From what I've been reading lately it seems that these two cartridges effectively use roughly the same bullet weights. Is one head and shoulders above the other, or are they pretty evenly matched in accuracy,ease of reloading,and performance on game? Which is your favorite?
Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff57, you'll get a little better sectional density given equal bullet weights with the .260 but not enough to worry about. My own personal preference is the 7mm-08 but you won't go wrong with either one. It comes down to personal preference.

Same basic case,same basic SD's on the bullets.I like both and I hunt with 260. As savage 49494 said,It comes down to a personal choice.
My 260 is easy to handload for,not real picky about what it will shoot.I assume that the 7-08 would be much the same. The 260 also performs really well on game.I have used mine for varmints,hogs,Whitetails and Mule Deer. I have not used it on anything larger than a Muley.
As for accuracy,I got a really good barrel,but as we all know the next rifle off the line could have a really bad barrel. Mine shoots sub MOA at 100 off the bench...
Enjoy whichever one you choose!!

My first centerfire rifle was a Remington Model Seven in 7mm-08, purchased new in the mid 80s, which is about the time that combo was introduced. I picked that rifle over an Interarms Mark X in 7x57. While my Model Seven in 7-08 is a dream to carry in the field and easy to reload for, it is not all that much fun to shoot from the bench (lots of muzzle blast due to the short barrel, and the thin barrel heats up fast). I realize that this rifle is meant to be carried a lot and shot a little, so I have no problem with that. However, I do a lot more shooting from a bench than I do hunting, so sometimes, in hindsight, I wish I had chosen the full size Mark X in 7x57. Although I have never loaded bullets heavier than 154 grains in the 7mm-08, I do know the short action of the Model Seven would place a 175 grain bullet deep into the case. While I love my Model Seven and will not part with it, I realize now that when I made my choice back in the 80s, I should have gone with the Mark X in 7x57. One of these days I will add something similar to that Mark X to my battery, and it will be a CZ550 in 7x57...

What's your intended use? Varmints and deer? Then, I suppose, the 260 would edge the 7-08. Ditto paper punching. For deer only flip a coin. For elk I'll take bullet diameter and wieght any day in which case a 150 or 160 Partition in the 7-08 would get the nod. Me, I ike the 308 over them both... I know you didn't ask that! (wink)

I chose the 260, for the only reason that it uses the same powders as my 7mm Mag, which is a plus for me. You can look at the ballistics all you want, but the difference between the 260 & 7-08 is nothing you'd ever notice on deer. On bigger stuff, I'd opt for the 7-08, if that was my only rifle, otherwise I'd go bigger yet. In fact, if it is too big or tough for either of these two, I'd want to go 338 or bigger.

The 260 usually shoots 120, 129, & 140 gr. bullets, the 7-08 shoots 140's, 145's, 150's, & 154 grainers. Recoil is basically the same, maybe slightly less in the 260. Accuracy should be quite good with either one.

[ 08-17-2003, 21:47: Message edited by: todbartell ]

I have both in a bdl and classic and both shoot less than 1in at 100.Haven taken more deer with the 260 than the 7/08 but it is because I carry the 260 more.this year I am using a 120 gr bullet in both.Which do I like better? Its a toss-up
I posted about the 260 in the reloading form 8-13-03 if you want to read more about the 260,and see some groups mine shot.

I chose the 7-08 over the 260 cause I don't reload and factory ammo is better for the 7-08.
But I wanted to choose the 260 for my deer gun as it shoots a little flatter and has lower recoil.
Also, it was easier to find a used 7-08 than a 260 cause the 260 is so new.

I have both as well. Though my general purpose rifle is a Steyr Scout in .308, I have a 7mm-08 barrel for my Blaser R93 on the off chance that I'm prohibited from using a military cartridge. I have a Rem Model Seven in .260 as a test bed for my Ching Ring Scout Scope mount and load for it with 160-grain Hornady RNs at 2350 fps to duplicate the classic 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer round.

I prefer the 6.5 mm cartridge, as it does great things, out of proportion to its size. I own 3 different 260s, 2 Rugers, and One Rem VLS heavy barrel.

6.5's have a real nice bullet selection for them.

However if for some funky reason, 6.5 mm cartridges were outlawed, I would be out buying me a 7/08 the next morning, and loading more for my 7 x 57s.

Their is no real down side to either, except too many bullet choices!

Thanks for everyone's input. Most of the comments mirrored my own personal feelings. I do like the family of cartridges based on the .308 parent case. I am saddened that both cartridges get a little long in a short action with the heavier weight bullets. I hunt coyotes,deer,and elk. I have a 6MM Remington and a 300 Winchester Magnum and was looking for a caliber to fill the gap between them. I'm a believer in having a backup rifle, shotgun, or bow because,you won't be able to get a broken one fixed before hunting season is over around here.
Thanks,
Jeff