6.5x55 VS. 260 rem VS. 7mm-08

Both the .260 and 6.5x55 are DEATH ON WHEELS for deer, up to and including big ol' mulies, and they do a number on coyotes too. I've used these two calibers the last two years (with a gun safe full of real man's calibers, mind you...) and they leave nothing but lung soup and broken ribs behind.

I don't own a 7mm-08 but the ballistics are very impressive. Ackley speculated back in the 60s that the .308 'base' was about the ideal case capacity for the .284 bore. Looking at the 7mm-08 versus the .280 Rem and 7mm Mag I'd say he's probably right, or pretty close. You have to put in a lot more powder to get performance gains that are worth worrying about.

For up to medium game the .260 and 6.5x55 are hard to beat. You can handload them to nearly identical specs but as loaded by the big North American companies, the .260 has it over the 6.5 by at least a coupla hundred fps, due to higher pressure.

The .264 Mag is much like a .270 Win, except it burns tons more powder and you have to handload it. And it can be difficult to find an accurate load. And the throat will burn out after 500 rounds. Other than that, great cartridge. :dancingbanana:
 
seven oh eight isnt very far behind on the heels of the 7mm Mag.

I like 7-08s and wouldnt hesitate getting a .260 I cant justify buying a 270 cause I already have a 30-06, and 7-08.


.260 looks like fun.
 
I think the real contest for me is between the 6.5x55 and the 260. I'm leaning towards getting a 6.5x55 in a Ruger M77 as my other two hunting rifle at this time are M77's as well and I love them. Though I could get the same rifle in 260 ;)
 
I dont have any of the 3, but really want a 7mm-08...don't know how much longer I can fight of the urge to buy one...I think I would look at it in the Kimber Classic design.
 
I don't have any of the listed calibers either but I do have a 25-06 that fits for deer and smaller critters

and a 7mm RemMag for slightly bigger critters and last spring I got a 300WM because I didn't have one and it works great :D

so what........

Hmmmm just get one :D


then post pictures :p
 
Well I've taken the plunge and just bought a nice Ruger M77 mkII 6.5x55 off of the board here :) This will fill the hole between my other two Ruger M77's nicely. Now I'll have a 7.62x39 (really the wife's), a 338win, and now the 6.5x55.
 
HeadDamage said:
Well I've taken the plunge and just bought a nice Ruger M77 mkII 6.5x55 off of the board here :) This will fill the hole between my other two Ruger M77's nicely. Now I'll have a 7.62x39 (really the wife's), a 338win, and now the 6.5x55.
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Handload that 6.5X55 and you will get the full potential out of it.
it suffers from the same malady as the 45/70 , 257 Roberts, etc.
The ammo companies load them down because of the number of weak action rifles around that are chambered for them.
Cat
 
Yep... used to handload for my 6.5x55 swed mauser and winchester feather weight. Infact the 6.5x55 is the round that I tought myself to reload with using a lee hammer your ammo together kit while I was in college back about 1990. The 120gr Nosler solid base used to be my favorite deer slayer and was always a one shot kill round even at clearcut distances.
 
HeadDamage said:
Well I've taken the plunge and just bought a nice Ruger M77 mkII 6.5x55 off of the board here :) This will fill the hole between my other two Ruger M77's nicely. Now I'll have a 7.62x39 (really the wife's), a 338win, and now the 6.5x55.
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Good on you!:D
 
I have a .260 and really love it. Its not set up yet as I just bought it. If anyone is interrested in a Sako 75 Finnlight in .260 Ellwood Epps has reduced them down to 1049.00 which is a great on a great rifle. The rifle is stainless sythetic with inserts in the grip and fore-end, has a 21 inch fluted barrel and 5 rounf magazine and no key-concept locking system.
 
6.5x55 cause it's Swedish. Ya shoots da deer it goes down.
 
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HeadDamage said:
Where is the best place to get a good deal on bulk 6.5x55 brass in Canada? I've got some loading to do.
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Check out Hirsch Precision
hxxp://www.hirschprecision.com/
He is the supplier for Lapua. Best brass for the 6.5x55 there is, hands down.

IMO, the 6.5x55 is the winner, but I love the 260 and my custom Rem 700 also. ;)
 
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