25-06 vs 7mm-08

[peakoftherut]

I am thinking about getting a stevens 200 in one of these calibers. I know either will do the job for deer. The 200 is a light rifle in either the long or short action. I seldom need a second shot on game so the action length I don't think will be a big deal. I think the 22 inch barrel will negativeley affect the 25-06 more than the 7mm-08 but again I don't think that will matter that much. I handload and at the present time don't hunt varmints. So is it a toss up or am I overlooking something.

[Slamfire]

The 7mm-08, duplicating the old 7x57 would be more useful on heavier game than just deer. If that's the extent of your hunting though, the .25-06 will shoot flatter.   Personally I prefer to split the difference with one of the 6.5mms.  :wink:

[varmit_master]

I would go with the 25 06 all the way. VM

[mountainview]

A difficult decision and one that would need King Solomon's wisdom. As an alternative however, consider getting both. I have a 25-06 and 7-08 and enjoy shooting/hunting with both of them. They do overlap but are somewhat complementary to one another with the 257 using lighter bullets and the 7mm using heavier bullets though on deer they both do an excellent job when the shooter does his/hers. In my case the 25-06 is in a heavier Rem rifle so it is my "long range"/stand hunting iron while the 7-08 is a Savage 11 which is light and very totable in the thicker stuff.

[nomosendero]

I have to agree with mountainview, they are two different guns for different applications. Kind of like choosing between a john boat & a speed
boat.

[Redhawk1]

I think they are closer than other think. The 7mm08 can use lighter bullets to come close to the 25-06. In my opinion they are both great rounds.  

[victorcharlie]

I think they are closer than other think. The 7mm08 can use lighter bullets to come close to the 25-06. In my opinion they are both great rounds.  

I agree.....the 7mm/08 is a pretty flat shooter, but gives you the capability to shoot heavier bullets.   If long range varmits is the primary purpose the the 25.06 is about as good as it gets.  You won't go wrong with either......do you like a long action rifle or a short action rifle?

[peakoftherut]

I am looking at trying a stevens 200 . They do not offer the stevens in 6.5 or a long heavy barrel. Originaly I tried to order the 7mm-08 but the supplier was out. So I started to take a more serious look at other cartridges. I have a 30-06, 30-30, 7.62x39 so I was looking for something a little different. I would like to get a 300 mag. but I think this rifle is to light for corfortable mag shooting. I really don't need another rifle, but what does that matter. Anyhow thank's for the advise.

[poncaguy]

I have both, my 7-08 is more accurate in my 2 Stevens.............

[nomosendero]

Redhawk & victorcharlie

I also think both rounds are great! I agree with the fact that you can load
flat shooting Varmit rounds in the 7mm-08, & you can do that with the 30-06, 270, 7x57 & a bunch of of others. I believe that y'all were looking at
the rounds themselves & I almost never do that, rather I look at every
round I use as being a system, (cartridge, rifle , scope etc) for a given
role, forgetting that some people that ask questions on this forum may
only have 1 or 2 centerfires. To me, unless a 7mm-08 or 308 is a tactical/target rifle, I like these rounds to have at max a 22" barrel & I like
a 20" better, in a lightweight configuration with a 2X7 up to a 3X9 scope to
hunt Deer, Hogs & similar game from short to medium range & long range
only in rare cases where conditions are right.
My set-up for a 25-06 (25-06AI now) is a 26" bull Sendero with a 4X16 scope set up for long range, windy day Varmits & Mule Deer/Antelope.
From experience I can tell you that few rigs will do as well for these 2 roles as a 25-06.
This gets the best use out of these two rounds, in my view.
Sorry I wasn't clear.

[Big Paulie]

Based on the rifle calibers that you listed that you already own, the 25-06 will add more versatility to your battery than the 7-08.  You said that you wanted something "a little different," As far a range, size of game, flat shooting, small projectile,  etc etc. the  25-06 is more different.

   The 7-08 is a fantastic round, but doesn't add that much to your rifles as a group, since you already have the 30-06 (for long range, big bullets) and the 30-30 (for short range, big bullets).

Regards,

Big Paulie

[nomosendero]

Good point.

[peakoftherut]

B.P.  Your right about those differences. The one thing that isn't different is the fact that they are both long action cartridges. I don't own a short action bolt action rifle.

It also seems that eveybody that talks about the 25-06 belives you have to have it in a 26" heavy barrel. I am guessing that a 22" barrel would amount to losing about 40 - 70fps in velocity. I am also guessing that the heavy barrel would come in play if I was going to fire a lot of shots at small targets.

I have seen a lot of people suggest buying both guns on other posts but I want to have a broader range of cartridges. I might end up making my decision based on what's avaiable. After I get the stevens thing figured out I plan on either a 300+ mag in a bolt or a 45-70 marlin.

Thank for the imput guys. [/b]

[Coyote Hunter]

... After I get the stevens thing figured out I plan on either a 300+ mag in a bolt or a 45-70 marlin.
...

Given your battery I’d also suggest the .25-06.  So you don’t have a short action rifle.  So what?  My old .22-250 was a Savage 110E long action.  It shot tiny groups and I didn’t care about the action.

After you get the .25-06 (or whatever you decide) I’ll recommend the .45-70, especially if you handload.  I’ve got 4 lever guns (.44 Mag, .30-30, .375Win and .45-70) and they get shot more than the bolts.