I want to get a good bolt action rifle that would be good for coyotee and deer hunting as well as long range (500 yd plus) target shooting. i'm thinking 25-06 but i'm not sure what rifle would be best for the money. ...... any suggestions?

quote:

i'm thinking 25-06

It's an excellent caliber for your described needs.

May I suggest a Remington 700 of some flavor.

I think a .25-06 will work as well, but I'm not sure one rifle will do it all. I have a .25-06 and even with a #5 contour the barrel is quick to heat up. For a target rifle you would probably want a heavier contour barrel which makes it a terrible walking around rifle for deer and coyotes.

I'd probably look for a 1:9 twists or faster .223 target rifle to compliment my .25-06 deer/coyote rifle. The .223 can reach 500 yards with heavy bullets easily. The .25-06 can be your coyote and deer rifle and be in a nice hunting weight package.

If asking for one gun then accepting advise on two is a whole different ball game. A lot of my friends are shooting 243Win as combo deer and light game gun. I like the 7mm-08 and own a Rem Model 7, a short light carbine. These short light guns can deliver 1 moa.

The need/desire for 500 yard target shooting is very specialized and for that perhaps something like a heavy fluted rifle in 308Win? That savage tactical posted on the other thread seems like a reasonable cost and good performing option. AS already stated a lot of iron to carry for a deer rifle. I don't know from any first hand experience, just spit balling.

The there is 338 Lapua, a no compromise long range gun. Again, someplace I have never been - FWIW

There a few fact you might add to your original post.

1. What is the weight limit for your proposed gun
2. What is the accuracy you expect
3. What is your price range

No flies on a 25-06 at all.
Two years ago, I bought a Weaterby Vanguard in 25-06. It shoots well.
I had a 25-06 back in the 1950's for Chuck hunting in my home state of PA. It IS one excellent LONG range chambering.
I'm dedicating my new 25-06 to 115 to 120 gn bullets, and the Vanguard shoots them very well, especially Speer's and Sierra's 120 grainers. RL-22, H-4831SC and 7828 deliver the accuracy.

25-06 sound work out just fine. .243 would be an option also. Rem 700 is a good choice.

If you get into the heavy volume varmint shooting ( rock-chucks, sage rats, prairie dogs etc.) you may want to look at a .22 center-fire.

I agree with fourbore, you want a small game rifle that's got enough huevos to take deer and use it to target shoot out to 500 yards. Guns/caliber (s) are like golf clubs! You don't use a 9 iron to putt with nor do you use the putter to drive 300 yards! The caliber is not so much a problem 25-06, 243 as mentioned will do the job. The problem is the gun it self. To get a good group in your target shooting, your going to want a decent barrel that will probably add more than you want in weight for your hunting gun and if you get a light hunting barrel chances are you're not going to be happy with it's grouping out at 500 yards. But if your expectations are not that high in the target arena, then go for a light gun. Your back will thank you. Remington, Savage, Ruger, Weatherby are all good choices....

When you're taking close shots with a fully loaded 25-06 bullet construction can become super critcal. I know this from some bad experiences. The .257 Roberts with modern loads, really is adequate in the hands of someone who knows what he's doing. The 500 yds. takes practise. roger

Yes, I am not expecting to much in the target department just hitting 10 to 18 inch target gongs at 500+ yards, however i am looking to not spent much more than $600

quote:

Originally posted by S&W-Varminator:
Yes, I am not expecting to much in the target department just hitting 10 to 18 inch target gongs at 500+ yards, however i am looking to not spent much more than $600

In that case, may I suggest:

I would suggest something in 6mm or 6.5mm.

The .243 Win or WSSM are very versitile.
The .260 Rem or 6.5 Creedmoor are light shooters as well. Lot's of barrel life, great BC for the bullet choices, stellar on targets of any kind out to 1000!

