Thoughts on 25-06 for use on Australian pests.

[ozfisher71]

I am looking at getting something in the 1/4" range and keep getting caught up in the .243W or 25-06 or 6.5x55 vortex.
I have always liked the .243W but would like to hear other peoples opinions (preferably fact and experienced based) regarding the other calibres I have mentioned.

[yoshie]

Would you consider 260 rem?

[Apollo]

Depends on what you call an "Australian Pest"....???

[Fry]

I've used .243 a lot and this it's a top calibre for Australian hunting.

Probably about the most versatile in terms of pill range I think for the kinds of critters we have here.

Shoot light 55gr pills super flat for your pests with bugger all recoil, or head up to 95gr stuff for small game.

Not knocking the the 25-06, but it's bullet weight range is 80gr-120gr or whatever? The .243 is just better suited for smaller stuff IMO.

My 2c anyway.

[Octane]

What are we calling "pest" here?

Personally I'd label 6.5x55 a game cartridge, no a pest shooter.

25-06 somewhere in the middle.

[Member-Deleted]

I've got a 06 & there a great round, if you want something a little more common but the same type of trajectory then go the 270. It's pretty much the same as the o6. But since you did say pests I'm going to lean more towards the 257 Roberts. I know you didn't mention it but it sounds like that's more what your after.

[Monty]

We're really down to splitting hairs between something like the .243 and 25-06.

In either you could shoot something like an 80gr load which would be flat, be recoil friendly and take pest through small game.

I think it will come down to which rifle you actually want and its available chamberings, and ammo availability etc.

[Rakk]

Getting a new rifle is great.

Choosing a new calibre is the worst

[Varmtr]

I have shot both and like both. But for ease of getting ammo off the shelf I would go 243. But in saying this I have only seen a few shops who didn't have 25-06.

Me personally I like the 25-06 it's the all rounder from long range varmint rig to deer ( depending on what state ) and the ability to punch out harder than the 243.

Barrel life is shorter in the 25-06 compared to the 243 but the 243 will pretty much handle anything that the 25-06 can, toss a coin and make the choice.

Also there is the 257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 260 Rem etc all are good maybe except getting off the shelf 257 Roberts ammo.

It all comes down to is what do you want to hydraulic.

[Member-Deleted]

I have shot both and like both. But for ease of getting ammo off the shelf I would go 243. But in saying this I have only seen a few shops who didn't have 25-06.

Me personally I like the 25-06 it's the all rounder from long range varmint rig to deer ( depending on what state ) and the ability to punch out harder than the 243.

Barrel life is shorter in the 25-06 compared to the 243 but the 243 will pretty much handle anything that the 25-06 can, toss a coin and make the choice.

Also there is the 257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 260 Rem etc all are good maybe except getting off the shelf 257 Roberts ammo.

It all comes down to is what do you want to hydraulic.

I would really have to agree with not having much in the way of factory stuff for the 06, I've been to 3 fairly local shops in the last few days, 1 didn't have any at all & the other 2 had 2 different types each. Looks like a trip up to Abela's is on the cards. It's more of a hand loaders cal apparently.

[Aster]

Ammo availability is definitely a factor in choosing a calibre.

Having said that, will a little forward planning you can usually avoid any outages.

Just gotta stock up while stocks are good. Keep a few hundred rounds in the safe or more to last you, depending on how often you shoot...