I currently have a 300 win mag that is my bench gun. I'm looking for a rifle to be my all around gun. Looking to use it from bench/silouette shooting to coyote and deer. Looking into the 22-250,243,25-06 or ? Must be ammo that I can pick up at the store as I don't reload as of yet.
One caliber to rule them all!!!
- Thread starter Lrdchaos
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Semper Fi 10463
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im getting another 25-06 it will cover critters from deer down. the 22-250 will wear out quicker and a little small for deer imo. the 270 is perfect for deer but not as versatile as a 30-06. however the 270 and 30-06 will have factory ammo easier to find. with the 300 though you could do without the 30-06. i personnaly dont favor anything smaller than a 25 for deer i prefer it easily over 243 but 25-06 ammo is sometimes hard to get. it never achieved the popularity it should have. the 25-06 is the most underrated cartridge out there.
westcliffe01
Well-Known Member
I would vouch for the 243, but just remember that factory barrel twist rates and ammo choices are not optimal. I started out with a Savage 12 243 Win, shooting 95gr Hornady SST ammo (I believe it was the superformance brand). It did alright, this is a 26" varmint barrel with a 1:9.25 twist rate. Certainly a dramatic change in lethality and ballistics compared to a 223. The wind drift on the 95gr SST leaves all the regular 223 bullets in the shade... Close shots were at 130 yards on coyote, long was 250-350 yards - about as far as it gets on the property accessible to me.
I then re-barreled it to a 243 AI, Shilen 1:8 26" varmint barrel. Loaded my own ammo, 95gr hunting Berger VLD over 41gr of H100V powder. Based on drop data, this load is running close to 3200fps and is the load I use for fireforming/hunting. (Hornady claims 3185fps for the superformance load from a 24" barrel) Once I work up a decent size batch of brass, I will make serious work of my 105gr VLD load.
I then re-barreled it to a 243 AI, Shilen 1:8 26" varmint barrel. Loaded my own ammo, 95gr hunting Berger VLD over 41gr of H100V powder. Based on drop data, this load is running close to 3200fps and is the load I use for fireforming/hunting. (Hornady claims 3185fps for the superformance load from a 24" barrel) Once I work up a decent size batch of brass, I will make serious work of my 105gr VLD load.
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Deleted member 48126
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30-06 to rule them all. Can shoot as low a 55 grain sabot round or 220 grain round nose. Been the US standard since 1906.
+1 the good 'ol '06 is the best do all be all cartridge. Shoot 168s for deer and targets. Then bump up to 180s for elk and black bear, then load up some 200s-220s for bigger game. As much as I love my .270, the '06 is just more versatile. I'm super excited for Remington's new Model 700 Long Range in .30-06, I am really considering buying one. An '06 with a 26" barrel is a dream come true especially when the heart of it is a 700 action.
Semper Fi 10463
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what did i say about 41 years shooting remingtons yep all with the 06s. im just old school.
westcliffe01
Well-Known Member
With a 300WM he has the top end covered. A step down to an intermediate would make a lot of sense, a slightly less powerful 300 cartridge does not.
Not old school, you just know what works! Haha
Semper Fi 10463
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no one mentioned the 257 weatherby. its expensive but a heck of a round.
With the target requirement, I would pick a 6.5 anything....
6.5-06 with 123gr A-MAXs
For someone from WV, you are really smart! Must be cause your are close to PA. LOL.
One of my best friends lives in Rocky Fork. So hopefully, I can get away with a comment like that.
Have noticed your other post, you are right on.
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Deleted member 46119
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300WM would be my vote.
