What caliber for deer 7mm08 or 25-06 ?
06-11-2005, 07:20 AM
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: WNY USA
Posts: 900
What caliber for deer 7mm08 or 25-06 ?
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?
06-11-2005, 07:55 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: A flat lander lost in the mountains of Northern,AZ
Posts: 3,171
RE: What caliber for deer 7mm08 or 25-06 ?
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.
06-11-2005, 09:12 AM
#3
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wall SD USA & Jamestown ND
Posts: 11,474
RE: What caliber for deer 7mm08 or 25-06 ?
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.
06-11-2005, 11:39 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,085
RE: What caliber for deer 7mm08 or 25-06 ?
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....
06-11-2005, 04:10 PM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wall SD USA & Jamestown ND
Posts: 11,474
RE: What caliber for deer 7mm08 or 25-06 ?
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.
06-11-2005, 05:20 PM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,085
RE: What caliber for deer 7mm08 or 25-06 ?
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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...
