6.5x55 vs 260 vs 7-08
- Thread starter viking499
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Bartkowski
Member
They will all do similar things, so if one will work the other two probably will. Of those I like the 6.5x55 because I like 6.5mm bullets more that 7mm and it has close ballistics to the .260 if you handload.
BsChoy
Member
6.5x55 handloaded and the 260 either way is the same round just about. the 7mm-08 is a great round in its own right as you can use heavier bullets, but at the price of powder space and velocity. A 140 grain 6.5mm bullet at 2600-2800 fps will do anything in the conUS that should be done at a sane range. 160's are really good as well.
skinewmexico
Member
If you can't get the 6.5x55 in a modern action, get one of the other 2. I like 6.5mm bullets better.
MCgunner
Member
I'd pick probably the 7-08 first, .260 second. The reason, brass, cheap .308 to be necked down. However, military brass is thick and can need the neck turned if it's necked very for, thus the 7-08 first. Besides, there's a better selection of bullets in 7mm than 6.5 which has never been that popular in this country.
I really prefer my .308, tell ya the truth. No need for the neck down step. It will kill anything the others will inside 300 yards.
I really prefer my .308, tell ya the truth. No need for the neck down step. It will kill anything the others will inside 300 yards.
one-shot-one
Member
depends on what its primary use will be, 6.5x55=.260 apples and apples.
if nothing bigger than elk will be hunted then any of the three will do, if anything bigger is on the menu then the 7mm offers slightly heaver bullets.
if nothing bigger than elk will be hunted then any of the three will do, if anything bigger is on the menu then the 7mm offers slightly heaver bullets.
aspade
Member
6.5mm has great bullet selection within the length and weight range appropriate for a short action magazine.
USSR
Member
Purpose/Use?
Don
In a modern action, you can get a little more from a 6.5x55 than a 260, but the Swede requires a long action vs a short for the 260. The 260 and 7mm-08 share the same parent case (308) but you get better BC for the same weight bullet in a 6.5 compared to a 7mm. I doubt you could tell the difference on game, and the 6.5 Swede is the preferred cartridge in the Nordic countries for everything up to moose. A 6.5 with a long heavy bullet is certainly adequate for elk.
As far as brass, the 7mm-08 and 6.5x55 have the advantage here, as 260 other than Remington is expensive. Remington brass can be had at a reasonable price. i just bought several hundred piece of Remington 260 brass from Cabela's for $32/100. Norma wants $1 a piece for their 260 brass. Swede is available in Laupa brass, and you can't do much better than that, while WW 7mm-08 brass is excellent as well.
As far as brass, the 7mm-08 and 6.5x55 have the advantage here, as 260 other than Remington is expensive. Remington brass can be had at a reasonable price. i just bought several hundred piece of Remington 260 brass from Cabela's for $32/100. Norma wants $1 a piece for their 260 brass. Swede is available in Laupa brass, and you can't do much better than that, while WW 7mm-08 brass is excellent as well.
The question of brass is a non issue in a big game rifle where a hundred pieces of brass can last a long time, Particularly when the brass is something that you can make if necessary.
Effectively all three are about as good as you can get for small to mid sized "big game" any thing from big varmints, (coyote, fox, etc) up to elk would be ok with these rounds depending on bullet selection. All three have good bullet choices available, all have enough Horsepower to do the job and yet can be fit in to light, easy to carry and easy to shoot guns.
I would find the rifle that you like best, then find it in one of these calibers.
quite frankly, this is a no brainer, they are all terrific, and all will work just fine.
Effectively all three are about as good as you can get for small to mid sized "big game" any thing from big varmints, (coyote, fox, etc) up to elk would be ok with these rounds depending on bullet selection. All three have good bullet choices available, all have enough Horsepower to do the job and yet can be fit in to light, easy to carry and easy to shoot guns.
I would find the rifle that you like best, then find it in one of these calibers.
quite frankly, this is a no brainer, they are all terrific, and all will work just fine.
skinewmexico
Member
That's why I built mine on a long action. Hey wait, that's why I build almost everything on a long action. Except my 6.5x47 Lapua. Now you want to talk about hard to find, expensive brass...........
Dan360
Member
7mm-08 All The Way
If you're not a handloader, you're not going to get the velocity that the 6.5x55 can bring you. So, if you don't get all you can get from factory ammo, why put up with a long-action rifle? Especially one in a cartridge that isn't offered very widely in premium ammo with one of the great bullets available today.
