25-06 or 7mm-08 better for me?

L

Lange

New member
I am thinking of a new rifle purchase in the future. I expressed on other forum section about advice for calibers to own and this is what i've concluded. I currently have a bolt .223 and .308 as expressed in there. I figure this may be the next caliber I would like to fill a niche.

I've researched both a lot and can't decide honestly. I know about the .260 and 6.5 CM but 7mm-08 seems close and thats the route i'd go there honestly. Just wondering if you can varmint with 7mm-08? Sources ive read said you can with 100 gr but seems a bit heavy. Varmint wouldn't be used much just if I needed something .223 couldn't do well. From the quarterbore thread i've gotten feedback on 25-06 for varmint which it would seem better than 7mm for that isn't a ideal varminter. Once again side use. I do have a .243 so maybe the 08 is a better choice? I dont really plan to use the .243 much so also to be considered.

I want to do a mixture of some target shooting as well, game considered mostly antelope and mule deer maybe elk. I wonder if the 08 would work for elk better than the 25? I plan to reload so since I shoot a .308 that may be good as well? To have brass in that regard I can resize. 25 would just get its own brass likely.

Rifles considered are the 700 CDL and CDL SF. CDL SF seems to have a little heavier barrel profile for a 08(magnum contour) so may work well for target shooting? CDL blued i'd like for the 25-06.

Thanks
 
If you have a 308 there is no point in a 7-08. Anything you can do with one you can do with the other. You can load your 308 with 110 gr varmint bullets and come very close to 243. With 130-165's it'll do anything the 7-08 will do and with 200 gr bullets will outperform 338 Fed and 358.

I'm not clear, but think you said you also have a 243. If so it'll do anything the 25-06 does and do most of them better.

With a 223, 243, and 308 you have all of your bases covered from varmints to moose. And with enough range for most North American game out to 400-500 yards. You don't have any holes to fill, and don't NEED anything else.

I really like the 6.5's and might consider that as an option, but once again you are splitting some mighty fine hairs to justify anything else in that type of cartridge.

There are other options such as a true long range rig, a short carbine for brush hunting, or even a different action. Lever guns are fun and a much different type of rifle.
 
I'm probably the worlds biggest .25-06 fan. I've owned a Remington 700 VS in .25-06 since 1978 when a few friends decided to take up groundhog hunting in OH.

With 87 to 90 gr bullets it is the hardest hitting varmint cartridge you've ever seen. I could always tell a hit because I could hear the bullet hit, sounded like a slap. If I could see a groundhog it was in mortal danger when I had this rifle with me. Using 85 gr Noslers and RL19 I've seen over 3600 fps on my chrono.

The rifle has been to Canada hunting Black Bear with me and deer hunting in AL and FL. With the weight of bullets it handles it is very versatile.

Owned it so long that I had to replace the barrel 6 years ago. Had it done by a shop here that builds bench and long range rifles. I was offered a choice of Krieger or Hart, I chose Krieger. I still remember being asked what cartridge I wanted the new barrel chambered in, an odd question. It didn't take me long to decide on the .25-06 again.

I also own a few other rifles, one being a .243. I like the .243 but in my opinion it's not in the same league as the .25-06. Also own a .22-250, .308 and .300 mag but my favorite has always been .25-06. Guess I'm not a follower.

Bottom line, were I in your shoes I'd own a .25-06.
 
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Between those two calibers, let me tell you one thing that will influence your decision:

If you are a fan of longer barreled rifles, then either would be a great caliber choice. However, if you prefer to use shorter barreled rifles then the 7mm-08 is a much better choice. If you drop down to a 22" barrel with a 25-06 you start paying for it with muzzle blast/flash. Any shorter and it gets down right uncomfortable. With a 7mm-08, you can drop down to the 18" range and still not be terribly unpleasant to shoot.
 
I'm probably the worlds biggest .25-06 fan. I've owned a Remington 700 VS in .25-06 since 1978 when a few friends decided to take up groundhog hunting in OH.

With 87 to 90 gr bullets it is the hardest hitting varmint cartridge you've ever seen. I could always tell a hit because I could hear the bullet hit, sounded like a slap. If I could see a groundhog it was in mortal danger when I had this rifle with me. Using 85 gr Noslers and RL19 I've seen over 3600 fps on my chrono.

The rifle has been to Canada hunting Black Bear with me and deer hunting in AL and FL. With the weight of bullets it handles it is very versatile.

Owned it so long that I had to replace the barrel 6 years ago. Had it done by a shop here that builds bench and long range rifles. I was offered a choice of Krieger or Hart, I chose Krieger. I still remember being asked what cartridge I wanted the new barrel chambered in, an odd question. It didn't take me long to decide on the .25-06 again.

I also own a few other rifles, one being a .243. I like the .243 but in my opinion it's not in the same league as the .25-06. Everyone should own a .25-06.

Bottom line, were I in your shoes I own a .25-06.
 
This is wild, it created 2 posts for me for some reason. And it makes me sign on again every time I visit.
 
I know there is people on here that are a lot sharper than me ,but I've had better luck with heavier bullets on varmits. It seems that I'm always taking long shots at coyotes and don't have a lot of time to figure wind drift and I like the higher bc of the heavier bullets. I use a 243 with 95 gr sst and have had good luck with that on varmits out to 450 yards. But that is jmo.
 
Well I wasn't aware that there are any 120 grain bullets for a 243 Winchester. But there sure are for the 25-06. I don't see much for gaps, though. But if you just want another rifle, then have at it. I'd just get a 270 and leave the others at home.
 
