243 vs 25/06
- Thread starter mmasteve
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Here's a recoil table that will help you out.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
Besides the cartridge you fire there are other important variables that effect recoil. Physically there is the weight of the rifle. A 15 pound .30-06 will have less felt recoil than a 7mm-08 in a 4 pound rifle. A good pad on the stock or on your shoulder will reduce felt recoil significantly. A worn out pad can make a light caliber unmanageable and new one can make a heavier caliber relatively easy to shoot.
Most important is training and technique. An improperly held rifle in a light caliber can be uncomfortable and some people can fire the heaviest rounds without complaint when they have the rifle set to their shoulder properly.
So training, a good recoil pad, and a rifle that's not too light are the most important things you can do to reduce felt recoil.
As far as the cartridge is concerned if you stay below 11 recoil velocity you'll probably be fine.
There are several that fit the #11 and under.
Both the .243 and the .25-06 are fine rounds for deer under 300yds.
The later throws a bigger bullet and that makes most hunters more comfortable with it.
If you intend to shoot smaller game then the .243 might have the edge.
If you intend to move up to elk then the .25-06 might be a better choice.
The .243 is more readily available than the .25-06.
If this is a first rifle please start with a .22
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
Besides the cartridge you fire there are other important variables that effect recoil. Physically there is the weight of the rifle. A 15 pound .30-06 will have less felt recoil than a 7mm-08 in a 4 pound rifle. A good pad on the stock or on your shoulder will reduce felt recoil significantly. A worn out pad can make a light caliber unmanageable and new one can make a heavier caliber relatively easy to shoot.
Most important is training and technique. An improperly held rifle in a light caliber can be uncomfortable and some people can fire the heaviest rounds without complaint when they have the rifle set to their shoulder properly.
So training, a good recoil pad, and a rifle that's not too light are the most important things you can do to reduce felt recoil.
As far as the cartridge is concerned if you stay below 11 recoil velocity you'll probably be fine.
There are several that fit the #11 and under.
Both the .243 and the .25-06 are fine rounds for deer under 300yds.
The later throws a bigger bullet and that makes most hunters more comfortable with it.
If you intend to shoot smaller game then the .243 might have the edge.
If you intend to move up to elk then the .25-06 might be a better choice.
The .243 is more readily available than the .25-06.
If this is a first rifle please start with a .22
shooter_john
New member
I have a heavy barreled 25-06, and recoil is almost non-existent, and I don't think it would be much of an issue in a lightweight rifle either. My .25 (Savage 110FP) is the best shooting and most consistently accurate (sub 1/2"@ 100) of all my rifles, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. With all of that said, I have never pulled the trigger on a .243.
Full-choke
New member
If you look at ballistics and such, I think you will find that the 25-06 spanks the crap out of the 243 as far as ballistics. It is flatter shooting, more ft-lbs of energy and might edge out in speed (not sure on that one though). I would steer more away from it other then the fact that you are looking at hogs. By the way, are we talking feral pigs or all out russian boars here? That might make a big difference as to how much knock down is required from the rifle.
Either way, 243 is going to be more "user friendly" to a newbie. But there is no reason as to why you wouldn't be able to use the 25-06. It may take more getting used to and practice, but that comes with any rifle.
F-C
Either way, 243 is going to be more "user friendly" to a newbie. But there is no reason as to why you wouldn't be able to use the 25-06. It may take more getting used to and practice, but that comes with any rifle.
F-C
25-06 recoil is not bad at all, it shoots faster and further as well as having the ability to take heavier game. A larger grain weight selection. I know people who have taken large deer over 400yds and one brown bear variety in AK at 75yds, I don't have any where to shoot mine that far.
.243 very mild recoil, cheaper, short action if that matters, and everybody has one if that matters. Will do well for general deer hunting and very well for varmints. Easer to find factory rounds for.
For knockdown the 25-06 is way on top. Better range/flatter trajectory grain for grain. You won't notice the difference in distance until you start going out past 300yds on medium sized game, and past 500yds on small game.
Either is a fine round but lighter recoil = .243
.243 very mild recoil, cheaper, short action if that matters, and everybody has one if that matters. Will do well for general deer hunting and very well for varmints. Easer to find factory rounds for.
For knockdown the 25-06 is way on top. Better range/flatter trajectory grain for grain. You won't notice the difference in distance until you start going out past 300yds on medium sized game, and past 500yds on small game.
