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7-08 or 260 Rem?

Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

Key issues are:

1. Do you reload? (if not, 7mm-08 by default)
2. What do you plan to hunt? (and I love the 6.5x55 SE and my Ruger No 1A with a Leupy 2.5-8x36, but the question is still pertinent...frontal area and bullet weight do count)

Both are great calibers...my next rifle will probably be either a 7mm-08 or .280 Rem, but I'm a handloader.

FH
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

Flip a coin. Both are great, but I'm partial to 7mm because the mass/BC ratio is the best there is. But - you're asking about hunting, not target shooting.
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

I definitely reload. I was pretty well settled on going the 7-08 route then got to over thinking it...

Actually I got to thinking two builds ahead and thinking of of maybe someday doing a 284 build and it hit me that I'd really be a one trick 7mm pony since I already own a 7mmRM that I never shoot because I live in TN and there nothing big enough or far enough away to justify hunting with the mag. In the last two yrs I've kill more deer with muzzle loader than with my 308 as it is.

So, the thought process running in my head was to build something that didn't use .284 bullets so I couild feel good about building a 284 win, though I still don't know why I'd use it either.

I'm still thinking I'll stay on the 7-08 plan.
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

I like the .260 over 7mm-08 but a .284 over the 6.5-284. Personal choice i guess because i know i wont be able to run the 180gr bergers of the 7mm at decent speeds, not that the 168gr is a bad bullet by any means what so ever. Just because the 180gr is there i would want it. When i think 7mm i think .284 or a 7wsm. Idk why.

 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

Damn near everybody I know that hunts whitetail in KY uses a 7mmRM...not sure why, but its very popular.

I chose 260 a few years ago because I don't like recoil and it kills deer just as dead.

If you're already set up to reload for the 7RM, why not just download it to 7-08 velocities?...that is unless you just want a new rifle...
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

Simply for the fact that I have a .260 and know what it is capable of, I chose it. The fact of the matter is, I doubt that it can do anything more or less than the 7-08.

In reality, most cartridges in class are more alike than different.

The animal will never know the difference.

For that matter, if the shooter was put behind a loaded rifle, neither would the shooter.
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Damn near everybody I know that hunts whitetail in KY uses a 7mmRM...not sure why, but its very popular.

I chose 260 a few years ago because I don't like recoil and it kills deer just as dead.

If you're already set up to reload for the 7RM, why not just download it to 7-08 velocities?...that is unless you just want a new rifle... </div></div>

I don't reload for the 7mmRM, I don't shoot it enough to bother. I do reload for my 308 and pistols, but getting dies and another turret for the T7 isn't that hard or expensive. I know people who hunt white tails with any number of magnums, and none of them ever take a shot over 250yds. Then again when I was hanging out on the pistol range all the time in my IPSC days I knew guys who had LAR Grislys and DE 50s, some people just need to feel lots of recoil.

The reason for the change is that I'm building a dedicated 308 for T-TR, but I already have two. One is a hammer built by Longshot Rifles, the other is a stock R700 with a varmint barrel. I wont be needing three 308s so before next hunting season I plan to rebarrel one of my 308s into something different.
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

I have them all. It's an addiction and I am seeking help.....
The 7-08 is a killer. I LOVE it, I have a 788 carbine in 7-08 and the first year I hunted with it, it killed six deer consecutively. It was like pointing a laser at them, they just looked up, saw the 7-08 and flopped over to save themselves the trouble, from 75-250 yards. Lethal.
The .260......model 7 stainless. The modern version of the 6.5 Swede set up to shoot lighter bullets, it's a killer too..... Nosler 120 BTs and it's lights out- like seriously lights out.
It boils down to which do yuo like saying you own better
smile.gif
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

Flip of the coin, though for me it would be 708 every time. Heavier projectiles at nearly the same velocity results in more down range energy which is never a bad thing, especially in a hunting situation.
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

I voted for the .260 because the OP's question asks me what I'd do, and I already have it and handload for it.

But for a new build by someone else who's not used either prior, I'd not quibble over either chambering. For hunting, I'm guessing there's better factory ammo availability for the 7-08, and for target shooting, handloading would be the preference, and when seen in that light there's not enough difference between the two to recommend either over the other.

My current choice for 7mm is the .280 Rem, again because I already have it and handload for it.

Greg
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

I voted 7-08 for the following reasons......and no, I don't have one yet though the parts are here.
wink.gif


1- Barrel life. Not a BIG concern with a hunting rifle, but still a factor for me.
2- Energy on game from the heavier bullet selection.
3- Presumably easier to load for = not as finicky as the 260.

That being said, why not stay with the .308 if you already have the brass, dies, etc.? the .308 and the 155gr Scenars seem to work well for many (search username PGS).
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

I went with the 7mm-08 only on the if you can only have one choice basis. I would prefer the .260 if I could have two rifles my 2nd would be a 7mm remy mag
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

almost any hardware store in the US will carry 260 rem or 30.06. Im going through the same thing you are at the moment. I have a nice walnut stock im having carved for a hunting rifle. I went back and forth between 30.06, 7mm, and 260 rem. all are great calibers, and will have no problem downing deer sized game. I want this gun to be handed down to my kids, grandkids, etc. If they decide they never want to reload, they will ALWAYS be able to find factory ammo for the 30.06 and 260 rem, even if they live in podunk eastjubumfuk. And that is what my build is for, exclusively hunting deer or similiar sized animals. I already have a tactical style 300winmag.

I ended up choosing the 30.06, but the ONLY reason is that I have a shit ton if 30cal bullets that i use to reload my winmag. So I liked the idea of being able to use those same bullets for the 06. If I didnt have a 300winmag, I would of chose the 260rem.
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jig Stick</div><div class="ubbcode-body">almost any hardware store in the US will carry 260 rem or 30.06.</div></div>

You must have really nice hardware stores in your parts, because I've <span style="text-decoration: underline">never</span> seen 260 Rem factory ammo outside of a Cabelas, Bass Pro, or large/nicely stocked gun store.

7-08 ammo, however, can be found at Wal-Mart.
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

Voted...7 because I like my 284's and 30's best. I know the 260 is good but already had the components around for my 7RM. I agree with the previous comment, I know of maybe ONE hardware store in the area that would have 260 ammo but thats because they are more of a gunshop. The 708 isnt as hard to find if a factory box is needed in a pinch.
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Haven't used'm the 708 on deer yet but it kills the heck outta cats. HEY, had to check zero somehow...or I mean had to get in a lil off hand practice...yeah thats it...
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

7-08 for sure! I have both and my opinion based on killing 10 beer with the 7-08 and 5 with the 260, is that the 7-08 seems to put deer down better then the 260. I shoot the 145 BTSP Speers in the 7-08, and love it. Now that being said I have had terrible on game performance with the 120 Ball tip in the 260. I will try the 140 GK or 125 part next season.

Both are great in a light weight gun for hunting.
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

For hunting - 708
For precision - 260

Both hit hard and fly a long way but the 708 has better factory hunting ammo. I'm partial to the 260 but that's because there's no deer hunting with rifles in Ohio. Also, 260s are absolute hammers when you find a good load for em.
 
Re: 7-08 or 260 Rem?

This has all been covered pretty well, only other point I thought of to mention is later re-sale. I think for a *hunting* rifle you will have an easier time to sell a 7mm-08 since it is a more popular choice for hunting and lots of good factory ammunition is available even at Walmart.