Now that I have a 22-250 and 300 win mag, I've decided I need a middle gun. It would be used mostly for long range pd and varmint shooting with maybe an occasional deer hunt if I don't use the 300. I know the .243 has more choices in bullet and rifle selection, but would be the bare minimum for deer sized game so that's where the 25-06 comes in. Which one of these calibers is known to be more accurate and flatter shooting than the other as I will expect to make 500-600 yard shots with it. Thanks
Supermag

6mm Rem (just to be difficult).

quote:

Originally posted by DobleTroble:
6mm Rem (just to be difficult).

I will also be difficult. 6mm(244). roger

I'd opt for something that would split the difference between the bullet weight or the caliber a bit more than a 243/6mm which is only one step up from the 22.

For long range the 25-06 is hard to beat, maybe even a nice 264 Win Mag or a Std 270 Win. All three good deer guns with histories of long distance shots.

"If I could only own one rifle(GOD forbid!!!) it would be a 25-06 of some sort!!! All the power you need to kill the deer sized critters and the "varmint rifle from Hell...in the eyes of the varmints"!! I like the .243 and 6mm and a bunch or their derivitives but a 25-06 is GOD'S gift to rifledom!!! Yea, there are a myriad of bullets available for the 6's vs the .257's!!......maybe it's because the 6 folks ars still looking for the right one!!! 75 VMAXS, 85 Nosler BT's, 90 grain Winchester P.E.P.'s(if you could still get them!!!) 100 Speer HP, 100 Rem CoreLokts, 115 Nosler BT's, 117 SIERRA SBT(best darn bullet ever to do the smackdown with!!!) 120 Hornady HP.......what else do you need??? GHD....pastor at the church of GHD....25-06!

the .25-06 is a fine choice and IMO slightly better than the .243 for your game.

If I wanted to be difficult I'd mention the .257 Roberts.

Hey superM have shot and seen shot a lot of deer with 243 & 6mm(have owned maybe half a dozen) , and hundreds of goats, my last rifle 8 years ago was a 25-06 (tried bowhunting) and the one I bought a couple of weeks ago was another 25-06... plus most of my mates have upgraded to 25-06 also as it does seem to have a bit more authority on deer sized game... never done any varmint shooting so cant comment on that side of things

NO question: 25-06. The 6mm's of any flavor just don't do it for me. My 25-06 is a real killing machine. I've never seen that the .257 bullet selection is too small. There are more options around than I care to try, anyway. Run with it man.

my son used a 243 for a few years and i have a friend that has used almost nothing but a 25-06 for about 35 years now. based on these experiences i would say...definately get a 25-06 if there are deer in the equasion anywhere. and since we are being difficult i have to throw this in. i'm getting together the parts for my next project which i think would suit your purpose perfectly. the cartridge will be the 6.5-06. i think it will do anything a 25-06 will and i can get bullets up to 160 grns.(although i'll probably stick to the 129-140 range) good luck with your choice...bud

I like the 25-06. my first deer rifle and one hell of a varmit round.

Think about a .260. A lot of good bullets available, 85-100gr bullets for varmints & good 120-140gr bullets for deer. IMO, a much better choice than a .243.

quote:

as I will expect to make 500-600 yard shots with it. Thanks
Supermag

Provided your "yards" measure somewhere between 18 and 20 inches, either cartridge should be fine. If you use standard 36" yards, then you're looking for artillery, because shooting game at .34 miles is a fantasy. For prairie dogs, either caliber will miss as well as the other, and either will sometimes drop a "rainbow" on some hapless dog and result in yips of outraged excitement -- from your shooting friends, not the dogs.

But let me caution you this: A rifle of the size and weight you would be willing to haul around by foot to shoot at deer will be way to light for serious prairie dog shooting at any range, especially the extended ranges you cite. A those ranges it's going to take several "sighter" shots to start to walk one in on a dog, and then likely several more shots (many more shots if it's windy) to actually luck one into a 600 yard dog. Your shoulder won't like being pounded by a sporter-weight gun, and your sporter-weight barrel will start to "walk around" from heat about the fifth or six shot in a twelve-shot string. On top of that, you'll want an 18X-plus scope with an adjustable objective for a varmint gun, and you sure as the devil don't want such a scope on a game gun.

