25-06 or 7-08

[rwk]

Help me decide the gun will be for my grandson, hes 17 but on the thin side none of his shots would be more than 175 to 200 yards.

 

[shoot4fun]

You don't specify the purpose but my vote always goes to 7-08. There are enough bullet choices for just about any task and my 30 years of experience hunting with the caliber have always given me confidence in that DRT one-shot kill harvest.
I don't know why you are deciding between the two you listed but if anything else could be inserted into the conversation it would be the 6.5 Creedmoor. It's been gaining confidence in my eyes ever since I first hated with one about 3 years ago. A few pigs, an Axis Deer and several whitetails have been taken and the internal damage is impressive.

 

[piute]

I have ‘em both for my youngsters! Flip a coin they’re both great! Oh the 257 Roberts is A+!

 

[hogpatrol]

7-08, better selection of bullets.

 

[rwk]

You don't specify the purpose but my vote always goes to 7-08. There are enough bullet choices for just about any task and my 30 years of experience hunting with the caliber have always given me confidence in that DRT one-shot kill harvest.
I don't know why you are deciding between the two you listed but if anything else could be inserted into the conversation it would be the 6.5 Creedmoor. It's been gaining confidence in my eyes ever since I first hated with one about 3 years ago. A few pigs, an Axis Deer and several whitetails have been taken and the internal damage is impressive.

Deer

 

[mikeinct]

Split the diff...For a hunting rifle, get the kid a 260 Rem..mike in ct

 

[1slingshot]

7-08 is a bad gun shoot 139 gr bullet and sharpen your blade

 

[yotehater]

Really either is good. It's more of a long action vs short action decision. The 260 would probably be easier on his shoulder.

 

[hogpatrol]

6.5 Creedmoor

 

[Lone Hunter]

I've had both. They both work very well. You can get ammo almost anywhere for both. The 7/08 has a better selection of bullets. If just shooting deer I would get the rifle I like the best and of course the best price too. At your ranges either one will work very well.

 

[joed49]

.25-06 fan here for 39 years. It's a great hunting cartridge shooting projectiles from 75 gr to 120 gr. Doesn't kick like a mule either. I've used mine for hunting groundhogs, deer and even bear. It's really a versatile cartridge. It won't beat him up when he shoots it and the trajectory is very flat.

When I bought my rifle I had the choice of .25-06 or 7-08mm. I picked the .25 because it was also suitable for varmint hunting which a group of us did in the summer. I've never regretted the decision.

Long action, short action? What does 1/2" matter? I own both and don't give either preference.

All are great choices no matter which one you pick though.

 

[mmcu]

Both are good choices, but I'd go with the 7mm-08.

 

[STOMP442]

I vote for the .25-06. If you are worried about recoil the 7mm-08 still packs plenty. I have put plenty of brakes on 7-08s because the kids still don't like shooting them. The only brake I have ever put on a .25-06 is because the client thought they look "cool". There is nothing wrong with the 7-08 its a fine cartridge and works well but it just doesn't do it for me. The .25-06 however, brings a smile to my face everytime I handle one. Load that thing with 115gr Bergers at 3100fps and kill deer or anything else you want with ease and very little recoil.

 

[Larryh128]

I vote for the .25-06. If you are worried about recoil the 7mm-08 still packs plenty. I have put plenty of brakes on 7-08s because the kids still don't like shooting them. The only brake I have ever put on a .25-06 is because the client thought they look "cool". There is nothing wrong with the 7-08 its a fine cartridge and works well but it just doesn't do it for me. The .25-06 however, brings a smile to my face everytime I handle one. Load that thing with 115gr Bergers at 3100fps and kill deer or anything else you want with ease and very little recoil.

+1 25-06 is just a great deer killer.

 

[Beruisis]

25-06 is going to generate a little recoil for the little fellow. I favored the 25-06 & 257 WM for many years but anymore I'm real comfortable with my 7x57; identical to 7-08. Better bullet selection with the 7mms.

 

[scope eye]

25-06 gets my vote.

Dean

 

[timeout]

25-06 Shoot 75 Vmax at varmints and 115 Berger's for whitetail. He will love it!

 

[DirtySteve]

7-08.. From the ones you posted. I would say 243 or ummm 6.5.....X47... Could not say Creedmoor. If they have factory ammo for a 6X47 Lapua.. That would be the cats meow right there..

 

[jamesh]

Of your two choices I'd pick the 7-08 but I think the 6.5 Creedmoor would be a better choice than either. I have all three well actually the 7-08 is my wife's. The 6.5 Creedmoor is my go to gun.

 

[HTSmith]

Split the diff...For a hunting rifle, get the kid a 260 Rem..mike in ct

This. If you are fixed on your two choices then I'd go 7/08.