Poll - 6.5x55 vs. .260 Rem. vs. 7mm-08

[pastorp]

Actually the remington barrels with the 1in9 twist will stabilize the 160gr bullets in the 6.5 cal. Why not get a 260 and sell the 243 and have the best of both.
There is no practical difference in the sweed and the 260. What one will do so will the other.
If you sell the 243 then you can size the brass to 6.5 and all you need is a new set of dies.
I vote for the 6.5 take your pick. Regards, Byron

[R.W.Dale]

Actually the remington barrels with the 1in9 twist will stabilize the 160gr bullets in the 6.5 cal. Why not get a 260 and sell the 243 and have the best of both.
There is no practical difference in the sweed and the 260. What one will do so will the other.
If you sell the 243 then you can size the brass to 6.5 and all you need is a new set of dies.
I vote for the 6.5 take your pick. Regards, Byron

  the twist rate isn't the broblem with loading 160gr bullets in the 260 magazine capicity is. When loaded to fit in the short action mag the 160 grainers use up too much cace capicity to be loaded to any kind of velocity.

[RaySendero]

Greetings!

I've recently posted a topic about the choice of cartridge for my next rifle.  I am currently considering ONLY these three: 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, .260 Remington, and 7mm-08.  I'm curious about how many people would choose each.

Just a few things before you vote:  This cartridge choice is for a rifle to replace a recently sold .308 Win. rifle, I don't need EXACTLY the same performance... but I am definitely set on one of these three calibers.  I am using this rifle to compliment a .243 Win. that I already own.  I also handload, so please don't vote based on scarcity of factory loaded ammo.

Thanks in advance!
Bawko

IMO - the 308 you sold complements a 243 better than any of the choices on the poll.  How about considering a another 308 or a 358 winchester?

[brasschaser]

Go with the .260.  The 6.5x55, while a fine round, is old technology.  The .260 will fit in a true short action, 6.5 will not.  I don't think the .260 is really waning either.

[WW1]

well I was looking for some info on a new rifle I had made..I was feeling pretty low reading all the ings said about the 260 Rem till I read what Coyote Hunter said..I feel better now..I had an old Savage 110 in 243 and picked up a take off barrel for it in 260...I also have the 7mm-08..both are new to me so I havent hunted them yet..personally after reading what was written, if I need a 160 gr I will use the 7mm and if not I will use the 260..I did alot of thinking before I made these 2 moves..I cant see anything the 6.5x55 will do the 260 wont..I live in on the west coast and dont have a use for a heavy round nose bullet..I liked the penetration factor on the 6.5 round but also like the accuracy I get from my 280 Rem so had to get another 7mm....hahaha...to make a long story short, I like the newer round as I feel it will take more for loading without comming apart, which is why I think the commercial 6.5x55 is loaded down so low..and i know some of you are probably thinking and he owns a SAVAGE too....hahaha...I am a Lefty and the only hunting rifles I have are Ruger #1's, and a few of the Savage bolt actiongs with the bolt handle on the wrong side...anyway my hat is off to Coyote Hunter as I think I agree with him...also I agree it is a Dodge, Chev, Ford thing and will never get settled...I also agree you should have had an all of the above selection...hahhaha...just my thoughts

[WW1]

forgot anyone who has a 7mm-08 and likes the Federal Priemum ammo, Midway is running a sale right now of the 7mm-08 Fed Prem 140 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claws for $11.45 a box plus shipping...try and beat that...hahaha...I was going to get some of the TBBC for loading but they want $25-$29 for a box of 25 bullets!...also the cheapest I have ever seen the Premium with the TBBC is $26 a box of 20 out here...anyway thought you all might want to know....

[zeussau]

i voted for the swede on the grounds that i am very happy with mine,everything i have shot with it (25-350 yards) with factory 140gn highland(read cheap)ammo has fallen over dead with one shot
when i researched my search for a medium caliber i was impressed by the sectional density of the 6.5mm projectiles(wd bell shot many an elephant with the 6.5x54 mannlicher schonneaur) which offer exceptional penetration on game
add to this low recoil,good accuracy,and readily available ammo and i beleive it is a safe bet
having said this i have not shot the 7-08,maybe i would be happy with this caliber as well,but i am not likely to find out now i have the swede!!
ps i have a tikka t3 wood/blue in the 6.5x55,great gun,HOWEVER, i wouldn't buy another tikka(in australia anyway) due to poor aftersales service with a faulty second gun i bought............still trying to resolve the matter.

[Zachary]

As it may already have been said, the .260 has more power in smaller brass (in a factory load) than the swede.  As such, I would vote for the .260 over the Swede since I don't handload.

However, the 7mm-08 is agruably the best whitetail cartridge.  It is based on the .308 cartridge necked down to a 7mm bullet.  Accuracy is excellent, recoil is mild, and energy is more than sufficient out to 250 yards or so.

