use an 80-grain bullet and you can hunt coyote/fox, I suppose you could use it for Woodchuck if you really want to. And if you want to work on your accuracy, you can "dispatch" squirrels and prairie dogs with it. It was originally designed to be a pelt saver for coyote and what-not, as long as you use the right bullet, you'll only get a 1/4" hole in each side of the pelt, which is easily repairable.

In addition to small game, you can hunt larger game like elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goat. It's a great antelope round and it'll take a caribou/moose as well. It's all about shot placement, that bullet is travelling faster than the speed of sound and carries alot of energy, a few bones aren't going to stop it.

thanks. one more thing, hows the recoil?

Sorry about the late response, I was afk. The recoil isn't too bad, it's about the same as a .270 or a .30-06. I usually don't even notice it. Don't worry, it's not going rattle you or knock you out of your tree stand. It's pretty loud, but only makes you as deaf as any other rifle.

well i was always told that it just kicks a little more then the .243. im only 13 will i be able to handle it?

It depends on how much you weigh and how strong you are, if you weigh ~150 lb. it won't be too bad. If you've ever shot a 12 gauge with express rounds, all you need to know is it's not nearly as bad as that.

well i way like 125 i think maby less

i've shot a 12 gage before but it was buckshot i dont know what express is.

Buckshot is about the same powder charge, atleast for me it is. My first rifle was a .30-30, and the kick on that is no problem, though when I was your age I was 6 tall and weighed 220 pounds. [8D] If you know anyone with a .25-06, take a few shots with it and see how you like it, if it's too much kick then maybe a .243 would be better. But to be honest, I don't think you'll have any trouble with the recoil, just remember that you'll probably only shoot it once on a successful hunt. Most guns have recoil pads now, so you should be fine.

lol okay, well ive shot a 30 30 before and that kicks less than and 270 so does a 25-06 kick less than a 30 30 or no?

I personally love my 25-06 to hunt deer. It's always a hard choice for me when I leave, 25-06 or .270? Can't stray from my 25-06