What caliber for deer 7mm08 or 25-06 ?

[dvdegeorge]

What caliber would you prefer for whitetail and maybe afew chucks as well as range shooting?Already have a 7mm Rem and 7mm08 in a pistol.Also would a 22 7/16" barrel be long enough to get full potenial from the 25-06?

[HighDesertWolf]

with the better proppelants used in modern rifle cartridges today 22 to 23 inches of barrel is plenty to exceed the full potential of a 25-06, Also the 7mm-08 or the 25-06 both would be fine for deer. I personally would prefer the 7mm-08, as a handloader I like the variety of bullets better then whats available for the 25-06. but i think the 25-06 with lighter bullets would be more suitable for chucks.

[James B]

I own both of these calibers and I could just draw the name of one of them from a hat and be happy. 100 grain and 115 grain Ballistic tips work great for even the biggest deer in the 25-06. I would lean to the 25-06 if you add varmits. I shoot 120 Sierra Pro Hunters for deer with the 7mm-08. The 140's would work just as well. These are two of the best deer calibers going.

[Pygmy]

Dan... I've shot a number of whitetails with both cartridges... They both work very well, but I'd give the nod to the 25-06 for long range work (over 300 yards)... However, the 7mm-08 is available in a number of very handy short action rifles...My current favorite PA deer rifle is a Rem 700 Mountain Rifle in 7mm-08... The 25-06 would probably be a better varmint rifle, but both would work equally well for casual 'chuck shooting.. My chuck shooting is basically just practice for my big game hunting, so I shoot them with my hunting rifles, usually the 7mm-08, .280 Rem and even my 9.3 x 62....

[PaJack]

I have both also,tough choice...

[dvdegeorge]

Thanks for the input,is either easier to reload for or noted as a more accurate calibur?

[James B]

I would say no. I load for both and they are simple and not fussy about loads. My 25-06 will shoot sub one inch groups as will the 7mm-08. That is when both are loaded with their prefered loads. The 7mm-08 may be a bit better for game larger than deer. The 7mm-08 will take elk out to 250 yards or so without a problem. Most would consider the 25-06 a bit light for Elk. I would use it in a pinch but its not a certified elk cartridge. For just deer the 25-06 would be my choice. Both are excellent.

[Pygmy]

Jump to:

I agree with James that both are easy to load for...I got sub MOA groups with both calibers with routine load development... I also agree that the 7mm-08 would be a better choice for game larger than deer..

However, I consider the 25-06 as better rifle for long range "beanfield" shooting for deer from stands, and the 7mm-08 as a better choice for general "take 'em as they come" deer hunting under varied conditions...The 25-06 is at it's best in a heavier long action rifle with at least a 24" barrel... Both are perfectly adequate out to 300 yards or a bit beyond...If ranges are longer than that the 25-06 has the advantage...

[halcon]

Like a lot of others I own both but only hunt with the 25-06 .

[Carpmaster]

Both are great IMO! Except I would rather have a 24" bbl for the 25-06, if i were to go with a shorter bbl length i would get a 257 Roberts.