Author Topic: Looking at going from .243 Win to .260 Rem (Read 3598 times)

ThunderStick · « **on:** December 23, 2008, 02:33:57 PM »

Ok folks!

I'm getting the buying feaver! I have used a .243 for years and killed many many deer with it. I have only had 2 not recovered in 20 years and both where shot from over 300 yards. My delima is that I am very capable of hitting deer over 300 yards, but I have seen the .243 isn't up to the task and hold my shots to less than 300 yards. I have also seen that I seldom get a blood trail from the .243 although most deer never go over 50 yards after being shot. I have been using the Game King 85 grn for the last 3 years and they have worked great, shots less than 200 yards, but the deer often act like I made a clean miss! They walk a bout 25 yards and just fall over. I have also just used neck and lung shots with this bullet.
I have been eyeing the .260 for a little more distance and perhaps being able to break down shoulder hits, I always try and avoid bigger bones with the .243. I can see where the 140 gr bullets would work great for broad side shoulder shots with compleat pass through.

Now the real question, am I just trying to talk myself into a new gun, or will the .260 live up to my expectations? I am a very desiplined hunter and have a room full of trophys to prove the .243 works well with in it's limits.

Give it your best shot, stick to the .243, or go a little bigger? BTW, I do have opportunity to take 300 yard plus shots depending on where I set up.

john keyes · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2008, 02:49:58 PM »

.260 is about as good as it gets, I own one and cherish it, but I have to admit my 7mm-08 has a slight edge on it, when comparing the necked down .308 genre.

nomosendero · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2008, 04:39:48 PM »

Quote from: ThunderStick on December 23, 2008, 02:33:57 PM

Ok folks!

I'm getting the buying feaver! I have used a .243 for years and killed many many deer with it. I have only had 2 not recovered in 20 years and both where shot from over 300 yards. My delima is that I am very capable of hitting deer over 300 yards, but I have seen the .243 isn't up to the task and hold my shots to less than 300 yards. I have also seen that I seldom get a blood trail from the .243 although most deer never go over 50 yards after being shot. I have been using the Game King 85 grn for the last 3 years and they have worked great, shots less than 200 yards, but the deer often act like I made a clean miss! They walk a bout 25 yards and just fall over. I have also just used neck and lung shots with this bullet.
I have been eyeing the .260 for a little more distance and perhaps being able to break down shoulder hits, I always try and avoid bigger bones with the .243. I can see where the 140 gr bullets would work great for broad side shoulder shots with compleat pass through.

Now the real question, am I just trying to talk myself into a new gun, or will the .260 live up to my expectations? I am a very desiplined hunter and have a room full of trophys to prove the .243 works well with in it's limits.

Give it your best shot, stick to the .243, or go a little bigger? BTW, I do have opportunity to take 300 yard plus shots depending on where I set up.

You are an experienced hunter & shooter & your experience tells you that a larger caliber would be an advantage on some of your shots, you are right for trusting your own experience & no one can tell you more about YOUR conditions than yourself. You already see that the 243 gets light after 300 yards, but yet you can shoot further, so go for it. Yes the 260 will do fine much further than 300 yards. My Wife uses a 6.5x55 with the 130 Accubond & I would not hesitate to shoot a large Mule Deer or Whitetail at 400 plus yards. The 130 Accubond has a BC of .488 & flyes great. Alot of the tactical guys are going to the 260 over the 308 because of reduced wind drift. A 260 with a 140 grain Match bullet fly almost identical to a 190gr. in 300WM just to give an idea of the long range potential. You have the 140SST with a very high BC & the Berger & the A-Max (for modest 260 vel). Yes, it's great.

I like the 7-08 alot too.

onesonek · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2008, 05:59:13 PM »

The .260 is a very nice round, and that comes somebody that wasn't overly enthused about the 6.5/.264 caliber untill I got a .260 for my son.

I agree, and my choice now is 130 gr Accubonds. Prior to those was the 125 Partition. I really don't think one needs the sectional density of the 140's for deer sized game.

