.260 vs 7mm-08 vs 308

powder burner

powder burner

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I thought I would stir up some controversy. Which would you pick as a lightweight rifle, and why? (include which rifle brand) Lets say you are using it for mostly deer sized game out to 300 yards. Whether you reload or not, factor that into your answer.

I think we'll get some interesting answers
 
I reload and own 2 308's (BLR and a 70)

The 308 is so versatile, I have loaded 110 gr bullets and 200 gr. That is a huge plus over the other two.

Plus the others end at deer, neither are an honest moose gun (I know you said deer, but I am all about moose these days), which also makes it more versatile.

Now I am a big believer in the one gun hunting arsenal, so versatility is a big plus to me.

308 is #1
 
riden said:
Plus the others end at deer, neither are an honest moose gun (I know you said deer, but I am all about moose these days), which also makes it more versatile.

308 is #1
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Little grasshopper....so much to learn:D

The 6.5 Swede seems to do alright on moose...the Swedes have killed a few I understand;) ...and the 7-08 is better yet!

My choice is the 7-08... the best thing that ever happened to the NATO case!

280_ACKLEY
 
I went through this very debate trying to choose a mountain rifle, what I found is that the 7/08 and 260 are pretty much interchangeable (ballistically speaking), and for deer all three would be fine. I chose the 7/08 in a remington 700 MTN LSS with a VX III 2.5-8X36 and could not, under any circumstances, be happier with this rifle. three shot cloverleafs at 100 using winchester factory ammo (140 ballistic silvertips) as long as I let the barrel cool for a few minutes before shooting the 3rd. The barrel heats up in a BIG hurry, and groups open to 5"+......but I can't see needing (or getting) enough shots at an animal to worry about it.

Ryan
 
The .260 Remington is a nice enough round, and it will handload from 87 up to 160 grains.

7/08 will go from the light 90's to 175 grains or a few higher, depending on the company.
The .308 will go from 110 up to 200, but I really beleive for a hunting round the 180's will be fine.

Take yur pick, it doesn't matter, becuase these three are so close that it amounts to arguing how many peanuts are in a jar.
Cat
 
Gatehouse said:
Deer to 300 yards ?

Seems perfect for the 260.
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Exactly right. Deer are pretty easy to kill, the 260 is more than sufficient. If you're planning on mostly (or exclusively) going for deer, then this is your baby. It'd do for moose/elk in a pinch, but if moose was on the menu I'd go 7-08. And while the 7-08 would certainly do for elk, I'd go with something bigger still if Elk was my mainstay
 
boys boys boys, see you on my lunch break ;)

6.5Panther003.jpg

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I went through this a few years ago and went with the 308, in a Win M70 Classic Compact. My reasoning was that 308 ammo can be found anywhere where as the other two can usally only be found in well stocked gun shops. Plus I think the 308 makes a better bear/moose cartridge if I wanted to use it for them, even though the 7/08 and 260 will get the job done.
 
First off, I reload, so shelf ammo selection and availability effects me none.



for the hunting/shooting I mainly do, coyote & deer with lots of range time, I decided on the 260 Remington as the best bet for me. Low recoil, low powder consumption (compared to 7mm Mag etc), terrific range of bullet weights from 85 grain to 160 grain, enabling me to load it for use on anything from long range coyote, deer, heavier premiums for moose/elk if needed, high BC VLD match bullets for paper punching out to 1000 yards, or a heavy for caliber round nose soft point if needed. Bullets can be had from Barnes, Sierra, Nosler, Hornady, Speer, Lapua, Swift, so I dont buy into the "poor selection of 6.5mm bullets arguement" I hear sometimes.

My rifle choice was a Remington 700 stainless short action, blueprinted, custom Ted Gaillard 23" stainless fluted 1:8 twist barrel, bead blasted. I have two stocks for this rifle, one a mountain rifle laminate with the barrel channel opened up, and the other a Bell & Carlson light varmint with aluminum bedding block (custom Poole Creek Precision paint job ;)). Scope mounts are Talley lightweight mediums, and my scope is a Leupold VXII 4-12x40mm AO matte w/ wide duplex, with a Stoney Point elevation turret.
6_5_Panther_002.jpg

260_Rem.jpg

Lets take a look at four loads I have developed for my rifle (I use R-P brass & Federal 210M match primers in all my loads).​

A) 95 gr. Hornady Vmax @ 2.72" OAL
43.8 grains Hodgdon Varget
~
3315 fps average​

This load groups .4" average at 100 yards, shoots super flat, and just simply pounds coyotes. BC is .365, so it holds up well downrange, much better than the lighter 25 caliber varmint bullets, so performance is near identical to a 25-06, but burns 10-15 grains less powder.​

B) 130 gr Barnes TSX @ 2.73" OAL
43.0 grs Hodgdon H4350
~
2905 fps average​

This hunting load will shoot under moa, and when it hits deer, its like lightning. Pretty high BC, .479, and good velocity, so again, downrange it holds up very well. Packs 1500 ft - lbs of energy out to 350 yards. 270 what? :D​

C) 142 gr. Sierra MatchKing HPBT @ 2.86" OAL
46.8 grs Hodgdon H4831sc
~
2775 fps avg​

Great long range paper load. Super high BC of .580, which will stay above 1200 fps out to about 1400 yards. :eek:​

D) 155 gr. Lapua Mega @ 2.63" OAL
40.0 grs Hodgdon H4350
~
2560 fps avg​

High sectional density, moderate velocity. Old school thought of terminal performance. Havent taken any game with this load yet, but I wouldnt hesitate, and Id expect it to perform very good. It isnt a true round nose, it is a semi spitzer. BC is around .380 IIRC​

So there it is. 260 has a ton of versatility.​

no flies on the 7-08 or 308, but the 260 just fits my needs better than them. ;)​

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303carbine said:
Hey TB, how many moose have you taken with the 260 Remington caliber and how did it perform on those big critters?:)
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I don't know abou the 260, but the 6.5x55 (very similar) is a top choice for moose hunitng in Sweden and FInland.

Alot of moose have dropped from 6.5 bullets!:)

I personally htink it's a tad small for moose, but I don't see why it woudln't get the job done.:)
 
only one time in the past four years that Ive had a 260, have I hunted moose​

I did pack the 260 I had at the time a few days, loaded with 140 gr Nosler Partitions. I shot my bull a few days later, with a 416 Rem Mag.​

I drew my bull tag this fall, but will probably use my 30-06 with 168 gr Triple Shocks, as I have yet to kill a critter with that rifle. :p ​

I wouldn't have much problem with using a 6.5mm on moose, with the right bullets, good placement, and reasonable range.​
 
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