243 vs. 25-06

Well, short-action/long-action. Then you have 60-100 or so grain bullets & the heavier weights in the 25-06. Depends on intended use. If I was erring on the side of big game hunting I'd go 25-06. For predators & occasional deer hunting I'd go 243. The 243 with the right game bullet does fine on deer & it's not that hard on a coyote hide with a bullet that will pass thru with limited expansion. I ended up with 5 243s somehow. The brother has a 25-06.
 
If you want to hunt coyotes I'd suggest the .243 over the .25-06. Recoil is much greater with the 06 and everything Muskrat30 said.
 
.243 is fine up through deer although I was less than impressed with it on heavy deer. The 25 has more oomph. I really wouldn't say that recoil is 'much' greater with the 25. If the .243 is like getting smacked with a feather the 25 is a feather and a half. I shot a ton of each this year, either one is a sweetheart.
 
Everything comes down to your intended use or uses.

In general, I'd say the .243 is a great predator cartridge that can be suitable for some bigger sized game like whitetails and antelope given the right loads and conditions.

The .25-06 is the opposite, a great long-range cartridge for some bigger sized game that also can be suitable for coyotes given the right loads and conditions.

But your best choice depends on your specific needs and intended uses. Both are excellent cartridges, but they also both have their sweet spot in terms of uses.

Grouse
 
For varmint type critters the .243 is great for long shots especially when the wind kicks up but IMO borderline for deer.The 25-06 is also good in the wind but a bit overkill for varmints.Superb deer round and on up to elk if not to far out.
 
All the deer I have killed with a243 will be relieved to know they aren't quite as dead as they would be with a non-borderline caliber. I have never lost one I shot with a 243. I have a new B78 in 25-06 but I have only shot paper with it. Out to 300 yds with the loads I am shooting the two are similar trajectory-wise. Out to 400-500 the 25 has more energy for whitetails and such, a little over 1000 ft lbs. The trajectory of a 100 gr .257 cal TSX has almost identical trajectory to the 140 gr Accubond 270WSM I was shooting. Most of my shots here in GA are 300 yds or less on 200 lb or less tails so the 243 goes 99 percent of the time. A 243 with any expanding bullet will flatten a coyote.
 
Originally Posted By: skullcreekAll the deer I have killed with a243 will be relieved to know they aren't quite as dead as they would be with a non-borderline caliber.

To be perfectly fair, he is from NY and there is a bit of difference between northern and southern white tails. But I will also agree with you that for southern white tails a .243 is more than adequate and then some. Either one will serve quite nicely as a dual purpose weapon.


Chupa
 
Originally Posted By: ChupathingyOriginally Posted By: skullcreekAll the deer I have killed with a243 will be relieved to know they aren't quite as dead as they would be with a non-borderline caliber.

To be perfectly fair, he is from NY and there is a bit of difference between northern and southern white tails. But I will also agree with you that for southern white tails a .243 is more than adequate and then some. Either one will serve quite nicely as a dual purpose weapon.


Chupa
Are northern tails bigger than mulies? Lots of guys out west killin them with 243's.
 
They really are fairly close to one another in performance. Less than 2 inches difference at 500y, FPS nominal difference with equal weight rounds shot.

You can go with a heavier round with the 06, but a lighter round with a .243

Factory .243 Ammo is cheaper, with a lot more factory choices. AS mentioned I don't think the recipient of the round would be able to tell any difference what so ever.
 
I have always said the 25.06 will do anything the 243 will do... only better

now unless you are wanting a ligther more compact shorter rifle thats another story
 
Originally Posted By: skullcreekOriginally Posted By: ChupathingyOriginally Posted By: skullcreekAll the deer I have killed with a243 will be relieved to know they aren't quite as dead as they would be with a non-borderline caliber.

To be perfectly fair, he is from NY and there is a bit of difference between northern and southern white tails. But I will also agree with you that for southern white tails a .243 is more than adequate and then some. Either one will serve quite nicely as a dual purpose weapon.


Chupa
Are northern tails bigger than mulies? Lots of guys out west killin them with 243's. the ones in alberta and sask are big and cost a lot.
 
Originally Posted By: nitisI have always said the 25.06 will do anything the 243 will do... only better

now unless you are wanting a ligther more compact shorter rifle thats another story

+1. I've got both and completely agree.

As far as predators are concerned though. While the 243 is not exactly "fur friendly", I still some, if not even most where they coyote is still in good shape after being hit with a 75g v-max. On the other hand, in my limited experience shooting coyotes with the 25/06, I would have needed a rake to save the fur on them.
 
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