .

Tough to go wrong with either caliber for your stated purpose - they are both suitable....

(should have added) - while I have a number of calibers in the safe, if I could only have ONE hunting rifle I'm pretty sure it would be my 7.08 - take that for what it's worth and how much the advice cost :)
 
If I already had a .308, I would not get a 7mm-08. The .25-06 may be "different enough" to make it interesting. Either will do what you want to do, but so will your .308.
 
.25-06 tops out at 120gr bullets, but that may be more than enough if you already have a .308. Depends on what you want to shoot with it. My friend has used a .25-06 for the last 25 years and has gotten over 40 moose with it. 3 times it took a second shot.
 
I shoot all three, in my opinion the 7-08 splits the difference between .308 and 25-06. You would seldom notice a real difference in the field with it vs the .308. So if in your situation i'd add a 25-06 for a light, fast, long range rig suitable for varmints & coyote to medium size big game like your WT and black bear. The .308 covers the medium to bigger game spectrum at moderate ranges.
 
Love the 25/06. My largest bear fell to a single shot from it. For me it's the perfect deer caliber and dual purpose round. 75-125 gr bullets are available. 60 gr as well if you want a pinker load for grouse. I've never tried this as I just slip a 117 gr btsp under their neck. No meat damage at all
 
Think I will try to 7mm-08. I wanted to get another short action. Was told the 25-06 was short but I was told wrong. Will be the 7mm - 08 remington 700 mountain ss. Being such a light rifle I was thinking shirt action would be better plus I already have a couple long actions but just the 308. Wanted something smaller, very light easy to carry long crappie walks or hikes.
 
TrevorMack said:
My bad I was told the 25-06 was a short action. Thanks for the info and all the advice.
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If it's based on 30'06 (where the 25-06 gets it's name) she's a long action. Now... a 700 long action is not excessively long, it's pretty compact compared to some others, pretty close to a Savage or Vanguard short action.
I'd get the 25-06, it's a pretty wicked performer, and the 7-08 and 308 are so similar in every aspect. 260REM would be a good short action, flat shooting but hard hitting cartridge.
 
I really enjoy the 25 06, if you reload there are a wide range of choices. Maybe you were thinking 260 rem for short action?
 
If you get a 7-08 you might as well sell the .308 as they are so close in power, range, etc. Why not go smaller than 7-08 to increase your versatility. As I said, the .25-06 is a great round, capable of much more then you'd think. As much as I hate 6mm anything, I really think a better choice would be to get a .243 as you can shoot 55gr bullets up to 4000f/s and that round , with the right bullet such as an 80gr TSX or 100gr can take any deer on the planet, plus the accidental moose that picks the wrong day to walk out in front of you. (I have only been on 1 prairie dog shoot in my life, and the guy I was with shot a .243. All I can say, is wow.....VAPORIZER)
 
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