308 or 25-06 for deer

[HUNTINGMAN]

I am planning on buying a new deer rifle this comeing yer and have it narrowed down to two rifles. One is a 308 single shot with a 22" heavy barrel and the other is a sigle shot 25-06 with a 26" barrel. These are the biggest calibers these particular guns are made in and it would be one of the two. I bought a marlin XL7 and used it this year but aren't satisfied with a bolt action and want to go back to a single shot. I was wondering which gun would be more efficient for killing whitetails. I know the 308 is a fine round but know very little about the 25-06 round,cartridge availability should be taken into consideration also. What are the pros and cons of each round for deer and maybe an elk.

[Leo]

If elk is a possibility I would definitely lean towards the 308Win.

[Grady269]

25-06 is a smaller bullet traveling faster usually 100-120 gr. .308 is 150-180 gr. bullet traveling slower.

In a single shot rifle cartridge length is not an issue, I would go with a .270 and it will give you the best of both.

[redkneck]

If that's what your set on, then stick with the 308.

[wtnhunt]

I know there are a lot of deer killed with both each and every year and both are good deer calibers in my opinion. If it were me and I had any intentions of using that rifle to step up to elk, I would opt for what would let me go with a heavier bullet and go with the .308.

[Shaun_300]

I know there are a lot of deer killed with both each and every year and both are good deer calibers in my opinion. If it were me and I had any intentions of using that rifle to step up to elk, I would opt for what would let me go with a heavier bullet and go with the .308.

Yep for sure. Both are awesome calibers, but if you want to hunt anything bigger than deer you want the .30 caliber. If you want another rifle in the future, get the .308 first then the .25-06 later.

[bowana]

308 hands down. The 25-06 makes a great varmint/antelope rifle. I know its downed a good number of mulies and whitetails.....but its marginal (100 gr bullets). The 308 win is in a different category. With a 150 grain bullet....its a true deer killer. Move up to a 180 grain bullet out to about 250 yards...its a true elk/bear/moose killer. Good luck next season!!!!

[huntnfish]

Go with the .308. More ammo options and abiltiy to harvest wider variety of animals.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

I'd probably opt for the 308 also, unless you're planning to varmint hunt with it. For varmints I'd rather have the 25-06 than the 308.

[hunterbobb]

I'd go with the 25-06 just because it is something a little different. Nothing wrong with the 308 but there are a lot of them out there.

[Strut10]

If elk is anywhere in the picture, then the .308 is your pick. No question.

Even for deer..................my limited experience with the 25-Oh shows it to not have the killing authority of the .308 (which I have used extensively).

[LETMGROW]

Of the 2 choices I would surely pick the .308 hands down.

It is one of the most versatile rounds available.

Often you can find new ammo for $9.95 for a box of 20.

Lynn

[clrj3514]

The only real advantage I'd see that the 25-06 has over the 308 is more range. Like it's been stated, the 308 is the smarter pick for elk. Most common load for the 308 is probably 150gr while the 25 is probably a 117gr. The 25 is hotter but the 308 is a lot stronger. Also, the 308 is a lot cheaper. This being said however, a friend of mine wouldn't hunt deer with anything but a 25-06.