Author Topic: Okay, what about .243 versus 25/06? (Read 724 times)

bluebayou · « **on:** November 26, 2004, 06:03:39 PM »

Strictly talking about the Handi, what would you pick between the 243 and the 25/06? These are the parameters:
1. Starting to handload, so I am looking for a learning cartridge
2. Want to shoot heavier bullets than my 223
3. Varmints and the occasional deer hunt
4. Youth gun?

Fred has some good info on his 25/06 Ultra page. It has really got me leaning toward the 06. That and my Speer book shows a really flat 90 grain load. I am not really concerned about factory ammo, but the 243 definately has the edge there.

Does anyone have the 243 Heavy Barrel? Could someone give me some good info on their Handi? I have a 223/308/44 Handi now that shoots pretty darn good all around but...The Ultra in 25/06 or the HB 243 are looking pretty interesting.

Donaldo · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2004, 06:32:37 PM »

Don't know about the 25-06 but my grandson has the 243 and I have the 223 handi. They both seem to like the lighter bullets better than the heavies. My 223 likes the 40 and 45 and 50 grn bullets. Does not like the 55's and heavier. His seems to like the 75 grns better than the
100's. Don't know why the Handi's seem to like the lighter bullets but it seems to be common. Might keep that in mind.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2004, 06:42:54 PM »

My choice would be to go much larger...if your looking at a 25-06...why not a 308?.....I would be more apt to go that route since Like2hunts problems and having to return the rifle to the company for a full refund...

Mac

Fred M · « **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2004, 02:26:23 AM »

Mac.
Yes the 25-06 has left some bad taste in a couple of mouth. But others seem to have had better luck than me and liketohunt. Neither the 243 nor the 25-06 are the greatest handloading cartridges, one has a too short a neck and the other holds more powder than needed.

Hildy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 27, 2004, 04:51:49 AM »

I would go with the 25/06 for sure.

Mine will group slightly under an inch with only the smallest amount of load tweaking.

I just shot it at 150y yesterday and was easily puting them into one inch blocks on my targets. Out to beyond 250y I can smash 20oz soda bottles.

I will though agree with Fred M because his experience with the '06 was pretty bad.

A friend of mine shoots a 243 Savage for groundhogs. His rifle will put three shots into one ragged hole at 100y. I like the gun, but the ballistics of the 06 out-do the performance of the 243 in the long range catagory. Believe it or not, but he is getting the same rifle I have in December just because he likes the idea of 3600fps with a 75g bullet.

I don't really think you will go wrong with either choice, but I would personally sway toward the side of the 25.

UPDATE: I shot a 3 shot group that measured 2 1/16" at 325y today in a 5-10mph wind coming from the right. The group was shot off of a bipod and a sandbag in the rear with the scope set on 18x.

Needless to say, I was impressed.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2004, 05:06:29 AM »

I have to go with the .25-06, mine is extremely accurate and with factory ammo, ta boot! A 3 shot group with 117gr Hornady BTSP or 115gr Federal NP is 1" or slightly less, with the first 2 shots almost touching, it just doesn't shoot too good warm, the groups open up to 2" for a 5 shot group lest I take lots of time to allow the barrel to cool.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2004, 05:24:01 AM »

:eek: :eek:

Opps my bad...

The 25-06 is a pretty nice rig...don't know how it would do for a youth gun...but when they shoot they really shoot...didn't see he already has one in 308...time to get the glasses changed... :lol:

Mac

bluebayou · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2004, 05:02:25 PM »

Fred, or anyone else---
If 243 and 25/06 are poor cartridges to handload then what would be your choice in a Handi caliber? If I ever get some time I will put my brand new .44 mag dies and such to use. I figured that it would be a good cartridge to learn with (the crimp or not to crimp question has me puzzled though). I take your point about the 25/06 having alot of extra capacity. The load book that I have shows pretty much the same amount of powder between the 243 and the 06. Should I just learn on the existing 308?

Fred M · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2004, 05:36:14 PM »

bluebayou.

Quote

Neither the 243 nor the 25-06 are the greatest handloading cartridges, one has a too short a neck and the other holds more powder than needed.

Please remember we are talking about Handi rifles. The 243 with its short neck will give concentricity troubles unless you outside neck turn the case necks.
2. Due to its long sloping shoulder it creates a lot of forward brasss flow.

3. Case life is short because of action stretch and each reload needs the shoulder set back .003" to make sure the Handi action will fully close.

The same applies to the 25-06 but with its longer neck bullets are easier to hold straight with minimal outside neck turning.

With all high intensity loadings no more than 8 reloads can be expected.
Lower velocities will enhance case life and accuracy.

If you want a good deer rifle in a Handi the 7mm-08 is a good one. With it you still need to watch your fired cases to make sure you have your .003 head space. That I believe applies to all Handi's.

Unless your action is fully closed and with out compressed tension from the cartridge against the standing breech, only sporadic accuracy will prevail or non at all.