7mm-08 vs. 25-06

bentbarrel · 04-30-2003, 11:37 AM

I know this is probably a moot point but I' d like to hear opinions. I' m considering a new rifle. I' ve decided on a Tikka rifle but can' t decide on the caliber. I already own a 270 and a .308 Win. I' m considering a 7mm-08 or 25-06...I want a flat shooter that' s versatile. Could possibly become my wife' s deer gun if I can ever talk her into it. I' ve looked at the ballistics on these two and they seem very similar...any advantages over the other. 7mm-08 has more available factory loads so I' m leaning towards it at this point. Thoughts on these two calibers? Thanks!

TREEDOG · 04-30-2003, 11:49 AM

Well i know little on the two but for the 7mm-08 would be a better choice for deer and bigger. Several on this board praise the 7mm-08 as being as close to the perfect deer round as u can get. The 25-06 may be better suited for deer and smaller like varmints.

NorthJeff · 04-30-2003, 01:33 PM

Never shot the 7mm-08, but I love my dad' s 25-06.

Shot 4 deer with it last year, one a 160# field-dressed buck that was dropped in it' s tracks with a shoulder shot at 255 paces.

Later that day, my 6 year old nephew shot his first deer with it, a doe.

Great, flat shooting caliber with very little kick, even for a 6 year old.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan

bigbulls · 04-30-2003, 02:42 PM

Buying one of those cartriges you would simply be duplicating the two that you already have. You want a flat shooter that is versatile. You already have the 270, one of the best deer cartriges ever made. It' s capable of taking any hooved animal on this continent. So is the 308, it' s just not quite as flat shooting but it is negligable. These figures came from Federals' premium line. Looking at these figures the .270 is already the flatter shooting rifle and retains more energy than any of the other three. If you are just wanting a new toy then I personally would opt for the 7mm-08 over the 25-06. The 7mm bullet is ballistically superior to the 25 caliber. If, on the other hand, you are open to other suggestions, since the 7mm - 08 and 25-06 are dulicating what you have I would take a good look at the 257 roberts, 260 rem., 6.5 x 55 Sweed. Just to be different. Sorry if I just really screwed you up.

25-06 100 grain NBT, muzzle: 3210 fps and 2290 ft lbs / 300 yards: 2490 fps and 1380 ft lbs. 6.8" low @ 300 yards

.270 130 grain NBT, muzzle: 3060 fps and 2700 ft lbs / 300 yards: 2430 fps and 1700 ft lbs. 6.5" low @ 300 yards

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7mm-08 140 grain NBT, muzzle: 2800 fps and 2440 ft lbs / 300 yards: 2260 fps and 1590 ft lbs. 7.7" low @ 300 yards

.308 150 grtain NBT, muzzle: 2820 fps and 2650 ft lbs / 300 yards: 2220 fps and 1640 ft lbs. 8.9" low @ 300 yards

frizzellr · 04-30-2003, 03:35 PM

As much as I love my 7mm-08 Rem I will have to agree with bigbulls on this one. The 7mm-08 and the 25-06 are both great cartridges in their own right, but they are also very close to what you already have. Now if I had to pick one of the two it would be the 7mm-08 Rem, especially if you are considering letting your wife shoot it. Have you looked into the 260 Rem?

JagMagMan · 04-30-2003, 03:41 PM

Not that the .270 or .308 are heavy recoilers, but the 7MM-08 does anything that they can do and with less recoil too! 7MM-08 would be my choice!

popeye · 04-30-2003, 03:59 PM

If your trying to get your wife involved with hunting and shooting then buy the 7mm-08 or 260 less recoil and muzzle blast. Also consider the 257 Roberts.

Bigbulls,
I' m curious as to why you quoted the 25-06 shooting a 100gr bullet. The standard 117gr would have made the 25-06 look better.

broey1 · 04-30-2003, 06:04 PM

I' d go with the 7mm-08. Better bullet selection.

bigbulls · 04-30-2003, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Bigbulls,
I' m curious as to why you quoted the 25-06 shooting a 100gr bullet. The standard 117gr would have made the 25-06 look better.

It' s a middle of the road bullet in factory loadings as far as weight goes. Just like the .270 130 grain, the 7mm 140 grain and 308 150 grain . Also they are all nosler ballistic tips. They were all about as non biased as I could find.

bentbarrel · 04-30-2003, 06:49 PM

Truth be told...I am just wanting a new toy...only if I had the money.

Maybe something to tinker with and more fun to shoot from the bench. Currently...I don' t reload so that' s a consideration too. Liking the 7mm-08 right now but I' m gonna look into some of the other calibers mentioned. Thanks guys!