The 260 Remington is a dandy of a cartridge, but no one is buying it. I don't even think Remington is chambering it in anything this year. When the parent company of a cartridge gives up on it......Same things happened with every other 6.5 cartridge in the US. Not that they are bad, they are wonderful cartridges. They just never gain popularity. The 264 Winchester Magnum died as the 7mm Remington Magnum gained popularity. I predict the same with the 260 Remington as the 7mm-08 gains in popularity.
The 7mm-08 is now chambered in almost every major manufacturer with premium ammunition loads from almost every manufacturer. Federal Premium offers great loads and Hornady Light Magnum pushes a 139 gr bullet at 3000 FPS. You're pushing on 270/280 capability with a short action cartridge with little recoil. There is nothing spectacular about the cartridge, its just efficient as heck and works. My buddy uses 150 gr Swift Scirocco at around 2750 out of his 22 inch barreled M700 Mountain Rifle for everything. Its also great for beginners and people who don't like recoil.
If you're not a handloader, you're not going to get the velocity that the 6.5x55 can bring you. So, if you don't get all you can get from factory ammo, why put up with a long-action rifle? Especially one in a cartridge that isn't offered very widely in premium ammo with one of the great bullets available today.
The 260 Remington is a dandy of a cartridge, but no one is buying it. I don't even think Remington is chambering it in anything this year. When the parent company of a cartridge gives up on it......Same things happened with every other 6.5 cartridge in the US. Not that they are bad, they are wonderful cartridges. They just never gain popularity. The 264 Winchester Magnum died as the 7mm Remington Magnum gained popularity. I predict the same with the 260 Remington as the 7mm-08 gains in popularity.
The 7mm-08 is now chambered in almost every major manufacturer with premium ammunition loads from almost every manufacturer. Federal Premium offers great loads and Hornady Light Magnum pushes a 139 gr bullet at 3000 FPS. You're pushing on 270/280 capability with a short action cartridge with little recoil. There is nothing spectacular about the cartridge, its just efficient as heck and works. My buddy uses 150 gr Swift Scirocco at around 2750 out of his 22 inch barreled M700 Mountain Rifle for everything. Its also great for beginners and people who don't like recoil.
Will Fennell
Member
Its all good.....
Viking,
We need a little more info to help you with what is "Best", but in general, they are all three great cartridges, with similar performance. I choose the 260 rem. So far I'm pleased.....it is going to be a Bambi slayer, and paper puncher.
BTW, the Nosler brass[ availible for the .260 ] is AWESOME.
Viking,
We need a little more info to help you with what is "Best", but in general, they are all three great cartridges, with similar performance. I choose the 260 rem. So far I'm pleased.....it is going to be a Bambi slayer, and paper puncher.
BTW, the Nosler brass[ availible for the .260 ] is AWESOME.
TimboKhan
Member
Speaking for me, I like the 6.5x55 because I can shoot it in my Swedish Mauser, which is a delight. I have learned to love the round because of that rifle, really.
kentucky_smith
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I really like the 6.5x55 also.
jonboynumba1
Member
I've had a 6.5x55 and really liked it as a round but it's a bit of an oddball these days. The more modern equivalent would be the .260 (6.5 in a .308 case necked down) If whitetail is the biggest thing you hunt this is a really fine little round...and unlike the 6.5x55 it will work in a short action. (another reason I'd take it over the 6.5x55) The 7-08 probably has the widest and best selection of bullets of the above though you will likely end up with 120 or 139gr loads being the best...you can load the 150-154's but you start taking up usable case capacity and the ballistics start looking a lot like the more common .308 at that point (with 4 times the bullet choices available...half of those being past the balance-point for that cartrige though...much like the 7-08) .260 or 7-08...either one would be a sweet little deer rifle in a SA 700 with a 20-22" bbl IMHO.
I'll probably be adding a scout-rifle in 7mm-08 in the next year or so as I already load for a 7 mag. Being different bullet weights and powder anyway I am still considering a .260...then again there is the very common .308 as well. But I found a really sweet 139gr 7 mag load that I think would have been even better in a smaller more effective case (basically matching ballistics with a different powder and better load density) very light recoil and a joy to shoot and still wicked downrange. My 7 mag is so long throated it never really shot the 139's to best potential anyway...but they sure made me think about a 7-08!
