25-06 vs .243

the_big_mike

the_big_mike

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What do you guys think is the more versatile round? Which is flatter shooting, faster trajectory?

Note:

I'd be looking at hunting coyotes to white tail with it. Ontario kind of shots (under 150 yards... but want capability further..)

NOTE: I'm not a reloader so don't recommend the .260 remington, ackley or the swede! :)
 
I prefer the 243 but use it exclusively for coyote and gophers etc. If I were after deer size game I would go up to the 25-06.
 
No brainer...

The 25-06 is a consistent big game cartridge, the 243..ain't.

243 is great for long range yotes, decent for deer at 200 yards or so, but it aint much else...
 
I've never owned a 25-06 but have had 243's and currently have a couple of 264WinMags(similar ballistics to the 25-06) and have taken more than several coyotes over the last few years with that round.
Both of the two you mention could be pretty hard on pelts at times so I would say take the 25-06 and you would have some more wallop on deer,black bear,etc.
Have you given any thought to a 270 or the 270WSM ??
Pretty good selection of factory offerings for both of them,and both fall under any calibre restriction that may affect you.Both shoot super flat aswell,and you may want to take after a moose in the future and you would be set.
Just my thoughts.
 
Definitely the .25-06 is more versatile. It only loses out to the .243 as an "all-day" varmint gun...i.e. if you're after prairie dogs or gophers. But for the few shots one pops at groundhogs or yodel dogs, the extra recoil is negligible.
To me, the .25-06 is the minimum "all-around" rifle. Varmints, deer to 400 yards or so, moose to maybe 300 with a good load and ideal shot....I wouldn't want to try that with a .243.
By the way, I'm seeing more .260 ammo around these days, and unlike most of the stuff for the Swede, it's loaded to potential. I'd consider one whether I handloaded or not. But the .25-06 is right up there with it anyway, in real-world terms. One only eclipses the other on the Internet.
 
I concur...
Talking small to mid calibers the .25 cals are my favorite...
Nominal recoil and bullets in 75-120 grain, excellent long range ability for varmints and Big Game with the right bullets.
The .243 becomes less than adequate on deer at longer ranges.
 
the_big_mike said:
Note:
I'd be looking at hunting coyotes to white tail with it. Ontario kind of shots (under 150 yards... but want capability further..)
Click to expand...

Under these conditions either one will serve you quite well.Factory ammo in 243 is an easier find as anyone who carries rifle ammo will have it.243 is also cheaper in most cases.

I hunt deer with both 243/25-06 out to 300yds and find no real world difference in either.
 
Both good for what you want. I find it ammusing that people on here still bash one of Africa's top cartridge choices, and one of the most popular in the world. They call the .243 inadequete. A 100 years ago, these are the type of people who thought the 30-30 was only good enough for coyote.:rolleyes:
 
I got the 270WSM after much deliberation about the "all-round" hunting rifle. I have taken ground hog and coyote with it, and it fits under the caliber restriction I have here.

I know it will take deer or moose if it had to, and speaking of all-round rifle...I have put bullets onto 2MOA steel plates at 1000M (1KM!) with this gun, as my long range, precision :)D) rig.
 
I think you'd probably be happy with either. I went 25-06 though. It's a great little cartridge, fast, flat with lots of reach for the smaller stuff. The 75Vmax is hard on yotes though.:)

Actually, I like the 25-06 enough that I've got a AI version on the way.......

PS: Start handloading!
 
7-08 = Not legal in S.W. Ontario due to caliber restrictions...

I'd look at the .270WSM
then the .257 WBY

If $ for ammunition is an issue for high volume varm. shooting,then the .25-06is probably your better bet
 
What do you guys think is the more versatile round? Which is flatter shooting, faster trajectory?

Note:

I'd be looking at hunting coyotes to white tail with it. Ontario kind of shots (under 150 yards... but want capability further..)

NOTE: I'm not a reloader so don't recommend the .260 remington, ackley or the swede! :)
Whitetail deer out to 300 yards and coyote out to as far as YOU can shoot, go with the .243 Win.

To the people that poo-poo on the .243 Win as a deer cartridge, how many deer have YOU shot with the .243? One? two? or fifty-two? It's all about bullet construction and shot placement. A bigger calibre does not make up for a bad hit or poor bullet choice.
 
Flip a coin ... they'll both do just fine.

Maybe base your decision on which rifle these chamberings come in.

Nothing wrong with the 243WSSM or 25WSSM either. (and even if you
don't handload, the .260 is a pretty good choice for S.Ont. too ! )

Oh, should have added .... 25-06 in the gun case !
 
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I have had both and I prefer the 25-06. The .243 was good but I did have some trouble killing a bear with it once, although I was using poor bullets. That was a good lesson.
 
25-06

I have owned a 25-06 and have a 257 weatherby now, and they are more versitile when you are shooting deer and larger animals, they are accurate enough to do what you ask and more so that would be my choices. The weatherby is an awsome cartridge but you need to reload or it will be exspensive to shoot. I have only shot a 243 before and I love them but I would not use it for anything larger than deerand no farther than 250-300 yards, but probably a better small game cartridge as they are less exspensive
and very accurate.
 
"...Flip a coin...they'll both do just fine..." Exactly. The only decision is do you want a long action or a short action. The other consideration is finding ammo. The .243 is everywhere. The .25-06 may not be as easy to find. Look in your local Crappy Tire. If they carry .25-06, most others will too. Haven't looked in my local CT.
Mind you, if you ever want to hunt moose with the same rifle, the .25-06 is a better choice.
 
Had both and prefer the 243. Both killed excepetionally well (deer and coyotes) but my vote is for ammunition availability and the short action.
 
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