Author Topic: 257 or 25-06 (Read 2264 times)

acearch72 · « **on:** May 22, 2005, 05:08:45 PM »

I am thinking of jumping into the quarter bore group. I can't make up my mind on the 257 Weatherby Mag or the 25-06. Hunting is primary whitetail and I have bigger guns for bigger stuff if needed.

Cost of ammo's not an issue, and I'm sort of leaning to the 257, however I don't want to spend the money for a Mark V, so that pretty much leaves only the Wallyworld Vanguard I think, while with the 25-06 there are a choice of manufacturers to choose from.

Decisions, decisions.........

Any comments would be appreciated from you quarter bore fans.

Todd1700 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2005, 11:13:46 PM »

I own a 25-06 Tikka T-3 and love it for whitetails. I have almost zero experience with the 257 Weatherby mag but unless I'm mistaken it's a fair bit swifter than the 25-06.

It's not so much the cost of the ammo that would sway me but the availability as well. If you reload then it's a non-issue but if not then the 25-06 ammo will be far easier to find and offered in a wider range of options. I don't reload and despite the fact that you can order any ammo you want on the internet it sure is nice to be able to run by your local sporting goods store and get what you need when the urge to bust a cap comes over you.

Then there is the point you bring up about rifles chambered for it as well. Way, way more to choose from in 25-06.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2005, 01:46:54 AM »

The 25-06 Tikka is a great gun. Take a good look at one.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2005, 02:54:05 AM »

Mmm, I'm not totally in favour of either of these rounds but at least they're 25 cals.
There stacks of 25-06s and, yeah, Wally World has the basic Vanguards but consider looking at the Fiberguard(complete with Bell & Carlson aluminium bedded) composite stock which even comes in an Sub MOA rifle guaranteed to shoot under MOA out of the box.
Since most of them do anyway it's a bit pointless but it sounds good.

You can also get them stainless with a fluted barrel so there are plenty of options.
At the end of the day they're a great rifle even though they're made in Japan.
The only thing about 257 Weatherby is the ammo and/or cases.
I think Hornady makes it all and it's pretty pricey.
I guy I went hunting with says his 257 Wby Mag is his fave and he owns 2 300 Wby Mag MkVs and one of their excellent shotguns too.

longwalker · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2005, 04:32:49 AM »

I know you won't be dissatisfied with a 25-06. I have one in a Ruger m77mkII. Great shooter and will do what you want on deer. I have used it successfully on everything from prairie dogs to mule deer. Most of its big game has been antelope and whitetails. Just bowls them over.

I don't use "premium" bullets, but the 100 grain Speer sp bullets do the job. The expand and usually pass through. As far as range everything from 50 to over 350 yards.

It offers magnum performance in a standard rifle. You can buy standard ammunition and "premium" ammunition. Most of which is considerably less expensive than Wheatherby ammunition. If you reload it will do 98% of the 257WM with less powder and inexpensive brass.

longwalker

MT4XFore · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2005, 05:35:41 AM »

Either one is a good caliber. Everything that has been said so far is pretty much true. The 25-06 is a great quarter bore and has the bonus to easily available ammo. However, I have owned a .257 Weatherby for over 40 years, gone through one barrel and of all my rifles (7mm Rem Mag, 300 WBY Mag ) it is by far my favorite. It to started out shooting groundhogs in WV and graduated comfortably to elk in Montana, with good bullets. It has done everything well. It is arguably the finest long range antelope caliber out there, so it makes sense that it works on deer fine too. It is can be reloaded quite a bit faster than the '06 and it tolerates a lot of different bullet weights. I think the new Nosler 110 gr. Accubond will be the "cat's pajamas" for either caliber, but especially the 257. I'm sure this hasn't helped much, I just couldn't refrain from adding my two cents worth about my favorite caliber. Good luck with whatever you choose, I really dont think you can go wrong either way.

Jim :grin:

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** May 24, 2005, 09:32:53 AM »

I own both the .257 Weatherby and the .25-06(3 of them in fact), and the real difference is the added 200 fps you get with the Weatherby. Accuracy is about the same and if you reload then cost are negligible(the Weatherby used a bit more powder). One point to keep in mind is you can down load the .257 Weatherby to .25-06 levels but you cant load the .25-06 up to the level of the .257 Weatherby. Save yourself some grief and get both. :-D Lawdog

acearch72 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 24, 2005, 05:03:35 PM »

Now there's a plan..........

