25-06 vs. .243

hurley0816 · 12-09-2007, 09:10 AM

i have been looking and debating for a long time on getting a deer rifle that would double as a coyote/fox rifle. any suggestions on the 25-06 and .243 on yotes and fox?

johnnybravoo77 · 12-09-2007, 09:15 AM

There seems to be more factory varmint rounds avaliable for the 243. Both are great for deer though.

#40Fan · 12-09-2007, 12:39 PM

Either or will work.

bowhunter747 · 12-09-2007, 03:22 PM

the .243 has alot more bullet weight options in factory loads, plus ammo is cheaper. im not knocking the 25-06, it is a good caliber. i just dont like the fact that ammo is priced comparable to magnum ammo prices.

bigbucks98 · 12-10-2007, 05:16 PM

I hunt for fur, so I wouldnt use any of them, but if I had to pick than I would choose the .243, It leaves a lot smaller hole and has a variety of bullets. But both work great on deer.

MIbeagleman · 12-11-2007, 10:48 AM

I have a new.243 and this is the first year that I have been able to take deer with it. I am completely amazed at the damage that it does. I have shot a ton of deer with my old .270 (hole in and a bigger one coming out), but this .243 is phenominal. First deer: shot went through the back of the front left leg, through the rib cage and out the back of the right front leg. Both front legs were ruined and there was a 12 inch circle of hemorage on either side of the rib cage. Also a nasty hole in the heart. Second deer: A running shot at about 75 yards hit behind the front shoulder and came out behind the other side front shoulder. Once again, there was about a 12 inch circle of massive hemorage. I was able to salvage both front legs for shoulder roasts, but I had to do a bunch of cleaning to get the blood off of them.

I was using hand loads with Hornady SPBT bullets. My load is middle of the road, not the hottest thing and not the slowest either. I did some experimenting and picked what shot the tightest group for me.

BTW, both deer dropped.