Either is a fine round but lighter recoil = .243
Have shot quite a few deer with both calibers. I started out with the 243 and moved to the 06 because of my own poor bullet selection. I kept trying to shoot various 80 grainers with poor results. I couldn't find one that would hold together. By the time I figured out that I better stick with the 100's I had already moved to the 06.
All my kids have started out on the 243 with 100's and then moved to whatever gun that tickled them.
All my kids have started out on the 243 with 100's and then moved to whatever gun that tickled them.
mmasteve,,,,i agree with buzzcook,,,,, if this will be your first rifle i think you should get a .22 and learn to shoot it well,,get your technique down and then move up to centre fire
if you learn bad habits or get a flinch because of recoil it will be hard to get away from it,,,not that you can't,,,, i have seen guys learn some really ugly habits because of recoil and noise or muzzle blast....and believe me to get them to see or understand what you are telling them they are doing wrong,,,well let me say that my video camera is my best friend,,, i have had more than one person here that had to be shown
just some thoughts and of course my .02
ocharry
if you learn bad habits or get a flinch because of recoil it will be hard to get away from it,,,not that you can't,,,, i have seen guys learn some really ugly habits because of recoil and noise or muzzle blast....and believe me to get them to see or understand what you are telling them they are doing wrong,,,well let me say that my video camera is my best friend,,, i have had more than one person here that had to be shown
just some thoughts and of course my .02
ocharry
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I'm another who recommends a lot of .22 rimfire time for somebody who's new to rifles.
For somebody who's a beginning deer hunter, I sorta recommend staying inside of around a couple of hundred yards, insofar as one's thinking about cartridges. Probably 90+% of all deer are shot inside of 200 yards, and there are very few centerfire cartridges that would not be excellent.
I don't know why I've always regarded the .25-'06 as a sort of in-between that doesn't really fit what I've wanted. "It just doesn't." So, I've pretty much been a .243 guy and '06 guy. The .243 works well as a varmint rifle, and IMO is better for that than the .25-'06. Lots of "I dunno."
For somebody who's a beginning deer hunter, I sorta recommend staying inside of around a couple of hundred yards, insofar as one's thinking about cartridges. Probably 90+% of all deer are shot inside of 200 yards, and there are very few centerfire cartridges that would not be excellent.
I don't know why I've always regarded the .25-'06 as a sort of in-between that doesn't really fit what I've wanted. "It just doesn't." So, I've pretty much been a .243 guy and '06 guy. The .243 works well as a varmint rifle, and IMO is better for that than the .25-'06. Lots of "I dunno."
schmellba99
New member
I'm far from a newbie in rifles, and I prefer the .243 over the .25-06.
That's a personal preference, but it is what it is. Both have their merits, both have their drawbacks.
That's a personal preference, but it is what it is. Both have their merits, both have their drawbacks.
I picked up a 25-06 today. Was not looking but found one at a pawn shop for $299.
It is a remington 700BDL made in 1976 with a weaver 3x9 V9-2-w. it had the weaver rings on it and I went ahead and put leapold bases and rings on it this afternoon. Very smooth action with the old safety that locks the bolt when on safe. The barrel is like new. Very, Very nice stock also.
I will get out and resight it in next weekend. I thought about the recoil but with that steel tube scope weight the recoil of the heavy scope should really help. scope is cool as a all metal 3x9 with the adjustible objective and the wide field TV type screen optics is nice.
I have a sako in 7mm mag and a model 70 in 300 mag so this rifle will help fill in the space to allow a little different shooting. Excited and can not wait to try it out.
They also have a 1968 model 70 in 7mm mag thats like new with a very nice walnut stock with the rose wood cap and fore arm tip. Somebody put a cheap tasco scope on it for some odd reason. The serial number is wierd as it is 900xxx which puts it over the range by 25,000 when they were suppossed to start with the G prefix before the serial number. but it has the no G prefix.
but for $325 I might go back and pick it up!
It is a remington 700BDL made in 1976 with a weaver 3x9 V9-2-w. it had the weaver rings on it and I went ahead and put leapold bases and rings on it this afternoon. Very smooth action with the old safety that locks the bolt when on safe. The barrel is like new. Very, Very nice stock also.
I will get out and resight it in next weekend. I thought about the recoil but with that steel tube scope weight the recoil of the heavy scope should really help. scope is cool as a all metal 3x9 with the adjustible objective and the wide field TV type screen optics is nice.
I have a sako in 7mm mag and a model 70 in 300 mag so this rifle will help fill in the space to allow a little different shooting. Excited and can not wait to try it out.
