Page 1 of 18 1 2 3 11 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 171
  1. #1
    User
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Age
    48
    Posts
    45

    Default 243 vs 25-06 vs 6.5x55 What would you choose?

    Hi all

    I am breaking me head over this one. Every week i get turned in a new direction by reading all these wonderfull threads in this forum.

    My currently lineup is .22 and .303 Lee Enfield. My ideal lineup would be .22, "Something", .303 and .375.

    I want to get a rifle for flat shooting (hunting) and a lot of target sport shooting. I also want to start reloading. From my studies I can reload my .303 from 150gr to 215 gr and that is a great bushveld rifle but it kicks a bit heavy for the range (I still have the original metal butt end). Originally i thought the 243 is the best calibre untill i have read some good things about the 25-06. The 6.5mm is also there but it might be to close the the 150 gr of my .303 and ammo not so readily available. So really in my mind it is between 243 and 25-06. The other reasoning for this calibre is that it will be a nice ligther, less recoil rifle for the long hair creatures (just kidding any ladies reading this) that stays in my house to shoot with.

    For make I am thinking Tikka hunter with 4-14x50 scope.

    So what do you think?. Can anyone help me make up my mind on this.

  2. #2
    User
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Age
    37
    Posts
    4,042

    Default Re: 243 vs 25-06 vs 6.5x55 What would you choose?

    Would you consider the 270win? :)

  3. #3
    User
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Boland
    Posts
    7,985

    Default Re: 243 vs 25-06 vs 6.5x55 What would you choose?

    Keeping the long-haired creatures in mind, my vote would go to the .243....

    Second option from your list would for me would be the 6.5x55, for all the reasons always given. However, the Swede (generally?) has a rather tight barrel twist, optimised for longer (heavier) bullets. it's american half-brother (260 Remington) may just be what you're looking for, with a somewhat slower twist optimised for shorter (lighter) bullets that you can send downrange at a good whack.

    I have zero experience with the 25-06, but those that own it swear by it. You do sit with a case which has close to a 30-06's capacity, so recoil will be a fair bit punchier than the others. From what I read it's also a bit of a barrel burner. Marshy has a good point on the 270, but recoil will be similar (or a smidgen more??) than the 25-06.

    All kept in mind, I do think the 243 remains your best bet.

    :- P

  4. #4
    User
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Sandton
    Age
    53
    Posts
    379

    Default Re: 243 vs 25-06 vs 6.5x55 What would you choose?

    Quote Originally Posted by Pirate View Post
    All kept in mind, I do think the 243 remains your best bet.

    :- P
    +1

  5. #5
    User
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Roodepoort, JHB
    Posts
    678

    Default Re: 243 vs 25-06 vs 6.5x55 What would you choose?

    As Pirate said, consider the 260 Remington, you can shoot anything from 80gr to about 160gr with it. Fit a suppressor and recoil is almost non existing....

  6. #6
    User
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Rustenburg/Sun city, North west
    Age
    44
    Posts
    910

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pirate View Post
    Keeping the long-haired creatures in mind, my vote would go to the .243....

    Second option from your list would for me would be the 6.5x55, for all the reasons always given. However, the Swede (generally?) has a rather tight barrel twist, optimised for longer (heavier) bullets. it's american half-brother (260 Remington) may just be what you're looking for, with a somewhat slower twist optimised for shorter (lighter) bullets that you can send downrange at a good whack.

    I have zero experience with the 25-06, but those that own it swear by it. You do sit with a case which has close to a 30-06's capacity, so recoil will be a fair bit punchier than the others. From what I read it's also a bit of a barrel burner. Marshy has a good point on the 270, but recoil will be similar (or a smidgen more??) than the 25-06.

    All kept in mind, I do think the 243 remains your best bet.

    :- P
    +1

  7. #7
    User
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Age
    48
    Posts
    45

    Default Re: 243 vs 25-06 vs 6.5x55 What would you choose?

    Quote Originally Posted by marshy View Post
    Would you consider the 270win? :)
    Yes i was also considering 270 but i have shot with it and as Pirate says i think the kick will be a bit heavy and also again a bit too close to my .303 150 grain loads leaving me with no option of shooting below 100 gr speed bullets on the range. So far it seems 243 is in the lead with this decision.

  8. #8
    Member Andrew Leigh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Gansbaai - Western Cape
    Posts
    7,334

    Default Re: 243 vs 25-06 vs 6.5x55 What would you choose?

    Hi,

    I went through the same. Have a 30-06 that is comfortable down to 150gr and also considered the .243. As I load ammo would not be a problem so that sorted that issue out. I also wanted something different and something that a woman or small boys could shoot. After much research I settled on the 6.5mm, the calibre is legendary and noted to punch above its weight.

    I think you will find that as you hand load you will settle on one load for the bush in your .303 and this may well end up at 174 or 180gr. The theory of having multiple loads is great but in practice people tend to stick with a proven load of proven trajectory, makes life simpler. So you may well never load a 150gr in the .303.

    I also did not want to shoot only up to a 100gr, bullet as in the case of the .243. I wanted to be able to shoot in the order of 120 to 140gr. This would allow the grandkids to take slightly larger game but with the modest recoil of the 6.5mm.

    The 6.5mm is notoriously accurate also used in long range target shooting.

    I prefer a slower heavier bullet which also leads to reduced meat damage. Last hunt this was proved to me, I was shooting Impala with a 180gr in a 30-06 and my mate 100gr in a .243. He threw away more meat.

    The one positive for the .260 is that I believe it has a shorter bolt action, the 6.5mm tends to be on the same platform as the 30-06. However as I won't be cycling the bolt fast it was not issue to me.

    My vote is obviously for the 6.5mm. An all time classic cartridge, something to talk about over the fire (most people seem to have a .243) and a calibre in my opinion more capable than a .243 for small antelope. Nothing wrong with the .243 though it is a tried and tested calibre also noted for accuracy. I would not consider the 25-06, too hot a round but it is a personal thing.
    Last edited by Andrew Leigh; 30-08-2012 at 14:11.

  9. #9
    User
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Age
    48
    Posts
    45

    Default Re: 243 vs 25-06 vs 6.5x55 What would you choose?

    Quote Originally Posted by klippies View Post
    As Pirate said, consider the 260 Remington, you can shoot anything from 80gr to about 160gr with it. Fit a suppressor and recoil is almost non existing....
    Have not thought about this one. Will have to research it.

  10. #10
    User
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Benoni
    Age
    41
    Posts
    1,346

    Default Re: 243 vs 25-06 vs 6.5x55 What would you choose?

    For me the 25-06, then the .270. 6.5X55 also a good bet. I swear by my 25-06 it can do all a .243 can and some. If you do a search on 25-06 you will find some interesting posts.

    Cheers David

Page 1 of 18 1 2 3 11 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 6.5x55: First wildebeest.
    By TStone in forum Hunting African Antelope and Zebra
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 01-09-2014, 16:09
  2. Tikka 6.5x55
    By krieger in forum Tactical Rifles and Carbines
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 12-08-2014, 07:01
  3. [FOR SALE] S&B 6.5x55 Brass
    By 458Exp in forum Accessories for Sale (Parts, Magazines, Stocks, Scopes, Reloading etc.)
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 27-05-2014, 10:45
  4. 6.5x55 first hunt
    By arthur007 in forum Hunting African Antelope and Zebra
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 22-05-2014, 08:14
  5. 6.5x55
    By Alexandro Faria in forum Hunting Rifles
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 22-11-2013, 20:26

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •