Im going to start reloading soon and was wondering what u all thought,

I was thinking 7mm mag, load it down for white tail, pronghorn, hogs and targets (loaded down to save powder and recoil.) Then if I want elk or something, load it up...

Thanks

With the right bullet choices, the .25-06 will do everything you've mentioned very well. It's got the power to take elk if the right bullet is put in the right place, it's a great deer and antelope cartridge, and it's a flat shooter. The .280 or .30-06 will do it all also if you think the .25 is a little light for elk. Belted mags are overrated IMO.

I dont really have a problem with the 25, I was lookin at 257 wby mag as well.

I agree with RR. .25-06 is a good one, .257 Roberts is as well. I like 7mm-08, .280 Rem., .270 Win., .308 Win., .30-06, 8mm Mauser...etc. etc. They will all do the job.

calibre doesnt matter if you shoot it good

30-06 we load 125 gr. sp for hill country deer, 150-168 for most shooting, and have loaded some 200 gr. for hog thumpin'.

25-06= flatter shooting & softer recoil

270= bigger bullet & lower cost

does either offer anything over the other?

Has to be the 300 Winchester Mag. Load it full bore for anything in North America or load it down to 30-30 velocities for whatever. Great selection of 30 caliber projectiles for any velocity range.

agreed

Yes, the 270 offers higher BC bullets than the 25 caliber does. I love my 270. But a good all around caliber would be a 260 Rem or 7mm-08. They offer high weight bullets with great BC, and little recoil. If you want more umph, go 7 Rem mag.
For your overall use, I'd say a 300 Win Mag is hard to beat. Load light bullets fast and flat, or heavy one's with a high BC out to a mile. (Yes, a 300 WM to a mile!) But recoil can be hard for a novice shooter, so it depends on your shooting ability to handle a magnum caliber. Which leads me back to a 260 Rem or 7mm-08.

I like something different, a look at most of my guns would attest to that. Since you are talking reloading my vote would be 280AI. Can load up to right at 7Mag or load down to 7-30 Waters. A plus with the AI cases is long case life

It doesn't really matter. Just reload what you like to shoot. I will say this: smaller bullets use less powder and their projectiles are cheaper, relative to comparable projectiles of larger diameter.

But, if I had to recommend a cartridge, I would say 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, 7x57 Mauser, or 8x57 Mauser. These are all wonderful when loaded to their potential.

I like 7mm08 in my T/C Encore with 2x7x32 Trophy scope.

The only downside to a .25 cal is bullet selection. I have a 25 WSSM and you are pretty limited compared to a 7mm, 30 cal or others. I still like it a lot though

The 44 Magnum is the best reloading cartridge I've had any dealings with. From mild to wild.

Want another mild to wild one try 45-70 in a strong modern falling block action

I'm amazed there haven't been more people recommend .30-06. It is the classic choice for reloaders. Great bullet selection and a wide range of loading options from small game to large game.

X2

I'd lean toward a .280 or .280 Ackley Improved. Alllmost a 7 Mag & long brass life with the improved shoulder, no belt & a bit less capacity so loading down should be a little easier.

500 S&W Magnum with inexpensive cast lead gas check bullets out of my Handi-Rifle. Talk about fun!!!!

Instant death on all hogs too. They do not run off.

7 Mags Use ALOT of powder for what you get. I used to shoot one. I now shoot a .25-06 and would take it any day over the 7 mag for accuracy, recoil and cost purposes.

If cost is a factor I'd look at a .270 or .30-06. Components are cheaper and they are GREAT guns that will do anything you've mentioned.

I would feel comfortable using my .25-06 on Elk but a .30-06 would give you a longer shot @ Elk I would think because of the heavier bullet.

Really depends on how often you're gonna go Elk hunting. I also REALLY like the 7mm-08. I reload and I think that may be my next rifle. When my son starts hunting I'll probably go ahead and give him my .25-06 for Christmas one year(I'm sure I'll cry). But I'll get a new toy too.

So many great choices but basically here's what I think and I've shot alot of guns at alot of deer and hogs.

If recoil is a concern then go with a .25-06. If not go with the .30-06. The .30 would give you a little more range if you go for Elk but it's not as fun as the .25-06 to shoot.

The beuty of reloading is that you can take many calibers and expand what they are good for. To me the ability the reloading gives you makes them all good.

The best is in the eye of the beholder and what you want to do with it.

Any Rifle in .30 caliber equall to or greater in powder capacity to the .308 Win.

A BAR in .300 WM is my favorite back up gun for any hunting trip, thus it is the most versatile in my thinking. Good for woods or open country. I have better rifles for each type of terrain but as a General Purpose Rifle this one is hard to beat.