To my understanding 7mm08, .260 rem, 6,5X55 Swede (and 6.5X54 MS) and 7X57 are very similar calibres with respect to their recoil and ability to handle medium sized game. Can anyone give some pro's and cons on these calibres or highlight some of the differences between them?

Cheers in advance lurcher

NOt owning a 7/08, or a 6.5. x 54, but owning the 260, 6.5 x 55, 6.5 x 57,and a couple of 7 x 57, I'd say they are too close to worry about the difference.

I do load for a 7/08 that belongs to a friends daughter ( 15 yrs old) and often use 6.5 x 54 load data in the two 6.5 mm Mauser cartridges I own, plus the same data in the 260 Rem.

With proper bullet selection, I would not consider any one of them under powered for Elk. I have no experience with the Big Alaskan Bears, but heavy bullets in those calibers do penetrate quite a bit. In a pinch, with good shot placement I am sure all of them have downed grizzleys and Alaskan Brown Bear. Not optimum, but they are used a lot in Scandanavia and the Arctic Region for Polar Bears also, which are even bigger.

Minus those limits they will certainly do anything you may want to hunt in the lower 48 with less recoil than the 30 caliber or bigger club.

They have become my prime caliber choices.

Cheers and Good shooting
seafire

Lurcher,
I've been using both the 6.5x55 and the 7-08(AI) and I couldn't notice any real difference between them when we're talking about their effect on game.
In my opinion it's all about availibility and preferenses, if you want a classic 7x57 or a Mannlicher in 6.5x54 our choice would be simple On the other hand if you want a short action then it will be a 260 or 7-08. Here in Sweden 6.5x55 is the cheapest cartridge to shoot and that might be a factor. And then there is a question of the components, getting brass for a 6.5x55 would be easy but the 6.5x54 is a different matter. Same thing goes for the bullets, what kind of bullets do you prefer?

My point is that the difference between thoose cartridges are very hard to detect, but the difference in the guns they come in might be huge.

Best regards,
Henrik

I think the others covered it pretty well, w/ proper bullets of sim. construction & SD, they will all kill game well. The 6.5s have an advantage as far as a good selection of match grade bullets if you are into that. For hunting, it really comes down to; does the cart. come in the rifle/action style you want? Good shooting?

Apples to pears and one banana.All these cartridges are just lovely but there are some differences.
Generally the .260 and 7mm08 are used in shorter actions than are the 6.5x55 and the 7x57. The magazines in the first two severely restrict their overall length and the longer heavier bullets are pushed into the powder room.
The two latter cartridges are on longer actions generally alowing them to have nice long necks and deep throats thus permitting them to handle the heavier longer bullets at a significantly higher energy level when hand loaded.

The 6.5x54, although a truely epic, virsatile cartridge operates at a somewhat lower energy level.

These are differences that exist as I see it. Should you use one and not the other to hunt Elk? Put down your money and take your choice whose recomendations to follow.Maybe some friendly guide can help. roger

Were I a one rifle person, I would not rush out to trade one in order to buy another. It is merely the .270 versus the .280 argument revisited. None would be my first choice for elk/moose and certainly not the great bears but for the rest of game in the new world, I believe I could be happy with any of them.

The 7mm/08 and 7x57 are .284" diameter rounds and will take up to a 175gr. bullet. The others you listed are .264" diameter and have a maximum bullet weight of 160gr. All are quite reasonable in terms of recoil, and all should produce pretty fair accuracy. The .264 rounds all have a high balistic co-efficient that generally results in quite good penetration on most animals. I have a 6.5x55 and use it with 160gr. bullets for moose in Canada. It plays merry old hell with an animals boiler room. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

I think Henrik hit the nail on the head- availability! All are adequate for medium game, most for heavier game, also. In my opinion, if you do not reload, it all boils down to what is readily available in you local sporting goods/hardware store. If you do reload, then it is irrelevant to to compare and whatever caliber designation sounds coolest, should be the one you choose!

Assuming components are readily accesible.

Cooter

You will find the 6.5x54MS in a different league from the others. Much lower velocity and less foot pounds of energy. Made its reputation for deep penetration of round nosed 160 grain bullets at about 2100 fps.

The first two you mention are based on the .308 case. The other two are a little longer. While I have no experience with the latter 3, I make the reccomendation for the 7-08. Although my next new toy or should I say my son's next toy will be a 260AI. I am an Ackley slut. And whether there will be significant advantages to the AI version of the 260 is irrevelant. But back to your question. The 7-08 is a super choice. It is for the most part a ballistic twin to the 7x57. Heavier bullets do hinder it a little due to the seating taking up some powder space. But couple the 7-08 with a barnes x in 140 grain and you have a rifle capable of taking just about anything you wish to hunt short of the big browns. And to really make the 7-08 shine, punch it out to its AI version. Velocities will reach and in some cases exceed the 3000fps mark. I also like the fact that the 7-08 is a short action. Means a stiffer more ridgid action. Also lightens the load a tad if weight is a concern. I prefer the .284 dia. bullet selection compared to the .264. For the time being the 7mm's offer a wider selection. I have taken several large whitetails at ranges pushing 400yds withthe 7-08AI/140 barnes combo. All dropped at the shot with the bullet exiting on each. Moose and elk are very doable with the above mentioned combo as well. Just my .02.