.25-06 or .280???

[Too Tall Rosenwald]

Looking to build a long range, non magnum deer coyote round. I have the magnum end covered.

I want a lighter packing gun. What caliber would be better?

I know the .280 has a lot better bullet selection.

What say you...

 

[backwoods83]

Of the 2 you listed, I would go 25-06 with 115 bergers or NBTs, IMO the 280 unless its an ackley doesn't have enough *** to push the 160grn+ bullets that are typically used at longer ranges. I will also reccomend you take a look at the 6mm remington or 243AI, both are easy to load for and sending a 105 berger at 3150-3300fps is a better option in my opinion, I wouldn't hesitate to take a whitetail at 800 or a yote at 1000 with either of these 6mms.

 

[Too Tall Rosenwald]

I have a .243 Winchester that shoots good. I have killed coyotes way out there. Looking to get a little more distance. Do you think the AI version would step up enough?

 

[backwoods83]

Using H1000 or Retumbo or RE25 in the AI version you stand to gain 100-150fps over the standard 243. The big factor in the 243 is having a fast twist barrel, 1:8" or 1:8.5" twist and shooting the high bc bullets like the 105 berger hybrid with a g1 bc of .547 or the 115dtac with a g1 of .585, this is what gives you the extra reach in 6mm, more so than a bigger case or an ackley improved case. But a combination of the 243AI/105 berger hybrid at 3250fps from a 26" 8twist barrel will have no problem with yotes at a 1000yrds. It will still hit pretty hard.

 

[coyotkid]

25-06 my dad shot a coyote maybe 800yrds with it

 

[4bycamper]

How's the wind out there where you are?
Here in eastern Colorado a 5 to 10 mph breeze is a average day.

My 7 saum has an accuracy node about 2950 fps with 160 / 168 g bullets.
This puts me squarely in the 280 AI class of firepower. ( since you brought up 280 )

At 500 yards the 160 bullets get blown about 10 inches or so.
The 100 g bullets from my 25 wssm get blown about twice that far off course at 500.

Just some food for thought. lightbulb

 

[Nimrodmar10]

Of the two calibers you mentioned, 25-06 & 280, I'd go with the 280. I own and like both calibers. Under 350 yards, the 25-06 puts deer down faster than anything I've ever seen. Past that distance it looses steam pretty fast. The 280, with it's heavier bullets with higher BCs, hold up to twice that distance. One suggestion I would make is that you get a barrel with the correct chamber and a fast enough twist to shoot the heavier Berger VLDs. Look at the ballistics tables on the two calibers. The choice is evident.

 

[laserflat]

,280 all the way and dont look back. Get a barrel on it that will stabilize the 162-168 grain bullets and youre good to go. Straight .284 Winchester is another one to look at, and is gaining some ground on the 6.5-284 in competition. From 6mmbr, theres guys out there pushing 180s at 2950-3000fps with the .284! Thats freaking smoking. Im sure a .280AI could do the same in the right barrel given how close the capacities are. Regardless, both will do the job, but the .280 will just do it better past 500 yards. Also, if youre truly looking into an AI, check out the .280 Gibbs and especially the .280 Sherman created by elkaholic on this site.

 

[johnnyk]

Better? Hhhm, that's subjective.

Ballistic wise I would say the .280 Rem. as it's the ballistic twin of the .270 Win., same case as the .25-06, does have the capability to use heavier bullets when compared with the .25-06.

In years past, the .25-06 bullet selection stopped at 120gn and the .280 started at 120gn. I don't currently and never have owned a .280, but if I did I would probably use the 150gn for deer and vermin. Just seems like the place to be with that one.

The .25-06 I do currently own and it is a flat shooting round but has its limitations. I killed a heavy bodied 6-pt this year with it between 300-350yds. I couldn't ask for better performance. The 115gn Berger VLD punched through both shoulders and left a .50 cent piece size hole on its departure. Looked like a scene off the Hunting Channel. The buck made a 50yd mad dash but it was all for naught.

I shot this same load (54.0gn/RL22/BR2 @ 3104fps) at 700yds Sunday and the group drifted about 12 inches with slight to no (2-3mph) wind.

Really, either will do what you need. JohnnyK.

 

[jwcrabb]

I've owned and hunted with both. I took over 100 deer out to 300 yds with my old Ruger 77 25-06 with 100g Noslers in the last 30 years. I got a 280 about 5 years ago and have taken only 4 deer. The kicker is that they were from 300-500 yds.
I love my ole 25-06, but if I had to pick just one it would be the 280. Contrary to most, I love the 140g Accubond at 3100 fps. Like another poster said, the 25-06 is awesome out to 300. The 280 will take you that other 200 and shoot darn flat too.

 

[jrsolocam]

Of the two calibers you mentioned, 25-06 & 280, I'd go with the 280. I own and like both calibers. Under 350 yards, the 25-06 puts deer down faster than anything I've ever seen. Past that distance it looses steam pretty fast. The 280, with it's heavier bullets with higher BCs, hold up to twice that distance. One suggestion I would make is that you get a barrel with the correct chamber and a fast enough twist to shoot the heavier Berger VLDs. Look at the ballistics tables on the two calibers. The choice is evident.

+1, tooks the words right out of my mouth...

 

[MudRunner2005]

.280 Ackley Improved gets my vote.

But if you are wanting a 1/4 bore rifle, get a .257 Weatherby Mag.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I would say the 6.5-284. Great cartride with great brass and great bullet selction. Same case capacity as the other 2. But of the other 2, I like the 25-06. My load will zero @ 300 yds and is a lazer to 350 and will kill deer out to 800-1000 yds, depending on altitude. The 25-06 is a sweet deal.