I'll probably be adding a scout-rifle in 7mm-08 in the next year or so as I already load for a 7 mag. Being different bullet weights and powder anyway I am still considering a .260...then again there is the very common .308 as well. But I found a really sweet 139gr 7 mag load that I think would have been even better in a smaller more effective case (basically matching ballistics with a different powder and better load density) very light recoil and a joy to shoot and still wicked downrange. My 7 mag is so long throated it never really shot the 139's to best potential anyway...but they sure made me think about a 7-08!
jefnvk
Member
I use a Rem 700 6.5x55 for deer. Works great, I'd use it comfortably for anything in the continential US. Real accurate, too.
USSR
Member
viking499,
You never really said what the purpose was for this rifle you are considering getting, and since everyone seems to think it is for hunting, I will approach it from a LR target shooting viewpoint. First, the 7-08 is a bit under-bore for the caliber. If going with a 7mm caliber, then there a MUCH better options available using cartridges with more case capacity (.280Rem and .284Win). Next, the .260: a very good cartridge that is slightly hampered by the lack of quality brass available for it. Many .260 shooters are either necking up or necking down Lapua brass to solve this problem, but it's a PITA. Also, once you start using the long, heavy, high BC bullets in the .260 case, you now have a cartridge that no longer fits in a short action receiver, unless you seat them deep, which cuts into your marginal-to-begin-with case capacity. Lastly, the 6.5x55: As previously pointed out, factory ammo is seriously loaded down in deference to Norwegian Krags that are still occasionaly found. It is long action cartridge, so load them 139gr to 142gr bullets out as far as you want, and give yourself the benefit of the added case capacity. Lapua and Norma brass are readily available, and even though the Lapua brass is the cheaper of the two, it is superior to Norma in every way. 2950fps is easily (and safely) doable with RL22 in a 28" barrel, and 2925fps with several other powders (H4350 and N160) I have tried. Hope that is of some help.
Don
You never really said what the purpose was for this rifle you are considering getting, and since everyone seems to think it is for hunting, I will approach it from a LR target shooting viewpoint. First, the 7-08 is a bit under-bore for the caliber. If going with a 7mm caliber, then there a MUCH better options available using cartridges with more case capacity (.280Rem and .284Win). Next, the .260: a very good cartridge that is slightly hampered by the lack of quality brass available for it. Many .260 shooters are either necking up or necking down Lapua brass to solve this problem, but it's a PITA. Also, once you start using the long, heavy, high BC bullets in the .260 case, you now have a cartridge that no longer fits in a short action receiver, unless you seat them deep, which cuts into your marginal-to-begin-with case capacity. Lastly, the 6.5x55: As previously pointed out, factory ammo is seriously loaded down in deference to Norwegian Krags that are still occasionaly found. It is long action cartridge, so load them 139gr to 142gr bullets out as far as you want, and give yourself the benefit of the added case capacity. Lapua and Norma brass are readily available, and even though the Lapua brass is the cheaper of the two, it is superior to Norma in every way. 2950fps is easily (and safely) doable with RL22 in a 28" barrel, and 2925fps with several other powders (H4350 and N160) I have tried. Hope that is of some help.
Don
Float Pilot
Member
The 6.5x 55mm Mauser (aka Swede or Norweigen Mauser) has been loaded since around 1894.
The 7 x 57mm Mauser, (aka Spansih Mauser, 7mm Boer, 275 Rigby, 275 Hi-Velocity and 7mm Serb) has been loaded and tinkered with since 1892.
The 7mm-08 basically and ballisticly is a shortened 7mm Mauser, if the Mauser is loaded to its potential. The 7mm mauser can be loaded fairly hot in the 98 mauser actions, M-77 Rugers, M-70 Winchesters and Remington 700s that have been chambered in thsi great cartridge. BUT, you can NOT push the older M-93 and M-95 Mauser actions.
The 260 is basically a shortened 6.5mm Mauser based upon the 308 case.
It can be loaded to its full potenial since all the rifles chambered for it are modern. The 6.5 x 55mm can be loaded to the same velocities in newer guns like the runs of Remingtons, Winchesters and Rugers in that caliber. BUT you do not want to be pushing your pressures in older M-94 carbines, M-96 long rifles or even the M-38s. Nor a Norweigen Krag, that would really be asking for trouble...
The 7 x 57mm Mauser, (aka Spansih Mauser, 7mm Boer, 275 Rigby, 275 Hi-Velocity and 7mm Serb) has been loaded and tinkered with since 1892.
