I know this has probably come up before, and it will again, but here goes.
Which of these cartridges has the advantage for normal hunting, out to 250 yards. The 260 seems to be used mostly with 120-140 gr, bullets, and the 7-08 is most popular with 139-154 gr. Is there any difference at all in actual field performance? I know the 7-08 has much more in the way of factory ammo, but handloaded, there seems to be plenty of components for both.
I'm looking for a lightweight rifle for hunting deer, sheep, caribou, and goats in the mountains. Which cartridge is the better choice? I do handload. Please refrain from telling me I should choose a 270 or 7mm STW, I'm only interested in an efficient, low recoiling, short action rifle. And I'm not interested in the 308 for this application, although I do admire it.
Not to be a smartass, but I guess the answer is whichever you like the best.... I'm not sure that you will see a significant difference between the two under field conditions, assuming similar bullet construction and sectional density.
Now for MY opinions . I generally believe "bigger is better", and you can get heavier bullets in 7mm. 7-08 ammo is much more readily available, I can get it just about anywhere, but for now, 260 Rem only at specialty gun stores, at much higher price ($25/20 120(?)gr NBT 2 weeks ago), though that may not matter to you as a fellow reloader. 260 may shoot a bit flatter?
My girlfriend has a model 7 in 7-08, and it does well on Missouri whitetail, haven't gone after anything bigger. I have a 260 Rem Encore barrel on order, but not in hand yet. The main reason that I chose the 260 was because of the availability of match grade high-BC bullets. Other than that, I think the 7-08 is probably more versatile (again because of the heavier available projectiles).
Let us know what you decide!
Bill
Posts: 1169 | Location: USA | Registered: 23 January 2002
I have no experience with the .260 but have many years experience with this family .243,7-08,and .308 my favorite going away is the 7-08 I think it is a really underated round,shoots way bigger than its components.I am intrigued by the .260 and will probably own one someday but my gut feeling is the 7-08 is probably superior on larger game.
Posts: 610 | Location: MT | Registered: 01 December 2001
Here We go with that Ford VS Chevy thing again! There may not be any significant difference between these two. 7-08 does offer heavier Bullets. 260 Has a great advantage in Ballistic coefficent. Both 7mm & 6.5 have performed on everything that moves. Having seen the 260 perform at a couple 1000 yd target matches it is real high on my list of gotta haves. make a choice and enjoy You can`t go wrong.
I have to say, I'm leaning toward the 260. The reason being, if I ever decide to hunt coyotes, there is a better selection of lighter, varmint type bullets. Also, there is a good selection of match grade bullets, although the same could be said for the 7mm. There is the 7mm advantage of heavier bullets, although their use may be much more limited in a small case such as the 7-08. I don't plan to hunt bears, moose, or elk with this rifle. I got a 416 for that.
I don't think there really is much of a difference. I had a nice SAko in 7-08, but sold it. I am thinking of rebarreling a M700 for .260 or 6.5x.284. As w/ you, I am looking primarily for a heavy varminter w/ longer range target shooting w/ match bullets. There are probably more match bullets available in the 6.5.
Posts: 7752 | Location: kalif.,usa | Registered: 08 March 2001
I am not biased......LOL.....But seriously there is not really that much differance in the two. Both are really good cartridges if used within there limets..
After looking at the reloading manuals, these 2 are extremely close. The way I see it, the 260 has the advantage of lighter varmint bullets, less recoil, and possibly more penetration, due to it's higher SD. The 7-08 has the option of a heavier 7mm bullet, higher energy, and slightly more frontal area. Good thing I don't have enough money to buy one yet, I still got some deciding to do!
"I'm looking for a lightweight rifle for hunting deer, sheep, caribou, and goats in the mountains. Which cartridge is the better choice? I do handload. Please refrain from telling me I should choose a 270 or 7mm STW, I'm only interested in an efficient, low recoiling, short action rifle. And I'm not interested in the 308 for this application, although I do admire it."......
Either of those calibers offer what your seek. Bullet selection is very broad in both and velocities are similar. If you prefer one bore size over another or have 7mm or 6.5 bullets on hand I'd go with that. I really love the 6.5's and shoot a 6.5X55 Model 70 featherweight, it gets the job done as either of those your looking at will.
