I am contemplating replacing my 7mm-08 with a .260. I have done some research and I find it hard to justify having both, besides just having one more gun. I have the "over" covered, it would seem, with several .30 cals, a .376, and a .450. I have nothing smaller than the 7mm-08 and feel the need. Any comments?

B

[ 05-08-2003, 10:54: Message edited by: bodu ]

Other than want, I can see or think of no, none, zero reason to do this.

Personaly I like the 260 but sure as heck don't think there is any difference between the two. Unless you micro manage the two of them to death and then I think it'll still be a stand off when the dust settles.

Do the 260 if it blows your ears back if not save your coin and stay with the 7/08.

Just my thoughts

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

Mark's right (of course)... there just isn't much difference between the two.

The 7-08 has a **slight** advantage for game larger than deer... the 260 (6.5-08) has a **slight** advantage for game smaller than deer. Honestly though, the 260 is a compromise round... it's still a bit more than is needed for coyotes (a 224 or 6mm are better there) and it doesn't punch as big a hole as the 7-08 or 308 on bigger game. I suspect you've fallen into the mental-gymnastic's that I've often found myself in... better go outside and take a deep breath as you're straining at knat's .

BA

The only difference is whether you prefer a metric or english dominated nomenclature. and even that is a wreck with these two, since both are hybrids!!

Save your worries about whether to shoot 139 grain or 140 grain bullets.

halve fun

I've spend hours trying to decide about the .260. In the end I decided the 7mm-08 is too close to make the .260 matter. If you want to shoot lighter bullets, shoot the speer 120 or 130 grain soft points.

I had a gun built on a m77 sa. I wanted it on a 308 size case, (243AI, 25-08, 260, 7-08). I went ahead with the 260 and I love it. If I already had a 7-08 I would have gone with 243 AI. I am very 30 cal heavy, and already have a 22-250 so the 260 fit right in. With the 129 grain hornady, or the 125 grain partition it is about the perfect deer round. But then again so is the 7-08.

bodu, personally I like the 7mm-08 with 140 gr. Fail Safes but from the sounds of your letter, if you're even thinking about the .260 you might as well buy it. Otherwise you're going to drive yourself crazy. Been there.

I think your prob is the same as: should I sell my .280 and get a .270. I think both rounds will do what you want with them. Whitetails, mulies, 'yotes and such. If you're set up to reload for the 7-08, you'll need to start over with the .260; but then, that may be part of what drives your interest.
Btw, there's nothing wrong with having a .260 and a 7-08. I'm having a 788 action barrelled to a .260 even as we speak. It will join my 7-08, 7x57, .280 & 7mag in the locker when I get it back. As I read somewhere in these pages: How many guns does a fellow need?? .....
One more.

As everybody else has indicated they are very similar but I sort of like the .260 better because of the broader range of bullet selection and applications, ie 85g to 160g. These will cover everything from mice to moose and do it fairly well with a 1 in 9" twist.

The common parent case gives the .260 an edge over the 6.5x55 which is another extremely versatile number. Plateau Hunter

I'll take a 7-08 over a 260 any day..you just have a lot more versitality for killing big game with the 7's...simply put it is a bigger gun!

I have been considering a Rem 260 for awhile now and look at it this way - I already have a 308 and really like the Remington Stainless Laminated mountain rifle in the 260. The 7mm 08 is too close for me to the 308.

If you have one you don't need the other, but then again, that never stopped me? I sold my 7-08 because is was kind of a "tweener". I would buy a .260 now as a dual purp. rig, much better than a 6mm for deer size game & decent bullets for varmints.

I say keep the 7mm-08, and buy a 243Win! The .264 dia bullet is too limited to compete well with any 7mm, and the 243 Win will do anything the 260 will do with less fuss!

Several of you guys have hit the nail on the head. I know that I am getting rid of the 7mm/08 because of the platform it is on, time for something new. I dont think I will go wrong if I get another 7/08 or go with a 260 or even a 243. I just want a new rifle and the thought of a caliber I haven't had before intrigues me. I hope to have one of everything someday, but dont we all. Thanks for the input.

Bodu