I will not consider a 243 for personal preference.If you were to build an all around short action caliber for deer, antelope, the typical medium sized game, what would it be and why? The following are considerations for me:260260AI7-08308

.308 Win, becuase is just does not let me down. I guess it is just a personal peference, but 243 would be my second choice.

I have such a rifle, it is chambered in 7-08.

I'm sure the 260 and 308 are great so why not split the difference.

quote:

Originally posted by SteveM70:
I'm sure the 260 and 308 are great so why not split the difference.

A very logical thing to do, I'm chewing on it...

For all but the longest shots the .308 is a superior vehicle to deliever energy, and momentum. Caliber always counts into the "power" equation. Doc, you are talking about fleshy targets, not paper here so that is the answer.

The 308.
I have killed several deer and antelope with it, including my longest shot on a big game animal, an antelope.

you didn't include animals bigger than deer and pronghorns.....the .260 gets the nod easily!

Had we included sheep or elk or moose or caribou etc.....a larger caliber might be more appropriate.....

The .260 wins under this scenario easily.

308 Win.

even walk into a small gunshop and ask for 260 ammo :-)

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
you didn't include animals bigger than deer and pronghorns.

That is correct. I have "bigger" guns for bigger game.

i have all 3, but, not the AI,,but if i only could have one, it would be the 7MM-08 it will take care of everything from .260 to .308,... from antelope to elk. bullets from 120, to 175,

Shot this morning at 300 yards, Rem 700 VSSF .308 Win VV 140 and Lapua brass and bullets 155 Scenar's CCi 200 primers... Beyond the book load. Velocity 2950+ ft/secs

308Sako,

That is awesome shooting!!

Don

I'd probably pick the 308, but 260 would be 2nd choice.

quote:

Originally posted by DMB:
308Sako,

That is awesome shooting!!

Don

Sure is! When I first read your post I missed the part about 300 yards. Dang good shootin!

VapoDog has it right!!! roger

All four are splendid chamberings for the use you designated. Of the four, I voted for the .260 Rem. For deer and sage goats, I like the range of bullet weights it commonly is found digesting.

Plus, I already have over a dozen .308s, two 7mm/08s, two 7x57s, and a bunch of other intermediate rifles, but my only 6.5s are either mags, or 6.5 M/S chamberings. So, the .260 would round things off rather nicely.

Am in the process as we write tying to obtain a good condition used .260 reamer to build a couple of those for myself.

Well Alberta Canuck, it reads that you are in Oregon, so, why not get in touch with JGS right there in Oregon and get one?

quote:

Originally posted by DMB:
308Sako,

That is awesome shooting!!

Don

Thanks guys, but it really was a fluke and truly the best I have ever done at that range, with that rifle. I'll keep trying to beat it though...


Doc, sorry for the hijack.

The 7-08 is a great round but the more I shoot my 260ai, the more I like it. Kind of a SA 25-06 or 270. It seems a better bet than the 243 for deer size game & less recoil & better down range performance than a 308 in a lt.wt. rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by fredj338:
The 7-08 is a great round but the more I shoot my 260ai, the more I like it. Kind of a SA 25-06 or 270. It seems a better bet than the 243 for deer size game & less recoil & better down range performance than a 308 in a lt.wt. rifle.

I have a question. My only concern about a 260AI is feeding. What has been your experience with this? It would be in a Sako M591 action.

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:

quote:

Originally posted by DMB:
308Sako,

That is awesome shooting!!

Don

Thanks guys, but it really was a fluke and truly the best I have ever done at that range, with that rifle. I'll keep trying to beat it though...


Doc, sorry for the hijack.

No problem. I like to see good shooting. That is a hell of a group at 300 yards. I could never do that.

I am building (3) ultra short ultra light .308s for deer antelope right now. I am planning on 130 gr Barnes TSX and ~50 gr H335 ~3125 fps. Flat shooting out to 300 yards, powerful out to 400 yards.

Doc, best buddy converted his 260 to the AI when he rebarreled recently, he aint gonna change again! This rig just shoots awesome, and no feeding issues at all. Lilja barrel and Sako M-75 action, it is smooth and holy crap it shoots so great!

I like this chamnering a lot for the game range you mentioned, he shoots two bullet weights in it actually, and both shoot equally well, don't recall twist rate he went with, but can find out if you're interested.

quote:

Originally posted by Fish30114:
Doc, best buddy converted his 260 to the AI when he rebarreled recently, he aint gonna change again! This rig just shoots awesome, and no feeding issues at all. Lilja barrel and Sako M-75 action, it is smooth and holy crap it shoots so great!

I like this chamnering a lot for the game range you mentioned, he shoots two bullet weights in it actually, and both shoot equally well, don't recall twist rate he went with, but can find out if you're interested.

I would very much like to speak with your friend. Please PM me his info. I have decided that it is a toss up b/w the 260 AI, and 308. I spoke with Terry Cross and he built his sons rifle on a Sako 75 in that caliber and has had no problems. He was kind enough to tell me JGS' part number for the reamer if I needed it. I'll also call a couple of other smiths I know and discuss feeding to see what they say. I'll likely also call Redding since they make the dies, but they won't be in until Monday.

I picked the 7mm-08 because I feel it is the closest to the my personal favorite, the 270 Win, in a short action.

The 260 would be second.

AI's are not worth the hassle IMO, and 30 calibers just don't do it for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by fredj338:
The 7-08 is a great round but the more I shoot my 260ai, the more I like it. Kind of a SA 25-06 or 270. It seems a better bet than the 243 for deer size game & less recoil & better down range performance than a 308 in a lt.wt. rifle.

Doc, mine is on a M700 & feeding is fine. It's a target rilfe, but I like it so much I've though about finding an old 243 to rebarrel for a light deer/antelope rig. It's such an upgrade over the 243 IMO, 95gr-140gr bullets @ good vel., seem slike a fine hunting tool.
I have a question. My only concern about a 260AI is feeding. What has been your experience with this? It would be in a Sako M591 action.

quote:

Originally posted by fredj338:
... better down range performance than a 308 in a lt.wt. rifle.

Hey Fred, What is your definition of Performance?
-----

quote:

Originally posted by tnekkcc:
... I am building (3) ultra short ultra light .308s for deer antelope right now. ...

Hey tnekkcc, What are you building them on and what do you expect them to weigh?

No problem. I like to see good shooting. That is a hell of a group at 300 yards. I could never do that.



Doc, Neither could I before I did... actually, yes you could.


On the original question, I myself was quite torn between a .260 or the old stand by .308. In the end I just had to go with what works for me. I have no doubts that the .260 would be an excellent choice. It would however be similiar in performance to the 6.5/284. Like having both a .308 and an '06 in the same rifle.

My personal favorite is the 7mm-08. Extremely accurate, very low recoil, a gazilion 7mm bullets to choose from and better balistics than a 308.

firstshot
---------------------------
Make your first shot count!

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
Well Alberta Canuck, it reads that you are in Oregon, so, why not get in touch with JGS right there in Oregon and get one?

I've done lots of business with JGS, including their making various reamers for my own proprietary cartridges. But in this instance I did not want to pay for a new reamer. (It was not that important to me whether I ever got a .260 or didn't, so I could afford to look around.)

You might want to take a look at the price of a new, floating pilot reamer from any of the better makers these days, including JGS. $120 is a pretty good deal for one. As it is, by shopping and being patient I managed to get a used one that has just been sharpened by Dave Kiff, looks brand new, with a floating pilot, for $40, delivered to my door. So, guess why I didn't go spend $120 or up for one?

Best wishes,

AC