What caliber to buy: Opinions Please - The Firearms Forum

Red84 · 05-14-2009, 09:23 PM

Hey everybody, I know these kind of questions get asked all the time, yet I feel the need to because I am at a stand-still in my decision for a new rifle. I will mainly be using it for whitetails, I have three I am looking at, a 7mm Mag, 25-06, or a 7mm-08. There is also a possibility I might be leaning towards a multi-function rifle, for varmints too, but I have a 22-250 for that, so who knows. I know these calibers are totally different ends of the spectrum, but thats why I asked on here, I know I will get good info. Thanks

OBrien · 05-14-2009, 11:33 PM

Do you have moose hunting in Michigan? If so or you think you might get the chance I would recommend the 7mm Mag. If its only whitetail and smaller the 7mm-08 is plenty and more than likely more affordable on the ammo if you like to put more than a box a year through it. Personally not a fan of the 25-06 for deer but it will work I just remember a little lost meat is worth a lot of dragging...especially where I tend to hunt lol.

pkcgbifaid · 05-15-2009, 07:06 AM

If you truly think you may use the rifle as a sometime varmint rig, you can work up some nice loads in 25-06 with the Nosler 85 grain ballistic tips. Very explosive on prairie dogs.

USMC-03 · 05-15-2009, 07:17 AM

Take a look at the 6.5-08 (.260 Rem. these days) or the 6.5x55 Swede. I think they are two of the finest rounds for either deer sized game or target work out there.

bluesea112 · 06-01-2009, 12:02 PM

Since you have a 22-250 for varmint hunting, I would choose the 7mm Mag. The 7mm Mag is sufficient for all North American game, including moose and bear. It is a very flat shooting cartridge when loaded with lighter bullets for whitetail, and if you ever hunt a heavier animal the only expense will be the range fee to sight in a heavier load......much cheaper than having to buy a 3rd rifle.
If you know for a fact that you will never hunt anything larger than a whitetail or mule deer, then I would go with USMC's suggestion and buy a .260. The .260 has some very impressive ballistics.

Suwannee Tim · 06-02-2009, 09:17 PM

Of the three, the 7mm-08 is absolutely the best choice for an all around deer rifle. My first scoped rifle was a 300 magnum which I soon regretted. I soon got a 30-06 which was much more practical. I still have the 300 and shoot it but the '06 gets a lot more use. The point is, if you are only going to have one deer rifle it should not be a magnum. Heavy recoil and expensive ammo. I think the 25-06 is a bit light for general purpose deer but it would work. I'm a believer in shooting your guns and you will get a lot more pleasure out of the 7mm-08 and shoot it more than a magnum. The 7mm-08 is adequate for mooses, at least the little mooses you have in Michigan. For the giant Florida mooses, I use a 375 RUM.

techoca · 06-03-2009, 07:22 AM

.270 Winchester

Tony22-250 · 06-03-2009, 01:12 PM

I had a winchester model 70 in 7mm rem mag and it was a wonderful round. I recommend the 7mm rem mag just for sheer versatility and knock down power! But personally i would rather have a 300 win mag just for the little extra ballistic performance.

Lotsdragon · 06-03-2009, 01:57 PM

30-06,,,,just saying

GMFWoodchuck · 06-03-2009, 03:23 PM

I'm not sure how much it matters. They all are good multi-purpose rounds. There are varmint bullets for the 7's. I'm sure a prairie dog at 200-300 yards would all but completely disappear at the hands of a 7mm rem. mag. But, I guess the same would happen with the 7mm-08 as well. The 25-06 is a little light for big game perhaps, however, an awful lot of people love the 25's for deer and antelope. And the 25-06 is king of the 25's. I would say go with one of the 7's anyway, only because you already have the 22-250, and the 7mm would be a bit better for the bigger meaner game like bear and moose if you plan on those. But since you pointed out the 7mm-08 and the 7mm rem mag, you might be well advised and very happy with a .280 rem.

Eh, like I've said before in other posts. Go with the gun you think is prettiest and holds the nicest for you. The caliber, as long as it's within reason, is pretty much secondary. In all reality any caliber ranging from the .243's all the way to the .338 mags are going to be good for deer and be more than capable. Some may be a bit light or heavy, but well placed shots cure an awful lot of problems.

