longer range varmint & possible deer rifle?

[lewish11]

Being new to the hunting thing, I want to get a longer range varmint rifle that can also double as a deer rifle. I determined that the .25-06 was the answer. A friend offered to reload for me, but suggested I look at the 25 WSSM. I like it better because of its size & weight. In the Browning Hunter they are the same price. He will reload the WSSM also, he has dies for .223 WSSM.

My question is: What's the current feeling about the life of the 25 WSSM? If I get one will I end up with an orphan? No one here seems to know, and already Cabelas has one clearenced.

[PA-Joe]

What do you mean by long range and do you expect to keep the fur? A gun that will do a good job on a deer will ruin the fur on most predators.

[BP]

By varmints, since this is a PA site, I'm figguring groundhogs.  My advice is don't shoot deer with a varmint rifle.  Shoot varmints with a deer rifle.

[paul555]

BP has good advice if you're going to have one rifle for both.  With that said, I think .25-06 is a deer rifle and would work fine.  The last 4 deer I shot were with my .243, which is a newer gun for me.  One ran 20 yards after the shot, 2 ran 10 yards, and one didn't move at all.  So I also think .243 is a good caliber for deer and varmints.

[lewish11]

Since I posted this, others have also recommended the .243.  I will take a serious look at it.   Yes, I mainly shoot ground hogs now, but come fall and winter, I would like to start calling and shooting what is legal and comes.  Fur is a consideration, it was my one worry about the 25-06.

[TrappinJohn]

my 2 cents

25-06 would be a good choice, 243 would be a better choice.

[BP]

deer + chucks + fur = 2 guns
But that ain't all bad.

[Harry Sigafoo]

The 243 is a great long range hog gun that 'can' double as a deer rifle.  Get it first, if you can't afford two rifles.  Latter, add a 308, as a dedicated deer rifle.

You will only be shooting one shell out of your deer rifle a year.  But hopfully you will hunt and target shoot hundrds of 243s a year.

Harry

[paul555]

I would word that opposite: the .243 is a great deer gun that 'can' double as your groundhog gun.  There are smaller (and cheaper, including ammo) guns for groundhogs, but if you're only buying one gun it's a great choice.

Of course, it's always more fun if you buy 2 guns.  

Get a .243 or .25-06 for deer, and a .223 or .17 Rem or .204 for varmints.

[bigben]

If I had a choice for deer/hog rifle I would pick a .243.  for fur one of the lower powered .22 centerfires

[Harry Sigafoo]

While I recomended the 243.  The 257 Roberts and the 260 Rem also  make good combo guns; and are somwhat superior (heavier bullets) for deer/ black bear.

Harry

[Huntermike]

If cost is a concern look at buying one of the NEF handi rifles. they are all reasonably priced. You could order another barrel for your gun right from the factory.

[bigjim]

My 2 cents is the 243 - if you handload you can use 55 grain for hogs and 105 grain for deer or anything inbetween ( 68, 75, 85, 90, 95 or 100) let the bullet deturmin what you are shooting for not the gun.  Savage makes a nice inexpensive one under the Stevens brand name around $300.  It's a Savage inside with a different name on the outside.