6.5 swede, .260 Rem, or 7mm-08?

[fortress49]

Of these three cartridges, they seem to have pretty much equal performance as far as trajectory, penetration, energy, reputation, recoil, etc goers.  So, in deciding which one I would like to get in a Thompson Encore package I think any of them would be a great choice for a medium bore/medium velocity round.

I am a novice reloader, just getting started into reloading.  Which one of these cartridges would be better suited for reloading purposes?  Is one easier than the other to develop loads for?  Does one have a better selection than the other?  Your thoughts would be appreciated.  Perhaps they are all a wash as far as reloading goes as well and I woul dbe better off "drawing straws" on which one I get!

Matt


PS  To add to this decision dilema, how does the 7x57 compare to these?  I don't know to much about this cartridge.

[S.S.]

The 7mm Mauser is, in my humble opinion, The best all around
sporting cartridge ever devised by man. I have 3 rifles chambered for it
and all are deadly shooters. The 6.5 Swede is finally getting the popularity
it deserves, it too is an excellent round. I have never had a 260 Rem,
but I have been hearing rumors that it was going to be discontinued
as a production loaded round. I have never liked the 7mm-08.
I have never fired a truely accurate weapon that was chambered for it.
Accurate enough I guess, just not a tack driver.

[Don Fischer]

I've had 2 7x57's, loved them. I'm on my 3rd 6.5x55, love them. I've never had or shot a 7-08 or a 260Rem; can't imagine they wouldn't make fine hunting rounds. The case does little more than drive the bullet and for hunting purposes all these cases are awfully equal for that. In the 6.5's you can load lighter bullets than in the 7mm's. In the 7mm's you can load heavier bullet's than the 6.5's. You could make a case for better ballistic qualities in like bullets for the 6.5' but thats really cutting a fine hair. Accuracy wise for hunting, I doubt any has any advantage over the other. Of the avaliable weights for hunting, you could pick 140 class bullet's in both cal and probally never be left wanting. For larger game, say elk, no advantage any one.

Now for reloading purposes, I can't see anything on the 308 or 8x57 case being hard to find, in fact, I have no trouble finding 6.5x55 cases either. I see no advantage in any way of one over the other. Just grab a straw and go for it!

[beemanbeme]

The first 10 rounds I fired thru my Douglas barrelled 7-08 went into a tidy little group measuring 7/8ths inch.  That will certainly get you to liking what was then a widlcat round.  Since then I have had at least a couple on hand.  I used a stock 700 in 7-08 to compete in some factory matches and did about as well as anyone.  If a fellow was gonna hunt deer (both kinds) antelope, black bear, hogs and such, a 7-08 would be the only rifle he would ever need.  Despite what you'll read, the 7x57 versus 7-08 argument is just the .270-.280 argument revisited.  I also have a 7x57 and have something other than conjecture to base my position on.  My 7-08's have always been at their best with 140-145gr bullets.  If a 7-08 were my only rifle and I was going elk hunting, I wouldn't have a problem with loading up some 160's and going.  It would certainly not be my first choice for a elk rifle however.
My experience with a .260 is more limited.  I just had it put together a year ago and I've killed two white tails with it.   And both went down like struck with the hand of God.  I use 140gr bullets in it also at @ 2700+ fps.  Again, I think it would be an ideal rifle for a one rifle guy that wasn't going elk hunting.  I have no experience with the 6.5 swede but I think its no better or worse than the .260.  I don't know about the .260 becoming obselete and really don't care.  I reload and so I can lay in a couple of hundred cases and will be set.

[Redhawk1]

The 7mm Mauser is, in my humble opinion, The best all around
sporting cartridge ever devised by man. I have 3 rifles chambered for it
and all are deadly shooters. The 6.5 Swede is finally getting the popularity
it deserves, it too is an excellent round. I have never had a 260 Rem,
but I have been hearing rumors that it was going to be discontinued
as a production loaded round. I have never liked the 7mm-08.
I have never fired a truely accurate weapon that was chambered for it.
Accurate enough I guess, just not a tack driver.

You need to come shoot my Encore in 7mmo8. It is a tack drive.  I would go with the 7mm08 over the other two.

[MS10point]

7mm-08

TP

[StrawHat]

Swede, light weight, accurate, easy on the shoulder.

