Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Now What? - Lost my .260 Today

Well, sometimes it's simply hazardous to take your daughter hunting. The evening before Thanksgiving my daughter and I were in a tripod stand about 40 yards from a feeder when a big hog came in. Although there was only about 15 minutes of light left, I could see that he was a bar. How and when he was cut is an entirely different issue since no one cuts hogs on the property, but he was big: 350+ lbs.

Anyway, my nine-year old daughter was doing her best to line him up with my favorite stand rifle, an inexpensive Savage Model 16 in .260 Remington (pushing Remington's Managed Recoil loads for stand hunting), but the stock is way too long. Much to her credit, instead of just pointing in the general direction and letting fly, she said, "I can't get a steady shot, dad; you'll have to do it," and she handed me the rifle. I shot the hog and several of us loaded him up.

The Monday after Thanksgiving weekend I ordered a youth stock for the Savage and gave it to her for Christmas. It's still a touch long since she's a small nine-year old, but with a rest she'll be able to handle it much better than a full size rifle. Plus, she'll grow into it; although if she takes after her mother she'll never grow into a full size stock. She did, however, inform me that I'm probably never going to get it back.

Well, anyway, long story short...I know, too late!...here's my dilemma: I now have no .260. And I want a .260. I could always get another Savage since they're great rifles and won't break the bank (not to mention that I wouldn't be worried about banging up the stock in a truck or stand); I could splurge and get a Sako 85 (although there's that stock thing); or I could order an ASR from Montana Rifle Company, sort of splitting the difference between the two.

If y'all were in my shoes, what would you do? And no, I don't want to fool with another caliber. I already have a M70FWT in 7x57, so I'm not destitute of another rifle with which to hunt. I just want another .260.

Thanks

Mike

good choice! used mt. rifle or yes a savage in wood stock that can be up-graded.

If you're just looking for other options in general, Remington still chambers the Model Seven in .260. You can get 'em with a synthetic stock (not SS though) for about $600.

Sako. If you don't buy one you will always wish you had.

Dink

I'm cheap so I'd scout the local Pawn shops for a Savage 110 in '06, 270 (standard bolt face) and don't shoot it!!
Re-barrel it at home to 260rem and the longer mag box will be there so you can seat the bullets longer and chase the lands as you wear the barrel out(years from now).

If you get bored you can always put the factory barrel back on and play.
Just trying to help!

Those are all good ideas, thanks. I don't shoot enough to ever have to worry about shooting out a barrel, so I'm not going to worry much about chasing the lands. And Dink, I've been chewing over the Sako for a long time, but I also know the terrain we hunt. None of us abuse our rifles, but between trucks and stands they get pretty knocked around. The Model 7 is a nice rifle, but I've just never been able to warm up to them. Maybe if I actually shot one I'd feel differently about it.

The MRC ASR seems interesting, though - sort of a M70 clone in .260 Rem.

I appreciate all your replies.

Savage 260!

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=383392006


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=384370018

Rev,get the ASR .260 and go kill deer and hogs with it.

If your worried about the Sako stock look around until you can find a spare. Or use it till it breaks then buy a mcmillian.

Dink

Mike, come by my house and buy the stainless steel Remington 7 that is in my closet. Buddy of mine left it here six months ago and said "sell it" - synthetic stock and a Nikon Scope, and a coffee can of ammo.

THIS ! ! ! ^^^^^^^^^

I like the idea of the ASR. Also take a look at a Cooper Excalibur. I was very pleasantly surprised how good one felt that I shouldered.

Ruger made a run of stainless Hawkeye's in 260 a while back. CDNN has them listed and sold tons. Watch Gunbroker, as they still pop up on there.

I've always been a fan of the 260.

Bud's had one listed this past summer. Didn't pick it up, but probably should have.

I have a note into MRC with a few questions. And you're right about the Cooper: very nice rifle.

I'll let y'all know what finally happens. I move glacially on stuff like this...which is why a lot of stuff is gone before I grab it!

You are a lucky man. You have a daughter who loves to hunt AND, since she has taken yours, you have every right to go by a new rifle.
I have a Tikka T3 Hunter in 260 and love it. I'm a big fan of the Tikka rifles. Having said that, if Odessa has a M7 Stainless in 260 for sale, I believe that is the way I would go.

Thanks. She's funny: wanted a rifle (mine) and new Barbie for Christmas. Got 'em both.

Speaking of Tikka, my evil brother-in-law is keeps whispering that both Tikka and Sako are still cranking about 6.5x55s. Get thee behind me, Satan.

Here is a 260 Kimber

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=383445322

Good Luck!

You guys are killing me! Anyone hit the last powerball?

Bite the bullet get the Sako but in 6.5 X 55. You will relegate the .260 to that part of your mind where you store the memories of all those mousey girls who were nice enough to take home to Mom but somehow never tripped your trigger, the ones whose names you can't quite remember.