October 31, 2014, 04:02 PM | #1 |
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100 vs 100
I have been looking to buy a bolt action rifle. Its probably going to be a Savage. Now as far as caliber, its between the .243 Winchester and the .25-06 Remington.
I was doing some ballistic research through the internet. I see that both calibers can launch a 100 grain bullet at around 3000 feet per second. The .25-06 bullet is slightly larger in diameter. The .243's bullet has a higher sectional density. Assuming both projectiles are of similar construction, which one would perform better on pronghorn size game? |
October 31, 2014, 04:43 PM | #2 |
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Both will probably do great on pronghorn.
For me the main question would be to get the 243 where ammo should be available everywhere or 25-06 that you would have to stock up on or reload. Coming from a guy who hunts deer with a 30-40 krag and 6.5x50 Arisaka I hate looking for rare ammo that doesn't always exist. In the last year I have only been able to buy one box of 30-40 krag and I have never seen 6.5x50 on the shelf so I have 300+ rounds saved up of reloads. My 30-30 and british 303 are a lot easier to feed. |
October 31, 2014, 04:45 PM | #3 |
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Higher sectional density and ballistic coefficient with the smaller diameter bullet. Not always true of the BC but if you compare bullets of equal weights with similar shapes, the one with less frontal area (ie smaller diameter) will have an advantage.
It's also worth noting that the .25-06 only fits in a long action, while .243 will fit in a short action rifle. .243 uses .308 win as a parent case .25-06 uses the .30-06 Given that the .25 has more powder capacity and a larger diameter, it should perform better, as far as muzzle velocity with equal weight bullets. The fact that it doesn't, shows it might not be as efficient as the .243 burning more powder in this case seems it just sacrifices more barrel life, and increases recoil and muzzle blast for no gains. IMO, if you're going the .25-06 route, might as well just get a .270 Winchester, and call it a day. It'll launch higher sectional density bullets at a faster speed than the .25-06 with a negligible increase in recoil, IMO. Ammo is easy to find, and with light bullets, .243 Winchester trajectory can be emulated quite closely. |
October 31, 2014, 05:04 PM | #4 |
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Also, the 25-06 is one of those cartridges that really benefits from a longer barrel (24+). The .243 is quite happy with a 20-22" barrel. A 25-06 with shorter barrels results in lots of muzzle flash - something that always bothers me.
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October 31, 2014, 06:25 PM | #5 |
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However, if you go heavier, the 25-06 will have the advantage at longer ranges.
If your staying within 100 yards, there really is no need to go larger than the .243. |
October 31, 2014, 06:55 PM | #6 |
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With equal peak pressures, the 25-06 will shoot 100 grain bullets out 150 to 200 fps faster. It's got more case capacity.
I think the 243 is a more accurate round. |
October 31, 2014, 07:00 PM | #7 | |
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What is the heaviest VLD available for .257 cal? The heaviest bullet I've found in .257 is 120 grains. The heaviest bullets I've found in .243 range from 115-117 grains. Hardly gives the .25 an advantage... ...Or rather what's the highest BC bullet available in .257 cal? I'm having trouble finding one bullet that even reaches, let alone exceeds a G1 BC of .500 in that caliber. (.243) Berger makes a 115 grain with a G1 BC of .545 For reference they only have 1 VLD bullet available for .257 cal and it's also 115 grains. The G1 BC is only .466 Assuming you had a twist rate suitable to stabilize these bullets, the .243 would have an advantage at long range. Unfortunately .25 cal bullets aren't extremely popular and VLD choices seem to be more limited than .243 (and .277) It seems that the .243 would have advantage at range as well. If you were looking for a step up from .243, for long range, the .25-06 would not be a good choice IMO. The .270 win (or less available .280 rem) is much better suited for heavy game out to 600-800 yards, depending on the shooter's skill. For reaching out past the .243 you've got to at least move up to a .264 cal simply for the choices in VLD hunting bullets. |
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October 31, 2014, 08:21 PM | #8 | |
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I've never been a 25 caliber fan. It can work, they all do, but I've always felt the 243 could do anything a 25-06 could do with less fuss. |
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October 31, 2014, 08:30 PM | #9 |
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With a 25-06, you get a heavier gun, more recoil and a barely noticeable power increase.
