7mm-08 vs 260

[270man]

Anyone have any opinions on the 7mm-08 vs the 260 Rem caliber. Smaller calibers have caught the fancy of the silhouette guys but I notice that Big Green doesn't list many models in the 260 Rem. Several different models can be had in 7mm-08. I wonder if Remington is abandoning the 260 so soon after Carmichael convinced them to make it a production caliber?

I currently have both these calibers (both Remingtons) but will eventually go with one and dump the other (too many reloading components to keep up with).

270man

[Evan03]

remington facotry loads

260
140gr exspress core lokts
120gr premier acutipp
140 premier core lokt ultra bonded(7mm08 doesnt make this list)


7mm08
140gr premier acutipp
120 exspress core lokt
140 exspress core lokt



i think remington is going to hold onto the 6.5 panther for alittle while longer. ounce its down to havn only one facotry load availalbe then i think ilt be time to worry. as is right now theyre loading for both the 7mm08 and 260 about the same.

they even managed to load two difrent 140gr loads and one 120gr load in both calibers

[Pre-64]

Hope this thread picks up some steam. I'm trying to choose between the 7-08 and 260 also. Looking at either a Kimber 84M or Rem 700 Titanium.

[rem 700]

My opinion is choose the 7mm08.

[Ol` Joe]

I own multiple rifles in both cartridges, I`ve shot deer with both cartridges here in Michigan, and see no difference in performance. I`ve no idea what Remingtons thoughts are on the 260 but I now use it for all my deer hunting here in a Kimber M84 and am perfectly pleased with it.
I reload so ammo availability is a moot point to me. I`d go with the one you feel most comfotable with in a rifle that feels best in your hands.

[Rapier]

If you do not reload you will not get the best out of either cartridge and the choice is a real toss-up. You also need the proper twist (1-8) for the 260 to perform to its full potential.

I have owned both. I no longer own a 7-08, as I made that decision based on my 260s, all of them, being a bit more accurate plus the 260 will do everything a 7-08 will do and a bit more. You can easily use the 260 as a varmint gun by loading the 85 Sierra to just over 3500 fps. The little 85s will shoot sub .20 inch groups.

I guess the real deciding factor for the 260 VS other cartridges for me were the stats on the 6.5x06 and the 6.5x284. The 260 comes close to both of those rounds in performance while using about 1/3 less powder. I have a couple of 6.5x06s and decided not to build a 6.5x284 due to the performance of the 260.

One of my favorite 260 loads is the 120 Sierra MK over H414, running just over 3200 fps with .142 groups out of my custom SA Rem 700. The same load shoots .130 in the 260 Medesha upper for my AR-10. The AR-10 in 260 is a bad Hombre.... :D
Ed

[8X56MS]

They both do the same job on the same game animals. For that matter, so does their 'daddy', the .308 Winchester. Pick any of those three, and you nor your game will be able to tell the difference.

[Headhunter]

In my opinion, The 7mm-08 is the ultimate.

I have seen a MANY of Ram silhouettes left standing with a dead center hit with the .260.

Thats with the 7mm-08 shooting 160 grain bullets and the 260 shooting 142 grain bullets.

Rams weigh around 50 pounds and are setting at 547 yards.

Headhunter

[Mike Moss]

I have own the 243, 260 7mm-08 and 308 in new Kimber 84M's in fact.

All are good rounds so if you like one of the the other just practice and use the right bullet for the game and range.

I sold the 260 as it did not fit in with the way I hunt but it may be ideal for you.

That 260 would whip the 95 VMax out over 3300 fps but that bullet still might richocet so it's not an ideal varmint rifle for settled areas. Otherwise the 7mm-08 and 308 will run with the 260 for big game.

None of those rounds kick much. The 308 is a USA military cartridge and it can shoot 180 gr bullets if you want to. That makes sense to me.

To each his own.

[Jack]

270Man, you didn't say what you wanted to use the rifle for.
Hunting, silhouette?
Long range?

[ALVINNEV]

:) Wow, two great cartridges. In my experience the 7mm-08 may recoil just a slight bit more. Only important to light weights like me and other small frame shooters. Not much variation in performance. My favorate carry all day rifle is a youth model 7 in 260 Rem. Walnut stock.

[Cal Sibley]

I think bullets from both rounds are heavy enough and fast enough to do the job. You're trading off a little more heft for a little more speed. With these two I don't think it makes much difference. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[razmuz]

Nothing wrong with the 260, however, choose the 7-08. The 7-08 will do better if your getting a short barrel. If you just can't make up your mind get a 6.5X55 and be happy the rest of your life. Good luck.

[270man]

Many thanks for all the good inputs and discussion. Of those who favored one caliber or the other, the 7mm-08 won out. I was asked what the rifle/caliber would be used for. The original intent was for a sporter weight rifle that could be used for both hunting and informal silhouette competition.

Too many hobbies and too little time has pretty well squashed any ideas of regular silhouette shooting, so the real application is hunting big game -- but it's still fun to practice by knocking down those metal animals once in a while. After playing with both calibers for a time, I will go with the majority and choose the 7mm-08. Mine is a standard 700BDL sporter while my 260 is a lightweight Mountain Rifle. I definitely prefer the BDL

270man