25-06 vs. .243

Either round will fill the bill. I had both a 25-06 and a 243 win. The 25-06 was a mauser 98 action with a match gradr SS heavy taper barrel. It was a tack driver. The 243 i had had a 2" bull barrel on a 98 action with a custom stock and a unertal scope (That was just about as long as the barrel) this rifle would only shoot the light bullets as it was a 1-12" twist. My brother got a .325" 5 shot group at 100 yards with the 55 gr 243 bullets. Me i would take the 25-06. You can shoot just about anything you want to with the 25-06 and have a little bit more range with it also. If your looking for a light rifle for a walking hunter i would take the 243 short action light recoil would make this a great walking hunting rifle.
 
I was recently debating between the two calibers and went with a Cooper Phoenix in 25-06. Ive shot a 243 many times but i promise you wont be disappointed or be let down by the 25. The 100gr Barnes TSX look like an excellent bigger game bullet although i havent got to use them on anything yet.
 
that savage is a waste of money go with a rem 700 sps in 243win the advantages are matched/better balistics and a faster acting short action. dont get me wrong the 25-06 is great iv seen it take more deer at longer rages than my .270, but the 243 will do better for what your using it for. goodluck
 
I like Quarter bores --a bigger hole and a bit heavier bullet.
I agree with the other post that recommended a 257 Roberts or even a 250-3000 Savage, though I won't be selling my 25-06. But one of these days I'd like another 25-08.
 
Have you considered having a muzzle brake put on the 06? It would make it feel like a 22-250. I know they are loud but if you wear hearing protection no problem. You should anyway because shooting any gun with out hearing protection will damage your hearing. I recently installed a brake on a guys 338 Remington Ultra Mag. It made it feel like a 308. In my opinion, the benifits outway all the negatives. Plus, with a 30 cal you have the greatest selection of bullets. Just something else to consider if money is an option.
 
You say you are having problems with the recoil of the '06. It would seem that the easy answer is to have somebody handload some stuff for you. Less costly than a new rifle, and an experienced handloader can tame that '06 for you.

Less money than a new rifle...
But back to your original post, both rounds you have asked about have thier place. So if it were me, I would find a way to get both. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I would save the money that the new gun will cost and get yourself set up to load some light 110 or 125 grain loads for the 30-06. Plus then you can tailor your loads to your own gun. Otherwise if you aren't interested in getting into the reloading game then I would go with the increased versatility of the 25-06.
 
My second hi-power was a 30-06....loved the gun its self but hated the kick that thing had. I just couldn't shoot it much at all without flinching and trying to out run the butt end once I pulled the trigger.

Shooting is supposed to be fun. It wasn't with that outfit.

So, I had my local gunsmith turn my 30-06 into a 25-06 by rebarreling it....much better in the recoil end and also a faster, flatter shooting out.... I loved that gun and caliber....Still love the caliber...just using an Encore now-a-days.
 
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