I've owned both and still have and used a #1 in 25-06 for years and either will do the job that you're asking. The question is if you reload? Because like many has already said, factory 243 ammo is a lot more common. As far as taking down a hog, I've took two with a long bow and a recurve. One being a Big nasty bore. So I'm sure there's not a hog out there that can wade through either of these calibers. Also FYI, both hogs I took while on the ground.
.25-06 vs the .243
- Thread starter gmarr
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You think a #50 Howatt Hunter could get it done?The .25-06 only gains you a slight advantage in power, but it gains you no real range advantage. A .257 120 grain vs. .243 100 grain bullets both are leaving the barrel at 3000 fps or close to it which only gains you 7 yards of MPBR and only 400 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. Truth is the 6mm calibers have better heavy for caliber bullets available for them than the .25 calibers because more people compete with the 6mm's and it has bled over to the hunting bullet market.
The Verminator
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I'm sure there are a lot of folks around that love the .243 Winchester.
It's very popular, but usually winds up used in barrels of 20 and 22 inches or less, thus reducing factory claimed velocity significantly.
People don't realize this as they just look at the ballistics that were attained in 26 inch barrels.
The .243 is a fun little gun to shoot but it's just not real potent with the little 100 grain bullet.
The 25-06 will have a 24 or more inch barrel and the cartridge has significantly more case capacity and thus brings a lot more destructive power to bear and will take the effective range out at least 100 yards beyond the little .243.
The best 120 grain ammunition is readily available on the open commercial market so that excuse is invalid.
It's very popular, but usually winds up used in barrels of 20 and 22 inches or less, thus reducing factory claimed velocity significantly.
People don't realize this as they just look at the ballistics that were attained in 26 inch barrels.
The .243 is a fun little gun to shoot but it's just not real potent with the little 100 grain bullet.
The 25-06 will have a 24 or more inch barrel and the cartridge has significantly more case capacity and thus brings a lot more destructive power to bear and will take the effective range out at least 100 yards beyond the little .243.
The best 120 grain ammunition is readily available on the open commercial market so that excuse is invalid.
The question is...is it better for the OP's stated needs? I'd guess it probably isn't going to get the job done any better...but, I'll defer to those who have experience with both calibers on the same animals at the same distances. Another factor I try to consider is which one do I shoot more accurately with...and which one would I just plain shoot more. I have nothing against the .25-06 or any particular love for the .243. I just don't think that at 200 yds on the game he mentioned, there will be much noticeable difference.
I've owned a .25-06 for over 36 years and call it a great hunting cartridge. I've used it for groundhogs with 85 gr to 90 gr bullets. Used it for bear in Canada and deer with heavier bullets. Never once felt under gunned.
Shooting 85 to 90 gr bullets in the .25 I've seen 3640 fps over a chrono. I've also never seen anything hit as hard when it comes to varmint hunting.
Also owned a .243 for 5 years. They're close, but I'll take the .25-06 every time. The bullets have greater sectional density and can be pushed faster than a .243 will push it's slugs.
Never had a problem with recoil. I have not seen the hits through the scope but I can hear a hit, it sounds like a slap when it connects. You won't see the hits through a scope on the .243 either, at least I can't.
I have never hunted hogs with either but have no doubt that both will do the job. The .25-06 has never let me down for any hunting I've done which is why it is always my first choice. Everyone should own at least one .25-06.
Shooting 85 to 90 gr bullets in the .25 I've seen 3640 fps over a chrono. I've also never seen anything hit as hard when it comes to varmint hunting.
Also owned a .243 for 5 years. They're close, but I'll take the .25-06 every time. The bullets have greater sectional density and can be pushed faster than a .243 will push it's slugs.
Never had a problem with recoil. I have not seen the hits through the scope but I can hear a hit, it sounds like a slap when it connects. You won't see the hits through a scope on the .243 either, at least I can't.