If you want a smaller bore (your mentioned not wanting a 308) then you might as well go with the 260. Trajectory will be marginally flatter and B.C's slightly higher for good penetration along with slightly lower recoil. It is a good round.
------------------ Shoot straight, shoot often. Matt
Posts: 1187 | Location: Wisconsin | Registered: 19 July 2001
I do like the 6.5X55 & 7X57, but would prefer a short action cartridge based on the 308 Win case. Also, factory rifles tend to have too long of throats in rifles chambered in 6.5 or 7mm Mauser.
i had to make the choice between a 260 and a 7mm-08 when i bought my son his deer rifle a couple of years ago. i went with the 7mm08 for all the normal reasons(heavier bullets, less likely to disappear in a few years, easier to get factory ammo(i reload but i doubt that he will)) then i had to pick one for myself. after much pondering i said "screw it!!" and bought a 6.5x55. it's now my favorite.....bud
Posts: 1213 | Location: new braunfels, tx | Registered: 04 December 2001
I own and like both, but the 7mm08 is the better of the two for deer hunting, hands down !!!!! I highly recommend a 24" bbl as well and if you rebarrel go with the Ack. Impr. version.
My brother just got a .260 rem. So far we like it. Expensive to shoot if you don't reload. Also you can't find ammo every where. I have never been a 7mm fan so my vote goes for the .260. As far as 30-06 against 7mm mag. Neither, do it right and get a .300 mag. Hey if you want opinions as to the perfect big game rifle that is my vote.
J. Ringo: I think the 7mm08 has a edge over the 260, as the 257 Roberts has over the 243, the 280 over the 270, 30-06 over the 280 and so on. The difference may not be significant but I think it is there. I have the entire 308 familiy but probably like the 7mm08 the best. Regards....LR
The real answer to this one is in the available hand loading bullets.
As has been pointed out the actual physical difference between the 7-08, the .260, and for that matter the .243 is nominal.
However, it gets very interesting when you start considering the available bullets.
The .243 has a number of excellent light weight varrmint bullets available. The 7-08 and the 7mm remington for that matter have available a number of excellent medium game hunting bullets.
Now the .260 on the other hand have available a number of really excellent European target bullets by the likes of Lapua and others, not to mention very fine offerings by Sierra, etc.
So the conclusion is that depending on your application, the answer is driven by the available bullets that make these three entirely different cartridges.
Posts: 2821 | Location: Left Coast | Registered: 23 September 2001
This past winter a had my smithy rebarrel a m77 22-250 to 260 rem. I had the same debate in my mind. I have far to may 30 cals so I wanted something farther down the caliber line than 7mm. I also looked hard at short cambering a 257 roberts AI, but ultimatly went with the KISS concept, and the better larget bullets. I put on a 24 inch #5 shilen with a 1-8 twist. A nice 3 pound trigger job, squared bolt, solid bedding job and perfect length stock. I wanted to be able to shoot any of the longer target bullets. Although I haven't yet loaded anything heavier than 129. I love the thing. I am starting to understand the 6.5 cult. My kids will start there hunting with 260's.
I bought a .260Rem in a Browning Stainless Stalker, put a Leupold 2.5x8 on it and could'nt be happier.The deer are just as dead when the Browning BLR IN 7-08 has been used. I'm just lucky to have both. My poor 06 is going to waste in the closet.
I have done a 7mm L&L (balisticaly the same as a 7-08) in my contender. At the time I sold it, it had accounted for 2 blacktail and one antilope. The former w/ 140 Nosler BTs, the later a 120 gr. Nosler BT. All one shot kills, from 100 to about 250-260 yards.
Recently found a buy on an encore in .260. Accuracy is equal to or better w/ the .260 and definately less recoil. This fall will be back in blacktail & black bear country. I suspect it will perform just as well, but if suprises come, I'll speak up.
Posts: 341 | Location: Janesville,CA, USA | Registered: 11 January 2002
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. I generally believe "bigger is better", and you can get heavier bullets in 7mm. 7-08 ammo is much more readily available, I can get it just about anywhere, but for now, 260 Rem only at specialty gun stores, at much higher price ($25/20 120(?)gr NBT 2 weeks ago), though that may not matter to you as a fellow reloader. 260 may shoot a bit flatter?