new caliber
 

hello all. i have been thinking of adding a new caliber to my collection. something that is good for pole line hunting or areas out to 300yds. but still able to drop a deer under 100yds without bullet destruction or not mushrooming enough.
i do reload and match my bullets accordingly to how i hunt for that type of gun and caliber. i already own 30-06sprg's using seirra 165gr. 7mm-08rem using 139gr. interbond's 8X57Js using 180gr. B.T's 35rem 180gr. f.p's and 200gr.

i am leaning twards the 25-06rem or 243win

They both sound a winning choice

I'm partial to 30 and 7mm calibers, and your 30-06 and 7mm-08 would both serve the "under 100 but out to 300" need that you mentioned. Unless you're just lookin for a good reason to buy a new gun:biggrin:... then I'd go with the 25-06... quite a bit more punch out at the 300 mark.

25-06 would be my choice of the two you mentions. But since you gotta 7-08 and a 30-06 if go ahead and getta magnum the 7rem mag would do perfect

the 7mm-08rem is in a browning blr with a 20"bbl. wouldn't the 7mm rem mag be alittle to overkill for shots under 100yds?

Your coices for us seemed to be 25-06 or 243.....or I would have suggested a 7 magnum also, since you don't have a magnum in your collection yet:). I think everyone needs to have one!!! I personally don't think there is such a thing as "overkill", I'd rather have a little more gun than needed than not enough. But, thats just the way I am, not to say that a 25-06 or 243 would be better or worse.
Put it this way.....if I was sitting on a 200-300 yard shot with the possibility of something walking in behind me at 50, Id rather have the magnum. If I was sitting on a 50 yard shot with the possibility of seeing something on the far end of the field, Id still rather have the magnum, lol. I bring the gun that fits the longest shot I might have and still have lots of umph when it gets there.

With your current line-up;

.243 winchester

Dual purpose cartridge......................as well !


If you reload, ackley

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek024.html

Triple threat........................Then !!!

The 7magnum is in my opinion like the middle child it's either too big or too little but has the magnum name lol it's a great long range round alot of speed and knockdown power but still is a light enough bullet to work up close. Put it this way it's shooting the same calibor bullet as your 7-08 but alot faster it will have about as much damage up close as the 7-08 but alot more at say 300 yards. I've only killed 1 deer with my 7 mag shot her at 200 yards and she went down on the spot with a 150gr corlokt. But my cousin has killed close to 30 with his 7 mag and swears by it. You won't be dissapointed in one trust me

Now THATS what I'm talkin about!!!

Methinks a .270 Win will be the answer. Of course the 7mm Rem Mag will do very well, but it doesn't add a new caliber to the collection. A .270 will do that, and it is an excellent gun for 300 yard shots.

25 06 hands down. Have owned and sold a few 243's. They don't impress me at all. The 25 06 is way more rifle, and is capable of moose if the opportunity arises. The 270 Winchester is also an excellent choice, if you want to go bigger. You will get a lot of bangflop with a 25 06.

From the sounds of the rifles you have already, they sound excellent for the ranges you described. As far as destruction of an animal at 100 yard ranges, I feel it has more to do with bullet selection and shot placement than the rifle itself. Of the two choices you mentioned, I also would choose the 25-06 over the .243 because of its greater range of capabilities.

This is just a question, have you also looked into some of those older, "milder" cartridges like 257 roberts or 300 savage. If I can remember correctly, you said you reloaded. If you do, bullet selection for those type of rifles would not be as big of an issue either. I am guessing that you are alot like me, " I like having alot of rifles, even if they perform very similar " Thats the only reason I mentioned the . 300 savage and 257 roberts. Because I think they are still fun to shoot and some of those old rifle rounds " even though considered mild", their performance should not be overlooked. The only problem with those rounds is avalabilty of ammo, but if you reload, you will have more access. I hope you enjoy growing your rifle collection, it sounds like you got some great guns already.

270 and 25 06 are the same cartridge, I would go with the 243 just to be differnt.