25-06 or 243??

[demontang]

Well I'm going to get a new rifle and I keep bounce between the two. I want something that can be used for hunting varmints-atleast elk but a kid/ small woman can shoot. The 243 works for up to deer size game pretty well but I'm not sure I'd trust it to much beyond that. I haven't been around the 25-06 much but I know it can shoot heavier bullets and has very good ballistics. The rifle might go out as a bear gun too but the 338 win is going to back It. So which do you think??

[boneaddict]

25-06

[Bob33]

25-06, hands down.   It does most everything the 243 does and can shoot use heavier bullets.  You can load it down very mild, load it with light bullets for varmints, or use heavier bullets for deer and even elk (not my first choice, but some do.)

[high country]

I have put a ton of chit on the ground with a 100gr .25 cal tsx.....from coyotes to elk and everything between. I have not taken elk with my 243, but surely would, but I have big confidence in the 2-bit. if you do not reload, I would go 243......if you hand load.....go big!

[grousetracker]

i like the 243, its cheaper and easier to find shells. the performance isnt that much different. both are a little small for elk,but you hit them rite it wont matter.

[GoldTip]

25-06 as said above, I love mine.

[Big10gauge]

Both excellent rifles. I guess you might want to consider what you'll be shooting with it the majority of the time. If you reload there's quite a difference in cost per round if you consider overall expenses to shoot. Tired of shooting coyotes with the 338??

[carpsniperg2]

hands down the 25-06 i have a 243 and a 25-06 i would pick up my 25-06 99 times out of a hundred to my 243 the 25-06 is almost the same money as a 243 to shoot factory coreloacks are about 2.00 diffrence my hand loads are almost the same. i would not shoot a elk with a 243 myself but would never even dought the 25-06 it would be a done deal. i know people that have hunted with a 243 for elk for 30 years and never had any problem just my thoughts

[Axle]

25-06
I have taken many critters with mine and love it. I use archery on elk but wouldn't even hesitate to use the 25-06 if I had to use a rifle. I've seen what it can do to deer and I know to trust it.

[sirfunkeybut]

25-06

[Gutpile]

I'd get a .243 or a 6mm. Just seem sexier to me.


EDIT:

I stopped reading at "Varmints". Definately 25-06. I was thinking you wanted a coyote gun.  

[257 Wby Mag]

I'm a 243 man. They are sexy......

[danceswitharrows]

I would say 25-06 only because you say it could be going out as a elk gun.  You take the the elk hunting out and I am strongly on the 243 bandwagon.  If you insist on it being a elk gun and smaller caliber I would
(25-06+.007+powder= .257 wby mag)  Sorry to get of topic

and 243's are sexy

[carpsniperg2]

you guys are 2 funny. i have always known bigger is better and sexyer. you guys can have the smaller ones

[Gutpile]

you guys are 2 funny. i have always known bigger is better and sexyer. you guys can have the smaller ones

Just a binch of unused energy. We're much more efficient.