If you really want to do a deer at the extreme -- say 400 yards -- then get a .25-06. If your deer shooting can be limited to 300-350, then the .243 is fine. But if you want a "dual purpose" rifle, then it's not going to suit you well for either purpose. To have a prayer on 600 yard prairie dogs, you need a dedicated varmint gun with a long, heavy barrel and chambered for something from .243-up.

The .25-06 hands down over any 6mm cartridge! I find that the "Quarter Bores" to be more accurate on the average than 6mm's. I have had .243 claiber rifles that were very picky when it comes to bullet likes and dislikes. Lawdog

Thanks guys, that's just what I wanted to hear. As a matter of fact I always wanted a 25-06 but have a friend that keeps pressing me to get a 243 simply because it has more bullet choices. I would get one with a heavier barrel not a sporter and am looking for a used Remington sendero since they don't make them anymore but also would buy another VLS in 25-06 if they made it but hope they start making it soon.

Alright, since my search for a used Remington sendero in 25-06 seems hopeless right now and the only other 25-06 reminton makes is in the BDL and CDL without a heavy barrel, I may be forced to stray from my Remington brand. If that's the case, what other heavy barreled rifles in 25-06 have u guys had good luck with? Thanks

what will a 25-06 do that a .270 doesn't do better?

The 243 is a poor choice up here in BC if you are a mule deer hunter. I'd not try a 243 at 300 yards on a 350lbs muley unless I was starving and had lots of ammo.

The 25 06 is my favourite deer round. Even that can be a bit dicey at 400 yards on deer as big as you may run into up here. I've yet to nail one but there are 400lbs muleys up here.

Another good choice in this range is the 260Rem.

quote:

Originally posted by carpetman:
what will a 25-06 do that a .270 doesn't do better?

or the 280, 30 06, 7mag 7x57 etc etc

I just don't see the 270 as a good duel purpose varmint/deer rifle.

You know, I thought I had an answer for you, but I don't.
I've been tinkering with the idea of one of those target Sweeds in 6.5X55 for a long range plinker, but at a $1000.00 that's probably not the best way to go. Add $500-$1000 more for optics. There are better choices, that's for sure.

I really like 6mm Rems, but for deer sized game I would hedge the odds a bit (and just to be different) and suggest a .257 Roberts or a 6.5x55/260 Rem (take your pick).

I love the 6mm Rem and it is a superior cartridge to the 243 especially in a long action rifle...

The 260 and the 6.5 x 55 for a handloader will also do to the 25 bore what they claim the 25 bore does to the 6mm bore.. bigger bullets available...
Both will also equal the velocity of a 25/06 if handloaded and the same bullet weights...

The 257 Roberts and especially the AI, will also do what a 25/06 will with less powder and less recoil.... they need to be on a long action tho, with the bullet seated out farther...
Less powder will also equate to a longer barrel life....

The 25/06 is a good cartridge.. it just has a lot more efficient cartridges around it in size... that will do the same thing.. once again for a handloader and on a long action...

If you are store ammo buying guy.. then definitely just do the 25/06.....

But how do you go thru life with just a few rifles???? that would be suicide for half of the guys in here!

cheers
seafire

I sold my 25 06 because I hated the rifle even though it was accurate as hell. It was a A-bolt btw. As much as I hated it, I still regret selling it. I just love that calibre.

I sense another 25 06 in the sometime near future.

Boileroom--You dont see the .270 as a dual purpose gun--big game/varmint. Neither do I,nor do I see the 25-06 as such. Too much blast and recoil for a varmint gun. Jackrabbits are a big part of my varmint shooting and this is done out of a pickup. Even a .243 has the same problem. Exception to this for both is using cast bullets. Then the .270 would also work. The other end big game the 25-06 is limited to 120 grains. Now having said that,I do my deer hunting(small Texas whitetails)with .243. I know the 25-06 has a huge following. If not Remington would not have adopted it--it was a very popular wildcat. It's just that I'm not part of the following. Heck we already had the .257 Roberts. To me it was a good answer when there was no question.

