7mm-08 vs 260 an offbeat caliber war

[R.W.Dale]

I'm still waffling back and forth on what chambering to go with for my benchrest stevens 200 project rifle plan. I had been all kinds of gung ho for the 260 but after lookin up and comparing it's ballistics to 7mm-08 I'm leaning twards going with the 7mm's better and more plentiful brass, dies, data and bullet choices. IN THEORY the 260 would be a better performer ballistically, but since our longest local range is only 300m I don't think those differences will be worth taking note.

Does this make any sense? Am I being silly? Or just plain over thinking this.

 

[rbernie]

Of course you're overthinkin' this - that's part of the fun.

On paper, I like 260 best due to the VLD bullets available. In reality, I'm partial to 7mm08 because I can find brass and bullets and loaded ammo for it more readily than I can for 260 (and I really don't need the VLD bullets available in 6.5mm anyway since I rarely shoot past 300 yards).

In fact, just today I put a Ruger 77MkII Frontier in 7mm08 on layaway.

 

[ArmedBear]

At 300m you can shoot .22LR if you really want to and it's not too windy.

.308 would probably be a better choice, due to the availability of match ammo, and endless dope for loading your own match ammo.

Why shoot either .260 or 7mm-08 at paper at 300m max? Or is the gun intended for other things as well? (That might help answer the other questions.)

 

[birdbustr]

I love my 7mm-08. A .308 necked down to a 7mm (.284), so a little flatter than a .308. Plenty of power for hunting, but I wouldn't shoot over 300yds by choice. It will hold over 1000 ft/lbs of energy to 500yds. I use mine for it's light weight and carrying ability as shorter range gun. The popularity of this caliber is becoming very common to find rounds, and if you reload, just pick, up 308 brass and neck them down. I personally am not comfortable necking up from a .243.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Just because a round shoos "flatter" than other calibers doesn't make it any easier to shoot a target. .308WIN will shoot out to 500 yards just as good and as easy as a 7mm-08. Sure you may need to adjust a little bit more the .308 but its not like your bullets falling off the edge of the earth.

 

[R.W.Dale]

.308 would probably be a better choice, due to the availability of match ammo, and endless dope for loading your own match ammo.

Why shoot either .260 or 7mm-08 at paper at 300m max? Or is the gun intended for other things as well?

The rifle is gonna be for punching holes in paper as closely together as possible. While 308 is kind of the default choice for this type rifle it's just flat out TOO boring for me. I would build a benchrest 30-06 before I built a 308 just for that "gotta be different" factor. I've even contemplated going with 7x57mm mauser or even 300savage

 

[ArmedBear]

Hard to understand why a 7mm-08 is appreciably less boring than a .308. They're all pretty generic appliances, if you want interesting -- I'm reminded of the Chinese curse when I read that word, of course.

If you want non-boring benchrest shooting, get a Whitworth and cast yourself some bullets. Otherwise, .308, 7mm-08, .260, who cares?

 

[Sunray]

"...my benchrest..." Neither is remotely a benchrest cartridge. They're both hunting cartridges. Even with high priced premium bullets.
"...more plentiful brass, dies, data and bullet choices..." That would be the deciding factor in my house.
"...just pick, up 308 brass and neck them down..." More fuss and work than it's worth. There's lots of 7mm-08 brass around. The .260 you might have to look for.
Mind you, since you are reloading, buy a whole bunch of brass of whichever cartridge you opt for. From Midway, 500 Remington .260 cases runs $159.99. $301.99 for 1,000(out of stock with no back order though). 500 Remington 7mm-08 runs $154.99. $304.99 for 1,000(available now). Whoever does their pricing there is very confused.

 

[havanatrader]

If I were building that rifle, I'd give serious consideration to the more powerful 6.5-284 cartridge.

For deer hunting, the 7mm-08 is my all time favorite. I think it's the optimal cartridge for the task.

 

[Regolith]

I don't have any experience with the .260. I have shot a 7mm-08, however, and ammunition is far more readily available for it, so I chose that.

 

[Zak Smith]

Both are good. If you need really heavy bullets, 7mm-08 can go up to about 180gr. On the light side, you can probably get a lighter bullet in 6.5mm. For long-range performance, the 260 and 7-08 will have almost identical wind drift using the 140 or 168 grain match bullets, respectively, although the 260 will have just over a half mil less drop at 1000 yards. I think 260 will have less recoil.

 

[skinewmexico]

I just built what you need, on an extra Savage action I had. Perfect if you don't like boring cartridges. Does not have cheap brass. 6.5x47 Lapua. If not that, well, I see and read about the 260 in a lot of long range and tactical matches. Don't see the 7mm08.

 

[Jim Watson]

Six of one, half a dozen of the other. At 300 yards there is not much difference. In fact, my answer for 300 yards would be neither; I'd want a 6mm something or other.

If it's accurate, it isn't boring and I would never consider some oddball just to have a different chamber. .300 Savage indeed.

 

[Oohrah]

Well shucks haven't had any one mention my necked down 25-08 called
a 25 Super. Pretty good all around built on a 1915 Mexican Mauser.
Strictly a handloading wildcat, and I don't know if it will ever be adopted
by a major like my 25-06 did years ago after I made one of those!

 

[Float Pilot]

The 7mm-08 has 7x57 Mauser ballistics (when the 7x57 is properly loaded) in a shorter case.

The 260 Rem has 6.5 x55mm Swede ballistics in the same situation.


Nothing like recreating the ballistics of two cartridges that have both been around for 110 years!

Whoopie doo....

 

[Ol` Joe]

The 260 was championed by Jim Carmicheal after he worked with it as a long range high power/silhouette cartridge. The 708 was developed by metal shooters for their game. Either one will do as a target round, as will the 308 which is the most popular high power cartridge in use -I believe.
The 260 has the least recoil although none is a hard kicker. The list of good match bullets for the reloader is similar for all, and brass from one cartridge is suitable for reworking to either of the others if you wish so cases are a non issue IMO for any of them.
They all are very close in ability on game, and what one will do the others will too. The 308 has slightly heavier bullet capability but the 708s 175 or the 260s 160 gr will penitrate as deep or deeper and shoot just as flat if they are needed. The 260 is likely a better choice for varmite though while the 308 would make a little bigger hole in a moose.
I`ve had all three and still have a 708 and two 260s. I have stayed with the 260 for the last 8-9 years now as a deer cartridge and prefer it over the others although it really does nothing better or worst. I`d pick which ever rifle happens to please you most and take the cartridge as a 2nd concideration. All will do fine.

 

[Shawnee]

I agree with Ol JOE, but would not even consider any .30 caliber.

 

[Flintknapper]

Either would do fine, both are based on the .308 parent cartridge (as is .243, .358, and the new federal .338)

I prefer the 7mm-08 offering for a variety of reasons....but the .260 should serve you well also.