caliber question

Jesse_L_B

Jesse_L_B

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Morning guys. Im looking for a new to me rifle. Im torn between the 25-06,243,223. I live in southern ontario, so it will primarily be used for varmints and coyotes, but will also be my back up rifle when i go hunting with my dad or my go to deer rifle if i go hunting with dad. Well likely not my backup rifle as im usually hunting moose with dad. So out of those three calibers what is the best or most versatile for what i need. Thanks
Jesse
 
.25/06 is the most appropriate if you are going to add moose into the mix... if it is to be a coyote/deer combo gun then .243 is a good choice... for just coyotes a .223 will do just fine and be cheaper to shoot... IMO .223 is too light for Ontario deer... and with the .243, I would shoot 90-100 grain bullets when hunting deer.
 
If you choose the .25/06, it will suffice as a moose gun, in a pinch, with the proviso that you choose a good bullet like a TSX or a Partition, so there's your versatility. If you shoot coyotes and intend to sell the pelts, soft points will prove a bit harsh, but Barnes makes a nice needle sharp solid that works well for pelt hunting. If you don't sell the pelts, any expanding bullet that shoots well in your rifle will get the job done.

Much that applies to the .25/06 also can also be said for the .243. There might be a better selection of 6mm bullets to choose from, but provided you can find a bullet that is appropriate to your needs, that doesn't really matter. A .243 might benefit from a faster rate of twist than a quarter bore, but again, this is dependent on your choice of bullets, and isn't absolutely necessary in order to enjoy the versatility that this cartridge has to offer.

The .223 is the least versatile of the lot. If its legal to hunt big game with a .22 centerfire in your province, the .223, loaded with a good bullet is suitable for deer, but not anything heavier. More so than with either the quarter bore or the 6mm, the .223 benefits from a fast twist barrel, so look for a 1:8 or even a 1:7. This will allow you to shoot the long TSXs when you go after big game. If you were looking for a dedicated coyote rifle, the .223 trumps either of the larger rounds, particularly if selling hides is a consideration. From an economic point of view, you will shoot more rounds of .223 per dollar than you would .243 or .25/06.
 
I went through this "which calibre" quandry last year myself. My primary purpose was in putting together an inexpensive coyote rig, but I'm all for diversification. I was zeroing in on the .243 since it could be a low recoil entry-level rifle for deer for my grandkids someday but opted for the even lower recoil and quieter .223 since reloading brass for 5.56x45 was possible for more accurate loads for my black toys. I agree with hoytcanon about the .223 being too light for deer although I've never considered the .25/06.
 
hoytcanon said:
.25/06 is the most appropriate if you are going to add moose into the mix... if it is to be a coyote/deer combo gun then .243 is a good choice... for just coyotes a .223 will do just fine and be cheaper to shoot... IMO .223 is too light for Ontario deer... and with the .243, I would shoot 90-100 grain bullets when hunting deer.
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Well done hoyt.
 
I shoot a 30-06 for moose so it is very unlikely that it would see any time in the moose woods. Most likely will be just for varmints, but still want to be able to take it deer hunting if i decide. So by that logic would the 243 be my best round, or is there something that i have totally overlooked?
 
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Jesse_L_B said:
I shoot a 30-06 for moose so it is very unlikely that it would see any time in the moose woods. Most likely will be just for varmints, but still want to be able to take it deer hunting if i decide. So by that logic would the 243 be my best round, or is there something that i have totally overlooked?
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IMHO, if you've got a .30/06, choosing the .223 makes the most sense. Anything that could be achieved with the .25/06 or the .243 can be done as well with the .30/06, given bullet weights from 100 grs up to 240.
 
Boomer said:
IMHO, if you've got a .30/06, choosing the .223 makes the most sense. Anything that could be achieved with the .25/06 or the .243 can be done as well with the .30/06, given bullet weights from 100 grs up to 240.
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Agreed...

Unless he wants a back-up gun on deer hunts, in which case the .243 would be the best compromise.
 
My old man used his. .25-06 for years for everything from coyotes to moose. Out of the three you listed I'd pick that much more versatile.
 
If you've decided on just varmints, toss a coin. However, either the .223 or .243 will be easily found in small places in Ontario. The .25-06 not so much. Only matters if you ever get off hunting and find you left your ammo in the kitchen table. And don't think that never happens.
 
I use the 25/06 for crows groundhogs coyote wolf deer and bear. It's awesome. If u r near Chatham kent at all msg me and u can try mine when I'm back from my wolf and bear hunt. I've already shot my bear so once I get a wolf ill be headed back. The 25/06 is the perfect SW ont cartridge and can take moose if need be.
 
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