SuperMagnum,

quote:

what other heavy barreled rifles in 25-06 have u guys had good luck with?

I own 3 .25-06's(Ruger M77V Centennial(older tang safety model), M700 BDL Varmint(1975 model) and a Ruger No. 1B) and the most accurate of the three is the Ruger M77V(groups right at 1/2â€. For a heavy barreled .25-06 you have;

1.] Ruger M77VT MKII
2.] Savage Model 110FP

Both of these are very accurate and will serve you well.

carpetman,

quote:

what will a 25-06 do that a .270 doesn't do better?

Whether you want to admit it or not the .25-06 can/has been used for varmints for many years. The 75 gr. bullet out of the .25-06 will deliver explosive performance on Ground Squirrel sized critters and do it with fairly mild recoil(much less than the recoil from even the lightest weight bullet you can get for the .270 Win. The .25-06 is the King of the dual purpose cartridges. Lawdog

quote:

Whether you want to admit it or not the .25-06 can/has been used for varmints for many years. The 75 gr. bullet out of the .25-06 will deliver explosive performance on Ground Squirrel sized critters and do it with fairly mild recoil(much less than the recoil from even the lightest weight bullet you can get for the .270 Win. The .25-06 is the King of the dual purpose cartridges. Lawdog

I agree. My 25 06 loaded with 75 gr. V-Max’s gave me thumbnail size 5 shot groups, was flat as hell, and had very little recoil. A bit of a barrel burner so I did only some shooting with this load seeing it wasn’t a Varmint rifle anyways. But, it sure would blow up them ground squirrels if I wanted. I use my 243 Winchester Coyote for that though.

I think the 25 06 is a better dual purpose if you hunt big deer. If you hunt little deer, the 243 is better being a better suited varmint round.

The topic starter does not tell us where he hunts and what kind/size deer?? :bewildered

Thanks again. I was looking at the Ruger M77V too myself and it looks like a good one. Sorry if I gave you the impression that I would use it for deer up to 500 yards, I actually would use it for deer up to 200-300 yards and varmints up to 500 or as far as it's still accurate. Any farther than 300 yards for deer I would use my 300 win mag. I currently only muzzleload for whitetail deer in Iowa and want to give rifle deer hunting a shot sometime in other states. If I was hunting mulies or big whitetails and knew I would have long shots I would use the 300, the 25-06 would be mainly a long range varmint gun. I don't really like the 270 too much as it doesn't have as many light explosive bullets as the 25-06 does and is more of a deer rifle than varmint gun. when shooting PDs, my friend was able to shoot dogs up to 550 yards with the 75gr V-max out of his bone stock rem 700 ADL with half as much hold over than the 22-250 so I know how good they can shoot. I reload too so factory loads is not a factor.

Both would be well suited then but I'd lean towards the 25 06.

You could always get a little crazy and go for the 243 or 257 WSSM!

quote:

Originally posted by SuperMagnum:
Thanks again. I was looking at the Ruger M77V too myself and it looks like a good one. Sorry if I gave you the impression that I would use it for deer up to 500 yards, I actually would use it for deer up to 200-300 yards and varmints up to 500 or as far as it's still accurate. Any farther than 300 yards for deer I would use my 300 win mag. I currently only muzzleload for whitetail deer in Iowa and want to give rifle deer hunting a shot sometime in other states. If I was hunting mulies or big whitetails and knew I would have long shots I would use the 300, the 25-06 would be mainly a long range varmint gun. I don't really like the 270 too much as it doesn't have as many light explosive bullets as the 25-06 does and is more of a deer rifle than varmint gun. when shooting PDs, my friend was able to shoot dogs up to 550 yards with the 75gr V-max out of his bone stock rem 700 ADL with half as much hold over than the 22-250 so I know how good they can shoot. I reload too so factory loads is not a factor.