They also have a 1968 model 70 in 7mm mag thats like new with a very nice walnut stock with the rose wood cap and fore arm tip. Somebody put a cheap tasco scope on it for some odd reason. The serial number is wierd as it is 900xxx which puts it over the range by 25,000 when they were suppossed to start with the G prefix before the serial number. but it has the no G prefix.
but for $325 I might go back and pick it up!
10 MickeyMouse
New member
The .25-06 will cleanly take deer well beyond the distance at which an average rifleman can make the shot.
Comparing energy of factory loads, the average of a .243 is ~2,000, the .25-06 ~2,400. However, the .25-06 is a more flexible cartridge for the handloader. My top handloads push 117 grain pills at 3195 FPS average for 2653 ft/lbs and 100 grain bullets at 3584 FPS average for 2,855 ft/lbs. These loads are hovering right around the maximum operating pressure for the cartridge, but nonetheless illustrate it's capabilities. The .243 cannot be hotrodded as much, simply by the nature of it's smaller case and (typically) faster burning powders that are used. I haven't a ton of experience with the .243, but do load for my 6mm Rem, which is in it's class (6x51mm vs. 6x57mm), though a bit more potent. I will take my .25-06 for big game any day.
Prices for good ammunition are really a non-issue; premium huntng ammo will run $20-$30 a box for either round. For the handloader, the .25-06 will run a little more due to the larger powder charge.
black mamba
New member
Go with the .243. Killing ability and range are practically the same, but recoil and availability favor the .243. The 25-06 is slightly more powerful, yet anything which can be killed with it can also be killed effectively with the .243 granted you use the correct bullets.
Lloyd Smale
Moderator
gunguider youd better get you loading manual out as the 2506 will spank the 243 with any bullet weight.
I know the OP question was about the 243 vs 25-06 for deer.
Both of those are good choices,both will work fine.
Both have some advantages over the other.I'd say the .243 is simpler and more practical,but the 25-06 offers more performance...only if you need it.
I will throw a monkey in the wrench,and suggest looking at the .260 Rem or the 7-08.
Neither is going to hurt you with recoil.
In my opinion a slightly more moderate velocity with just a little more bullet has a number of advantages.I will be happy to elaborate if you ask.
As far as range,take a 6" or 8" paper plate,out in the sort of country you will hunt,in the sort of position you will shoot.See how far away you can keep all your shots on the paper plate.That tells you your max effective range.
I believe all the cartridges mentioned will do the job.
Knock down power?Its not really like that.Its closer to "quick,clean kill" power.
If you make a good shot to the heart lung area with a properly constructed bullet ,in the heavy bullet end of what is offered for your cartridge,both will give you a good kill.If you shoot poorly,neither will forgive you.
Both of those are good choices,both will work fine.
Both have some advantages over the other.I'd say the .243 is simpler and more practical,but the 25-06 offers more performance...only if you need it.
I will throw a monkey in the wrench,and suggest looking at the .260 Rem or the 7-08.
Neither is going to hurt you with recoil.
In my opinion a slightly more moderate velocity with just a little more bullet has a number of advantages.I will be happy to elaborate if you ask.
As far as range,take a 6" or 8" paper plate,out in the sort of country you will hunt,in the sort of position you will shoot.See how far away you can keep all your shots on the paper plate.That tells you your max effective range.
I believe all the cartridges mentioned will do the job.
Knock down power?Its not really like that.Its closer to "quick,clean kill" power.
If you make a good shot to the heart lung area with a properly constructed bullet ,in the heavy bullet end of what is offered for your cartridge,both will give you a good kill.If you shoot poorly,neither will forgive you.
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I don't consider myself particularly 'recoil sensitive' and I shoot my 3 rifles fairly regularly. They are a .243, a .270 win, and a 30-06. My .243 is in a Win Model 70 with a Hogue overmolded stock that I added. It has virtually no felt recoil to me.
Based on what I have read here, the .243 is a great deer rifle and can be used on elk at reasonable ranges. I know for a fact that .243 win is almost always in stock at the local Walmart and everywhere else that sells much ammo.
So, my recommendation would be the .243 AFTER you have a good .22lr for lots and lots of practice
Based on what I have read here, the .243 is a great deer rifle and can be used on elk at reasonable ranges. I know for a fact that .243 win is almost always in stock at the local Walmart and everywhere else that sells much ammo.
So, my recommendation would be the .243 AFTER you have a good .22lr for lots and lots of practice
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