Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 260 Rem or 7-08 Rem....Why would you pick one over the other?

I’ve got both, both in Kimber Montana platform. 7mm-08 is factory original, 260 Rem has a pacnor factory dupe barrel on it. Running 150 scenars in the 7mm-08, and 123 and 139 scenars in the 260. 6 of 1, half dozen of the other, but I primarily grab the 7mm-08, simply because the b&c reticle in the 3.5-10 Leupold lines up nearly perfectly out to 500.

If I had a whole bunch of 7mm bullets on the shelf, and a set of 7mm-08 dies, I would pick the 7mm-08. If I had a whole bunch of 6.5 bullets on the shelf, and 260 dies, I would pick the 260. GD

I have a soft spot for the .260 Rem. Mine is a 9 twist Remington Mountain that is my favorite rifle.


I have two 708’s, one Remington LVSF and one T3x. Both are very accurate and versatile.



If starting over I’d have a T3x stainless cut down to 22” in 6.5 Creedmoor.

I have or had 7TCU, 7 International, 7-08, 7x57, 280, 7mm RM. Some of these I have several. I have 7mm bullets on the shelf, molds for cast. I’ve used 7mm’s on different game including pronghorn, whitetail and elk. With cast bullets smaller game. I have used the 7TCU and the 7 International on silhouette.

I had a 264 - the only 6.5 I’ve ever owned. I sold that about 1973 or 1974.

It only made sense to me to go 7-08.

If I were to start from scratch I think I’d still go 7-08. But either would be good. What are you going to use your rifle on?

I wouldn't pick either of them today and would opt for the 6.5 Creedmoor instead.

I have owned a lot of rifles plus a couple of XP-100s chambered in 260, still have 22 260s, and think that it a good cartridge, but the 6.5 Creedmoor offers the same performance in a better short action package. 6.5 Creedmoor factory built rifles come with a faster ROT, the shorter COAL makes it a better fit in most short action magazines, factory ammo is far more easily/widely available, less expensive, and generally more accurate.

The only 7mm cartridges that I've ever warmed up to are the 7x57, 284, and 7mm SAUM. Since I had multiple rifles in both 7x57 and 284 when the 7mm-08 was introduced owning one or more of them seemed superfluous to me at the time. I have come to think that the 7mm-08 and 7mm-08 Improved are better fits in a short action magazine than the 55mm long case of the 284, but those with a need to squeeze a few more fps out of a rifle seem to prefer the 284.

There was a time when I felt a need to go with less common cartridges, but in my old age I prefer to take the easier path, rather than one less travels.

7mm-08

My stockpile of .284 bullets came from a hunting partner who passed and was a serious 7mm magnum guy with Weatherbys, Remington 7mm Mags, SAUMS, 280s, AIs in the mix. The bullets were there already there, so an old wildcat from '55 was a logical choice, for me anyway.

I own five different bolt action models with varying barrel lengths from 18 1/2 -24" for different hunting conditions. Mostly shoot 120 or 139/140 grain projectiles and all easily shoot under MOA.

The .260 inclines me to want to pursue the 6.5x55.

7mm-08, no question about it.

I got soured on 7-08 by an 18" model 7 that shot 140's about as fast as I could throw them. Sure hard to argue with success of lots of other shooters but I like the S/A 6.5's and L/A .284's

Neither….they’ll just bounce off…you need a 25 Durham. 😂

I've never had a 7-08 shorter than 14" and it was a fhuqking HAMMER(XP-100). Hint.

The Kreed is tough to whoop. Hint.

Just sayin'............

Mathman,
as to why the 260 over the 6.5 creed, My thinking was that there is a small amount increased powder capacity.

And YES, I did find some 7-08 for $24.99 today online from PPU.....attractive but its not small rifle primed...

That said its not a big deciding factory just something to consider.

The Creed is ready from the gun box to the factory box of ammo to the range.....super easy button.
BUT I like to tinker a bit so the 260 has its appeal and hell, all those 7mm bullets for the 7-08......Being a reloader has its Demons that smile.

A question came up about use.....hunting would be the use. I do not compete but against myself which is tough at times...LoL.

Best
HeavyDove.

Another vote (from a fud) for the 6.5 CM. But only with Bullets 0.4 or less.! 😉

I had a similar situation when I was in the market to rebarrel a 308 a few years ago and was looking at doing a 260 or 7-08. My gunsmith (and most people on the 'fire) talked me into a Creed. Haven't regretted it at all.

I bought three 243s one fall, sold two, still have one.

I have four 260s. Two typical 260s in Ruger mk II. And two Remingtons with AICS mag boxes and 8 inch twist.

If you can find the Rem 700 in 260 in the 5R or Magpul configuration, it gives up nothing to the 6.5 Creed.

And I have two 7-08s in the safe. A model 7 and a 700 bdl.

For hunting, I would never load a 160 or 175 in the 7-08. They just eat too much powder capacity.

That leaves the 260 w/ 120, 130, 140, or the heavier VLD 6.5MM bulets, if you find the right Remington rifle, or have one built.

Vs the 7-08 w/ 140s or 150s.

Personally, I would go with the 260. I am just starting to work with Hornady 143 eld x and 140 eld m in my Remingtons.

I have a .260 in a MRC 1999 X2 and one for my daughter in a Tikka T3x stainless laminate. Great round for deer and pigs, but factory ammo can be more difficult to find. I'm just starting to reload for ours, using accumulated factory ammo brass.

I've always been a big fan of the Barnes 120gr. TTSX ammo and will try to copy the same with my handloads.

If it was solely based on available factory ammo, I'd pick the 7-08. Otherwise, a sexy .260

Of course, you could go full gay and buy a 6.5CM too.

For my uses, the smaller 6.5's & 7mm's ballistic/bullet capabilities would have little effect on my use.

I would go with the 7mm-08. I like 7mm's, there is already one 7mm-08 in the house along with a 7x57 & 7mm Remington mag. I have a fair on-hand supply of bullets and brass for the 7mm-08. I have been a fan of the 7mm-08 from when it was popular in the metallic silhouette shoots.

I have .260s just to pi$$ of the Creedmore fans.

May add a 7-08 after I retire if I need to kill time.

Ruger ftw Hawkeye with 24” barrel and 1/8 twist in 260 for me. I’ve had it maybe 5 years now. Factory ammo is scarce but I’m a reloader. 140 grain cup and core bullets are great on whitetail.

Negligible for practical purposes.

So, TDS and CDS.