Dave

mountainview · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2008, 09:18:40 PM »

T-stick,
I thought about getting a 260 for my boy awhile back but went with a 7-08 in part due to number of mfgs offering the caliber, ammo selection, and availability. Have started handloading since then but the 7-08 round coupled with a light rifle has become my favorite whitetail rig. OTOH, if you like the 260 for personal reasons and the new gun bug has bit, go for it

Mikey · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2008, 01:56:17 AM »

I hunted with a 6.5 Italian (6.5x52mm) during the mid sixties and found it more than capable even on game you would not think of using a 6.5mm on. I worked for a state conservation agency in the game management program. I started with the 6.5, but then went to the 303 Brit and finally the 06 for much larger game.

I found the 6.5 so capable, even in the Italian chambering, that I literally held my breath for almost 30 years until I picked up a 6.5 Swede and I am just as enamoured with that cartridge as I was with the Italian. I have always looked to a short action rifle in a 6.5 chambering as my pick of the litter though and this is where the 260 comes in. The ballistics of the 260 are nearly identical to the 6.5 Swede and its reputation as a accuracy round is growing. If you do not have a 6.5 Swede or a 6.5 Mannlichter then the 260 should be your choice.

I love the Swede M38 (mil-surp) because I can shoot it all day and it still puts them right into the same group - I would love to be able to have that much fun with a 260 in a sporter configuration, so maybe I will go lookin'.......... Mikey.

FLNT4EVR · « **Reply #6 on:** December 24, 2008, 03:34:31 AM »

I have a 260 in a Rem model #7 CDL and love it. Plenty of power and accuracy for shots out to 300yds which is as far as I am comfortable shooting. Also it is a very easy rifle to reload for. 260 brass is expensive but you can also use brass from .243,and 7mm-08, by simply running them thru a full length sizeing die.I don't have rifles in either of those calibers so getting the ammo mixed up is not a problem for me .I get my best accuracy with bullet weights of 120 -140 grns.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #7 on:** December 24, 2008, 05:16:36 AM »

The 260 would do what you want, and will be be far superior to the .243 you have been using.

I also really like the 7-08 because of my experience with the 7x57 mauser that the 7-08 duplicates. But, if you got along with the .243, you will love the 260!

DM

Dave in WV · « **Reply #8 on:** December 24, 2008, 05:30:34 AM »

If I was changing for longer shots I'd get a 25-06. If I inteded to use the rifle for over 350 yards on deer I'd get a 257 Weatherby.

BBF · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2008, 09:25:10 AM »

sticking with the 308 Win family I would suggest you skip the 260 and go right for the 7mm version of that case, A lot more choice in factory ammo.

BTW, As you wrote you have had the .243 for a long time, is the bullet selection you use the only one that you have tried or shoots well? There are other brands and weights available as you know that might just give you the extra above and beyond what the Sierra bullet can do.
ie

100 gr Hornady BTSP MV 3100 fps still has over 1000 ftlb at 400 yards.

charles p · « **Reply #10 on:** December 24, 2008, 10:41:57 AM »

I've had similar results with my 243, though I never attempted a 300 yds shot with it. Even my 25-06 wilh 100 grain bullets will fail to always put deer down right where they stand. Don't have a 260 but have a 7-08 and love it for whitetails. I use 140 gr bullets. I also have a 7-30W Contender, and rifles in 280, 280AI and 7mm Rem mag. I sort of like the 284 diameter bullets.

One thing I can say with certainty. Pass through shots that don't hit anything but ribs, will not always anchor a buck. Sometimes it will but often a deer will run then die. Blood trails are never guaraanteed regardless of caliber.

Shoot a rifle that you will shoot often and have confidence in. Be it a 260 or 7mm-08, you'll probably be just fine. No substitute for practice.

FW Conch · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2008, 11:27:41 AM »

I also have great interest in the 260, but I also agree that the 7mm-08 is excellent & may be a wiser choice

for the reasons mentioned above. You are obviously getting good hits on your deer & they aren't going to

go far, but let me add this - 2 months ago I went to buy a 7-08, they didn't have it, I got a 308. They

didn't have the bullets I wanted so I settled for 150gr Power Shocks. Shot a deer @ 65 yds, thru ribs, 4"

exit hole, lung & liver hanging out. How that deer ran 54 steps I don't know, but I do know it wasn't my

fault, it wasn't the rifles fault, & it wasn't the bullets fault !!

Don't blame yourself too much-Jim

tigercat · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2008, 12:08:35 PM »

i want a 260 also but the 308 perfomes flawlessly so why should i change

BBF · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2008, 12:15:47 PM »

as some of the above posts and many others point out, even good hits with large caliber bullets do not guarantee a drop dead situation.
If the deer run with a solid hit from a 6mm bullet they can also run with a 45 caliber or shotgun slug thru them.

ThunderStick · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2008, 04:39:26 PM »

Thanks for all the replies!

The two long range losses where with the RP 100gr PP bullet. The strangest one was a very long range hit that I felt was very good. I waited about 30 mins before going over to see what kind of sighn was at the impact sight. There was a good blood trail into the woods so I figured he was dead, WRONG-O, he had gone to the bottom of the hill and bedded down. He ran over the hill and I saw he had bleed out a huge puddle of blood. So about the time I was thinking "I'll wait about an hour and track him down" BOOM over the hill. I followed the blood trail to the where he lay with a .280 Rem slugg an inch from where I had hit him! I'm glad the young man on the next farm over got him.

I congradulated him, and inspected the hits. Of course the second shot was from about 50 yards!
I also remember the processor showing me a huge carcas that had a perfectly mushroomed 30 cal slugg under the skin from a hit years before! Maby I just have the feaver, but my line of thinking is to try and break down the front running gear with full penetration. With the 85 gr game king I avoid the big bones like the pleague, hince always going for the lung shots. The big buck I shot this year was slight quartering away and I took the shot just behind the shoulder into the body cavity. He didn't even flench! No blood trail, but walked about 25 feet and fell down! I wish I had a picture of the dammage to his heart and lungs! The heart was compleatly destroyed and the lungs where mush. I agree with some other posters that maby the only sure DRT shots are the ones that take out the CNS some how. Heck the .223 I shot a 6 pt last year with was to the neck at 50 yards and he never took a step!
I'm looking at the 700 CDL SF Limited edition with the 24 inch barell!

nomosendero · « **Reply #15 on:** December 24, 2008, 05:27:38 PM »

I can't think of a better 260 & I can tell you this, you would not have to worry about a shoulder shot with a 130 Accubond, 125NP, 120TTSX, various 140's or a whole lot more. You won't be disapointed!

ThunderStick · « **Reply #16 on:** December 24, 2008, 11:11:11 PM »

I guess that is what I am looking for. Something that will break a shulder and get into the vitals past 300, but won't vaporize 10 lbs of venison burger on the 50 yard shots. This is one thing that turned me away from the 257Wby, and I have read so many positive things about the .260Rem and 6.5x55. I have read that it can also do this with out breaking a shoulder on the other end of the muzzall!

So the lighter bullets, 120-130gr, in the 6.5 can be depended to perform that way at range, or will the 140 still be in order?
My boys begged me not to trade the .243 last night, so I guess it will have to be a flat out purchase. They say there are too many memories tied to that old 243.

FW Conch · « **Reply #17 on:** December 25, 2008, 12:52:05 AM »

Thunder ! Never give up a good shooter, especially one with a successful history ! Merry Christmas :)Jim

nomosendero · « **Reply #18 on:** December 25, 2008, 05:03:14 AM »

Quote from: ThunderStick on December 24, 2008, 11:11:11 PM

I guess that is what I am looking for. Something that will break a shulder and get into the vitals past 300, but won't vaporize 10 lbs of venison burger on the 50 yard shots. This is one thing that turned me away from the 257Wby, and I have read so many positive things about the .260Rem and 6.5x55. I have read that it can also do this with out breaking a shoulder on the other end of the muzzall!
So the lighter bullets, 120-130gr, in the 6.5 can be depended to perform that way at range, or will the 140 still be in order?
My boys begged me not to trade the .243 last night, so I guess it will have to be a flat out purchase. They say there are too many memories tied to that old 243.

I would honor your boy's wishes & keep the 243 around, besides they can get alot of good practice with it.

I would beg to differ on the 257Wea, a fantastic cartridge. Many people who buy those will get the very flattest load
at normal ranges which is usually a 100 gr. or under & not pay attention to the bullet const. If you use a TSX, or Part.
or go up in wt. to the various 120's , esp the Partitions it is not an issue. But back to the original discussion.

The 140's work, but many lighter ones will too. The 125Part is a great one, the new TTSX in 120 will be great, I am waiting to see the BC on that one. Many cup and core 120's do fine. Like I said before the 130 Accubond is now my favorite & what I load for my Wife's 6.5X55, it always penetrates. leaves a serious wound channel, is accurate & has a
high BC & it is just light enough to get good velocities with light recoil & my Wife likes that & I don't think it's bad either. I don't work for Nosler, but it is perfect for the the case cap. of the 260/6.5X55.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** December 25, 2008, 05:29:57 AM »

ThunderStick –

Keeping the .243 Win is the route I would go as well, but I’m not one to let shooters go, especially if they have a history.

Much as I like the .260, I’d opt for a 7mm-08 or .280 or .308 or .30-06. IF a Magnum is acceptable the 7mm Rem Mag is a great choice and while it burns more powder, 140g loads recoil less than many .30-06 loads. I’d also opt for a better quality bullet with a Partition or AccuBond being the bottom end and the upper end filled out with TSX/TTSX/MRX/Trophy Bonded/A-Frame.

BBF · « **Reply #20 on:** December 25, 2008, 06:48:02 AM »

Keep the Shooter !!

I have not done so myself more often then I like to recall and regret every instance.

I think that using a small caliber high velocity bullets in the biggest spread of range is the best reason to use a partion type bullet.

Years ago I used a 240 Wby with the original style 85 gr. Noslers. All the deer
( Fallow and Black Tail ) dropped then and there. There was no big blood shot entrance or exit hole although all shots were taken at close range. I would think a Partition bullet won't go to pieces on a shoulder bone either.

Neither did a 100 gr Sierra Spitzer come apart going through the upper portion of the shoulder blade, skipping across the spine and piling up on the off side shoulder blade of a young bull moose at 30 yards from a full steam .243 Win

On the same hunt, within seconds of the above the second bull of similar size was hit in the brisket with a 200 gr. Kling Kor ( spelling?)from a 308 Win. That bullet was fragmented in small chunks of lead and jacket material.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #21 on:** December 25, 2008, 06:58:59 AM »

260 or 7mm-08 would be an excellent choice. I prefer 7mm's but that is just my choice. 6.5 might have a little less wind drift at 400 yds. I've got 25-06 and 257 mags and still keep going back to the 7mm's for my go to rifles for hunting. DP

Lone Star · « **Reply #22 on:** December 25, 2008, 10:03:50 AM »

For the intended use the OP specified, there is no practical difference in the field between the .260 and the 7-08 with similar bullets. A 140 Nosler will do just as well on the same shot whether it is sized .264" or just two one-hundredths of an inch larger. Field trajectory differences will not matter either. I say go for the .260, you will not be disappointed.

.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** December 25, 2008, 11:04:30 AM »

Quote from: Lone Star on December 25, 2008, 10:03:50 AM

For the intended use the OP specified, there is no practical difference in the field between the .260 and the 7-08 with similar bullets. A 140 Nosler will do just as well on the same shot whether it is sized .264" or just two one-hundredths of an inch larger. Field trajectory differences will not matter either. I say go for the .260, you will not be disappointed.

.

For the hand lloader, I would agree, not muhc difference. For the guy shooting factory ammo there is a greater variety for the 7mm-08.

ThunderStick · « **Reply #24 on:** December 25, 2008, 12:50:16 PM »

OK, OK! The .243 will stay in the family! There are indeed too many memories tied up in that chunk o walnut and cold steel to let it go like an old rake at a yard sale!

I do indeed hand load and can't remember ever taking a deer with anything but roll your own's in my life. I guess it goes back to the old varmint hunting days as a teen and uncles who taught me to reload. You know more shooting for the same amount of green! I'm so hung up on the .260 I have always had a need to be a little different and I will admit that almost any cal between 6mm and 32 in the proper bullet and velocity config will indeed fit my bill. One thing that has attracted me to the .260 is the amount of powder it uses to do what many of the longer rounds do. Heck maby I am once again trying to justify, in my mind, the need for a new rifle!

One with a little more punch than ol tried and true.
I tell ya one other thing, if they ever bolt a CZ 527 or Rem mod 7 in the 6.8 spc I intend to get one for woods hunting, just to be different!

FW Conch · « **Reply #25 on:** December 25, 2008, 11:12:10 PM »

How bout this Thunder ? When your workin up loads @ the bench you need plenty of rifles to rotate so no

barrels get overheated! Wh da ya think ?

Jim

ThunderStick · « **Reply #26 on:** December 26, 2008, 02:36:06 AM »

Heck yea! That does sound like the plan!

I beleave an addition is in order.

We usually take a cupple of nice .22rf bolt actions and practice off hand on steel from 25 to 100 yards while the big guns cool!

The worst problem I'm having with my younger shooters, son and son-in-law, is getting them to settle down and pick good shots, both have made bad hits this year! One with a .243 and the other with a .270 WSM, I realy stressed to them both that not waiting for a good shot give the same results as letting one walk, except if you let one walk, the coyotes arn't as likley to eat as well!

Now I just have to have my gun shop find the rifle for me, at the price I'm willing to pay. You know I was just thinking about cost of the rifle. My current rifle is 22 years in my possesion. If I remember correctly the price I payed plus optics, it cost around $32 a year. Easy to justify a new rifle at that price!

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #27 on:** December 26, 2008, 03:47:14 AM »

Quote from: ThunderStick on December 26, 2008, 02:36:06 AM

...
Now I just have to have my gun shop find the rifle for me, at the price I'm willing to pay. You know I was just thinking about cost of the rifle. My current rifle is 22 years in my possesion. If I remember correctly the price I payed plus optics, it cost around $32 a year. Easy to justify a new rifle at that price!

New rifles are always fun, but don’t overlook the used rifle racks. My safe harbors more rifles that were purchased used than new, and I would challenge anyone to tell the difference in terms of either cosmetics or accuracy.

Some examples, all purchased in “like new” condition:

Remington M700 BDL .308 Win – $350 at Gander Mt.
Ruger M77 .30-06 – $350 at gun show
Ruger M77 .257 Roberts – $300 at gun show
Marlin 1895 .45-70- $250 at gun shop

Then there are the ones that were merely “nearly like new”...

Take your time, the search is half the fun...

FW Conch · « **Reply #28 on:** December 26, 2008, 04:28:49 AM »

I have very little money & don't expect to acquire much of it. One way I enjoy shooting on my meager budget
is thru the use of the Stevens 200. I, like you, intend to someday have a 6.5, but in the meantime you may
want to consider getting a Stevens 200 in 7mm-08. You may find that it does everything you want a rifle to do,
but if not, it is easy to later "rebarrel" it, get a replacement trigger, replace the stock, & you don't have to dish
out all the money @ one time & you would end up with a near custom rifle.

As far as the "young men" are concerned, I remember getting "buck fever" so bad I couldn't control my emotions or my body if I had to. All you can do is continue to provide positive reinforcement, & maybe use pictures & hunting games to try & make shot placement second nature. Someday, down the road, it will all pay off ! Good Luck To Your Hunting Family & On The Selection of Your New Rifle !

Jim

6.5BR · « **Reply #29 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:39:59 PM »

6mm bullets over 300 yds? Sure, I killed my longest deer kill w/6mm BENCHREST, 105 amax, double lunged, deer stumbled 25 yds and dropped.

OP, Hear Federal will load 85 TSX, it will go thru any deer bone and kill elk as well-and has.

My BR shot 2840 mv. Factory 100 gr Rem shot 2800 in 20" RSI #1 Ruger, SO reloads are better than many factory that are 'under spec'd"

Reload and want more thump, 260, factory ammo - need more choices, go 7/08.

In a 243, my fav bullets are 85 Tsx and 95 ballistic tip for deer. Both work great. Partitions make a narrow wound channel in my experience. 85 BTHP and 87 SP and BTHP will kill fast on broadside lung shots, but back to my fav bullets, any angle you can reach vitals, and do it past 300 yds.

I shoot 6BR, sold all my 7/08s but do have a 260 and 6.5x55, go to bullet- 130 accubond. Perfect conditions, if I know how far/where to hold, I'll shoot the BR to 400 yds again, maybe further but not over 500. The 6.5's, 500 yds no problem.....for killing power......my ability.......depends on conditions, recent practice, shot opportunity, etc.

BUT suffice to say, MOST deer show up/die under 200/250 yds, but I want to be prepared if a shot presents and conditions inc. my nerves are up to it, I know my load can get it done. Normally 400 yds is my self-imposed limit.....again, under ideal conditions, less than ideal, 250-300 is a long shot.