WHenever I would take a rifle "out of the box", use factory ammo in it doing barrel break-in and after getting that "feel" when the patch passes thru the bore, decide to shoot a 3 shot group using handloads in NEW BRASS developed for another rifle, and proceed to do a .144"/100 yard group, I'd probably opt to try another one of that model, ..........Stevens 200 in 25-06!!! If I could only have one rifle, it would be a 25-06 of some sort!!! The Stevens' are bargain basement "shoot better than most folks are capable of" real rifles!! GHD

Amen Brother Devastation!!!

John

I would pick a 260 Rem, or 25-06 anyday over a 243 win. I have all three, but look at the ballistics, and the 260 Rem or 25-06 win easily.

Stevens 200 in 25-06...

What size bullet does the 25=06 use? Some posts here say .243 but the Speer Reloading Manual #11 says .257 (pages 145-147)?

It is a .257" bullet, hence the name .25-06.

quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Lou:
Value for dollar doesn't necessarily mean inexspnsive. I believe that Kimber has a good value to dollar ratio. To my mind a 84M in 243 or 25-06 would be perfect. Lou

Yes, Brucie. I suggest a Kimber or a Dakota.

Three better rules for life:

If you're too open minded, your brains will fall out.

If you're too closed minded your dick will fall off.

Its better to be brainless than dickless.

Ruger chambers the .257 Roberts. The very best !

quote:

Originally posted by Chop901:
Ruger chambers the .257 Roberts. The very best !

Correction, that is Next to the Very Best....

the very best is a 260 Rem...

I'd definitely look into a bolt .25-06. Howa/Weatherby Vanguard, Stevens 200, Marlin XL7, Tikka T3, Rem 700 SPS all offer excellent platforms for a good sporter without breaking the bank. Encore Pro-Hunter with .223 and .270 barrels could be fun too, but will cost more. Other barrel-swappers are a bit too pricey IMO, but the Sauer 202 S is BEAUTIFUL.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeyB:
I'd definitely look into a bolt ********Howa/Weatherby Vanguard, Stevens 200, Marlin XL7, Tikka T3, Rem 700 SPS all offer excellent platforms for a good sporter without breaking the bank. *******

That just about covers it on the "value" new guns manufacturer-wise.

Though I built both my boys .257AI's as their dual purpose rifles. I wish I had chosen the .260AAR or 6.5/08 (.260 Rem) etc.

Though perhaps not as versatile on the small bullet end, it surpasses the .25's on the heavy end and extends its usefulness to Elk etc.

The .260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x47 etc represent good efficiency in case design ant broad spectrum bullet weight availability.

quote:

Originally posted by Chop901:
Ruger chambers the .257 Roberts. The very best !

Gee ! It only took you 3 years to jump on this thread. roger

I think Savage is a great value. They recently started chambering again in 250 Savage. Both stainless and blued guns are offered in that caliber, which is a great varmint/deer round.

A combo deer-varmit cartridge? .243.
Any of a dozen factory rifles and a decent 3-9x scope.

Obviously plenty of makes and calibers that will do fine. Go to gunshop - handle and look at as many diff. models you can. One will float your boat a little more. Can save some money by checking Guns America, etc. for used. Synthetic Vangaurd, used 700 BDL, great inexpensive guns.

I read earlier about a Howa. Very good choice. I also like the idea of the .257 Roberts. I can't say anything bad about the Stevens. I'm not a big fan of .243 on Whitetail. Although the Roberts may not have the speed on vermin, it is a VG deer round. I also have been playing w/ the 6.5x55 for vermin. I bought a bunch of 87grHP's that are doing very well, 100grSP or HP's are better. I reload from 87 to 160gr. I love this round.

quote:

I reload from 87 to 160gr. I love this round.

Is yours long throated for the 160gr? How is the accuracy with the 87's? Velocity and/or range? Do you load to 'modern' pressure or SAAMI? (Obviously, by the barage of questions, this round interests me!)

If a fella shoots many more varmints than he does cervids a premium bullet can make a 220 Swift or 22-250 a viable deer gun, depending of course on the size of the deer, hunting conditions, and state regulations. If he's mostly a deer hunting who practices off season on coyotes and the other larger varmints then a 25'06 would make a more interesting choice that the usual 243.

303, The 87gr give good 200 yard accuracy, the 100gr are geat out to 400 yards, the longest shot I can take around here. The 87gr are moving along at 3280FPS w/ IMR4064, and the 100gr are at 3200fps w/ IMR4064. I started testing w/ 4064 on light bullets because it has a moderate burn rate, and I have 6lb's. 4831 was not as accurate and H335 was all over the place w/ reduced velocity.I'm shooting these loads out of a 1962 Husqvarna 1600. It max's out at 139gr. The conture of the 140's I've tried makes them a no go. My Military rifles seem to also like the 100gr. They are the rifles I use the 160's in. The throat is a tad longer. I thought of building a 6.5-06, but for 200fps the powder increase did not justify it. The 6.5x55 is about the most versitile cartridge I have ever found. All of my rifles are 96 actions. With my M41b the 100gr are about 2" high at 300 yards, and almost dead POA at 400. It has a 1937 Ajack 4x90 scope on it. Of all the Military Swede's I've owned, only one ever had pressure issues. I sold it.
Back to the original subject. A .224 caliber is not a Deer rifle. .243 is marginal, I've been called to track more .243 runners than anything else. .257 is a respectable Whitetail load.
As far as a good Vermin/ Whitetail round, I've used the 7mm Rem Mag for both. 140gr Ballistic tips are a vermin bullet. I had one blow up upon hitting a rib on a whitetail. Never use them for anything but vermin again. 140gr Solid HP is much better.

Edit, Pics
M41b

1600