If you are looking at the 25/06.... You mentioned the Ruger 77 VT.... I would suggest a look at the Savage 112 BVSS as an alternative....

I own a bunch of Ruger 77 VTs, but just traded one in on a Savage in 223....I went with the Savage as barrels are easier to change on them than the Ruger... plus I liked the accu trigger...

I am starting to see a bigger need for heavy barrel rifles over the number of sporter weight rifles that I have in the gun cabinet...Some of them are loosing their sporter barrels, and their stocks, and are getting heavy barrels put on them and new Boyd varmint/target stocks....

I do have a 25 caliber Bull Barrel I just acquired... I am debating if it will be a 25 Savage or a 257 Roberts... but either way it will be for 75, 85 and 87 grain varmint bullets....

Cheers
seafire

quote:

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25-06 all the way!

Lawdog Gary---Read my post again. I did not say I consider the .270 as dual purpose I said too much blast/recoil for my usage of a varmint gun and the same for a 25-06----except using a cast bullet. This is based that much/majority of my varmint shooting is from inside a pickup shooting jackrabbits. 100 shots a night,even with someone else doing the shooting would be way too much. You could tame either the 25-06 or the .270 down with cast bullets---but a .22 centerfire with cast bullets works even better. That leaves the purpose for me,to big game. I prefer the .270,because for big game in the 25-06 I would use the 120 grain bullet. In .270 using 130 grain I defy you to be able to distinguish blast/recoil difference and you are making a bigger hole and do have the option of going heavier. Why would I leave one of my .22 centerfires home to use a 25-06 for varmint? I do understand the dual purpose concept and you can haul a bale of hay in an automobile trunk--it can be done--but isn't it really much better to do so in a pickup?

quote:

Originally posted by carpetman:
what will a 25-06 do that a .270 doesn't do better?

What will the .270 do that the 30/06 wont do better........................and so it goes.

I reckon the diff here is that the 25/06 is a better choice if you want varmints on your menu the .270 for me is the start of the fair dinkum larger game hunting chamberings.

PC---What will the .270 do the 30-06 won't do better? Well for one thing,the .270 made Jack O'Connor rich and famous.

Not a .243! That's a varmint load, and the ongoing complaint of hunters down here, thanks to decades of .243 touting marketeers!. The .25-06 is the clear winner of your two choices, BUT, why not consider the .260 Remington or .257 Roberts? They are two fine calibers that lay down the venison day in and day out?
LLS

[QUOTE]Originally posted by boilerroom:
I've yet to nail one but there are 400lbs muleys up here.QUOTE]

Is the 400 a typo? roger

If your going to 5-600 I'd up the ante with the 257 Roy. 257 wby mag 110 accubond ot 100 tsx may be the way to go. I'm currently using 115 gr nosler for .6-.7@ 100 yds. 87 gr hornadys also do quite well but may get too hot for a varmint gun. I've also owned 2 25-06's.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by boilerroom:
I've yet to nail one but there are 400lbs muleys up here.QUOTE]

Is the 400 a typo? roger

Absolutely not!

Every year there are 400 lbs muleis weighed up in the Cariboo. A friend of mine nailed one last year. My father and I passed on one whose antlers were not what we were looking for 2 years ago after rattling him out. He was in that range. His neck was thicker than the torso of the 2 point standing beside him. He was pretty pissed at us.

My biggest to date is around 325 to 350. He was not quite in his prime yet and his antlers were not very big. I use them to rattle now.

Whitetails in northern Alberta break the 300 lbs mark.

I like the 25-06 for the game size and distance involved.

25-06 is my choice.

I have all three calibers originally mentioned, the .25-06, the 6mm Rem., and the .243Win. and would rank them in that order. All three make good long range varmint rifles, even though the .25-06 might be a bit of overkill. At the top end though thr .25-06 is a better deer slayer. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Another vote for 25-06 Rem, mine being a Colt/Sauer sporter.