the 7mm-08 vs the 25-06 which is better

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yoyo4110

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I have had the 25-06 in the past. I and hopeing to go see my brother in law in montana next year and need a new weapon. So here is the question wich one would be best for whitetails and mullies.
 
Wow thats not an easy question to answer. I guess a simple one would be that given the fact that both are good cartridges and fully capable of killing white tail or mule deer, it would be the one that you shot most accurately.
 
I would say 25-06 would be better out west with heavier bullets because the larger case capacity would give you higher muzzle velocities. Of course, 270 would give you bullet weights nearer to 7mm-08 plus the case capacity of the 30-06 sized case vs 308. One thing to think about...the ammo for the 270 and 30-06 are found everywhere and are always the ones that go on sale at big box stores. I would recommend either 270 or 30-06.
 
Montana has more to offer than just deer so plan for what you might get to hunt while your brother is living out there.

If all you are going to do with that rifle is kill deer then the .25-06 would probably be the better choice. Deer don't require heavy bullets to put them down and 90-120 grain will do the job just fine, and if you get the chance to put down a pronghorn the .25-06 will be the better tool for the job.

The 7mm-08 will be a more versatile cartridge if you throw elk in the mix. For deer you can use 120 grain bullets that will even work well for pronghorn. For the elk you can use a premium bullet in 140 grains all the way up to the standard bullets in 175 grain. The 7mm-08 pretty much duplicates the old 7X57 Mauser which has been killing game for longer than most cartridges.

If you don't mind I'll throw in a caliber that bridges both of them. Look seriously at the .270 Win. With a 130 grain bullet for deer it is similar in ballistics to the 110-120 grain out of the .25-06. With the 150 grain bullets for elk the .270 will out perform the 7mm-08 across the board. The .270 has bullets starting a 90 grains all the way up to 160 grains, so it covers most of the same popular weights of bullets in both rifles.

Sorry Ropadop didn't see that you had already recommended the .270.
 
I believe that the only logical answer to your question is another question. "Do you like short actions or standard length actions?" Both cartridges will do the job if you do yours. I tend to like the short actions but own many more rifles with standard length actions. The 7mm08 is a fine cartridge and although my only 7mm rifle is of the 7mmWSM variety, I'd be very comfortable with the 08. Many posts recomend cartridges other than those you mentioned. I won't go there because that was not included in your OP. Either cartridge is a winner so take your pick.;)
 
I've heard that the .25-06 is a barrel burner, can't say from personal experience if that's so or not. It is a very hard hitting fast round. If you go that way you won't be disappointed.

The 7mm-08 is similar to the 7x57 as someone else has said. If you want a no fuss deer cartridge this is the way to go. The 7mm-08 is a moderate recoil, moderate velocity, moderate caliber round. If you choose the 7mm-08 you wont be disappointed
 
It seems to me that most hunting rifles aren't shot often enough that barrel-burning is much of a factor. A box or so a year? That's 50 to 75 years' worth of use before the leade gets noticeably degraded. :)
 
Better for what game should be the question. You can't really compare cartridges like that because what may be good for one application won't be as good as the other.

I have a 25-06, and I love it. It's super accurate and works for deer size game on down. The 7mm-08 Rem is a super accurate cartridge as well. For deer size and I guess even elk or moose, a 7mm-08 will be the better choice. If I had to pick one for the bigger game hunting, the 7mm-08 would get the nod. For deer on down, the 25-06 will be probably all you need. The 25-06 will shoot a little flatter with the smaller weight bullets that it has. For varmint hunting, the 25-06 is very popular with some hunters who swear by them as the ultimate coyote round.
 
Both are at the top (or dang close to it) for a favorite deer round for open country. The 25-06 may kick a bit more but not much. You are in a tough spot, I wouldn't want to have to make the choice.

270's are like a-holes, everybody has one.

LK
 
The .25-06 has gotten some attention as a barrel burner. I suspect it's from heavy varmint use and not allowing the barrel to cool. I've been told by a knowledgeable gunsmith who has lots of personal experience with the cartridge that a properly cared for barrel will last around 3000 rounds for hunting use.
 
When I lived in SD I hunted pronghorns and plains deer with a 25/06. I loaded the Sierra 117 gr BT bullets and used a Weaver 10X silhouette scope.
Some shots on pronghorns were at 350+ yds. The flat-shooting Sierras worked fine. They didn't open up at long range, but that was fine.
The last pronghorn I shot was at 360 yds. The bullet hit center on the right side and exited in front of the left shoulder. He took 2 steps and fell on his nose.

Frankly, I doubt any deer or goat would know the difference. There are some really nice, slippery bullets available for the 7mm.
 
25-06 gets my vote. Contrary to popular belief, it isnt much of a barrel burner. When the cartridge was first brought into the market, the metals that were used were of softer steel hence the reputation. Modern firearms are made with much better steel and erosion/wear are not much of a factor anymore.
 
Thats easy......25.06! :D However, my reply may be a little biased because i shoot one and it happens to be my favorite caliber for deer.
 
Lets not forget that the .25-06 makes a dandy varmint rifle as well. It can go from rock chucks to deer in a split second.
Click to expand...

The 7 will kill 'em chucks too.

7-08 in a mountain weight all purpose.
25'06 in a flatlander gun. Might as well opt fer the heavy barrel.
 
For Whitetails and Mulies in Montana, I would probably go with the .25-06. Loaded with something in the 110-120gr range, you still get great velocities, great range, and plenty of retained poop to knock over any buck at a reasonable range. My dad and brother have used the .25-06 almost exclusively on Mulies and have never had any problems. My brother has taken several cow elk with his using 120gr Partitions. (he has a bigger, badder, boy for taking after the bull elk, but that's a different thread) A major attraction for the 7mm-08 would be that it is short enough to not require a long action, so you have a slightly greater choice of rifles available. The short action also means a little less weight if you are packing it around in the mountains. If all your shots are going to be inside of 300 yards, I am sure no Mulie or Whitetail will know (or care about) the difference between the two.

It is almost like the question about which is better, the .270 or the .280 Both are fine choices. Either one will do the job. If you already have a .25-06, go with the 7mm-08. If you don't, flip a coin.
 
I've owned several of each. There's really nothing to choose between them. They're about equal for deer, antelope, sheep, goats even carribou. If you end up using your new gun for elk, you'll be better off with the 7-08, due to the wider range of appropriate bullets. Still the 25-06 with Barnes x's or Nosler partions won't exactly bounce off of one either.;)
 
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