140's out of 260's..

[Omegaman]

Plenty enough with the right bullet selection for all North American big game, OR, should I go with the longer throw action of the 6.5x55 cause it has the heavier bullets?
thanks
OM

[Mikey]

Omegaman - I wouldn't hesitate to use my 6.5 with 140s on just about any North American game and would go with 160s for really nasty critters.  The 260 is reported to be just about as accurate with the heavier bullets and just a bit slower - I think this would be a good 'range project' for you and might let some folks know how well the 260 fares with the heavier loads.  

I don't know how much of a difference in weight there is between a 96 Mauser action in 6.5 and something like a short action Remington or Winchester in 260 but either should make an absolutely excellent field rifle or mountain rifle.  

I wouldn't want this to sound like blasphemy to any of my mil-surp buddies but if I ever get tired of the clunk and thunk of my mil-surp Mauser sporters I think a short action rifle in the 260 would fit right in my cabinet.  Mikey.

[beemanbeme]

I have never hunted the great bears -actually never the black variety either- and I would be hesitant to use a .260 on an elk although I am sure there are those that swear by them, I would prefer somehing bigger for an elk.
For deer, both kinds, and antelope, and like sized stuff, I think the .260 with a 140gr bullet would be ideal.  I killed a couple of white tails last year with that combo and it worked great.

[PEPAW]

I think the .260 with 140's is perfect for deer.    But it is a hard sell to many who haven't tried one.   In short to medium range, I wouldn't hesistant to shoot anything except a big bear.   Of course, larger is usually better if you can shoot it accurately.   The .260 is very easy to shoot accurately because it has little recoil and practice is actually fun.


pepaw

[R.W.Dale]

I would opt for the 6.5x55 swedish Not only will you be able to get excallent velocities but you would also be able to shoot 160gr bullets wich the 260 can only marginally shoot at best.
 Also you may want to take into account that the 6.5x55 as been around for over 100 years now and just about every ammo manufacturer has this cartridge in their lineup whereas the .260 remington has been a commercial failure for the most part I expect this chambering to go the same route as others such as the .225win , .450marlin, .264 win mag and the 350 remington mag. Oh sure you'll have the die hard fans just as you do with any other cartridge but this one had it's chance and largely failed due mostly to the fact that it's just not 7mm-08.

[poncaguy]

My Ruger 77 in 260 is a great rifle, I use 120's for deer, think the 140's would do fine for larger game.

[Slamfire]

I haven't shot any 140s out of my .260. I have shot a bunch out of a 6.5x57 I once owned. The rifle, a commercial Mauser,  was much to valuable to keep.
I took it to the NWTs twice to hunt with a couple I went to High School with. I took a couple of big bull 'bou with it. using 140s at about 2600 fps. Having gained confidence that the cartridge would handle game in the 600 to 800 pound range, I accompanied a fellow worker to his Uncle's ranch in New Mexico and managed to score 5 meat elk in as many trips. I see no reason the .260 wouldn't be capable of the same performance. I haven't been much interested in bear hunting having been turned off while skinning the only one I ever shot. The carcass looked too human for my tastes. I do good work with the 129 Hornady, on deer and hogs. I'm positive it would work if I had to defend against a black bear, which I never expect to have occasion to do.
The .260 is the equal, within a 100 fps, of any 6.5 not designated a magnum, with any bullet weight. Neither of mine have the 9 inch twist, but I know of no reason it wouldn't stabilize a 140 grain flat based bullet.   :wink:

[PEPAW]

Oh sure you'll have the die hard fans just as you do with any other cartridge but this one had it's chance and largely failed due mostly to the fact that it's just not 7mm-08.[/quote]

It is a relatively new cartridge and it will take a few years for some hard heads to give it a chance.    Then we will see if it fails.

pepaw

[beemanbeme]

Yup!  The 7-08 didn't start out with a blaze of glory.  No trained gun rag writers to write overblown hype every month like the .270 and .243 had.
 :grin:

[poncaguy]

260 and 7mm-08 are two fo my "new" favorites......shot a 270 for years.gave it to my grandson and got a 270 WSM......which is my #1