25-06 vs .243

Given the option what Caliber for long range (400yds+) deer??

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Greenman1867

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I am looking for a light weight long range (400 yds) deer specific rifle. I have it pretty much narrowed down to a Tika T3 in either .243 or 25-05.

I like the 06 line of rifles having a 30-06 and shot a lot of rounds through a .270, but I have heard people swear by the .243 for deer as well.

The only real downfall I can see with the Tika are the plastic/composite mags. I would hate to bust one in our Sask winter. Does anyone have any experience with the new Tika Mags?
 
I can vouch for the toughness of the TikKa Mags. I have never seen any come back broken or malfunctioning.
The .243 is capable on deer, but if your not bothered by recoil why limit yourself?
I would go 25-06 in a Tikka T-3 SS.
 
For 400 meters;
1.270
2.25-06
3.243
Reason , (and I got the 25-06 , and don't own a 270 ) 270 got that wonderful 140gr bullet. Packs a punch.
The other 2 are light in the knock down department at the longer range.
Limit to 300 meters on deer , any of the 3 will work fine. :runaway:
Edit; I picked 25-06 because its my baby, and chances are you will see deer between 0-300 meters anyway:p
 
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I said 270, but a 25-06 would be just about as good. A 243 might be a good 400 yard coyote rifle, but that distance is stretching it a bit for deer IMHO.
 
270, with a bullet like a 140 gr Accubond, it can handle any deer out to 1/4 mile, with barely more recoil than a 25-06. Trajectory is almost as flat as a 25-06 when it is loaded with 115-120 gr bullets
 
Assuming the same general profile, heavier bullets have more energy in hand at longer ranges. Taking the figures that I calculate with Nosler Partitions (level playing field for all three calibres) we see some interesting numbers. With safe loads, a 100gr .243 bullet will be under 1000 ft/lb at 400 (~995). A 120gr 25-06 will be well over 1200 (1270) and a .270 140 gr will be over 1500 (~1520), just another point to ponder
 
i've been shooting 243's for 15 years and shot around 30 deer with them. the farthest i shot was 320 yards, the deer dropped in its tracks. with a slight wind in my face the noise of the shot where the deer was wasn't loud enough to scare the others away so i filled both of my tags. both dropped in their tracks.

as said earlier, calibre is insignificant if you can precisely place your shot. i have watched a hunting partner shoot 2 deer at just over 400 yards with a 22-250, both head shots.

i highly reccomend a 243 for deer. a good 95 or 100 grain bullet will do the job to 400, if you can make the shot.
 
I went with a 25-06 for my deer, coyote, long range varminting round and am really happy with it.:) Although, if I wasn't cursed with the left-hand shooting gene I probably would have ended up with a .243 Win and been very happy with it.:)
 
Greenman1867 said:
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The only real downfall I can see with the Tika are the plastic/composite mags. I would hate to bust one in our Sask winter. Does anyone have any experience with the new Tika Mags?
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The mag works slick, but I did break the plastic bolt shroud on one. Put it in a vise and attempted to turn it to recock it. I was surprised how easily it broke! Little plastic fragemnts all over the shop!

My vote is 270, 25-06 and 243 in that order. I have used a 270 and 25-06 at those ranges, but not the 243
 
Covey Ridge said:
The mag works slick, but I did break the plastic bolt shroud on one. Put it in a vise and attempted to turn it to recock it. I was surprised how easily it broke! Little plastic fragemnts all over the shop!
Click to expand...
Oops.......:redface: ;)

I had a Bud that got his Brand New Tikka 595 outta the box and the Shroud was cracked :(

I had NO issues with the Plastic Mags on any of mine ...nor any issues with the Plastic TriggerGuards ...nor any issues with the Plastic Bolt shrouds :)

The Tikkas are Great Shooters though.

Oh ya.......Get the 260 Remington in a 700 and don't look back :cool:
 
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Don't forget the classic 7mm Rem mag. It's more than you need certainly, but its high BC bullets mean less drift which might be a very important consideration at 400 depending where you are.
 
I'd go for the 270, cause I already have a 25-06.

Either will do, but at long range, a 130 or 140 grain .270 gets the nod.
For the 25-06, 115 or 120 grain reloads are the way to go.

... the 243 with 100 grainers is a little less than optimum at distance.
 
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