What caliber

[IAhunter87]

Im looking into purchasing my first rifle and can't decide on what caliber im thinking between a 25-06 or a .308 been told both are good calibers but want other opinions. All i do at the present time is coyote hunt, and deer hunt. Would like to maybe shoot a wild boar wsome day just want some opinjons on caliber size thanks

[Fronty Owner]

.22-250 is a good round. maybe a bit on the small side for deer, but it will do the job if you do.
Out of the two you listed, the .308 with modern powders and bullets are up there with velocity of a .30-06 (which is another good round)
Another overlooked round is the 7mm-08.
Of late, the .204 has my interest for a varmint round.

[Adaminak]

If all I was doing was hunting deer and coyotes, I'd lean towards the .25-06. No need for the extra recoil, muzzle blast and expense of the .308 when it's not necessary for the job at hand, and the smaller round is actually ballistically better for longer ranges at small to medium size game.

On the other hand, there is a fair amount of cheap military .308 ammo available, which could be a factor if you're looking to shoot targets regularly.

[IAhunter87]

i was leaning towards the 25-06 myself cuz a couple people said its a flatter shooting round versus the 308 ik there are more bullet options out there for the .308 but is really better then the 25-06?? i have found bullet weights up 2 118 grains for a 25-06.also what about a 270 what differences are between the 25-06 a 270. Ik u can shoot a heavier bullet with the 270 but i can also load down a 25-06 for coyotes but can only find a 118 gr bullet for a 25-06 to me thats a lil light for deer hunting. I can shoot up 2 150 gr with the 270.Some deer aroung here push close to 300 lbs

[Fronty Owner]

If all I was doing was hunting deer and coyotes, I'd lean towards the .25-06. No need for the extra recoil, muzzle blast and expense of the .308 when it's not necessary for the job at hand, and the smaller round is actually ballistically better for longer ranges at small to medium size game.

On the other hand, there is a fair amount of cheap military .308 ammo available, which could be a factor if you're looking to shoot targets regularly.
Since I reload, that is where I look first on costs. they both burn about the same powder for comparable velocities at 120 grain bullet weight. big difference is the .25-06 tops out at 120 gr, the .308 starts at 110 gr.
Difference in cost is gonna be in bullet and brass. .308 has a wider variety.

[IAhunter87]

next ? 25-06 or 270 both are good rounds 25-06 tops at 120 grain 270 starts at 130 which would be better does 270 have just a lil more punch?

[Fronty Owner]

What kind of max range are you looking at?
looking at my Lymans book, it doesn't look like there are boat tailed bullets available for the .25-06 and the .270 has a higher BC.
on the reloading side, you can go down to 90 gr on the .270.

[annabelle]

Of the two calibers you listed, I'd go with the .308. I've had both, and I believe the .308 to be more useful.

[IAhunter87]

what do u mean by bc fronty u talking bullet coefficient?? As far as max range goes looking for something that could reach out 300 yards and touch a coyote been told both 25-06 and 270 are good flat shooting rounds easily capable of 300 yards.I just wanna make sure i have enough kinetic energy for deer that why i was asking about the 270. Ive ask a few fellow rifle shooters around my area and between the 2 they have said 25-06 over 270. I noticed i can get bullets in the 60 gr range for coyotes and go as high as 120 gr for deer with the 25-06

[annabelle]

BC = bullet coefficient. If your local hunters suggest a .25-06 over a .270 for a 300 lb deer, they are idiots.

[Fronty Owner]

Yeah, BC is ballistic coefficient. its a measure of aerodynamics using factors of mass, diameter, length and drag coefficient (hmmm a coefficient of a coefficient). anyway. the higher the number, the more stable the bullet will fly. More stability translates to better downrange performance, less bullet drop, more energy downrange.
Everything I read, it seems like the 30 caliber is has the most options in weight. and the .308 cartridge is one of the optimal designs when you start looking at the amount of powder burned to produce the velocity.
That said, alot of times when most people start talking velocity, the difference in two cartridges may only be a couple hundred feet per second.
The .25-06 with a 120 gr flat based bullet .394 BC is 2963 ft/sec with 50.5 gr of IMR 4350 powder.
the .270 with a 130 gr boat tail bullet .436 BC is 3032 ft/sec with 54.5 gr of IMR 4350 powder.
The .270 (with the same powder) will put a heavier bullet down range faster with about 8% more powder (read a bit more recoil)

The 7mm Rem Mag I shoot will get a 120gr flat based bullet .365BC moving at 3300 ft/sec with 61.5 gr of IMR 4064 powder.

[IAhunter87]

thats if ur shooting at a buck but u cant shoot bucks during the rifle season unless they have dropped there antlers. Ok then somebody explain to me why a 270 is better then a 25-06 besides heavier bullets.

[IAhunter87]

Next ? front what does increasing the powder charge do for a 25-06 would it achieve the same fps and dowrange energy

[annabelle]

Next ? front what does increasing the powder charge do for a 25-06 would it achieve the same fps and dowrange energy

You will get into some stability and accuracy issues if you try to push the .25-06 too fast. If you can call, you won't need anything but a 12 ga. for yotes anyway.

[annabelle]

thats if ur shooting at a buck but u cant shoot bucks during the rifle season unless they have dropped there antlers. Ok then somebody explain to me why a 270 is better then a 25-06 besides heavier bullets.

What does it matter if they have antlers.......you want a one shot clean kill.

[Fronty Owner]

thats if ur shooting at a buck but u cant shoot bucks during the rifle season unless they have dropped there antlers. Ok then somebody explain to me why a 270 is better then a 25-06 besides heavier bullets.the .270 being better by giving you a heavier bullet that is going to retain more mass. small, high velocity rounds are designed to fragment quickly in a light skinned target.

Next ? front what does increasing the powder charge do for a 25-06 would it achieve the same fps and dowrange energy
since I listed the max recommended charge, you risk over pressuring your rifle.

A little more powder may induce an instability.

[IAhunter87]

ok well thanx u guys i believe i may go with the 270 since i can also buy ammuntition over the counter around here and i haven't seen a single box of 25-06 ammo in any sporting goods store

[Fronty Owner]

I think the .270 is a fine choice.
Since this is your first rifle, you're making compromises. When you figure out its weaknesses in what you do the most, you'll buy another rifle that will be a bit more specialized.