I hunted with an 80s vintage Winchester M70 25.06 that my dad bought at a Gibsons. My dad, my brother and I shared it until my brother and I graduated college. When I could afford to buy a rifle I studied the ballistics charts and fell in love with the 257 wby mag. My local gun store had a Rem. 700 LSS in 257 wby mag. I purchased it. It is a fine-looking rifle. It shoots fine. I killed 7 pigs and 2 deer with it the first season. I did not like the performance on the deer. Both were shot broadside. Both shots were pass thrus. I found both deer, but I was not pleased with having to track them. I realize 2 deer is not a legitimate sample size and I really did not give it much of a chance. There are probably plenty of 257 wby rounds that would have dropped them in their tracks. I still have the gun. The biggest issue was the price per round. I like to shoot my guns, but not when every round fired costs $4 to $5 per squeeze. I purchased a Sako 25.06 and never looked back. For coyotes, pigs, and deer the 25.06 has served me well. I mainly hunt with Remington Corelokts 100 grain or more recently with Hornaday whitetail in 117 grain. I love being able to see the round impact the critter. Most of the time I can see right where the round hits the animal. Since I am used to that, I guess that is what I prefer. The 257 wby mag is a great round, but it just not for me. I rarely ever shoot at anything other than coyotes and pigs over 300 yds. Last fall I purchased my first 30.06 Rem 700 and so far I like it. I can't necessarily see the impacts, but the recoil is not bad. And it is certainly suitable for everything I intend to hunt. Since 25.06 is a 30.06 derivative, when I start reloading hopefully that will make things easier. I don't have any real complaints, mainly just a preference for low-cost and lower-recoiling guns where I can see the impact on the animal. Don't get me wrong the recoil of the 257 wby is not bad at all and maybe over time. The 25.06 seems to be goldilocks round for me and suits W. Ok very well.
