25-06 or 270?

[McKinneyMike]

As it is has been popular for years and is becoming a standard in many manufacturers limited lineups of available calibers in off the shelf rifles, I think that its continued popularity and usefulness are self evident. No other caliber fits so many different needs quite like the 25-06, in just one caliber.

Depending upon ones needs, for a hunting round, I still favorite it on all but the largest of NA game animals. I love the 243, but for myself, never saw the attraction to the 270 or the 30-06 for most NA game animals short of elk and moose. Too much recoil. With a quality muzzle brake I can watch my shots on small critters past 300 yds pretty easily with the 25-06. I do see that the limiting factor for long range shooters is the lack of quality BC bullets. Hopefully some manufacturer will address this and open the caliber to greater use.

I think that it is great that the quarter bores are enjoying a resurgence in popularity as a hunting round. IMHO it is due to the versatility and all around performance of this classic wildcat There are no bad cartridges among the ones being discussed, but to me personally, the 25-06 is the cat's meow.

 

[cliffy]

.243 Winchester never faded away, as did the quarterbores. 6mm fare remained viable worldwide seemingly forever. Aside from B.C. problems the .25s remain quite potent. Glad to see the resergence of .257 caliber re-emerging through the cracks. 6.5mm is gaining a solid come-back. .284 caliber is the true master with 7mm Magnum calibers dominating the pack. .30 caliber is a philosopy most dedicated to magazine readers and Elk hunters, yet current 7mm fare dominates .30 caliber fare due to superior powders available. What a battle, and I love it. A .243 Winchester can utilize MANY super powders. Hodgdon H4350 powder can be used as a beast-stopper propellant regarding many caliber applications. Alliant RL-22 really can be a super powder regarding .243 Winchester through Brown Bear killing magnum loads. A .270 Winchester will never fade away, since it is among the best of the best: .243 Winchester, .257 Roberts, .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .30/06 Springfield, .375 H&H Magnum, and .416 Rigby. These are forever calibers, with many newbies attempting to steal their thunder. Some newbies will survive, while most will fade into history. The .222 Remington Magnum never stood a chance against the .223 Remington, and so the caliber battle goes on. I find it strange that a .22 Hornet has garnered new following, yet if it works well, it stays alive. We, shooters are a fickle bunch. Cliffy

 

[MOO1072]

My pick would be the .270. An absolute classic and the legal minimum if you ever intend on hunting Sambar deer.

 

[Dallas Jack]

New to forum, just my opinion.

25-06 Remington vs .270 Winchester? Good question. For everything with fur from Coyote to Elk I would choose the .270. For everything from varmints to Black Bear I like the 25-06 although some do use the 25-06 on Elk. I would pass on the Elk.

The 25-06 and .270 are very simular but I give the edge to the 25-06 on the small side and the .270 on the large side.

My personal preference is the 25-06 but I wouldn't turn down a good .270.
Dallas Jack

 

[1000yardstare]

Too bad the .257 Roberts has been lost in all this. I suppose the .25 caliber is a North American phenom but the Roberts is still one of the best. More efficient than the .25-06, longer barrel life and fits in a short action. Available in the Ruger Hawkeye.

I have owned three Roberts and loved them all. Next project is a .257 AI.

 

[jraney]

wow so many of my questions were answered without me even asking. great topic.

 

[Rem06]

Too bad the .257 Roberts has been lost in all this.

too bad indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
it has been replaced by the 6.5x47lapua!
match grade accuracy with super high BC with plenty of bullet weight(130-140) to put the hammer down! oh yeah,did i mention barrel life?

 

[wapiti25]

I think you should have one of each. You could have one rifle and do a switch barrel for both cals. My self, I NEED one of all calibers then I can have an opinon on everything. My $.02

 

[ar15topgun]

.257 Roberts AI is all you need. Choose the bullet to match your game and the rest is up to you. I have been using the same Win. 70 Featherweight for over 25yrs. and have no desire to change. It hasn't let me down yet and it never will.

 

[1000yardstare]

topgun, thought I was a voice in the wilderness. You are indeed a man of wisdom.

My plan is to buy another Ruger Hawkeye in .257 Roberts and have it rechambered to the AI version before I start shooting it. Get a set of Redding F/L bushing dies and lead a life of bliss.