The first thing you have to do is stop trying to justify these things. "Just because I want it" is all you need.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I think I may go toward a 25-06 honestly, I've heard so many good things about it. Think I'll wait on the 08 and see if I can use my .308 setup reasonably for hunting even though it's a bit bulky if I need more for larger game. People here describing it and my research just seems like a magical caliber lol.

Also I would consider .260 /6.5 more but honestly .260 rifle selection sucks except for just a few manufacturers. Also kinda everyone is on the 6.5 train right now and I am more and more liking the idea of the quarterbore for what I want. Since I don't want a .270 or .280 and have a .30 it's like what other options are there? Besides the 7mm-08. Poster pointed out there are pretty much the same and not different enough really. 25-06 seems more different enough.

25-06 actually seems to beat the 6.5 speed and trajectory wise within 500 ish and then the much high B/C takes over if I understand right feel free to correct me if not. If I'll shoot past that I'll just use my .308 in target roles. Past that with 25-06 would just be for fun/experimentation. I've invested a lot in a nice target gun already to learn LR and have a ways to go with that.

Also I don't ever plan on shooting at an animal past 4-5 tops for ethics reasons. 25-06 seems to have good kill power that far? Least for Muleys and Pronghorns here out west as the biggest animal I'd be using that caliber for anyway. I got a target .223 .308, and a passed down old .243 to experiment with, 25-06 seems to fill a niche.

Also about barrel length I don't mind a 24". The cdl only weights 7 3/8 anyway pretty light in my book. Just not loving the 700 LR as much since I don't think I need a bull barrel the CDL should be good. Won't do any high volume shooting I don't think.

If I need a elk caliber probably won't be anytime soon but I can see myself hunting Deer and Antelope more than Elk. I don't hunt moose, or Bear either. Can't wait really especially when I can reload:)

Here's the gun I'm considering. Looks like would be a nice rifle for a long time which is what I'd like..a lasting piece for many hunts and uses



Thanks all again
 
Why not "split the difference?

"25-06 or 7mm-08 better for me?"

Why not "split the difference"? You know of the .260 Rem and 6.5 CM...

Either of these 6.5mm cartridges "split the difference" and almost perfectly "FILLS THE GAP" between the .223 Rem and .308 Win...

T.
 
Since you asked:
If your accustom to using a short throw bolt you wouldn't like a 25-06. But I would gladly have a 25-06 over a 7mm-08 any day of the week. 308 & 7mm 08 are basically the same thing. If you want a real separation between calibers think 3-to 4 calibers inbetween one from the other. I've shot both 7mm & the 1/4 bore 06 benched rested. The 7mm didn't impress me all that much at 200. But the 1/4 bore sure did. A whole lot quicker and its groupings are quite tight and very flat shooting accurate. So much so I bought one. {700 Mtn CDL} Without question a 25-06 can be used for Elk. Its 120 gr bullet is more than sufficient for that purpose. I shoot 100 gr NBT out of mine for deer. Only because the 87s were too awesome hard hitting do to their being near as fast as a Weatherby 257 Mags. But its your dime here were talking about. So which ever caliber is more pleasing to you. Buy one & enjoy.
 
jmr40 said:
If you have a 308 there is no point in a 7-08. Anything you can do with one you can do with the other. You can load your 308 with 110 gr varmint bullets and come very close to 243. With 130-165's it'll do anything the 7-08 will do and with 200 gr bullets will outperform 338 Fed and 358.

I'm not clear, but think you said you also have a 243. If so it'll do anything the 25-06 does and do most of them better.

With a 223, 243, and 308 you have all of your bases covered from varmints to moose. And with enough range for most North American game out to 400-500 yards. You don't have any holes to fill, and don't NEED anything else.

I really like the 6.5's and might consider that as an option, but once again you are splitting some mighty fine hairs to justify anything else in that type of cartridge.

There are other options such as a true long range rig, a short carbine for brush hunting, or even a different action. Lever guns are fun and a much different type of rifle.
Click to expand...
I agree, you've covered it all with what you have
 
A 7mm08 is merely a .308 with ten grains less bullet weight in the common load for deer hunting. IMO, no point for a hunter to have both.

I agree with the idea that a worthwhile trio would be .223, .243 and .308. (For me, it has always been the '06 for "the biggie".)
 
I think you,ve got it.

If your not planning on using your 243 very much,
(and your reasons being your own)
25-06 will fill that void.

Just a personal note on the 7mm-08 and 308.
I too, like others,for years, stayed away from the 7-08 simply because I had 308s.But being a gun nut however, I finally got one.I was very impressed with the 308,s younger sibling.I still say the 308 is more versatile,having such a wider range of bullet selection,but now I simply find myself with the 7-08s on the range more than the 308s.
 
"...if you can varmint with..." Why not? Unless there's a calibre restriction, there's no reason to not use your deer rifle and the same ammo on varmints. Doing so is excellent practice for deer season. Or you can load 100 grain bullets. Although the bullet weight doesn't matter.
Between the .25-06 and 7mm-08 the only real question is, "Do you want a long action or a short action?". The rest really makes no difference.
 
Taylor once again I will not be using it as a "dedicated" varmint rifle just maybe some varminting on the side.

Probably going to skip on the 08 for the forseeable future from what it sounds like, vs .308 not much difference.

Long vs short action, doesn't really matter to me so should be good:)
 
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