John,

For what you described, and out of your choice of cals, I would recommend the .25-06. You should not have a problem locatinh a quality bolt gun w/ a 24-26" barrel setup for long range shooting in .25-06. I don't any experience w/ the .25-06, but have a lot with the .270/.280 and know they work to 400 yards on deer w/ 130/140 grain bullets, so the .25-06 should do similar work w/ 120s and be a little better for varmits. If it were my choice, I would go with the .270 Win as it will do everything you described and then some, but not boot you too hard. The .280 Rem is also an excellent choice, but you might have trouble finding a gun suited to your needs as even Rem only chambers it in their light barrelled Mt. Rifle these days.

-Lou

If deer are the largest game on the menu, you don't need anything larger than 7mm. If most of your work is going to be over 325 yards, go with the 7mm Rem Mag. If not, it's hard to beat the mighty little 7mm-08. Check out what a 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tip (.485BC)looks like on any ballistic calculator at 3000fps muzzle velocity.

Use the 25.06. You can load light fast or heavy fast bullets and shoot them accurately! I just destroyed a whitetail buck with a 120 grain Horaday at 3000 fps. I was on a private ranch, not hunted for years, passed up a nine and a ten pointer, then took a spike due to trophy fees and a recent divorce.
Jeff in Texas

Of those I'd go with a tight-twisted .25-06 and heavy bullets. There are no out-of-the-box guarantees but you can hedge your bet by getting a Savage bolt-gun, unless you don't might tinkering to get MOA.

25-06 is the right caliber, especially if you want to use factory ammo. Savage is the best deal, especially with their new triggers. However, in a 26 inch bbl the lightest one you can get is 9 lbs.

My solution is that I went to the Encore single shot with a 243 and a 270 Win bbl, all at $650.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think that the .25-06 will fill the bill and if i get tired of that i may rebarrel to the .257 weatherby.

Saddly no one has mentioned 6.5x06. That would give you lot of range but it is a wildcat; no factory ammo. Big enough,
160 gr., for elk or moose.

Sure seems like a lot of votes for the 25-06. But I vote for the 264 Win Mag. I believe that is three for the 6.5mm's. I have a pre-64 M70 Westerner in 264 w/ 26" barrel. I'll never sell it and I don't plan on buying any other big game / varmint rifles.

Goodluck with your choice.

7-08, 280 or 7RM. In that order. Any of them would do the job you've outlined.

Well

6,5-284 NORMA is not a bad one, neither is the 6,5-06 or the 264 win. 7mm wby or 270 wby would also be good rounds.

/ JOHAN

I am considering having a 25-06 Ackley built because my reloading guy said it is delivering the best terminal shock to a whitetail deer that he has ever seen.

My vote would be for the .257 Wby. or the .240 Wby.

Don't know how much you were looking to spend, but if you can't afford the Mark V, take a look at the Vanguard it comes in the .257 Wby. now, and maybe the .240 Wby. also.

Good Hunting and Happy Holidays,
Ma Bell

Lots of rounds would work but unless you reload I'd stick to something readily available in a variety of factory loads. Around here that would probably be .270 or 7mm Rem Mag. With either round you're sure to find one that your gun really likes. After I've shot the first @50 rounds to slick up a new barrel I usually try 8 -12 different factory loads to find the new gun's favorite. In my mind a 130 gr bullet is better than a 175 gr. bullet that shoots a group twice as big. For example, from a bench my 7mm shoots groups of from 4.5" to 1" at 200 yards depending on the bullet weight and type, my .223 from 4" to 3/4" at 200.

I'd be wary of 25'06 for a white tail at 350. All other things being more or less equal, wind will blow lighter bullets around more. My .270 generally shoots 130 best, but 160's do noticably better at 200 yrd.s in the wind. What if your new 25'06 only shoots 115 gr. bullets really well. Would that enough in every circumstance? For me a little too much gun is always better than a little to little. Your call. The other rounds you've mentioned wouldn't offer many bullet options where I hunt.

I've waxed long-winded. Remember, my opinion is based on my personal experience. It is free and worth every penny of it.

Have you considered a 260Rem? I bring it up mostly because I've been thinking about that for some time now. This would give you some more weight to send downrange than the 25cal. Contrary to a post above, I think what affects wind deflection is BC. Given equal BC, light or heavy doesn't affect deflection (or drop) at all.

I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever choice you make.

My pick would be 270 WSM....if you're not into the shorties then 25-06 (make sure it has a 24" barrel!)

True but...Wer niets faut makt makt mestel niets. (?spelling?)

I loved the way my 25-06 worked on game.