Suwannee Tim · 06-03-2009, 03:24 PM

Just to expand on my previous post, it is very important to be able to shoot your rifle well. You are much better off with a non-magnum you can shoot well than a magnum you cannot shoot well. You will have a very difficult time mastering a magnum without getting a lot of practice with a non-magnum first. Difficult is optimistic, impossible is more likely. Here I am speaking from experience, both personal and people I have personally known and many people I have observed at the range. If you are looking to impress folks, like I was when I bought my 300 mag, get a magnum. If you want to kill deer, get a non-magnum. I'm all for powerful rifles, I have a 300 Win mag, a 375 RUM, a 458 and a 460 and they have their place. For a first rifle, no way. Get a medium bore, non-magnum, 25-06 through 30-06, or anything in between, 270, 280, 7mm-08, even 338 Fedreal or whatever you prefer. When you do get a magnum, get something that has no belt repeat, NO BELT. The belt was designed by H&H to headspace their highly tapered 300 and 375 magnums. It is unnecessary and a disadvantage in a cartridge of modern design. There are several non-belted medium bore magnums available, if I did not have a big investment in the 300 Win mag I would be shooting one of them.

USMC-03 · 06-03-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suwannee Tim

Just to expand on my previous post, it is very important to be able to shoot your rifle well. You are much better off with a non-magnum you can shoot well than a magnum you cannot shoot well.

A-1 dead on correct. I'll also throw out a couple of other great and often overlooked deer rounds; the .257 Roberts and the 7mm Mauser.

Suwannee Tim · 06-03-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMC-03

A-1 dead on correct. I'll also throw out a couple of other great and often overlooked deer rounds; the .257 Roberts and the 7mm Mauser.

I was going to mention the 7mm Mauser but I didn't want to steal USMC's thunder.

USMC-03 · 06-04-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suwannee Tim

I was going to mention the 7mm Mauser but I didn't want to steal USMC's thunder.

You're too kind Tim...

jacksonco · 06-04-2009, 08:49 AM

I believe that you will find the 7mm-08 to be more than adequate for your needs. It is the round I would choose from the options that you listed.

Suwannee Tim · 06-04-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksonco

I believe that you will find the 7mm-08 to be more than adequate for your needs. It is the round I would choose from the options that you listed.

Amen.

Teejay9 · 06-04-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotsdragon

30-06,,,,just saying

Yep. If it doesn't go down with that, you need something with wheels

. TJ

Lotsdragon · 06-04-2009, 05:07 PM

Well the thing about the '06 is you can use it for about anything really specially if you reload, I can make 68 grn sabot's to 220 grn blasters............

Suwannee Tim · 06-04-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotsdragon

Well the thing about the '06 is you can use it for about anything really specially if you reload, I can make 68 grn sabot's to 220 grn blasters............

The 'ol '06 is my main-most caliber and you can't beat it for versatility. I can't remember the details but I used to have some 250 grain boolits which I loaded and shot and they worked just fine. I have some Remington Accelerator loads, 55 grain boolit. I have some old Hornady steel, yes, steel, magnet sticks to it, 220 grain round-nose boolits that are suitable for dangerous game such as elephant, they don't make them anymore. I have shot squirrels with cast boolits and backyard plinking load with 2 grains Bullseye and a Speer 100 grain half-jacket, shoots about 700 fps and deadly on loose dogs if you hit them up side the head but you didn't hear it from me.

johnlives4christ · 06-04-2009, 08:51 PM

id go 7mm mag... i had a remington in that caliber and it was a nice gun. the others i dont have any experiance with, but from the situation you propose, i'd say it would be the best choice since it would bring down a deer well, and moose and bear

dark_falcon27 · 06-04-2009, 10:11 PM

+1 for the .270 winchester.

DKA · 06-07-2009, 07:53 AM

I have all 3 that you named and like them all. 7MM Rem Mag is very hard to beat but that depends on your hunting terrain. The 25 06 is very accurate and flat shooting. I use 115 gr Ballistic Tips for the 25 06 and use it a lot, but also have a 7mm 08 and like it as well, very accurate, does not have the rang of the 7mm Mag, but it is adequate. I use 140 Gr Ballistic tips and can afford to shoot it more than the others. I have not told you a lot, but to sum it up, think that you will be happy with any, one of the 3. Any one of them can also be a varmint gun, after all dead is dead.

retired grunt · 06-07-2009, 01:58 PM

7x57 the 7 mm mauser is ideal

Pistolenschutze · 06-07-2009, 09:58 PM

I guess I'm just old fashioned.

I would get either a .30-06 or a .308. With either of those you're covered for just about anything in North America by simply varying your bullet weights and designs.

Red84 · 06-08-2009, 01:25 AM

Well, I have made up my mind, finally. I found two guns that I had always wanted. The first was a Stevens 25-06, nothing special, but I have that same gun in a 22-250 and it shoots fantastic for the money. I found one used, misplaced in the rimfire section of the local gun shop

Got if for $250, great condition. The same shop still has Core-lokt for $16.99

, so I had to buy some of those too for brass. The second I found while on an anniversary trip with the Mrs. and she talked me into what I think is a great deal. It is a barely used Savage 111 .270 with detachable magazine for $315. I figured I had to, and that the 7mm or 30-06 would have to wait. Thank you guys for all of your input though, that is just what I was looking for.