http://www.remington.com/~/med...ashx?w=570&bc=ffffff

Me likey! ...need more money

Overview:
Built on the legendary Model 700 action, Remington Varmint rifles are well known for being our most accurate standard production rifles. The latest evolution of our Model 700 VS SF (Varmint Synthetic Stainless Fluted) continues this prestigious pedigree.
More than just a facelift, the new Model 700 VS SF II utilizes a redesigned H.S. Precision composite stock reinforced with aramid fibers. The textured stock is colored black with green webbing and features a contoured beavertail fore-end with ambidextrous finger grooves, palm swell, and twin front tactical-style swivel studs to accommodate both a sling and a bipod. Our unique full-length aluminum bedding block provides enhanced stability and consistent shot-to-shot accuracy.
Constructed of 416 stainless steel, the 26-inch heavy-contour (0.820-inch muzzle O.D.), hammer-forged barrel features six longitudinal flutes for improved heat dissipation and additional weight reduction. The flutes are powder coated with a black finish for added visual appeal, while the rest of the barreled action is spin polished. The rifle is drilled and tapped for scope mounts and also includes a hinged floorplate magazine, a target-style concave barrel crown, and jeweled bolt.
Key Features:
26" heavy contour barrel (0.820" muzzle O.D.) for the ultimate in long-range accuracy.
Concave target-style barrel crown.
Stock features full-length aluminum bedding blocks for enhanced stability and shot-to-shot consistency.
Six longitudinal flutes reduce barrel weight and increase heat dissipation.
Tactical style dual front swivel stud system for convenient mounting of Bi-pod and Sling.
Receiver machined from solid-steel bar stock resulting in uniformity and strength.
Cylindrical receiver design provides a solid bedding area in the stock for consistent shot placement.
"Three-rings-of-steel" enclosing the cartridge case head for unparalleled strength.

If you reload I suggest a 17792 !. why ?.

100 120 130 140 150 160 175 180 grain bullets and many more in between !. wild too mild one of the best

all time most versatile cartridges ever made , Prairie dogs too Elk and EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN !.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc224/375:
If you reload I suggest a 17792 !. why ?.
:

Why??? No! What???? You stumped me with those 5 numbers. roger

What is a "17792"?

Is this it?

http://www.budsgunshop.com/cat...ges/D11/14/14435.jpg

Savage 7mm

Your choice of "One gun for all" is a superior choice!! GOD'S chosen caliber.......25-06!! Varmint rifle from hell in the eyes of the vermin! Deer killing with authority and finesse!! ..........little much for a "dogtown afternoon shoot" but for groundhogs or rockchucks where the shots are few and can be distant, the 25-06 will PLEASE!! 75 grain VMaxs, 85 grain BT's, 100 grain Speer HP, 100 grain Nosler BT's..........all SPLENDID performers while giving the "red chunks" vs the "red mist"........good thing that is! With the "not terrible recoil" it does not allow much "red mist" viewing but you still can catch the "red chunks" flying!! Deer and antelope........117 grain Sierra Spitzer Boatails(GameKings) and eithe IMR 4350 or H4831sc and have at it!! The bullet performs without fail and the same way and is predictable depending on shot placement. Depending on shot placement it will result in a "DRT"(dead right there) or a 20 step run, stop, shake, quiver, fall over, DRT!! BTDT over and over and over!! If I could only have one rifle it would be a 25-06 of some sort!! Of what you're asking for it to do, I'd bet on one of the SAVAGE offerings or a Tikka T3. You can get a Remington or whatever but out of the box you can't beat the Savages and the Tikkas at affordable prices!! And I'd top it off with a NIKON scope!! Charlie (GHD) Pastor at the church of GHD and the 25-06!! PS: For those members of the congregation here who are wanting to ask, YES the 6mm Remington and the 260 Remington are spendid performers also but the quarterbore number is the ticket!!

quote:

Originally posted by groundhog devastation:
Your choice of "One gun for all" is a superior choice!! GOD'S chosen caliber.......25-06!! Varmint rifle from hell in the eyes of the vermin! Deer killing with authority and finesse!! ..........little much for a "dogtown afternoon shoot" but for groundhogs or rockchucks where the shots are few and can be distant, the 25-06 will PLEASE!! 75 grain VMaxs, 85 grain BT's, 100 grain Speer HP, 100 grain Nosler BT's..........all SPLENDID performers while giving the "red chunks" vs the "red mist"........good thing that is! With the "not terrible recoil" it does not allow much "red mist" viewing but you still can catch the "red chunks" flying!! Deer and antelope........117 grain Sierra Spitzer Boatails(GameKings) and eithe IMR 4350 or H4831sc and have at it!! The bullet performs without fail and the same way and is predictable depending on shot placement. Depending on shot placement it will result in a "DRT"(dead right there) or a 20 step run, stop, shake, quiver, fall over, DRT!! BTDT over and over and over!! If I could only have one rifle it would be a 25-06 of some sort!! Of what you're asking for it to do, I'd bet on one of the SAVAGE offerings or a Tikka T3. You can get a Remington or whatever but out of the box you can't beat the Savages and the Tikkas at affordable prices!! And I'd top it off with a NIKON scope!! Charlie (GHD) Pastor at the church of GHD and the 25-06!! PS: For those members of the congregation here who are wanting to ask, YES the 6mm Remington and the 260 Remington are spendid performers also but the quarterbore number is the ticket!!

Hey GHD.....this is a pretty good post.....right on!

May I add that the .257 Roberts is right on the heels as being in the same league.