The 243 will be more efficient and just as deadly at any range under 400 yds, and has a wider bullet selection
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October 31, 2014, 08:57 PM | #10 |
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If two rifles identical in all properties except for bore and chamber dimensions, one in 25-06 will be lighter than one in .243 Win. as more metal has been removed from the 25 caliber barrel's inside.
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October 31, 2014, 09:32 PM | #11 |
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^^ which means more recoil and a flimsier barrel.
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October 31, 2014, 09:52 PM | #12 |
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Will you be reloading?
If you will not be reloading, you should choose between 243 and 270 Winchester. 25-06 ammo generally costs half-again what the other two cost. Reloading equalizes things a lot. If you reload, I would say, the better choice would be between 6mm Remington and 270 Winchester. The 270 will push 130 grain bullets at least 100fps faster than a 25-06 will go with 120 grain bullets. In other words, the 270 will do everything the 25-06 will do, and more besides, at considerably less price.
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October 31, 2014, 10:25 PM | #13 | |
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Few companies build 243's on a long action The tiny amount of difference due to bore size would only be minescule
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October 31, 2014, 10:26 PM | #14 | |
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.25-06 120 grain SD= .260 Velocity: ~2990fps .270 140 grain SD= .261 Velocity ~2940-3090fps |
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October 31, 2014, 10:30 PM | #15 | |
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October 31, 2014, 10:45 PM | #16 | |
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November 1, 2014, 03:37 AM | #17 | ||
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There's very little difference in performance with the most common bullet weights, but the 708 does it with less powder, the same way the 243 can be comparable with the 25-06 At practical hunting distances, they perform nearly identically http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_ballistics_table.htm Quote:
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November 1, 2014, 05:20 AM | #18 |
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The 7x57 and 7-08 are ballistic twins (close enough that the animals don't care). The 280 Rem offers a ballistic advantage to handloaders (aka the 7mm Rem Express loading) but once you are over 1,000 ft/lbs of energy, there doesn't seem to be any real advantage on deer sized game. In terms of killing animals, none of these chamberings are magical death rays.
The 243 Win verses the 25-06 is an interesting discussion. I would choose the 243 Win myself, as it will kill pronghorn just fine, and do so with less powder and commonly available commercial ammo incase I forgot my handloads. Note that none of my considerations take into account terminal ballistics. So I would recomend getting the rifle that fits you better, and let the caliber end up being whatever it ends up being. Jimro
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November 1, 2014, 07:36 AM | #19 |
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JD0x0, what's the actual difference in recoil (ft-lbs) and barrel stiffness (resonant frequency it vibrates at) for an 8.00 pound .243 rifle after its rebarreled with a .25-06 one having the same outside profile? How much and what performance will change with that flimsier barrel?
1%? 5%? 10%? More? Last edited by Bart B.; November 1, 2014 at 07:55 AM. |
November 1, 2014, 08:09 AM | #20 | |
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What grain bulletz? Comparative for caliber? Or, exact weight? |
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November 1, 2014, 08:20 AM | #21 |
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Used to be you could get a Savage 110 in 243 Win. But then again Savage actions were LONG to begin with...
Other long actions that were chambered in 243 Win were M98 Mausers and M70 Winchesters. Of course you could always go with a Rem700 long action to handle a short 308 size cartridge, like the Army did with the M24. It isn't outside the realm of possibilities. Jimro
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November 1, 2014, 09:50 AM | #22 |
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Shouldn't sectional density be part of the equation? Doesn't it help determine how well a bullet penetrates?
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November 1, 2014, 10:22 AM | #23 |
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The 25-06 is being unfairly handicapped in this discussion because of the insistence on using 100 grain bullets in it. The 25-06 will easily handle 120 grain bullets. There may be 117 .243 bullets available, but most 243s don't have a fast enough twist to stabilize them, which is why there's no factory 243 ammo over 100 grains.
The only advantage of the 243 is that it fits in a short action. Otherwise the 25-06 is a superior deer round. If I really wanted a short action, I'd get one - in 7mm-08. |
November 1, 2014, 10:31 AM | #24 |
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I think natman's on the right track. Compare the two calibers with bullets of equal sectional density. There has to be some leveling of the playing field else any one of several things could tip the scale towards one's emotions.
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November 1, 2014, 10:52 AM | #25 |
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I am not interested in a 270 or 7-08. I want either a 243 or 25-06. I am leaning towards the 243.
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