.260 vs. 7mm-08?

[tbige]

Looking for anything that would tilt my decision one way or the other. Rifle isn't a factor, since I'm re-barreling, and I'm not a handloader.

From the ballistics, the two rounds look like a virtual toss-up. Understand they're both relatively mild in the recoil department, but I've never seen (heard) one compared to the other.

In between infrequent hog hunts, I'll mainly be punching paper and taking a poke at local varmints.

Possibly ammo cost could be a deciding factor. Seems to me that everyone makes ammo for 7-08, far less for the .260.

Despite its being nearly identical to the wonderful 6.5 Swede, or maybe because of it, the .260 doesn't seem to be setting the world on fire. And, quite frankly, relying on Remington for its future makes me nervous.

 

[Art Eatman]

I haven't checked factory loads for the 7mm08 other than the 139/140-grain ammo. I know handloading allows bullets up to 175 grains. For hog hunting, I tend to think the heavier bullets would be better.

Art

 

[Gewehr98]

Why are you relying on Remington for the .260?

Just a quick perusal, but besides the obvious offerings by Big Green in .260 Remington, we have:

Ruger Model 77 in a variety of configurations

Winchester Model 70 Classic Short Action

Savage Model 10FP and 11FNS

Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker

Kimber 84M Classic

Steyr Pro Hunter

As for ammo, Remington is the parent of the cartridge, but Federal also offers their line, which includes a 140gr number.

It's not likely the .260 Remington is going to die any time soon, what with so many different companies chambering rifles for the cartridge. I can go to WalMart right now and get a box of 120gr Ballistic Tips in the Green Box. There are very few 7mm bullets that can approach the sectional density and ballistic coefficient of the 6.5mm. If you already have a 7mm-08, then you don't need a .260 Remington. But if you have a short bolt action needing a new barrel, and want an accurate, flat-shooting round that won't beat you up with recoil, then by all means, the .260 Remington is a good choice.

 

[tbige]

Gewehr98: Obviously you have sources not available to me, since I see no .260's listed under Winchester, Browning, or Savage's web sites for models you listed (or any other, for that matter).

Even so, I find those who don't offer the .260 -- publicly -- more impressive, and more telling.

As to ballistics, within the ammo Remington offers, highest ballistic coefficient among .260 & 7-08 goes to the 7-08 with .485 for a 140-grain load, next highest is the .260's 120-grain offering.

By the way, your Walmart is better than mine (NO .260 loads). What are the 120's at yours?

 

[rust collector]

Both are winners, but the 7mm has more history, more rifle choices and more ammo options.

The 260 is a fine cartridge, but I was disappointed when it wasn't loaded a bit hotter by the factory. The primary advantage over the 6.5x55 Swede seemed to me to be there were no 100 year old small ring Mausers chambered for 260, and therefore it could be safely loaded for higher pressures than the older cartridge. Ah well...

Can't go wrong with either. The 260 will be around longer than either of us.

 

[Gewehr98]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind, really.

But I'll swing by WalMart tomorrow and get a price. If I remember right, it was the 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip load. It was neat to see the stuff there, and I'm really serious about getting a Model 7 Stainless in .260 Remington, a lightweight woods walker perfect for Wisconsin whitetail. I can buy the factory ammo, shoot it to get accustomed to the rifle, then reload it the way I see fit. Or just order brass from Midway, I suppose.

Re: different models and manufacturers. Google is a nice search engine.

Nothing really telling about who doesn't offer a given chambering. Pick a favorite, then see who offers it. I'll wager you won't see too many Winchesters offered in Remington-named calibers, and vice-versa. See many Winchester Super Short Magnums in Remington's lineup? Any Remington Ultra Mags in Winchester's lineup?

 

[AZRickD]

I have a co-worker who is looking to buy a rifle for "antelope to elk."

His choice was the .270 Winchester with a slight bit of curiosity about the 7mm-08.

Rick

 

[Art Eatman]

7mm08 on elk? I'd limit myself as to distance, and most likely load a 160-grain premium bullet. The 7mm08 has alot going for it, but in my own mind it's more of a deer round than an elk-getter. Again, hunting skill and shot placement...

For many of these medium-power cartridges, the issue to me is not the standing broadside shot where you can break a neck or pulverize the heart. It's whether or not that Really Neat Critter is angled away and the bullet must penetrate a couple of feet of meat before hitting a vital spot.

Art

 

[Brasso]

Has anyone noticed that Remington only offers one rifle chambered in .260?, a stainless model 7. Doesn't sound like even remington plans on supporting this cartridge.

 

[Dave R]

The two are very cose. 6.5mm bullets vs. 7mm bullets.

