243 vs 25/06 mid range yote gun??

S

skeetlee

New member
looking at the ruger 77 but cant decide between the 243 or a 25/06. gun will be used for yote hunting. what do some of you more experienced hunters think would be the best caliber? thanks lee
 
I know I'll get busted for this, but...IMO the 25/06 is slightly more than necessary.
The 243 will do everything needed for coyotes, except maybe always be fur-friendly.
 
lee...i own both caliber's to be honest i haven't shot a coyote with either of them...if your thinking 24 ..or..25 caliber my nod goes to the 25 caliber...only because i believe it give's you a better option if you decide to hunt game larger than coyote's it's probably overkill for coyote's..i have shot one coyote with a 257 robert's using a 117 grain soft point...the kill was very clean-not messy at all..."however" that's only one kill...or better yet as fund's become available get both...
 
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243 vs 25/06 mid range yote gun??



Mid-range... what is mid-range to you? Both of those cartridges will kill a coyote a darned loooong way out there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
I'll be the second to be busted in the chops but here are my thoughts:

If you are reloading the edge goes to the 243. For example if you are shooting the Hornady V-Max you have the 58,65,75,and 87 grain bullet weights to choose from in the 243. Whereas Hornady only makes the VMax in the 75 grain for the 25 caliber. If you do a quick check over at Midway you will see that they stock 119 different bullets for the 243, but only 59 for the 25 cal.

Factory ammo is no different. There is almost double the factory ammo selection out there for the 243.

If I were ONLY shooting coyotes, it would be the 243. If I were ALSO going to use this rifle for deer sized game, then I would take a long hard look at the 25/06.

Or else, better yet, just buy one of each! They are both great calibers and neither one would be a mistake


Calcoyote
 
I'm am asking myself the same question....243 or .25-06 If the gun will be used for just coyotes, get the .243 But, in my case I want to use the gun for both deer and coyotes, and since I can't afford a gun in each caliber, my choice is the .25-06 Its a tough decision, I have racked my brain for weeks over it
 
Skeet............ I can't comment on the 25-06. But I owned a 270 and still own a 243.

The 243 makes up into a nifty little Eastern woodlot whitetail gun when loaded with 100 grain bullets in a lightweight bolt. I've killed a good handfull of deer with my 243.

But as a mid range coyote gun, I doubt you will find a finer caliber than the 243 Winchester. When loaded with a mid-weight bullet of approximatly 85 grains, kills are quick and decisive. Packs enough punch to anchor stubborn dogs at odd angles. And carries enough energy to carry that punch way out there.

You will be amazed with the 243 Winchester, and its still my first pick after 32 years of shooting coyotes with an unbelievable array of calibers.
 
I like both! But most every time I grab my 700 .243! It will kill deer like white-lightning if you put the bullet in the V-box! Use 95 or 100's for the big stuff of course. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Get the 243. It's a great coyote gun. Nothing wrong with the 25, but the 243 is more pleasant to shoot and it works good for deer also.

I shoot two, a Ruger #1 for a walk around and calling gun and a Rem 700 VLS for ground squirrels. Both are 243's.

Here's the #1

Ruger1b.jpg


Here's the 700 VLS

700vls.jpg
 
Flip a coin. Both the 243 and the 25-06 will get the job done.
Me, I just had a 257 Roberts built specifically for coyotes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Why a 257 Roberts? Because that's what my Step Dad used 60 years ago, and I like staying in touch with him.
However, there are lots of good Coyote chamberings, from hot 22's on up in caliber. I'm a quarter bore loony.

Martyn
 
Quote:
Quote:
243 vs 25/06 mid range yote gun??



Mid-range... what is mid-range to you? Both of those cartridges will kill a coyote a darned loooong way out there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif


I'll second that thought. Both are flat shooters that can reach way out there for coyote.

Just my personal choice between the two, I'd go with the 25-06 only because I'm a quarter-bore lover.

Cant go wrong with either.
 
Mostly use a .223 and .243 for coyotes in western Kansas. This season I'm testing a .25-06. If you plan on doing other hunting of larger game there is an edge to the .25-06 but for coyotes, I'd suggest the .243. Recoil is heavier and it is harder to keep your scope on the dog with the .25-06... plenty difficult with the .243. From what I can see so far, I'd say the .25-06 is a superior deer and antelope round. Mid-range I take to be from 150-250 yards and the .243 packs plenty of authority for that distance. At 50-150 yards the .243 is not going to do quite as much hide damage with the 80 grain load. Also, a .243 can be found in short action rifles while a .25-06 takes a long action rifle. Frankly, from what I've seen so far, the .25-06 is a fine round but I can't see keeping it around when I already have a .30-06 and a .243. For a guy who wants to do it all with a single rifle, the .25-06 sits in there very nicely. It ought to do very well for coyotes through large mule deer and that says a lot for the caliber.
 
I have both in Ruger 77, a 6mm Rem in a heavy barrel 77V and a 25-06 in a magnum taper bbl. They both can kill coyotes but I would get a 243 over the 25-06 for efficiency reasons. 75 gr Blitzkings move with alot less effort compared to a 25 caliber bullet. Too many varmint bullets available for the 6 mm compared to the 25-06 as mentioned above.
The 25-06 is not really a coyote gun imo, more suited to antelope or mule deer with bullets above 100 gr. They sure move bullets along nicely though when compared to the powder consumption of a 257 Weatherby.
 


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