The 7mm-08 basically and ballisticly is a shortened 7mm Mauser, if the Mauser is loaded to its potential. The 7mm mauser can be loaded fairly hot in the 98 mauser actions, M-77 Rugers, M-70 Winchesters and Remington 700s that have been chambered in thsi great cartridge. BUT, you can NOT push the older M-93 and M-95 Mauser actions.
The 260 is basically a shortened 6.5mm Mauser based upon the 308 case.
It can be loaded to its full potenial since all the rifles chambered for it are modern. The 6.5 x 55mm can be loaded to the same velocities in newer guns like the runs of Remingtons, Winchesters and Rugers in that caliber. BUT you do not want to be pushing your pressures in older M-94 carbines, M-96 long rifles or even the M-38s. Nor a Norweigen Krag, that would really be asking for trouble...
Baba Louie
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I just kinda like the 113 year old 6.5 Swede because it's... 113 years old and can do just about anything you task it to do (or reload for). How many rounds using smokeless powder are out there that old or older... the .30-30? It's like the great great grandma of modern rifle cartridges in a way. Or at least a great great grand auntie.
The youngsters are alright, I guess. Not nearly as "tall" in the saddle but get the job done just as well... but lack, I dunno, history? Sexy Mausers made of Swedish Steel? Chambering in a Ljungman Ag-42 perhaps? (Did the Swedes have a MG chambered in that round as well?)
They'll all put meat in the freezer. DPMS has the .260 Rem available in their AR series I believe and several mfgs put out a turnbolt in 7-08. I know you can buy a new CZ in 6.5SE, as does Tikka/Sako (probably in the other two rounds as well.)
It's really 6 to 1, half a dozen to the other.
The youngsters are alright, I guess. Not nearly as "tall" in the saddle but get the job done just as well... but lack, I dunno, history? Sexy Mausers made of Swedish Steel? Chambering in a Ljungman Ag-42 perhaps? (Did the Swedes have a MG chambered in that round as well?)
They'll all put meat in the freezer. DPMS has the .260 Rem available in their AR series I believe and several mfgs put out a turnbolt in 7-08. I know you can buy a new CZ in 6.5SE, as does Tikka/Sako (probably in the other two rounds as well.)
It's really 6 to 1, half a dozen to the other.
Float Pilot
Member
They sure did. AND... they made a very , very, very ,,, sexy BAR type weapon in 6.5 x 55mm....
I stole this pic from the Swede collectors web site. This thing was made from blued steel...
I have to go take a cold shower now....
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I`ve two 260s, a 6.5x55, and am down to one 708 from three at one time. I see no difference in the 260 & 6.5 Swede with handloads. Both have done stellar service on deer for me and the 260 has been my choice for hunting for some time now. (mainly because I prefer carrying the rifle not that the cartridge does anything special)
The 708 again does very little the other 2 don`t. Velocities are very similar with equal wgt bullets, trajectories are close, and they kill same size game just as well. The 7mm does offer 175 gr bullet vs 160 gr but for most big game the cartridges are useful on, 120-150 gr bullets are all that are needed.
The Swede has high quality proper headstamped brass available from Lapua and Norma, but the 260 and 7-08 case can be formed from 308 brass from the same companies and Nosler cases are now offered for the 260. I don`t feel though you see much if any gain from the pricey brass over Winchester or Remington stuff in factory hunting rifles and even in my Hart barreled Swede, and Walther barreled 7-08, I stay with USA commercial cases.
The 708 again does very little the other 2 don`t. Velocities are very similar with equal wgt bullets, trajectories are close, and they kill same size game just as well. The 7mm does offer 175 gr bullet vs 160 gr but for most big game the cartridges are useful on, 120-150 gr bullets are all that are needed.
The Swede has high quality proper headstamped brass available from Lapua and Norma, but the 260 and 7-08 case can be formed from 308 brass from the same companies and Nosler cases are now offered for the 260. I don`t feel though you see much if any gain from the pricey brass over Winchester or Remington stuff in factory hunting rifles and even in my Hart barreled Swede, and Walther barreled 7-08, I stay with USA commercial cases.
Hokkmike
Member
Both of my SAKO's are 6.5X55. I LOVE it. I would be as equally happy with one of the other 2, but I got a load down for the Swede that is hard to beat.
I am one of those nuts who actually believes that he owns the BEST deer rifle in Pennsylvania.
I am one of those nuts who actually believes that he owns the BEST deer rifle in Pennsylvania.
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