243,25-06,7MM-08 WHAT ONE

7-08 would be the most versatile of what you want. But, I'd leave the varmints out of it. The 7-08 is a great deer thru elk gun.
 
Well... I would hate to have to shoot any of these in a dog town all day. I wouldn't call a .243 a long range elk caliber either. (That's another thread.) They all have their strong points, but as far as a do it all rifle I'd lean toward the 25-06. 75 grain V-Max to 120 grain hunting bullets, flat shooting.
 
I doubt if you could tell the differance in a 7-08 with a 140 grain bullet, and your 308 with a 150 grain bullet, untill you get way out there. Two Swifts, so you basicaly have a near .243 already. I'm talking long range varmints. So now I'd still go 25-06 and stretch it out a little farther. A 243 with a 100 grain bullet will get out there a long way, but the 25-06 will do it better, IMO.
 
the 25-06 has got to be it, especially if you reload, if not then you might think about the .243. you can work up some very special loads with either, i've always been partial to the 25-06.
 
Of all you listed I'd choose the .25. I've had one for quite a few years and it is a good one. In fact it was my only center fire rifle for a good many years.

Used mine for varmints to deer and even bear, never failed me once.
 
I had a 25-06 and sold it.It was a savage and it is just me i didn't care for it.I liked the feel of my rugers and rems better loved the cal but i thought maybe i would try something differnt. thought i would see what you guys had to say feep it comming
 
Id go 7-08. If you load you can run 100gr sierras for dogs to deer. Can load 120-140gr tsx for elk out to 300. I wouldnt shoot an elk with a 120 out of a 2506 unless it was contitions in a wide open meadow and it wasnt over 200yards so I knew I could get it in the neck. If you can find a spot like that in az let me know lol. The 7-08 just seems like a more worry free hunting round, then again I dont know how far your planning on shooting.
 
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