calibers????

[blast and cast]

I know that I am opening up a can of worms, but..... I am looking for another rifle. I will be shooting it for deer, prong horns and for fun. Being left handed, calibers are limited. I am down to either a .270 or a 25-06. I have quite a bit of experience with the .270 but not the 25-06, any comments??

[Get Bit]

B & C,

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. The .270 ammo is more readily available
but if you are into hand loads that won't factor in too much. I think the biggest thing will be in choosing the manufacturer and model of the rifle. Have fun !

Get Bit

The 270 works a little better at long range but both are good. :smile:

[Chukrchaser]

I Love to see these things get started--------

There is an article in last months Petersen's Hunting Mag-- specifically comparing the ".25's" -- that would be the .257 Roberts, 25-06 and lest we forget the .257 Weatherby--
Ballistics and performance (not always the same) show the Weatherby to be the 25 of choice. The Weatherby qualifies as a Magnum and approaches the .270 in down range ballistics -- though with less lead--

The Roberts is an old fashioned cartridge that is a "nice" small deer cartridge.

I have shot the 25-06 and the Weatherby -- seems like the 06 has a little more push on the shoulder but that might have been the differences in guns not calibers.

But you need a bank loan to buy a box of shells for the Weatherby [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] -- unless you load your own--- :smile:

In Montana (my brothers home state) the 25-06 is the caliber of choice of the locals for antelope -- they really reach out there to touch a "goat".

The other thing you have is that it is a bit exotic -- it will probably be the only one in deer camp! :grin:

Chuck

[Zen Leecher aka Bill W]

Pick whichever of the two pleases you most. There's not much difference between the two calibers other than bullet weight.

Both of them are built from the .30/06 case, only difference is one's necked down to .277 and the other is .257.

The .25/06 has bullets commonly available up to 120 grains.
The .270 has bullets, again, commonly available up to 150 grains.

I've got a .25/06 that I use for antelope hunting as it's the most accurate rifle in my shooting stable. It even beats a heavy barreled .22-250 that I've had for years, and that one's pounded out groups for years that come in a 3/8".

The recoil on the .25/06 and .270 is about the same. Remember, the only difference is bullet weights and 30 grains won't make that much difference.

So... pick whichever one pleases you most.

The .270 would do a tad better on deer and would be acceptable for elk.

[Steve]

My bet is the 25/06, 120 gr. at 3000 fps, took it as a backup on an elk hunt a few years ago and wouldn't you know it, tripped over my own two feet and knock the scope on my 7mm mag out of kilter... the 25/06 did the job with the big cow going down like it had been hit with lightning... also good on coyotes out to 350 yards..... if you reload, IMR 4831 is a great powder. Work your loads carefully. Steve

[willierower]

Lets see,

Ive had a little experience with both Calibers. You cant go wrong with either for what you plan on using them for.

If you want to jump up and get something that shoots fast and flat check out a .270 Winchester Short Mag. The muzzle velocity is something like 3300 fps. It carries great down range engergy and doesnt kick all that hard. My friend just picked one up, Im getting one soon. I have the .300 WSM in a Model 70 Featherwieght, Talk about a sweet shooting rifle.

[blacktail]

Like the others said. Either one should be near perfect for what you are describing.

For me, it would depend on whether or not you handload. If you don't, I would buy the .270 due to better availabilty and selection of over the counter ammo.

Mike

[Firedog]

I would say both are good, Have you looked at a .280. More choices for handloading and a little better balistics than a .270. Just a thought. :smile:

[Flatfish]

Find a gun you like,chambered for either and you have a winner.real world performance,for your applications,are conversational.I have experience with both and have good things to say.
Good Luck.
Mark.

[k9jeff]

I have an m77 ruger chambered in .270. Its stock out of the box and I have a 3x9 scope on it. Its a tack driver. I have nailed deer and coyotes at very long distances.

I have a friend who is a swat sniper and he assists with the sighting every year. He also is impressed with it. Better than a min of angle at 100 yards easy.

A buddy has a .243 and had the stock shortend for his son and it works great for him. its old and used so when its dropped and banged around its no big deal.

Just my .2cents

Jeff :grin:

[DAB]

Blast and Cast
My favorite is A .264 Win. Mag. Good for deer and flat enough for pronghorns... The draw back is you would have to have a costom rifle built in this chamebering. I have a pre 64 Win mdl. 70 ...If I was going to buy a new rifle to hunt where the deer and antalope play I would go for 7 mm Rem mag chamebering , or the 7 mm ultra mag. . Just my $.02 worth.
the best Gun control is a steady hand.
DAB