[crow_feather]

The swede is a moose killer.  It is used as a target round.  It has survived close to 100 years.  It is not fussy about powders.  It's range of bullet weights is outstanding.  I just got back from the range where my swede 1913 rifle with original barrel put three shots touching at 100 yards. (and that isn't my target ammo)

When I wanted my first custom rifle, I pulled out my Cartridges of the World and spent days studying the different calibers.  (This was in 1985)  After considering all factors, the Swede was my choice.  I never regretted it. 

C F

The 7mm-08 is good and if you get the 260 Rem is the 6.5 x 51, a shorter 6.5 x 55

[fortress49]

Thanks for all the replies...keep them coming if anyone has anymore opinions...

I think I am leaning to the 6.5 Swede...it seems it can handle the light bullets like the others but it can also be loaded heavier than the others due to the larger case capacity...I am wrong on this?

Matt

[Mikey]

fortress - all three calibers you mentioned are adequate for deer, bear and hog.  I would prefer the 6.5 Swede from a reloaders perspective as it seems to be able to provide a wider range of reloading capability than the 260.  You can go from varmit bullet weights to heavy hitters with 160 gn loads that will take just about anything.  The 260 may not last long, unfortunately as it is a good round.  Folks rave about their 7-08 and that is certainnly an option although I prefer the 6.5s. 

I have two 6.5 Swedes and both are so accurate I don't reload for them as the factory ammo I use (S&B) is inexpensive enough to shoot regularly.  I am thinking about reloading the 6.5 just for the hay of it, as I dooubt I can wring any better accuracy than snake eyes at 150m, if ya know what I mean......... JMHO.  Mikey.

[John R.]

All of the 7mm/08's that I own or have shot have been extremely accurate. (Most were Remington's) You can't beat it it for whitetail in most hunting situations. Remember I said most not all.

[poncaguy]

I have a Ruger 260, Encore rifle 7-08, Encore pistol,15" 7-08 and a Stevens  200 7-08..I love both of these rounds.................

[nasem]

I have spent the last 4 weeks researching a "new" light load caliber that will handle anything from varmint to deer & hogs.  And I found out the 6.5X55 is perfect for such application.  Its even older than our 30-06 (1893 VS 1906).  Apparently, the 6.5 swedish in europe is the 30-06 of north america.

As far as reloading goes, I have never reloaded a round yet but people tell me its one of the easiest rounds to reload.  Alot of pluses for this round and not a single negative.  Im defently going to get one in a tikka stainless light.  bullet weights range anywhere from 90 grains ALLLLLL the way up to 160 (thats a huge spectrum)

[Cheesehead]

All the above mentioned rounds are close ballisticly speaking. So the coolest looking round is with out a doubt is the 6.5x55 loaded with the Hornady 160 grain round nose. Those of you that have seen this round and appreciate a round nose bullet know what I mean. I have 4 guns in 6.5x55 and have hand loaded and fired many rounds, very accurate.

Cheese

[jro45]

My 7mm Rem Mag is a tac Driver with the 160 gr bullets and the 150 gr bullets also

[csam]

Yes.

Oopps, I reread the post and you want just ONE of them.  Ok, if you must chose, flip a coin, try the dart board.  the 7x57 and 6.55 swede do it with a little more powder and lower pressure (and class!), the .260 and 7-08 have a better selection of factory ammo.  Toss it all out the window as all of them are great cartridges to handload.  the 7-08 and 7x57 are really identicle in the real world, as are the 6.5x55 and .260.  You can't tell me anything from coyote to bear moose elk and deer can tell the difference between the four.  each can reach out a good ways, but are not o fast that you have to wory too much about bullets blowing up.  You can load up with premium bullets or plain ole core-lockts or silvertips, sierras etc. 

I am sure that helps make up yor mind.  Try the dart board.  Seriously, if you handload I would go for the 6.5x55.  Great bullet selection,  probably more "inherently accurate" than the the 7x57, lower pressures than the .260

[firstshot]

Which one of these cartridges would be better suited for reloading purposes?  .........  Does one have a better selection than the other? 

The Reload Bench bullet database @ http://www.reloadbench.com/specs/form.php?form_type=search&table_name=bullets shows:

40 different types of 6.5x66/260 (.264) bullets.  Only three (3) bullets are heavier than 142 Grns. The lightest was 85 Grns the heaviest was 160 Grn

91 different types of 7mm-08 (.284) bullets.  Fifty one (51) are heavier than 140 Grns.  The lightest was 100 Grn, the heaviest was a 195 Grn Barns. 

