i had first thought of getting a 25-06, but as a kid i read stories about the 257 Wby and wanted to fill my ambition to get one, the 25-06 has a little less powder capacity but better barrel life. A friend of mine has a Sako Finnbear Deluxe 25-06, 24" barrel. and iv seen him shoot 1/2" groups with it, i think hes load is 52 gr RL 17 and 100 gr BT for 3300 good luck post your results.