A 25-06 is in between 243 and 270 leaning a little closer to 270. Any of these cartridges is going to be plenty for deer and hogs. With the right bullet and good shot selection, any of them will work just fine on elk. The only drawback to a 25-06 is availibility of factory ammo. Many places carry only the 100 and 120 grain bullets. Now if you start reloading, 25-06 gives you a lot options from 75gr at 37-3800fps to 122gr at 28-3000fps.

The price sounds good on the Savage, but I'd HIGHLY recommend getting the AccuTrigger: it really is that good. I've got a Mark II BV in .22lr, and that trigger is super sweet.

I shoot 150 to 200 rounds offhand through thatrifle for every 20 I shoot in my .30-'06. Oh, yeah, "ditto" everyone's suggestion about hitting it hard with your .22! It works your technique while going easy on your pocketbook... and your ears... and your shoulder...

Yes, the .25-06 is between the .243 and the .270, both caliber-wise and recoil-wise.Here's what our internet gun guru has to say on the subject: http://www.chuckhawks.com/what_to_expect.htm

That cartridgewould work quite well on the hogs, 'yotes, antelope,& whitetails. Mr. Chuck has some really kind words for the .25-.06 about halfway down this treatise: http://www.chuckhawks.com/ideal_deer_antelope_rifle.htm

AND... a .25-06 would allow you plenty of caliber-spacing so you can buy a whompin' big magnum many years down the road when you go to AK to face down the unkillable coastal brown bears!

Take Care,

FC

7mm08

Actually, that would be my choice! Shhhh... don't get him confused just yet!

.308

Get a 7mm08 and wuit worrying while you outshoot some of the guys that are going to reccomend 30-06 or magnums. If you are so far away that a "standard "cartridge won't do the trick-you are too far away and are sohhting instead of actually hunting!

For most modern centerfire cartridges, 300 yards isn't much of a stretch..........with practice!

IMHO, a .25-06 or .270would the way to go.They havemore than enough power to take anything in Texas at 300 yards (or better), shoot relatively flat,and nearly anybody can shoot one comfortably. My preference is a .25-06, mainly because I reload for itand use a lot of 75 gr. V-max's for coyote hunting. If I didn't do a lot of coyote hunting and planned on elk in the future, I might lean a little more to the .270. You can't go wrong with either.

I might also add my .25-06 has a 24" barrel. I wish it were 26".

Thanks guys for the info. I have lots of information. I will be checking out the Chuckhawks page too. If the weather holds out, looks like I'll be visiting the range soon for some target practicing w/ the .22 (If my truck gets fixed) Lordhelp me!

Thanks again fellas

I really like my .243, and it works just fine on Texas whitetails...