25-06 or 7mm-08

[Freedumb88]

25-06 or 7mm-08 and why. And dont say why not both because eventually that is the plan

[carpsniperg2]

Both are great. If your hunting deer sized game the 25-06 is a great choice. However the 7mm-08 has more bullet choices in higher weight bullets.
If you are hunting bigger game like elk bear I would look more to it with 140 or + bullet.

Not saying you cant kill bigger with the 25-06 but 100/120 is common and I like a little more weight for big bones.

[jdb]

I agree with carp.

[Freedumb88]

Thats what i was thinking too just needed a few second opinions

[Dan-o]

I agree with Carp.

Both are nice cartridges, but if I had identical rifles in both calibers I'd be hard pressed to think of a hunt where I'd rather take the 25-06.   I would rather have the 7MM-08 for some hunts, as Carp noted.

[jdb]

The only scenario I can see the 25/06 having any advantage (it would be by thin margin) would maybe be on an antelope hunt.

[Freedumb88]

The only scenario I can see the 25/06 having any advantage (it would be by thin margin) would maybe be on an antelope hunt.

what makes you say it would have the advantage

[jackelope]

What’s the application?

[jackelope]

25-06 is a long action. Bullet selection pretty much stops at 120 grains. If extended range shooting is in the cards, the 10 twist barrels that most off the rack 25-06’s come with won’t shoot the heavier bullets well.

The 7-08 is a short action so a little more compact. Better heavier bullet selection.

Both have relatively light recoil.

I love my 25-06 but don’t think it would be the ideal choice for an elk rifle. Neither one will make deer more deader.

[huntnphool]

I own both and the 06 never gets used, the kids pack and shoot the 08 very well.

[Freedumb88]

It would be mainly used for deer and elk by my son 

[Eric M]

It would be mainly used for deer and elk by my son

I would probably get the 7mm 08 if elk is a consideration. Better selection of heavier bullets anyway. My brother and law and nephew swear by theirs for whitetail hunting.

[jasnt]

7/08

[boneaddict]

I love my 25 and have killed an elk and bear with it just fine, but as stated if you need a bigger bullet...   I love the thing for long range varmits.   

[bobcat]

Either one would be fine. My daughter has a 7/08 but due to her small size I'm having her shoot 120 grain bullets. She killed a cow elk with it last year and it was just as dead as it would've been with 140 grain bullets. However I have to say I'm glad we have the option of stepping up to 140 or 150 grain bullets. Which we would have done if my daughter had drawn a moose tag.

[bearpaw]

The 25/06 only is a couple hundred feet slower than a .257 Weatherby. We've used the .257 with deep penetrating barnes bullets or factory ammo on nearly everything in the lower 48 including numerous bear, elk, and moose. One of my hunters only owns one rifle, a 257, he has taken almost all the north american big game speicies including Alaska moose, Alaska brown, and grizzly bear with his .257. I have a.257 I use as a loaner gun on elk hunts.

My personal preference between the 7/08 and 25/06 would be the 25/06. If you want a larger bullet I would suggest a .270, .280, or 7mm rem mag, I think those are much better cartridges than the 7/08.

[kselkhunter]

I think a more fair comparison is a 280 vs. a 7mm-08.  And I'd suggest the 280.   

[buckfvr]

Both nice cartridges that I would be happy with, but if I was to have only one, I'm sure I would split the difference and get a .260 Rem.   

[Cougartail]

I own a 7mm-08 and it is a wonderful cartridge. I wouldn't think twice about hunting elk or deer with it. A 140 grain bullet has a pretty mild recoil and ammunition is relatively cheap.

The 6.5 Creedmoor with a 140 grain bullet will do the same.

Most importantly is train with any caliber you choose as I've tumbled elk with a 243 with ease.

Shot placement is key!

[Threethirtyeight]

I have both. The first new gun I ever bought was a 25-06 I took  several deer with that rifle and it worked well but I never thought about taking it elk hunting. When it came time to buy my daughter a deer rifle that she could use for elk when she got older I got her a 708 so that we can use the 145 barnes lrx in it. The 708 is usually overall smaller and lighter than a 25-06 making it nicer for younger hunters to handle.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Sakko300wsm]

My wife has a 7mm08 - thing is a serious tack driver!

[jackelope]

I think a more fair comparison is a 280 vs. a 7mm-08.  And I'd suggest the 280.

That would be a pretty boring comparison, no?

[huntnphool]

I think a more fair comparison is a 280 vs. a 7mm-08.  And I'd suggest the 280.

That would be a pretty boring comparison, no?

 May as well add the 7RM.

[gadwall]

Both are great. If your hunting deer sized game the 25-06 is a great choice. However the 7mm-08 has more bullet choices in higher weight bullets.
If you are hunting bigger game like elk bear I would look more to it with 140 or + bullet.

Not saying you cant kill bigger with the 25-06 but 100/120 is common and I like a little more weight for big bones.