rcw280

The 25-06 is more powerful than the 243. The 243 is based on the 308 and the 25 is based on the 30-06. The 25-06 hasa higher powder cap. with equal velocity and heavier bullets equals more energy. But you have to figure in type of bullet and what you are hunting. To many people only look at one aspect of the picture. that being said I own a 243 in rem. adl and probably the 3rd most accurate of any I have owned.

James B

When looking at ballistics, several things come into play. Look at the 55 grain Nosler for the 243, If you just look at the energy, the 55 grain bullet because its tied to velocity, has more energy than the 100 grain 243 bullet. However the effect on deer size game would favor the 100 grain bullet by far. Thats because sectional density is also a very important part of bullet performance.

[email protected]

I have many rifles, 243, 223, 270win, 308, 30-06, 44mag ,7.62x39, but my favorite is the 45-70 in a Marlin 1895. I've killed many deer with them and my thoughts on the ballistic stuff is wright it on some toilet paper and wipe your butt with it. Shot placement is what counts. Use a good bulllet at moderate volicity and put it thru the boiler room, and the deer will be yours.

spencer0071

I got a deer last week with my 243 andI experienced something thatI never have before. I actually watched the bulletin hit the deer and the deer drop through my scope. I have never experienced this before with a 30-30, 270 or 300 ultramag. I like the fact thatI know ifI hit or missed this deer with out walking up to the place where the deer was standing. With the 270, 30-30 and 300 I did not know if I hit or missed the deer, theyjust disappeared by the time I look their direction. Just another experience that someone with magnumitis will never have.

PS I was infected with magnumitis once, butI am cured now.

DANTHEHUNTER

I think everybody has a comfort zone with the calibur they choose to hunt with. I have always felt that we tend to get attached to a rifle/ calibur and stick to it. Mine is a .300wm ,I have killed deer with a .223,.243, .270 I just like the rifle/calibur of the .300wm.I think we get to hung up on this is better then that , any high power rifle(.243 and up )hitting a deer in the right spot at 300 yards or less will kill it.

Duckbutter48

Can we just vote the 243 for president. Ive seen more pro-243 posts here lately then anything. I have a 243wssm and 6mm and love them both. I usually grab one of those ahead of most of my inventory.

zrexpilot

Well hello ! welcome to 1955. haha. But serious, pretty cool huh ?

c j

I have to admit the 308 > 25-06 velocity puzzles me. I'm relatively new to this stuff, so if someone can explain, I'd appreciate it.

My understanding was that the 25-06 was necked down from a 30-06, which is bigger (case-wise, capacity) than a 308. So if 130gr 308 is faster than a 115gr 25-06, wouldn't a 130gr 308 also be faster than a 130gr 30-06? I would think a 25-06 would be faster than a 308 unless the 25 was usinga significantly heavier bullet.

nchawkeye

Retriever....You are right...Ballistics just compare on paper...

For most situations on deer, a .243 is all that's needed...I don't care for a 25-06 because they have limited factory ammo avaliable and the dang barrel is too long...a short action with a 22-24 inch barrel just seems to balance better in my hands...A friend of mine bought a .260 when they first came out, it grouped well with the Remington 125 gr Nosler Partitions...Then Remington discontinued them, so he started reloading...Finally found a good load...But he didn't kill any deer that couldn't have been killed with a .243...

Frankly I have found that most that comdemn haven't had a lot of experience with one...Makes no difference to me, shoot what you like...Heck, this is a hobby and hobbies are suppose to be fun....Good Luck

James B

cj. You are right. I must have missed that. The 25-06 with a 115 grain bullet will shoot as fast and in most manuals, faster than the 308 with a 130 grain bullet. Again though, the 130 grain bullet in 30 caliber, is really not a big game bullet. In some cases it may work but the SD is way to low for good penetration. An exception would be the now discontinues 130 grain Barnes X bullet.

For just deer, I might consider the 243, However I would like a rifle to be a bit more versitile and be able to hunt bigger game with the same rifle. My Minimum for a all around rifle would start with the 260/6.5x55. If I had to I would use a 25-06 for elk because of the heavier bullet with higher SD. than the 6MM's.