Seriously though, has anyone got some words of experience about the Weatherby Vanguards from Walmart. I would prefer the 257, but just am not sure on the Vanguard.

Can anyone who has experience with this gun post some comments, good or bad.

thanks........

kombi1976 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 24, 2005, 05:17:36 PM »

Every review of the Vanguards I have read has rated them as amazing rifles for the money.
They come out of the factory with a 3 shot group under 1.5" and with handloads people are getting factory standard rifles to shoot sub 0.5".
I can't think that Walmart's Vanguards are any different and if you get a Fiberguard with the Bell&Carlson stock you're guaranteed a top rifle.
They should come with Leupold mounts and rings too.
I've honestly never heard a bad word about them and the Fiberguard in 270WSM would be my choice for a new rifle.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2005, 04:08:38 AM »

I think I'd take the 25/06..........the weatherby cases are expensive......also, some say the .257 is a barrel burner...........If your looking for the absolute flattest shooting rifle made, the go with the Weatherby.

jro45 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2005, 09:48:54 AM »

I have the 257 WBY mag. and the reason I chose it was because it has more FPS then a 25/06. I don't have a problem with getting ammo but I reload anyway. :-D

Lawdog · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2005, 10:41:31 AM »

Quote from: victorcharlie

also, some say the .257 is a barrel burner

No more so than any other cartridge. You burn barrels out by loading max. or near max. loads and/or using improper powders. I know a guy that burnt the barrel out on a .222 Remington just because he wanted the fastest loads he could get. Lawdog

Squeeze · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2005, 03:25:01 AM »

If this were my decision, I would opt for the .25-06 Rem., in a Tikka
rifle that matched my preferences for appearance, and durability...
Oh wait, this was one of my decisions, and I ended up with a Tikka
M695(Whitetail Hunter), in Stainless/Laminate, in .25-06 Rem. :-D

I am not sure the extra FPS of the Weatherby Magnum would make
any real world difference. I know the ammo costs are tangible.
My .25-06, with Barnes bullets, drops whitetails like Thor's
Hammer. And judging from the tissue, organ, and bone damage,
there is no need for more energy transfer. Interestingly the
caliber name does not have "Magnum" anywhere in it, but when
paired with scopes with ranging reticles, the .25-06 Rem. is listed
as a "Magnum" class rifle, for hold over. I guess it boils down to
just how badly does one want to say "Magnum" in regards to
a .257 bore. I have never been bitten by the Weatherby Magnum
bug, but if it does happen, my opinion might change, but for now,
I will live in ignorant bliss with my TIkka .25-06 Rem. :lol:

Squeeze

nomosendero · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2005, 08:11:01 AM »

acearch

I have been shooting the .25-06 since I was a pup. Both of these rounds
are great! However, I don't see the advantage of going to a .257 Wea.
unless you realize a true ballistic advantage. As Lawdog correctly stated,
we are looking at on average about a 200fps difference in velocity if all
things are equal. However, they are not! The .257 Wea. needs a 26" barrel to obtain its potential. You can get the Mark V this way but not a
Vanguard, not even a MOA version!!! I have read at least 6-7 articles about the .257/Vanguard by various gun writers. Except for 1 writer, these glorified gun retailers did not list their velocities with factory loads
or reloads. One man had the integrity to point this out. That man is Ralph
Lermayer in the April 2005 Predator Extreme Mag. That article is titled
The Affordable Weatherby .257. He Chronographed several loads and the
difference between a 24" Van. and a 26" is huge just as I knew it would be. So really, this would just be a hot .25-06 with expensive ammo.
Also, the Wally World .257 is not free floated a if you want to use a bipod
as many of us Varmit/Antelope Mule Deer hunters do, then you will have
to immediately have the rifle free floated & bedded. I actually talked to
a Wea. rep. about this and he agreed but Howa will not build a 26" bar.
version for Weatherby. Why buy a .257 in name only?
However, you can buy a used 26" Sendero .25-06 or buy a new Savage
heavy barrel/Accutrigger .25-06 with a 26" barrel. If you want a shorter
gun for some reason, the .25-06 loses velocity too but not as much. I am
currently loading a Sendero as mentioned in a previous thread that will
run Very close to this Vanguard. I am about to have it Ackley Improved
& at that point it will take a 26" Accumark to out do it but not by enough to matter.