My favorite whitetail cartridge is the 7mm-08, and for good reason. :wink:

Zachary

[poncaguy]

Well, I have both, 260 and 7MM-08......... :grin:

[Zachary]

Me too.  But I still prefer the 7mm-08  :wink:

Zachary

[kenscot]

for me it's the 7mm-08 hands down

[cal sibley]

I'm certainly glad the 6.5x55 is finally catching on in N. America.  I'm quite happy with my Remington Classic in it although I think Remington missed out by chambering it with a 1 in 9" twist.  A 1 in 8" twist would make it even more versatile although it's still a pretty accirate rifle.  This old warrior has been around for a lot of years.  Recoil is moderate, and it's an excellent game killer to boot.  Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[2ndtimer]

If you didn't have the .243 already, I would recommend the .260 Remington, since it will probably hande lighter bullets better than a swede.  But since you have a .243, which is a great varmint cartridge, I suggested the 6.5x55 Swede.  I have owned a 7mm-08 previously, but prefer the long pointy 6.5 cal. bullets, and the 6.5x55 allows plenty of throat length and magazine length to really be able to seat them out.  While my 6.5x55 is a modern action (Howa), I have not felt the burning need to exceed the published maximum loads for the Swede.  I believe it is at its' best with the 129 gr Hornady or 140 gr Hornady at 2500 to 2650 fps.  Should provide more than enough penetration and shouldn't ruin a ton of meat.
Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08, but the Model 70 Lightweight Carbine that I used to own was pretty finicky accuracy wise, and didn't seem to provide that big of a performance boost over a 6.5x55.  I just don't think you can go wrong with the Swede.  Mild recoil, sufficient power, accuracy ease of loading, it is just enough!

[gunnut69]

I am a little late(been holding off) but here goes. The biggest advantage the 260 and 7-08 have is that more rifles are available. The 6.5x55 and the 7x57 both have a bit more case capacity but are loaded a conservatively, in deference to the older rifles that were built in those calibers. These are all great rounds but being a bit old fashioned I love the 7x57. I voted for the 6.5x55, but there is little reasoning behind that vote..  The older rounds can be loaded to equal or better the newer ones but the difference is irrelavent. All are great hunters!

[R.W.Dale]

If I didn't handload I would not buy a .260 remington in my opinion this cartrige is dying this chambering is 8 yrs old as of now there are only 2 ammo manufacturers offering 5 diffrent loadings between them.
 Where as the Swede has 6 major name ammo makers offering 8 diffrent loads. Excluding the Mom and Pop operations who also make ammo for this round.

[35Rem]

I voted 7mm-08

However, I think the .308 you sold is a better, and more versatile round.  It also seem to me that the extra 0.5 mm offered by the other two rounds over your 243 is pretty insignifigant.
I would tak e a good long look a the 308 again.  The range of bullet sizes in .308 is enormous, since you handload.  Next in availability would be the 7mm.

[Atomic Chicken]

Greetings!

After having this poll run for almost 2 months now, reading all the replies, visiting local gun stores to examine rifles and talk to shooters in person... I've finally made my decision.

First off, I want to thank everyone here for the great input that was given... I valued every post and appreciate the insites that were shared.  For those who suggested the .308 Win. would be a better compliment to my .243 than any of the cartridges I am considering, I need to admit that I have an ulterior motive in selecting one of these 3 cartridges... which I will now reveal.  I have a friend who owns a VERY sweet shooting .30-06, which he has promised to sell to me this spring.  He is working on building a (at least he thinks it will be) better rifle, and he wants to sell his current rifle to me to help fund that endeavor.  So, after that sale I will have a .243 and a .30-06, which kind of makes a .308 a bit redundant in my opinion.  I was looking for a nice "middle ground" cartridge between the varmint/light deer .243 Win. and the heavy hitting (and recoiling) .30-06 - which is why I chose the three cartridges under consideration in this thread.

OK... enough of that.  After much thought, reading, and gunstore visits, I have decided that the 6.5x55 Swede will be my next cartridge... and that the Tikka T3 will most likely be the launching platform.  I am planning on topping this rifle with a fixed 6X or 8X scope, brand and model yet to be determined.

I'm open to any suggestions or comments regarding the rifle or scope, but at this point I'm firmly decided on the 6.5x55 Swede as the cartridge.  It would take a VERY good reason for me to consider a different rifle than the T3 at this point... although I do still have a somewhat open mind in this regard if a good enough argument can be made for another brand or model.

Once again, thanks for all the input - this has been a difficult decision for me but you have all helped make it easier and for that I'm grateful!

Best wishes,
Bawko

[WW1]

I am glad you made a choice...it is always hard to do that but I dont know why...I guess I am a buy it and try it then some i keep and others I trade of to start the try it and buy it all over again......guess that is part of my pleasure...as for a good scope, I would recomend a good old Leupold Vari-X III in either the 2.5x8 or the 1.75x6..
I have tried others over the years and always came back to Leupold...I guess it is because if you ever have a problem they fix it and return it quickly...it is a plus having them in Oregon and living in Washington...haha
one quick note on that the newer models if I am not mistaken dont have the same waranty...the old golden rings scopes had a lifetime to anyone who owns waranty, but the new ones I think just cover the original owner and the second owner is out...anyway a good new scope is quite spendy nowdays, and if you want a good deal go used...I have picked up a few at gun shows and off Ebay with the knowledge that is it isnt right Leupold will fix it free...thinking in those terms if you can pick up a used one in new condidtion for a $100 to $200 less than new price, that is a good bargain......just my thoughts...WW1

[Lawdog]

Atomic Chicken,

I'm firmly decided on the 6.5x55 Swede as the cartridge.

Excellent choice.  You couldn't have done better than the "old" Swede.  Top it off with a good Burris or Leupold 6x 40-42mm scope and you won't ever be sorry.  Lawdog