I have never hunted hogs with either but have no doubt that both will do the job. The .25-06 has never let me down for any hunting I've done which is why it is always my first choice. Everyone should own at least one .25-06.
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The Verminator
Moderator
I'm not so sure.
I had a shot once at about 200 yards with the .243 100 grain bullet (on a small deer of about 120 pounds). It was a quartering shot that hit the left flank and ranged up into the right lung. It stopped in the lung and had expended most of its energy before getting to the lung.
It really didn't wreck the lung and cause traumatic shock as one would wish. Heart and left lung showed no damage. That little deer traveled over 100 yards and probably would have gone farther if somebody had been in hot pursuit.
As it was, he decided to lie down and rest......and, of course, he died there.
But.....this was not satisfactory performance as far as I was concerned. He fled into heavy swamp and I was lucky to find him--ZERO blood trail--just blind luck.
I had a few other disappointing experiences with the .243.......where the bullet hit bones and didn't stay together as well as it should have or just plain didn't seem to destroy as much tissue as one would like to see for a quick kill.
And.......I suspect that some big pigs with thick hide and heavy bones could be even MORE challenging to the limited penetration capability of the little .243.
So......I have reason for my skepticism. I'd want a little more power if I might have to take a pig of substantial size and, as I said before, if I can't have a .30 cal. in a 180 grain bullet......I, at least, want the 120 grain of the 25-06 in the hunting the OP mentions.
tahunua001
New member
243 is a more efficient cartridge, uses less powder to get the job done so if you reload it's cheaper in that regard. not too much in either cartridge as far as reloading components. 25-06 is a little bit better as it can handle weights typically about 20 grains heavier than 243. factory 243 ammo is easier to find and usually cheaper when you do find it.
with that said 243 is perfectly suited for deer and hogs, either would do the job.
with that said 243 is perfectly suited for deer and hogs, either would do the job.
I guess I'll post this again.
With a 26" barrel on a .243 Win I was able to push 105 grain bullets past 3200 fps, I've never been able to get much over 3000 fps with my 26" .25-06 with 120 grain bullets. My 22” barreled .243 has no problems reaching 3000 fps with the 105 grain bullets. The .243 is far more efficient in shorter barrels than a .25-06 and doesn't suffer dramatic loss of velocity by using a shorter barrel. There are a lot of 22” barreled .25-06 rifles as well, not all have a 24” obarrel.
I like both cartridges and have used both quite a bit, even have a love for the little .250-3000 Savage. One thing I've learned from using both cartridges is they both kill equally well on deer sized animals or smaller to include pigs, but neither are ideal for larger than deer sized game but will work on them. The .243 is a better rifle for long range shooting as it has better bullets for that application. The OP really can't make a bad choice for his uses if he flips a coin and let's fate decide.
taylorce1 said:
With a 26" barrel on a .243 Win I was able to push 105 grain bullets past 3200 fps, I've never been able to get much over 3000 fps with my 26" .25-06 with 120 grain bullets. My 22” barreled .243 has no problems reaching 3000 fps with the 105 grain bullets. The .243 is far more efficient in shorter barrels than a .25-06 and doesn't suffer dramatic loss of velocity by using a shorter barrel. There are a lot of 22” barreled .25-06 rifles as well, not all have a 24” obarrel.
I like both cartridges and have used both quite a bit, even have a love for the little .250-3000 Savage. One thing I've learned from using both cartridges is they both kill equally well on deer sized animals or smaller to include pigs, but neither are ideal for larger than deer sized game but will work on them. The .243 is a better rifle for long range shooting as it has better bullets for that application. The OP really can't make a bad choice for his uses if he flips a coin and let's fate decide.
kawasakifreak77
New member
I don't have either caliber but just from frequenting gunshops I'd get a 243 because it seems like ammo is far more available. Can't drive your car without gas.
Personally, I'd use an '06 though (& I do) you can load a bigger round down, but not a smaller round up.
