260 rem or 7mm-08

[Drue]

The .260 and the 7-08 are both based on the .308 case and are very similar.They are roughly the modern equivalents of the 6.5x55 and 7mm Mauser cartridges both of which have long and illustrious histories as hunting rounds. Either is excellent for deer. The 7-08 can use heavier bullets and the .260 bullets have higher BCs for the same weight which is why it is so popular for Highpower and Silhouette.

As a practical matter, 7-08 is easier to find and there is a greater variety of factory ammo available for it. If one handloads, this does not matter.

Since both rounds are so similar and both would serve the intended purpose, I would base the selection on the rifle that I liked best.

Drue

 

[FLNT4EVR]

I have a Rem #7 in 260 and love it.It's a joy to carry over the mountainous terrain here in NY.The 129 grn accubond bullets are very accurate out of my rifle,and shoot under an inch at 200yds.Bullets are available in weights from 85 grns up to 160 grns.Because I handload ,brass is readily available,as both 243 and 7mm-08 are easily reformed to 260. I have neither of those caliber rifels so mixing the ammo is not a problem.

 

[Shootin7.62Russian]

As some have already posted, they are both necked down .308. You can readily form brass for either from most 308 derivatives, ie. 243, 308, 260, 7mm-08. The question you need to decide on is if you want a larger or smaller diameter projectile. The 7mm will give you heavier bullet options, as the 260 will be lighter. They are both excellent for deer, but the 7mm is usually cheaper and more readily available. The 260 usually has a higher BC for same weight bullets, so it will give extended range. Most deer are not taken at maximum range though, so that is a poor deciding point. I would look more at impact energy and which is more readily available unless you handload.

I am personally a .30 cal man myself, and will take a 308 over the other options. Bigger bullet=more energy. Some will say the others have more range, but 308 is used in 600y competition all the time.

Go with the 7mm, more options and a bigger bullet. If you were target shooting maybe 260, but impact energy outweighs slightly less bullet drop any day.

 

[natman]

Have not shot either but if the 260 is a .257 bullet then I would prefer the .284 bullet of the 7-08 for deer. A 257 is a bit light IMO. Others will disagree but they're wrong.

First, the 260 is a 6.5mm / .264 bullet.

The revelation that a .257 bullet is "a bit light" for deer is going to come as a shock to 250 Savage, 257 Roberts, 25-06 and 257 Weatherby fans. They will disagree and they are not wrong.

 

[Shootin7.62Russian]

.257 light for deer? I don't know how big they get in your area, but they die from it just fine where I am.
I myself prefer .30 cal, but that is preference. Claiming a caliber that takes deer cleanly on a regular basis is "a bit light" is simply stating fiction. It may not have the kill power that some others have, but it is more than sufficient. I have seen a 300lb black bear taken with a 25-06, and it did so cleanly.

Like I said before, either 7mm or 260 is sufficient, but there are advantages to both. You just need to figure out what you want and what is most important to you. Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[T.R.]

Normally, I'd suggest 7mm-08 since my sister-in-law has taken many Wyoming big game animals with hers. But ammo prices have skyrocketed and price of 7mm-08 ammo is ridiculous.

Consider the old standbys with reasonable ammo cost. You can't go wrong with a 270 or .308. Remington offers reduced recoil ammo for both of these cartridges (also 30-06) for the deer hunter who will likely be shooting at 150 yards or less.

TR

 

[dullh]

Well if the "Wal-Mart Test" is important I will say 3 or 4 local Wal-Marts here stock 7mm-08 but I have not seen .260 in any of them.