jbseamus83
Well-known member
I was looking at both of these, as well as the .280 Remington. I chose to go with the 7mm-08. It just seemed perfect for about everything that I would be using it for. I can load it down for my son as he is getting ready to hunt, I can load it for medium sized deer, and with heavier bullets take elk-sized game as well. I know you said you don't hand load, so I won't give you the info I have found on that, but I know both Nosler and Hornady make excellent ammunition that shoots very well in this caliber. The .25-06 is a great round though!Planning for my first big game rifle. My current choice is a Weatherby vanguard with a luepold 3xi 3.5-10 cds. I'll be hunting here in California so the majority of my hunting will be rolling foothills and some mountains going after deer and hogs mainly with the chance at black bears as well. Distances would be 100-400 yards.
I've settled between the 7mm-08 and 25-06. 6.5cm is a close third but it's on the sideline for now. I understand 7mm-08 has a bit more energy and is capable of heavier bullets if I went after bigger critters but the 25-06 looks to be a lot more efficient and flatter shooting. I can only hunt lead free and when comparing lead free options the 25-06 is actually very close if not dead even to the 7mm-08 when you get to the 300-400 yard range looking at energy. I know both are capable rounds and shot placement is most important, but it'll probably be my go to big game rifle for the next few years before I move to another state or start hunting out of state when elk is an option.
I don't hand load at this time so I'm stuck with barnes, nosler and Hornady lead free options.
Any opinions or experiences with these would be helpful.