Of course, all you really need to do with either is find the 1 bullet that works best in your rifle.


I prefer the 7mm-08.

firstshot
-------------------------------------------
Make your first shot count!

[Mac11700]

Which one of these cartridges would be better suited for reloading purposes?  .........  Does one have a better selection than the other?

The Reload Bench bullet database @ http://www.reloadbench.com/specs/form.php?form_type=search&table_name=bullets shows:

40 different types of 6.5x66/260 (.264) bullets.  Only three (3) bullets are heavier than 142 Grns. The lightest was 85 Grns the heaviest was 160 Grn

91 different types of 7mm-08 (.284) bullets.  Fifty one (51) are heavier than 140 Grns.  The lightest was 100 Grn, the heaviest was a 195 Grn Barns. 

Of course, all you really need to do with either is fine the 1 bullet that works best in your rifle.



I prefer the 7mm-08.

firstshot
-------------------------------------------
Make your first shot count!

Matt:

Sure...the 7mm has a wider selection of bullets ...but...the 6.5mm's don't need all those different weights...it has what some folks like to call a balanced weight range...Just like the 270 Winchester....I'm not knocking the 7mm's in the least..but..the 6.5's work exceptionally well in their weight range..combining excellent BC's and SD's...
They aren't as popular as the 7mm's...but..with the advent of the 6.5x284 taking the BR crowd by storm as it has...they are nudging their way up the ladder...I would go for the 260 or the 6.5x55 and not look back...

Mac

[Slamfire]

7mm bullets have to weigh 20 grains more than 6.5mm bullets to have the same sectional density. That means you are gonna have a bit more recoil to get the same performance. It certainly ain't enough to worry about. My favorite is the .260, because I have a rifle that shoots it. 

[beemanbeme]

A wide selection of bullets seems to be important but is it really?  I have a 30-06 that has never had anyting but 165's thru it. From my first 7-08 to the ones I have now, I have used 140-145's. When I put together my .260, I started out with 140's and just tried the different brands to find the one it likes best. 
I know the gun writers talk about loading up your '06 with 110's for Pdogs and 220's for grizzlies but do we do that?  I tend to find one load that my rifle shoots well and use it on everything.  (I certainly don't go Pdog shooting with a 300WM loaded with 200's tho  )

[nomosendero]

A wide selection of bullets seems to be important but is it really?  I have a 30-06 that has never had anyting but 165's thru it. From my first 7-08 to the ones I have now, I have used 140-145's. When I put together my .260, I started out with 140's and just tried the different brands to find the one it likes best. 
I know the gun writers talk about loading up your '06 with 110's for Pdogs and 220's for grizzlies but do we do that?  I tend to find one load that my rifle shoots well and use it on everything.  (I certainly don't go Pdog shooting with a 300WM loaded with 200's tho  )

I agree. The main question to me is do you have the right range of bullets for the use of the caliber? For example, the 270 does not have near the range of bullets as a 30, but the 130-150 answers the needs that most people would have in hunting Deer size game with this round, with a few
other weights lighter & heavier thrown in. Like you, I try to pick one good load per gun, which may indicate I have too many guns. 

[TC2]

My 2 cents worth.
I have a 6.5 in my Encore and love the gun and round.  I did a lot of research when i decided to buy a new rifle.  Every thing I read about the 6.5 was very positive.   

I have shot 7-08, 308, 30-06, 270 etc.   I love the 6.5 because it is accurate and I can shoot it all day with out developing shoulder pain and then the flinch.  I am thin built and big  recoil just hurts to shoot after a long period on the range.  I know there are ways to help keep the recoil manageable.   But for me good accuracy is my number one concern.  I need all the help I can get.  The more I shoot a particular rifle the better I get to know it and how it will perform for my particular style of shooting.   Less recoil means more range time.

 Plus the ballistics for this round are really great.  I reload and find loading for it is very easy.  Cases and bullets are easy to find.

[aulrich]

I have used a swede in the past and even though what I had was a poorly buba'ed mauser I regret selling that gun, that said they are all fine deer rounds, but if there was one thing for me that would split the hair. It would be the lower operating pressures that the swede works at, break opens are'nt the stiffest actions, so a little less strain could be useful.

[Sweet 6.5]

Don't buy the Swede - once you have bought the 6.5x55
you won't be able to find and excuse to buy another rifle,
we all know one is not enough.