new rifle

[Foul Hook'd]

I have owned both the 25-06 and 7mm-08 in Remington 700Mtn. rifle, both where sweet shooting guns. I went with Mtn. since I still hunted 95% of the time, their light weight and short length was useful in and outta a stand. I never shot a deer with the 7mm as a fellow I hunted with nagged me for 3months about buying it for his son so I gave in a sold it to him, kid still has it and has killed quite a few bucks with it.

The 25-06 is one of the finest deer rounds out there, I took my second biggest whitetail with it. I had issues with the detachable mag in the Model 700 so I bought a Browning A Bolt Stalker which solved all the wants I looked for in the perfect deer rifle. It loved Federal Premium 100grn. Barnes Triple X rounds, easily the most accurate rifle I have ever owned. I took my best buck 116 BC before getting out of hunting.

As someone mentioned ammo is getting harder to find, especially for the 25-06 as not everyone stocks them like 270 or 06. If I were to get back into hunting I would probally go back with a standard 270 in the 130/140grn. range, ammo is readily available. Not to knock the new short mags but here the standard stuff is stocked everywhere.

Foul Hook'd

[JPH]

Since I started deer hunting when I was 13, I have purchased smaller and smaller caliber deer rifles.

Jay, you are dead-on. This is absolutely the best of times with regard to bullet construction and rifle manufacturing tolerances. Today's out of the box Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Kimber, etc., out perform the custom rifles of 30 years ago. The same is true of bullets; they are much more accurate, hold together and expand more reliably than bullets of 30 years ago. We no longer need the heavy, wide bullets our father's shot. Drop down in caliber, buy premium bullets, and practice, practice, practice...

I was so glad to see the question posed was a choice between 2 excellent mild calibers and not a which .300 or .338 magnum question. Not that you asked Jay, by of the 3 rifle calibers you mentioned, I like the .280 Remington with 140 grain Nosler Accubonds or partitions best for anything east of the rocky mountains.

Good luck to all the rest of the hunting season!

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

Well, I am going to go against the grain.

I am a 25 caliber fan.

Since I started deer hunting when I was 13, I have purchased smaller and smaller caliber deer rifles.

My main piece now is a Winchester model 70 in 25 wssm.

I had decided on a 25-06, but my local gun dealer, suggested I look at the 25 wssm's. Anyway, same balistics, shorter action, less percieved recoil, and I bought it.

the 25wssm has not been very popular, and factory ammo might be an issue, but I love this gun, and has lots of killing power and long range.

My other two pieces that I deer hunt with are a Remington Mountain Rifle in 280 Rem, and a Kimber 8400 in 270 WSM.

I have my eye on the new Kimber Montana in 257 Roberts, but do I really need 4 bolt action rifles?

Anyway, I know lots of folks that hunt with 7mm08, and seem to be happy with it, one advantage of the 7mm 08 over the 25-06 is that the 08 is a short action caliber, will save some weight on the gun if that is an issue.

What guns you lookin at?

Jay i ended up buying a savage compact 243 with a Nikon 2.5 x 10 x 50 monarch scope. Took the gun to the hunting club and dialed it in this afternoon sweet no recoil and you could drive nails with it. I have to say i was very impressed with the gun and even more impressed with the nikon scope since i have only used leaupold in the past 30mm tube lets in tons of light finished shooting at 5:50 damn near dark. Figured i could pass the gun on to my son when he is old enough unless i like it to much. Seems to like 95 and 100 grain hornaday and winchester ammo. Hope to test it out tommorrow.

[Glenn W]

John,
If this is your first .243, you're going to love it for Carolina deer. I think the 243 and 25-06 are about the perfect white tail cartridges. Since getting my 6mm rem ( a .243 for all intents and purposes) I can't remember losing a single deer. But also, it is simply a joy to shoot. I sighted in a new scope on my 30-06 this morning and my shoulder is paying the price right now. I know I'll be picking up the little gun in the morning.

[gameover]

Good question.
I have always hunted with a bull barrel single shot 243. and never had to track one. (knock on wood)

We have many bear in our area. I'm not one to hunt for fancy rugs.. but If i need to pop one I will. would a 7mm mag be a good upgrade? I really like the 243 and hate to give her up but I want something with a little more ass but similair proprties.

Thanks,
Taylor

[saltwaterbucks]

I bought a 7mm-08 for my daughter, 10+ years ago. Amazing gun for deer but guess what.............In 2001, I shot a dandy 6 pt. Elk with it ............... guess I don't need to say more :-)

[netman9]

You'll love the 243, as I posted earlier I have a Interarms Mark X I've had for 30 years. It is amazing with Rem. factory ammo. Put a Nikon on it last season and its ready for my 3 sons to use. Funny thing was the 30 year old Tasco I took off drove tacks but you lost 30min of hunting due to poor light. Right now the 2 older are using Moss. 500 batam 20ga. @5 1/4 lb. with each taking deer, turkey, geese, duck, rabbit, dove and quail. Nasty little youth guns.

[Deep C]

243 is very sweet round indeed... Careful to make sure nothing between you and animal though. Grass or even rain will send it off to another zipcode...