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I'am thinking about buying a Axis to hunt deer with, but can't decide on the 243 or 25-06?
I reload for everything, so that is not a problem. My shots would be right out front to maybe a 125 yrds.
and that would be pushing it. Our deer range in weight of 90- 150 lbs.
Thanks,
jr 1968
I have a soft spot in my heart, for 25-06s.
Dean
As do I but if 125 yards is the max range then just about anything would work. I would go for the cheaper more efficient cartridge. 243 will use less powder have less recoil and is cheaper and easier to find on the shelf if you need to. What's the smallest caliber allowed to hunt deer with in your area? 22-250 would be just about perfect if its legal.
If ranges were gonna be longer I would suggest the 25 as well, but at 125yds and with deer that size the 243 will get it done. I would be sure to use good bullets in it though. I would suggest the 95-100gr partitions or similar. Something that will retain a lot of it's original weight.
Those will still put a 1/2" hole clear through the deer, and even a 200+ lb deer could not go far like that. As most will say, shot placement will be number one, on any caliber.
I own both a .25-06 and a .243 win. They are both great deer cartridges, but when you take into account having to buy ammo, the .243 wins easily. The ammo is much cheaper and easier to come by. Also if you reload, there are more/better bullet selections in the .243/6mm caliber, and brass is easier to find. .25-06 brass can be made from .270, .280, or .30-06, but it's sorta time consuming. The .243 is short action, which is usually a plus, but since your posting in the Axis forum it doesn't matter since the Axis rifles are all long action. In my opinion, you're slightly better off with the .243, but only because of the ammo situation.
99 out of 100 dead deer won't be able to tell the difference between the two
All these reasons are valid, and make perfect sense, but in they end the cartridge that holds the most amount of powder wins, that is how I have made all my decisions, whether it is right or wrong it has always worked for me, with no regrets.
Dean
I don't think you can go wrong with either, especially at the ranges you mentioned. The .243 is certainly capable of taking deer. I don't hunt any more, but the .243 is the only caliber I ever used for deer and I never lost one. Shot placement, just like any other caliber is important though.
But, for deer, I would think that the 25-06 should be superior. I have no experience with this caliber. The recoil may be a bit more if that matters to you. Since you reload, ammo availability may not be that big of a deal either.