243 vs. 25-06

[psustang89]

I'm getting frustrated and can't make a decision. I'm trying to decide on a caliber for benchrest and varmint shooting. I want it to be capable out past 500 yds. The two I keep coming back to are the .243 and .25-06. Keep in mind, I'm a beginner when it comes to precision shooting. This would be a rifle for me to learn and grow with. Well, let me have it. Thanks!

 

[ReedG]

I personally don't consider the .243 or the .25-06 as having a reputation for "benchrest" class shooting. Both are excellent varmint calibers and some people have had good results with the .243 and .243 Ackley Improved, which I think is rough on barrels.

If I were starting from scratch and wanted to shoot long range target and varmint I would give the 6.5x47 and 6x47 a serious look. The Lapua brass is the best there is.

A longtime popular long range caliber is the 6.5 or 6x284 -- either one hard to beat for competition but not used much for varminting that I know of.

On the low end, the 22BR and 6BR,and their improved versions) are a good choice when set up with a twist and chamber for heavy bullets. For an all-around sometime target, sometime varmint rifle, the 6BR is hard to beat. Light recoil, tremendous accuracy, lots of data, good brass, many bullet choices not too expensive to shoot so you can shoot it a lot.

 

[Hammer]

If you're a beginner then there is merit in starting with a factory available cartridge like the 243 Win or 25-06 Rem.

The 243 has a better selection of accuracy or match bullets available if you get into reloading.

 

[psustang89]

I'll definitely be reloading.

I was leaning toward a factory cartridge to keep the cost of the gun down.

 

[sewwhat89]

The .25-06 will do everything the .243 will do at a higher velocity. These are two of my favorite rounds. You will have a better selection of high bc/match bullets for the .243. I would go with the .243 to start with. Get a box of 105 AMAX and don't look back. For short range stuff, 87 gr VMAX and 88 gr Bergers work great for me up to 33xx fps with great accuracy.

 

[Rust]

Due to the lack of premium brass and match grade bullets for the 25-06, the .243 wins by default. Nothing wrong with the 25-06 in regards to hunting and varminting, but if you are looking to accuracy first, of the two the .243 wins.

It's a matter of looking to the ranges you want to shoot at, picking a bullet and matching the barrel twist to suit.

 

[Hammer]

If memory serves me, David Tubb won one of his many national championships with a 243 Winchester.

More recently he developed his 6XC.

 

[psustang89]

Seems that the .243 is favored over the .25-06. I was 60/40 favoring the .243 so it looks like my next dilema is factory or semi-custom.

This could be my first custom rifle, but can I do it within my price range? I'd like to keep the rifle as close to $1K as possible to leave money for the optics. I've read about guys buying 700's, parting them out, and then customizing the barrel and stock with some work on the action. Some claim to do this for under $900. Is this realistic? Would this be the best way to go? Keep in mind I'm a beginner. I want to make sure I truely have the bug before I remortgage the house. Thanks for the opinions.

Of course, if I'm going custom would I be better off going to a 6BR? So much to think about...

 

[Hanic]

FWIW,

I recently did a semi custom with a Savage LRPV action, SSS stock and Pacnor barrel. I chose 6mm br for the inherent accuracy, availability of Lapua brass, and vast selection of bullets, powder and load info. The total cost was about $1000 w/o scope. After shooting about 50 rounds, my best group is about 3/4" at 100yds. Not as good as I want, but I have more refining to do. The action is great, the accu trigger was factory set at about 1/2#,I don't have a gauge, but this seems right). The stock fit is excellent. The barrel seems ok, like I said I'm looking for better accuracy. The big advantage is the ability to switch barrels to a different caliber if for some reason you want to move beyond your original choice. Hope this helps. Hank

 

[psustang89]

Hank, what did your gunsmith costs end up being for your build?

 

[Hanic]

There wasn't any gunsmithing costs. The Newer Savages are set up for barrel change by the owner. You screw the barrel, with its lock nut threaded on, into the action. Using a go-gage, you screw in the barrel to get proper head space, and secure the set up with the lock nut. Its a little more complex than I have stated it, but its not hard. I did have to buy a lock nut wrench for about $30? from Midway. And yes it seemed a little scary when you realize your adjusting a system that is going to generate 50,000+ psi while you are standing one foot from the action. But I read how many of the people on this and the Savage Shooters Sight did this and finally took the plunge when I felt I had read enough info. I only have 1 action, 1 barrel, and 1 stock, but more will come. Hank

 

[SamLS]

1st go to a BR match and see if you like the game and see what it takes to be competitive. Find the top shooter and introduce yourself. I met Dwight Scott in Holton and the experience was enlightening. I realized I don't have the patience at this point in my life for that game and I much prefer hunting or highpower shooting. I will go into benchrest at a later date and it takes money, time and real dedication to be competitive. I'm sure some Br competitors will share their average budget for a year. Having owned the 25-06 and 243 I'll say this the 25-06 kills better than the 243 especially deer sized game and has better red mist effect on varmints. Factory chambered rifles in those calibers can frustrate the game right out of you. They typically won't have the right twist for the bullet you want to shoot especially the 243 and VLD bullets. Unless you know of an 8 twist 243 factory rifle your better choice is the 25-06 just between those two. My recommendation however is a 308Win, I learned more shooting it than any other rifle I own, you have alot of choices in factory match ammo, bullets and barrel life aren't an issue. There are alot of good factory rifles under a grand in that caliber that shoot well. I bet more folks here have a 308 than any other caliber so thats my recommendation where to start.

 

[psustang89]

Thanks for the input Sam. That's the first vote I've had for the 25-06. I already have a large game rifle in my 30-06. I really didn't want to get another .30. That's why I'm leaning toward the smaller calibers, to double as a 60% varmint gun 40% br gun. The only "competitions" I'd be shooting in would be at the small local gun clubs I belong to, nothing major. I'm pretty confident I could keep my budget to a minimum after the initial expenses.