Lawdog · « **Reply #14 on:** May 29, 2005, 08:33:00 AM »

nomosendero,

Quote

As Lawdog correctly stated,
we are looking at on average about a 200fps difference in velocity if all
things are equal. However, they are not! The .257 Wea. needs a 26" barrel to obtain its potential.

The 200 fps. advantage is in rifles with equal barrel lengths. All of my .25-06's(all 3 of them) have 26" barrels as does my .257 Weatherby. The Weatherby still gets an average of 200 fps. more than the .25-06. Just wanted to keep things straight. Lawdog

nomosendero · « **Reply #15 on:** May 29, 2005, 10:41:52 AM »

Lawdog

Yea, let's keep things straight!
That is why I said if all things are equal & in a 26" barrel with both I agree.
But the Vanguard is a 24". Believe me, I tried to get a 26" Vanguard & it
was a no go. So, I was pointing out that you could get a .25-06 with a
26" barrel and be within about 100 FPS with good reloads, not within 100
FPS of a 26" .257 but close to the Vanguard,I know because I am doing it!

acearch72 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 30, 2005, 07:55:47 AM »

LD,

I can't find anyone who has a 26" barrel in the 25-06, and the Vanguard is 24" also. What do you have with the 26" tube?

nomosendero · « **Reply #17 on:** May 30, 2005, 04:16:50 PM »

acearch
My rifle is a Remington Sendero With a 26" Bull with a HS Pre. Stock.
Remington in a recent display of stupidity (one of many) decided to drop this model. They are hard to find but it is still possible to buy one used.
I have not checked lately, but I know recently that Savage had a couple
of versions with a 26" tube.
The Ruger Varmit Stainless Lam. is also available with a 26" barrel. It weighs more than the glass stocks but the stock can be lightened if need be.
Ruger also offers the Number 1, a beautiful rifle with a 26", but harder to make accurate.
The H&R Single shot has this barrel, & one of my boys has one of these
that really shoots, but I would advise factory loads or reloads at factory
lawyer proof pressures with this gun. I will not shoot my Sendero loads in it!
Here are several & I will look for more.
My personal opinion of these factory rifles is either the Used Sendero or
the Savage if accuracy is your goal.

Lawdog · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2005, 11:58:46 AM »

Quote from: acearch72

LD,

I can't find anyone who has a 26" barrel in the 25-06, and the Vanguard is 24" also. What do you have with the 26" tube?

1.] Ruger M77V - older tang safety, Centennial model

2.] Remington M700 BDL Varmint - made in 1972

3.] Ruger No.1 B - which has a 26" barrel as standard

Most of my rifles have 24 or longer barrels. Lawdog

nomosendero · « **Reply #19 on:** June 03, 2005, 03:17:41 PM »

acearch72

I mentioned in my last post that I would list more 26" barreled .25-06
rifles.
Here is another: TC Encore
I should have thought of that last time, I have an Encore muzzleloader
& have thought of buying a 25-06AI through the TC Custom Shop.

mt3030 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 04, 2005, 05:49:04 AM »

Over the last 14 years I've owned and hunted with a assortment of 25-06s. They have all been very effective as my main antelope and mule deer tools. Factory or handloads, they carry the mail. Of them all, the H&R has grouped the best with both factory and handloads.

Remington 700 CL, 26"
Remington 700 Classic, 24"
Browning 76, 26"
Tikka T-3, 23"
H&R Ultra, 26"

Good shooting..Wally

cal sibley · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2005, 05:54:39 AM »

I spent about 30 years wanting both a .257Roberts and a .25-06 as well, but something always seemed to get in the way of my buying either. Last year I finally purchased a Remington 700BDL in .25-06. All I can say is "Wow." I'm impressed. I bought about 10 different bullets, dragged out the reloading press and went at it, everything from 75 to 120gr. Spent the better part of three weeks at the range wringing it out. It's a shooter, should have bought one many years ago. Balistics are very good and recoil is reasonable. Can't ask for much better. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal