Author Topic: 260, 6.5 swede, 257, or 7x57? (Read 10313 times)

myronman3 · « **on:** March 27, 2008, 07:28:14 AM »

i am jonesing for a rifle for the misses. the 270 is a little much for her, and i cant bring myself around to the 243. honestly, the 257 might be a little light for my tastes as well but i think i could live with it. just wondering if there is a caliber i might be overlooking; one friend has mentioned the 6.8 in a bolt, but for some reason it doesnt tickle my fancy.

i know i could down load the 270, but i like a full case and i think these other calibers are interesting. a friend has a 260 for his wife, and the swede has my interest big time. but try to find a rifle in them for a reasonable price. yikes! and i would like to stick to a bolt.

thoughts, ideas, comments, opinions?

nodlenor · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2008, 07:44:07 AM »

You might take a look at the 25-06. I've got one that I like really well. It comes in some inexpensive rifles, mine is a Howa which cost a little over $400. It is the same cartridge as the 270 and 30-06 but necked down to 25 cal.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2008, 07:58:17 AM »

How about a 7mm08. Larger diameter than the 243, but smaller than 308. Light kicker, good enough for deer. Ammo is more readily available. 25-06 is good too.

myronman3 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2008, 08:18:34 AM »

my only problem with the 7-08 is that ballistically it is a twin to the 270; so i imagine recoil would be comparable.
i was just going to force a 270 on her but she brought up a great point in that she needs to shoot it alot to gain experience with the rifle. she does well with the 270, but only for a few shots. great thing is she knows her limits; she has no ego to feed.

PartsMan · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2008, 08:53:15 AM »

The Bob.
257 Roberts that is.
Someday I will have one of my own.

Don't sell the 243 short though.
Many deer have fallen to it.

myronman3 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2008, 10:20:01 AM »

Quote

Don't sell the 243 short though.
Many deer have fallen to it.

just like the 22 lr. doesnt mean i want to send her out in the deer woods with one.

i dont want to debate the 243; it isnt even an option. i know tons of you have them and use them effectively, but it just aint going to happen.

i see remington is offering a 700 special edition in 260... but they are proud of it!! it is a good thing i am patient.

charles p · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2008, 10:29:42 AM »

I have a 25-06 and an 270 and 280. My little 7mm-08 seems to have less recoil plus it is lighter than the others.

Notice I said is SEEMS to have less recoil. It does have a nice recoil pad.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2008, 10:50:48 AM »

If you reload, you can reload the 270 with ligher loads for practice, increase load for hunting.

rich56 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2008, 11:50:29 AM »

260 all the way. All commercial loads are modern high pressure (not like the 257 or Swede) If you really need them, Remington is offering light low recoil loads. The normal 120 grain loads dont kick much more than the 243 but have much more pwer.

Luckyducker · « **Reply #9 on:** March 27, 2008, 12:16:23 PM »

MM3, I gave my favorite rifle to my daughter because I love her more than the rifle. It is a 30/06 Ruger MKII and after having it a while and doing some shooting with it she decided it was too much for her, both in recoil and the size and mass of the gun. I will be buying another rifle for her and get my magic stick back here shortly. I looked at what I thought would be the perfect rifle for her, a Ruger Ultralight with a 20" barrel. The only caliber they offer it in that I would consider for her is the 257Roberts, but since she told me she may want to hunt elk with it I am no longer interested in it but if your wife is going to use it for deer as the largest critter to hunt it may be a good choice. I have since started looking at the Rem. 7CDL in 260 Rem. for the girl.

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 27, 2008, 12:31:32 PM »

+1 on the .260! If you handload, their is a great variety of bullets, light varmint bullets up to heavier High BC bullets. Plus, .308 cases are readily available to neck down if needed.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 27, 2008, 12:39:15 PM »

I have not owned a 260 but have shot one. I own 7-08(two), 30-06, 270, 7 mag, 270 WSM, and 6.5 x 55. Hands down my 6.5 Swede is my favored round. I reload and shooting 100g Noslers. Recoil is very little and have shot two deer this year at over 400 yards. I think this IS the all around caliber IF YOU RELOAD FOR IT!!!

If you don't reload I would NOT go for the 260 but rather the 7-08. I can find factory ammo for the 7-00.

davem270win · « **Reply #12 on:** March 27, 2008, 01:36:16 PM »

260, I have one in a Ruger compact, and I use 120 gr bullets. Would be ideal - short, lightweight, and plenty of power for deer.

I like 25s too, and a 257 Roberts would also be a great choice.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2008, 01:50:50 PM »

One consideration is the 7.62x39. Light kicker, but ballistics of a 30-30.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2008, 02:03:12 PM »

Quote from: Dixie Dude on March 27, 2008, 01:50:50 PM

One consideration is the 7.62x39. Light kicker, but ballistics of a 30-30.

If you did choose to go this route, CZ makes a fine bolt action carbine in 7.62X39. Light, handles well, and CZ's are wonderfully accurate rifles.

Really though, I think it would be hard to go wrong with any of the calibers you mentioned.

onesonek · « **Reply #15 on:** March 27, 2008, 05:21:54 PM »

My vote goes to the .260

Dave

navylawdog · « **Reply #16 on:** March 27, 2008, 05:36:13 PM »

The .257 roberts gets my vote. My dad had a browning A-bolt in "the bob" and it was a great shooter and had very light recoil.

Navylawdog

Mikey · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2008, 01:29:43 AM »

6.5 Swede or the 260. Mikey.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2008, 02:11:11 AM »

Any of the calibers you mentioned, in the best rifle deal you can make. Otherwise, 6.5x55.

Cheese

glshop20 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2008, 02:36:43 AM »

See if you can take a 6.5x55 for a test ride. It is very accurate out of most rifles and has mild recoil. They have used it for years in Europe on game much larger then deer with outstanding results. If you have a hard time locating one Sako/Tikka and CZ offers this caliber. If you want a good deal, try a CZ. Not always the most beautiful wood but the metal is quality and they shoot great out of the box.

myronman3 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 28, 2008, 02:46:55 AM »

truth be told, if i find a nice rifle in the swede it is a done deal. for some reason i have always liked the round. the 260 appeals to me also. i like the bullet weights available and the velocity range. the reputation of both for accuracy doesnt hurt either of them.

oh, and i do reload; boy do i ever reload!

beemanbeme · « **Reply #21 on:** March 28, 2008, 05:22:14 AM »

.260 all the way. It's a non-kicker that packs a letal punch. You don't have to get involved with mis=matched head sizes nor special shell holders. It's a moden version of a tried and true European cartridge (6.5x55) that enjoys a wide variety of bullet weights and whose performance window lends itself to standard bullets to do it's best work. No magic bullets needed, thank you very much.

I prefer the 140gr bullet with H414 in my .260.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #22 on:** March 28, 2008, 02:32:02 PM »

My swede is in CZ 550 American. I know Tikka make one also. I promise you will not regret the swede. I just can't say enough about this round. Yes, there are many other calibers out there but the swede is about perfect for me. I wanted a low recoil, fast, flat shooter that kill deer at a distance. Boy, did I ever find it!!!

billy_56081 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 28, 2008, 04:00:17 PM »

I'd go with the 6.5x55 swede. The 260 is a relative newcomer and who knows if it will still be made 10 years from now. Now the 6.5x55 has been being made for i believe 114 years and I don't think it will be going away too soon. I got one for my son figuring her can shoot anything from coyote to elk with it.

WyoStillhunter · « **Reply #24 on:** March 28, 2008, 05:11:22 PM »

I used a new Ruger Hawkeye in .257 Robts. last season for the first time. It worked nicely on an antelope and two whitetail does with handloads I cooked up right out of loading manuals. It is a nice cartridge to shoot...very civilized.

I now have a Rem. 700 Classic 6.5x55 SE on the way from a Gunbroker auction that I "won" (??) earlier in the week.. Why do we call it winning when it costs so much money?

The Rem. Classic in 6.5x55 will become my deer/antelope gun while my Rem. Classic in .35 Whelen has served for elk hunting chores serveral years already.

And every year I get closer to drawing that Wyoming moose tag.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #25 on:** March 28, 2008, 05:40:44 PM »

MM3 !

Since you are a 270 fan, that puts you half way there ! Half way to the components you need for the 6.8 SPC since it is .277 inches, same as the 270 ! Lots of bullets to choose from for all kinds for plinking and hunting ! The recoil is nearly zero ! The 100 grain psp bullets are great for varmint and more ! The 130 and 115 grain bullets for big game !

Cheese !

deltecs · « **Reply #26 on:** March 28, 2008, 05:46:53 PM »

I'd be satisfied with any of the four. I'd rather someone let me pick the rifle it is in and let them pick the caliber. I'd have no regrets or criticism with any of them.

Mikey · « **Reply #27 on:** March 29, 2008, 01:42:37 AM »

WyoStillhunter: you 'won' it because you won the chance to pay for it (lololol), or at least try to win it. I know, it isn't funny but that's how somethings get marketed. It is sort of like going through $100 worth of raffle tickets to 'win' a $10 frozen turkey.

I can't wait for someone to offer 'futures' in free range chicken farming..............Mikey.

onesonek · « **Reply #28 on:** March 29, 2008, 03:20:12 AM »

Quote from: deltecs on March 28, 2008, 05:46:53 PM

I'd be satisfied with any of the four. I'd rather someone let me pick the rifle it is in and let them pick the caliber. I'd have no regrets or criticism with any of them.

Indeed

efremtags · « **Reply #29 on:** March 29, 2008, 06:06:25 AM »

The 7mm is a nice caliber, but would be comparable to 270 in recoil, and difficult to find a rifle that isn't of millitary origin unless you go semi-custom. I have a nice FN mauser in this caliber. The same goes for the 6.5 Swede, not that many guns out there chambered for this.

The 25-06 and 260 are probably the best 2 options spending on the style of rifle your wife will like. The 25-06 is great, I have a Ruger 77. It does not lend itself to a short light gun, as it perfroms best with a 24" tube and it is a longer action.

The 260 in a light remington can be had in 18.5 or 20" tubes, with a shorter action that may be a better fit and give up nothing in performance.

I agree on the 243 being marginal for deer. I had a 6mm REM. You can kill deer with it, and I know people who have, but it is marginal in terms of shot placement and penetration. For the average hunter who may only have 1 or 2 opportunities a season to take a shot, it is not the best choice.