25-06 or 270 WSM

[joeya]

Hey guys, I'm sure if I looked hard enough I could find this exact scenario on the forum somewhere, but think I'll start a new one.

The wife has expressed interest in hunting next year. She is currently going through the courses. I don't think she will enjoy shooting my 300WSM a whole bunch and we will need a second rifle regardless for when we're out together. I would like to get her a rifle for Christmas, and I have it narrowed down to a 25-06 or a .270WSM (or .270wm). This rifle will be used for primarily hunting deer. Just looking for some feedback on my choices. Is there much difference in recoil between the 2? Ammo prices etc?

Also, I'll probably top it off with a 3-9 x 40 Leuold, vortex or similar, not too picky on the brand of the glass, but something with a good warrenty and longevity.

Thanks, Joey

[double gun]

Of the two choices you listed I would lean towards the 25-06. There will be a noticable recoil difference between the two.

[redranger15]

My 270wsm feels slightly less recoil then my 7mmrm did, if that helps. I wouldn't start my wife or kids with it.

Recoil has more to do with experience level than gender or body size. For inexperienced shooters, the 270WSM may not be a great choice but for an experienced shooter of any size or gender with a proper fitting rifle, it shouldn't be a big deal. Why not a 7mm08?

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

Originally Posted by double gun

Of the two choices you listed I would lean towards the 25-06. There will be a noticable recoil difference between the two.

x2 but if she can handle it, I'd go 270WSM

My wife shoots a Tikka T3 270WSM in the laminate stainless model. She loves it. She took it over so I got another one for me!!

Another caliber would be a 7mm-08...good selction of ammo too. If just for deer, a 243 might be another to consider....that way you have a good predator rifle come winter predator hunting!!!

Sounds like a sweet gift. If you plan on taking your wife out for elk/moose, I would go the 270WSM / 7mm-08 route.

[elkhunter11]

A 7mm-08 would be an excellent choice.

[leo]

And again(x3) 7mm-08 would be fine. Other than that, a 25-06 with a good premium bullet 100grains or more will suffice with a competent shot placement at a sensible distance.

[harv3589]

I wouldn't recommend a 270WSM for a first time hunter unless that person is versed in shooting and can handle it. I had one in a Kimber and it kicked far more than the Rem700 7mm mag I shot before it and more than the 30-06 I shoot now.

25-06 is a good choice but I bias towards it

the 7mm-08 would be another good choice....my next choice

[Twisted Canuck]

Do your research on the 7mm-08....and then get one for your wife. Best of both worlds! Low recoil, great ballistics, good ammo selection. Between the two you mentioned, I'd get the 7mm-08!

I love mine! The .300 WM only comes out for heavier fun, but I'm confident with either.

[joeya]

Thanks for the great feedback guys! Wasn't considering the 7mm-08 a whole bunch, but the more I am reading (here and elsewhere), the more I like it.

I did have a soft spot for the .270wsm, only because i want one for myself, but I think i have decided against it for my wife's sake. I have shot both the 25-06 and the 7mm-08, but both were years ago.
Thanks, Joey

[MadTrapper]

if its for christmas get her the 7m-08 in a sako, and see who you can't keep your hands off of!

[CaberTosser]

My .270WSM is less pleasant to shoot than my .30-06. Admittedly some of that is recoil pad related, but certainly not all of it. She might have great tolerance for recoil though, what caliber's (if any) has she shot previously?

[Lefty]

My missus prefers the 708 to the 25-06 by a bunch. Finds the Savage Weather Warrior in 708 a lot more comfortable to shoot than a 26" heavy barreled Remington 700. With the range of bullets for the 708 I think it is a more versatile rifle for hunting a variety of game.

[dogslayer403]

Pick whatever you prefer as far as Im concerned with there isnt anything a 7mm08 will kill that a 25-06 won't and the 25-06 shoots flatter.

[Lonnie]

Originally Posted by Lefty

My missus prefers the 708 to the 25-06 by a bunch. Finds the Savage Weather Warrior in 708 a lot more comfortable to shoot than a 26" heavy barreled Remington 700. With the range of bullets for the 708 I think it is a more versatile rifle for hunting a variety of game.

what ever she feels comfortable with in any of the 243 to 270win stay away from the magnums she will have to try the fit of the rifle for her self. I wuold lean more to the 25-06 or 270win. if she finds one that fits her by it as there is nothing worse than a gun that does not fit. remember its for her not you.

