liaisons

Hey everyone... I need some help picking out my first deer (whitetail only) rifle... although I'm 99% sure I'm going with the Ruger m77 all-weather (synthetic stock, etc). I just can't decide on a .243 or .25-06.

I'll be using this to shoot whitetail, and please don't tell me that a .243 or .25-06 is not powerful enough! I have two buddies that have the same gun, chambered in each of these - and they have killed plenty of whitetail with them both!

Alright, so I've shot the m77 in .243 and .25-06... and I couldn't tell a difference. One buddy swears by the .243 and the other by the .25-06.

What are your thoughts? Which one is more effective for whitetail, and why??

Also, I'm going to purchase a scope for this rifle. I'm really looking at the Zeiss 3-9x40 Conquest. In my (limited) experience, 3-9 is good for whitetail hunting. Correct? It's about $400 shipped, but I know Zeiss lenses are top quality.

Does anyone have any experience with this rifle scope? I assume a 40 will fit on a Ruger m77? I guess I could buy it, try it, and if not... wait until I get another gun (later)!

PLEASE share some of your knowledge. I'm some-what new to whitetail and I want to get ready for Dec. '08!

Thanks!

retrieverman

If I were you, I would go with the M77 Allweather in 25-06 and definitely buy the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40mm.

My brother has the exact gun in 270, and it comes with medium height rings. I loaned to him and mounted for him a Leupold 3-9x40, so I know the 40mm will fit fine.

With that gun/scope combo, you will have a package that will last a lifetime. I sighted in my brother's gun this year for him, and the gun shoots great too.

nchawkeye

Take a look at a .243 and a 25-06 side by side...Usually the 25-06 will have a 24 inch barrel, it needs that much barrel to reach optimum velocities...The .243 will have a 22 inch barrel...The .243 is a short action vs long action in the 25-06...So the .243 will be a couple inches shorter than the 25-06...If you hunt in box stands or carry the rifle a lot, it makes a difference...

Take a look at ammo avaliable...Go to a WalMart or Gander Mountain, etc in your area...What do they stock...We all know that the manufacturers have 4-5 times more selection in .243...If you handload this is no problem...If not, it could be...

I lost a morning hunting because a buddy bought a .260 the first year they came out...He knocked his scope off and spent the ammo he had re-zerowing...Stuff does happen...We had to drive 45 miles to find a box of .260 ammo...

On paper, I like a 25-06, but in reality it won't do any more to a deer than a .243...

The Zeiss scope will fit fine...Rings come in low, medium and high...You use a medium height ring for a 40mm scope....

One last thought...Look at a 7mm-08, my brother has used one since the early '80s, low recoil and it does a good job...Good Luck...

bugsNbows

You have already received some good advice. The 25 / 06 is a dandy... one of my favorites. I do, however, also like the .243. Either will do the trick. Good luck.

JagMagMan

I agree with NCHawk, in reality theres not enough difference worth fussing about!
The two things that to me give the edge to the .243 are the short action and ammo availability.
My main deer guns are the 7MM RM and the .308 and I love 'em both! But, my next deer gun is going to be the .243! With good 100gr. bullets, it is more than "just a bare minimum," its a great minimum! It will take any Whitetail on the planet, at most reasonable ranges that deer are hunted at! Some will throw the .243 in with the lighter .223's. With the argument that "it is too light" or "even a .22 LR can kill a deer." The thing that separates the .243 from the other "light stuff" is that you don't have to aim for the eye ball to actually make a clean kill!There are dozens of calibers from .223 to .300, and you can make arguments for or against any of them! The .243 will kill any deer that a superdupermagnum will kill, and do it well andwith less recoil or hassle!

4 Buck

I would go for the .243 just for the fact it has a short action. But on the other hand the 25-06 is one heck of a deer round.....flip a coin....

Carpmaster

I have that rifle in 25-05 and LOVE it!!! It is a tad heavy but a tack driver and just a sweet rig. So far it has taken 1 Antelope, a whitetail, some p-dogs, a yote, a few squirrels....

Dixie Rebel

Without question, I'd buy the 25-06!

Steve F.in MD

I have a Savage in 25-06 topped with a Leupold 4x12 scope. Makes a great deer and groundhog rifle. Good luck with whatever you get.

botechboy

I have the 25-06 in the encore pro hunter and my buddy has the 243 encore pro , you wont go wrong with either one , why not get the 270 and have something different from either one of your buddys just a thought good luck choosing