Need help deciding on a new rifle/ caliber

[Joe.scribbz17]

Hey everyone! This is my first post on here and I'm looking for some advice. I have been using my grandfathers marlin 30/30 for hunting since I was a kid, but the rifle has seen some better days and I made the decision to get a new rifle and only use the marlin occasion/ for plinking. The calibers I was mainly looking at were .243, 25-06, .257 wby. I originally intended to get a larger caliber but truthfully fell in love with the "smaller" calibers. I mainly hunt white tails and black bear but intend to go out west in the future. I'm having a hard time deciding especially because it's difficult to find rifles chambered in 25-06 and .257 wby. Now with the 25 rpm coming out that is also a contender for obv reasons. Just looking for anyone's input thank you !

 

[ReddingArcher]

Tikka with a 8 twist barrel and call it a day. I’m loving mine, it’s a ton of fun to shoot. Although I have a savage in 25-06 and that thing shoots better than it should for a $350 dollar gun.

 

[MuleyFever]

I would not get a Wby unless you reload. The key to being proficient with any tool is practice. How much are you going to practice when you have to buy Wby ammo? I went with a 25 CM on a Tikka action and am really liking it.

I would get a 6CM over a 243.

 

[nuffgun]

Just get the .243 and be done with it. There is not a critter that walks in the west that can’t be taken with a .243. The 25-06 is dying a slow death and proprietary cartridges are expensive and overrated.

 

[Steve300xcw]

243 or a creedmoor is all you need

 

[BishBeCool]

From what you asked, 243. But the right 243. Like stated above a tikka T3x superlite 20” barrel 1:8 twist would be they way. I do have one and don’t think you’d be disappointed. 25-06 has my heart though dude. 243 would be the practical answer though. Either cartridge paired with the right bullet and you’re good to go.

 

[TheGDog]

If you're considering .243 Win..... Today? Might as well go for the 6mm Creed that replaces it, since it can take the longer High B.C. bullets.

6.5 Creed is nice and light on the shoulder as well! Much more popular that 6mm Creed. (Measn easier to find ammo for it) And has a little more oomph than either of those 2, since heavier projectiles. Think of it sort of as a "de-tuned" .270 Win.

But heck, since you say you like smaller calibers, you should also research the 22 Creed and maybe even the .22 ARC/6mm ARC.

Any of them will work on Med. Game with appropriate ammo.

 

[WormSportsman]

Some of my favorite rifles are my .25-06 and 25creed. If you don’t reload, the 25 creed 128ELDX and 134ELDM are a perfect pairing and shot great out of mine.

 

[Thebigbaby]

.243

 

[ResearchinStuff]

folks that don't reload should buy a 223, then a 6.5 Creed, and then a 308, in that order. 243 factory ammo options are uninspiring, 25/06 is worse, and weatherby ammo is expensive + hard to find. The three I listed have the most widely available high quality factory ammo.

 

[Treeman_MG]

folks that don't reload should buy a 223, then a 6.5 Creed, and then a 308, in that order. 243 factory ammo options are uninspiring, 25/06 is worse, and weatherby ammo is expensive + hard to find. The three I listed have the most widely available high quality factory ammo.

As much as I have a a bit of a soft spot for the .25/06, this is solid advice!

 

[fshaw]

If you're considering .243 Win..... Today? Might as well go for the 6mm Creed that replaces it, since it can take the longer High B.C. bullets.

6.5 Creed is nice and light on the shoulder as well! Much more popular that 6mm Creed. (Measn easier to find ammo for it) And has a little more oomph than either of those 2, since heavier projectiles. Think of it sort of as a "de-tuned" .270 Win.

But heck, since you say you like smaller calibers, you should also research the 22 Creed and maybe even the .22 ARC/6mm ARC.

Any of them will work on Med. Game with appropriate ammo.

The 6 Creed takes longer high BC bullets than an 8 twist 243?

 

[DangerRanger]

The 6 Creed takes longer high BC bullets than an 8 twist 243?

I’ve found most that say this are using factory ammo and while their wording isn’t correct because it’s too all encompassing the point is valid. (No high BC match factory ammo in 243)

 

[Treeman_MG]

I’ve found most that say this are using factory ammo and while their wording isn’t correct because it’s too all encompassing the point is valid. (No high BC match factory ammo in 243)

There is some custom loaded options for 243/high b.c. match bullets, such as UM. But yeah, better if you reload

 

[DangerRanger]

There is some custom loaded options for 243/high b.c. match bullets, such as UM. But yeah, better if you reload

There are!

But for most they go against the basic concept of small caliber trend here, to get people to shoot more. The insane prices and roadblocks to getting it likely mean people practice less

I’ve been moving away from reloading due simplify my life and looked at this option but it’s just so pricey

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Hey everyone! This is my first post on here and I'm looking for some advice. I have been using my grandfathers marlin 30/30 for hunting since I was a kid, but the rifle has seen some better days and I made the decision to get a new rifle and only use the marlin occasion/ for plinking. The calibers I was mainly looking at were .243, 25-06, .257 wby. I originally intended to get a larger caliber but truthfully fell in love with the "smaller" calibers. I mainly hunt white tails and black bear but intend to go out west in the future. I'm having a hard time deciding especially because it's difficult to find rifles chambered in 25-06 and .257 wby. Now with the 25 rpm coming out that is also a contender for obv reasons. Just looking for anyone's input thank you !

I love my .243 and my .25-06. I’d happily take them out for any North American big game.

If I was you, I would get a Tikka in .243 with a 1:8” twist. You should be able to get a stainless, threaded 20” 1:8” twist rifle for between $800-900. Yes, factory ammo that takes full advantage of the faster twist is not very common right now, but it’s still going to shoot 95- or 100-grain factory ammo really well. American Whitetail 100-grain factory ammo will happily deal with any deer or black bear on this continent. And, if you load your own, you could easily use a heavier match bullet or a Partition on elk.

Or, if you want, you could find a .25-06 (or any long action rifle) and put a new 1:8” twist barrel in it. I had Douglas put a new barrel on my old FN Mauser action. It shoots the 117-grain factory ammo lights out. Once I feel like reloading for it, I have the option to make my own heavy match ammo. But the cheaper option is to just get a Tikka.

If you want to be an individual and my hero, you could buy my .257 Roberts.