Personally, I'd use an '06 though (& I do) you can load a bigger round down, but not a smaller round up.
I go from 243 to 270 so have no need for 25-06.
I use 243 for antelope with Berger 95gr Classic hunter bullet with BC .472 and varmints Sierra 85gr HPBT. I've also shot antelope with 95gr Partition and before moving to Co I used that bullet for coastal deer in Ca.
You got that 110gr AB for the 25-06 and then got 115gr/120gr partitions maybe if I was looking today I would pick 25-06.
I use 243 for antelope with Berger 95gr Classic hunter bullet with BC .472 and varmints Sierra 85gr HPBT. I've also shot antelope with 95gr Partition and before moving to Co I used that bullet for coastal deer in Ca.
You got that 110gr AB for the 25-06 and then got 115gr/120gr partitions maybe if I was looking today I would pick 25-06.
98 220 swift
New member
I have no trouble hitting 3250 fps with a 115gr ballistic tip or 117 sierra with my 25-06 all while staying a couple of grains under max in the hodgdon manual with imr 7828 in my 2 rifles. Both have 24" barrels.
That's 2743 ft-pd of energy! Well over what a 243 can do.
Only downside is the muzzle blast is pretty stout and the recoil is fairly stiff in the light weight sporter mauser. The other is a savage tactical heavy barrel. The recoil is nothing in it.
That's 2743 ft-pd of energy! Well over what a 243 can do.
Only downside is the muzzle blast is pretty stout and the recoil is fairly stiff in the light weight sporter mauser. The other is a savage tactical heavy barrel. The recoil is nothing in it.
The Verminator
Moderator
An elk at 688 yards with a .243!
That's a story that Elmer Keith would admire.
Comments were disabled on that video.
LOL!
The ballistics for the two calibers are well-known and easily verified.
Don't be fooled by internet fables.
That's a story that Elmer Keith would admire.
Comments were disabled on that video.
LOL!
The ballistics for the two calibers are well-known and easily verified.
Don't be fooled by internet fables.
603Country
New member
I don't have a 243 or 25-06, but have shot plenty (many) deer and hogs with a 260 and 120 grain NBT's and 100 grain NBT's. The 120's kill faster than the 100's do, even at 200 fps slower. And neither bullet in that caliber kills as well as my 270 with 130 grain NBT's. A big fast bullet kills better than a smaller fast bullet.
To me that reinforces what I already thought to be the case, in that a 25-06 with a 115 gr bullet will be a better killer than a 243 with a 100 gr bullet. And if your shots are under 400 yards, bullet BC matters not, and cartridge case efficiency is a non-factor. The bigger the critter, the bigger the cartridge. Good rule of thumb.
To me that reinforces what I already thought to be the case, in that a 25-06 with a 115 gr bullet will be a better killer than a 243 with a 100 gr bullet. And if your shots are under 400 yards, bullet BC matters not, and cartridge case efficiency is a non-factor. The bigger the critter, the bigger the cartridge. Good rule of thumb.
The .25-06 was one cartridge that I've researched many times, but it never seemed to be one that would fit my needs for deer and varmints. A .270 Win is a much better deer round for Eastern whitetails and the .25-06 is a bit much for eastern varmints at ranges out to 350 yards. There aren't many rifles being chambered for the .25-06 and cartridges aren't as readily available here as for many other cartridges.
A used .25-06 rifle will usually sit in an eastern gun shop much longer than a .243 Win, .270 Win, or .30-06. That said, you might get a used one here at a good price.
Frankly, the 7mm-08 may be better for your needs and recoil is not bad. (I don't own one, but know others who found it very good for larger varmints, deer and tougher game.
A used .25-06 rifle will usually sit in an eastern gun shop much longer than a .243 Win, .270 Win, or .30-06. That said, you might get a used one here at a good price.
Frankly, the 7mm-08 may be better for your needs and recoil is not bad. (I don't own one, but know others who found it very good for larger varmints, deer and tougher game.
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