[shad199]

i would stay away from the short mag i have one and they kick pretty bad, my girlfriend shoots a 243 and 7mm08 which still has enough kick for her

[joeya]

Originally Posted by CaberTosser

My .270WSM is less pleasant to shoot than my .30-06. Admittedly some of that is recoil pad related, but certainly not all of it. She might have great tolerance for recoil though, what caliber's (if any) has she shot previously?

She hasn't shot much, but has Played around with my .223, dad's 22-250, but has also tried her hand at a couple larger cals including a .308 and a 30-06, but really only a few rounds with each, looking for something with light recoil, so really thinking about the 25-06 and 7-08

[MattSako]

Everyone here in Québec recommend 7mm -08 for womens.

[Beta-pg]

I recently picked up a Savage Axis XP in a 25-06 for 309 from wholesale in Edmonton... nice rifle, great price... ammo is a little difficult to source here in McMurray, but hey!

Oh, and my wife fires it with issue...

[Findal]

25.06 will have less recoil and shoot flatter, which makes it easier to shoot accurately and comfortably with higher success.
In alberta the shots can be longer and not having to change POA further could really help too.

All that sounds like a great combination for a relatively new shooter and more likely to get them to want to go more.

When Momma's happy, everybodies happy!

[bigbuck19]

I love the .25-06, have no issue with the recoil and it certainly gets the job done.

[pesky672]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Recoil has more to do with experience level than gender or body size. For inexperienced shooters, the 270WSM may not be a great choice but for an experienced shooter of any size or gender with a proper fitting rifle, it shouldn't be a big deal. Why not a 7mm08?

Spot on!

It is more about experience level and proper shooting technique than size or gender.
If that fails... then a 7mm-08 isn't a bad choice... it is pretty forgiving and adequate for most applications.

[southernman]

Some good advice above, make sure rifle fits her well, and two other cal to concider are .260 and 6.5x55, both are mild recoiling and very capable.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Beta-pg

I recently picked up a Savage Axis XP in a 25-06 for 309 from wholesale in Edmonton... nice rifle, great price... ammo is a little difficult to source here in McMurray, but hey!

Oh, and my wife fires it with issue...

Did you try Outdoor Essentials?

Cat

[lone wolf]

Originally Posted by joeya

.......... I would like to get her a rifle for Christmas, and I have it narrowed down to a 25-06 or a .270WSM (or .270wm). This rifle will be used for primarily hunting deer. Just looking for some feedback on my choices. Is there much difference in recoil between the 2? Ammo prices etc?

The 25-06 is a sweet caliber to shoot, and an excellent choice for deer. The 270 WSM is comparable to to a 7mm Rem Mag, and has the recoil to prove it ~ it would not be my first choice for an inexperienced hunter. What about a regular .270 ? Superb cartridge, moderate recoil and the easiest (and cheapest) of the bunch to find shells for. As Sheephunter & others have mentioned, the 7-08 is also a fine choice, although ammo might be an issue. Good luck !!

[Beta-pg]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Did you try Outdoor Essentials?

Cat

I actually checked just after I typed that... they do have'em, but only in a premium bullet. Once I get the rifle zeroed with less expensive ammo, I'll for sure take a swing by there.

[elkhunter11]

Once I get the rifle zeroed with less expensive ammo, I'll for sure take a swing by there.

And then you can zero the rifle with the premium ammunition.

[Beta-pg]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

And then you can zero the rifle with the premium ammunition.

my "aim" was to shoot fusion ammo... not shoot fusion and then the more expensive ammo, and then back to it... but thanks for the heads up.

[Robmcleod82]

Originally Posted by Beta-pg

my "aim" was to shoot fusion ammo... not shoot fusion and then the more expensive ammo, and then back to it... but thanks for the heads up.

LMFAO that was great

[Zuludog]

I have a Sako A7 in 7mm 08 and have been nothing but pleased with it. I did a lot of research before buying it and I think at adequate ranges it can be used on a wide variety of game, from deer to elk.

My Sako in particular is light, handles well and is very accurate. Someone mentioned finding ammo might be a problem but not a big problem. No you won't find it at Cdn tire or the general store in Nordegg, if that's aa concern I'd lean towards a 270. I have no problem finding it at the bigger stores like
WSS.

Good luck with your purchase.