05-14-2009, 09:23 PM	#1
Red84 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 75	What caliber to buy: Opinions Please Hey everybody, I know these kind of questions get asked all the time, yet I feel the need to because I am at a stand-still in my decision for a new rifle. I will mainly be using it for whitetails, I have three I am looking at, a 7mm Mag, 25-06, or a 7mm-08. There is also a possibility I might be leaning towards a multi-function rifle, for varmints too, but I have a 22-250 for that, so who knows. I know these calibers are totally different ends of the spectrum, but thats why I asked on here, I know I will get good info. Thanks __________________ "Live Free or Die" -->

05-14-2009, 11:33 PM	#2
OBrien Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bangor Maine Posts: 554	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please Do you have moose hunting in Michigan? If so or you think you might get the chance I would recommend the 7mm Mag. If its only whitetail and smaller the 7mm-08 is plenty and more than likely more affordable on the ammo if you like to put more than a box a year through it. Personally not a fan of the 25-06 for deer but it will work I just remember a little lost meat is worth a lot of dragging...especially where I tend to hunt lol.

05-15-2009, 07:06 AM	#3
pkcgbifaid V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Charleston, WV Contributor Posts: 490	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please If you truly think you may use the rifle as a sometime varmint rig, you can work up some nice loads in 25-06 with the Nosler 85 grain ballistic tips. Very explosive on prairie dogs. __________________ "...As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body, and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks." Thomas Jefferson

05-15-2009, 07:17 AM	#4
USMC-03 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of the Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,825	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please Take a look at the 6.5-08 (.260 Rem. these days) or the 6.5x55 Swede. I think they are two of the finest rounds for either deer sized game or target work out there. __________________ Let not the rifles of good and free men be reforged into plowshares, but may they rest in a place of honor; ready, well oiled and God willing unused. For if the price of peace becomes licking the boots of tyrants, then "To Arms!" I say, and may the fortunes of war smile upon patriots. - Fortes Fortuna Javat -

06-01-2009, 12:02 PM	#5
bluesea112 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: West, TX Contributor Posts: 1,257	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please Since you have a 22-250 for varmint hunting, I would choose the 7mm Mag. The 7mm Mag is sufficient for all North American game, including moose and bear. It is a very flat shooting cartridge when loaded with lighter bullets for whitetail, and if you ever hunt a heavier animal the only expense will be the range fee to sight in a heavier load......much cheaper than having to buy a 3rd rifle. If you know for a fact that you will never hunt anything larger than a whitetail or mule deer, then I would go with USMC's suggestion and buy a .260. The .260 has some very impressive ballistics.

06-02-2009, 09:17 PM	#6
Suwannee Tim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,227	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please Of the three, the 7mm-08 is absolutely the best choice for an all around deer rifle. My first scoped rifle was a 300 magnum which I soon regretted. I soon got a 30-06 which was much more practical. I still have the 300 and shoot it but the '06 gets a lot more use. The point is, if you are only going to have one deer rifle it should not be a magnum. Heavy recoil and expensive ammo. I think the 25-06 is a bit light for general purpose deer but it would work. I'm a believer in shooting your guns and you will get a lot more pleasure out of the 7mm-08 and shoot it more than a magnum. The 7mm-08 is adequate for mooses, at least the little mooses you have in Michigan. For the giant Florida mooses, I use a 375 RUM. Last edited by Suwannee Tim; 06-02-2009 at 09:20 PM..

06-03-2009, 07:22 AM	#7
techoca V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 329	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please .270 Winchester

06-03-2009, 01:12 PM	#8
Tony22-250 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 1,146	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please I had a winchester model 70 in 7mm rem mag and it was a wonderful round. I recommend the 7mm rem mag just for sheer versatility and knock down power! But personally i would rather have a 300 win mag just for the little extra ballistic performance. __________________ Bullets change governments far surer than votes. The most powerful weapon you can buy isn't a .50 caliber. It's a Senate Seat.... "When injustice becomes law, then resistance becomes duty." Thomas Jefferson

06-03-2009, 01:57 PM	#9
Lotsdragon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Potosi, Mo Posts: 813	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please 30-06,,,,just saying

06-03-2009, 03:23 PM	#10
GMFWoodchuck Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 1,369	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please I'm not sure how much it matters. They all are good multi-purpose rounds. There are varmint bullets for the 7's. I'm sure a prairie dog at 200-300 yards would all but completely disappear at the hands of a 7mm rem. mag. But, I guess the same would happen with the 7mm-08 as well. The 25-06 is a little light for big game perhaps, however, an awful lot of people love the 25's for deer and antelope. And the 25-06 is king of the 25's. I would say go with one of the 7's anyway, only because you already have the 22-250, and the 7mm would be a bit better for the bigger meaner game like bear and moose if you plan on those. But since you pointed out the 7mm-08 and the 7mm rem mag, you might be well advised and very happy with a .280 rem. Eh, like I've said before in other posts. Go with the gun you think is prettiest and holds the nicest for you. The caliber, as long as it's within reason, is pretty much secondary. In all reality any caliber ranging from the .243's all the way to the .338 mags are going to be good for deer and be more than capable. Some may be a bit light or heavy, but well placed shots cure an awful lot of problems. Last edited by GMFWoodchuck; 06-03-2009 at 03:30 PM..