Tiebreaker is bullet availability. There are just a lot more 7mm bullet choices than there are 6.5mm.

But they _are_ very close.

 

[M1911Owner]

On the Remington web site, I see five models chambered in .260.

 

[scubie02]

Remington has a nice long history of not bothering to support its own dang cartridges, though. I wouldn't trust them to continue to bother to make rifles for this caliber if sales aren't high enough for them. I know lots of people who have purchased a 7-08 or are planning on it, and even the little local podunk shop carries shells. I don't know ANYONE who has purchased a 260. Its nothing against the shell, it just hasn't caught on, at least in my neck of the woods. I actually saw a TC Encore or savage striker--forget which--in 260 NIB for $250 not so long ago, and supposedly it was priced so rock bottom low because it had been sitting around for so long and no one would buy it. Not a good sign...

 

[wanderinwalker]

tbige,

Too bad you are not a handloader. Cuz then you'd never have to worry about ammo as long as the .308 and .243 are still popular. It's easy to form .260 or 7mm-08 from either cartridge, although I believe .243 cases come up a little short and .308 cases need to be turned down (and both should ideally be reamed). I've never bothered form cases for my .260 because Remington brass, although not great, is cheap and easy to find.

Honestly, for a nonhandloader I wouldn't recommend either round. The .308 or stepping up to a long action is a better decision. Finding 7-08 and .260 Rem loaded ammunition is just too much hit or miss (not to mention the lack of variety).

 

[GooseGestapo]

Over the counter ammo availability differs a great deal from one part of the Country to the next. Even one Walmart to the next.

In the S.E., the .260 has gained something of a toe-hold. Living not too far from where Kenny Jarret does business, I've even seen a few of his guns including a bug-hole shooting .260. A friend has used his .260 loaded with Hornady 154gr RN to shoot a deer on the other side of an 8" pine tree, just to see if he could do it. Bambi didn't survive the incident !!! Amazing penetration, and decent wound channel too! Though he says the 140gr bullets aren't much worse !!!

As far as performance on elk, I don't think you could tell the difference between a 140gr .264, a 140gr .284 or a 130-150gr .277". All are going 2,800 to 3,000 fps. I couldn't really tell much if any difference between the performance of my .338/06 and my brothers .308wcf, except he tote's 2.5lb less gun than I do !!!!! That btw is 25% less gun, and no perceptable difference. (Both will do the job with proper shot placement.)

Just get what you want !!!!

For you it sounds like a 7mm-08. For me, I'd go with the .260. The determining factor for me is, -I've never had a .264" gun. But, then, it would depend on what kind of deal you can get on the gun. That, and I already have 7mmMag, and 7mm-08 dies, brass, and bullets.......

Remember the manager at the Walmart can/will order you some of most anything thats available to them. They can/will even get you a Howa in 6.5x55 if thats what you want. At least they catalog them. A friend got his .243 WSSM in a Browning A-bolt from Wally. Took 8mos. too......... Wally even carries ammo for those, and all the WSM, and RUM's too, around here.

Personally, I'd prefer the .260 but there is precious little difference between it and the 7-08, unless you're shooting NRA Highpower, where the .260 holds a slight, but Match winning advantage.

If restricted to factory ammo though, the advantage if any exists, is to the 7mm-08 due to longevity. But if thats an issue, the .30/06 has both beat hands down!!!

The reason I haven't gotten a .260 is because it's too close to my .257 Roberts, which BTW "WILL!" go on my next Elk hunt. Why?, it only weighs 7.2 lbs with 5 rds of 120gr Nosler Part's. Much more significant than any difference in ballistic performance. Any of all the above cartridges will shoot "through" on a broad-side shot on your average elk.

I have a good friend that hunts them (elk) with a "Home-made" long bow............. and killed a 5x5 with it this past year, with a home-made arrow at that !!!

Why did I rechamber my .30/06 to .338/06 ?
I got "bored" with my .30 and got the barrel for $54.00. A single pass through the .338 dies and I've got a .338. Total cost of conversion of the /06 including dies was $180.00. And I've still got the other barrel and two sets of .30/06 dies too ! If I ever decide to switch back.

So, get both barrels !!!
AND......start reloading !!!!!
Friends can't believe the difference between factory .270 and handloaded .270's. It's like not even the same gun!!!!
You'll find the same with either the .260 or 7mm-08 vs factory ammo, except with the "Premium" ammo.

REMEMBER.......Hunting skill, marksmanship, and patience make much more difference than .020" in bullet diameter.

Too, in east GA, we shoot Hogs with .22WRM's. !!!

(WMA's outside of Deer seasons require "small game" cartridges, but this includes all Muzzleloaders !!!???)
Remember............shot placement, shot placement, shot placement........