06-03-2009, 03:24 PM	#11
Suwannee Tim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,227	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please Just to expand on my previous post, it is very important to be able to shoot your rifle well. You are much better off with a non-magnum you can shoot well than a magnum you cannot shoot well. You will have a very difficult time mastering a magnum without getting a lot of practice with a non-magnum first. Difficult is optimistic, impossible is more likely. Here I am speaking from experience, both personal and people I have personally known and many people I have observed at the range. If you are looking to impress folks, like I was when I bought my 300 mag, get a magnum. If you want to kill deer, get a non-magnum. I'm all for powerful rifles, I have a 300 Win mag, a 375 RUM, a 458 and a 460 and they have their place. For a first rifle, no way. Get a medium bore, non-magnum, 25-06 through 30-06, or anything in between, 270, 280, 7mm-08, even 338 Fedreal or whatever you prefer. When you do get a magnum, get something that has no belt repeat, NO BELT. The belt was designed by H&H to headspace their highly tapered 300 and 375 magnums. It is unnecessary and a disadvantage in a cartridge of modern design. There are several non-belted medium bore magnums available, if I did not have a big investment in the 300 Win mag I would be shooting one of them. Last edited by Suwannee Tim; 06-03-2009 at 04:52 PM..

06-04-2009, 08:49 AM	#15
jacksonco Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jackson County West Virginia Posts: 2,237	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please I believe that you will find the 7mm-08 to be more than adequate for your needs. It is the round I would choose from the options that you listed.

06-04-2009, 05:07 PM	#18
Lotsdragon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Potosi, Mo Posts: 813	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please Well the thing about the '06 is you can use it for about anything really specially if you reload, I can make 68 grn sabot's to 220 grn blasters............ Last edited by Lotsdragon; 06-04-2009 at 05:08 PM.. Reason: typo's

06-04-2009, 08:51 PM	#20
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please id go 7mm mag... i had a remington in that caliber and it was a nice gun. the others i dont have any experiance with, but from the situation you propose, i'd say it would be the best choice since it would bring down a deer well, and moose and bear

06-04-2009, 10:11 PM	#21
dark_falcon27 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Auburn, Al Posts: 90	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please +1 for the .270 winchester. __________________ "He who stays on the defensive does not make war, he endures it" "...Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle" Psalm 144:1

06-07-2009, 07:53 AM	#22
DKA Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lumberton, NC Posts: 35	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please I have all 3 that you named and like them all. 7MM Rem Mag is very hard to beat but that depends on your hunting terrain. The 25 06 is very accurate and flat shooting. I use 115 gr Ballistic Tips for the 25 06 and use it a lot, but also have a 7mm 08 and like it as well, very accurate, does not have the rang of the 7mm Mag, but it is adequate. I use 140 Gr Ballistic tips and can afford to shoot it more than the others. I have not told you a lot, but to sum it up, think that you will be happy with any, one of the 3. Any one of them can also be a varmint gun, after all dead is dead. __________________ Turn Adversity into Advantage NC Conceal Carry Instructor NC Hunter Safety Instructor NRA Pistol Instructor

06-07-2009, 01:58 PM	#23
retired grunt V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern NY Posts: 416	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please 7x57 the 7 mm mauser is ideal

06-07-2009, 09:58 PM	#24
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please I guess I'm just old fashioned. I would get either a .30-06 or a .308. With either of those you're covered for just about anything in North America by simply varying your bullet weights and designs. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

06-08-2009, 01:25 AM	#25
Red84 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 75	Re: What caliber to buy: Opinions Please Well, I have made up my mind, finally. I found two guns that I had always wanted. The first was a Stevens 25-06, nothing special, but I have that same gun in a 22-250 and it shoots fantastic for the money. I found one used, misplaced in the rimfire section of the local gun shop Got if for $250, great condition. The same shop still has Core-lokt for $16.99, so I had to buy some of those too for brass. The second I found while on an anniversary trip with the Mrs. and she talked me into what I think is a great deal. It is a barely used Savage 111 .270 with detachable magazine for $315. I figured I had to, and that the 7mm or 30-06 would have to wait. Thank you guys for all of your input though, that is just what I was looking for. __________________ "Live Free or Die"