Which caliber?

[509er]

I have been looking for a new deer rifle and have decided to get a short action non-magnum caliber.  I think I have it narrowed down to a 260 or 7mm-08.  So who has experience with these?  Which would you choose and why?

Thanks

[carpsniperg2]

bolth are good guns i would have to ask what you are hunting i like a min of 270 for big game like elk so if you plan to hunt larger game i would say the 7mm-08 but if you want more of a deer size gun and varmits the 260 is a great gun and would still work fine for large game but you can get bigger chunks of lead slung out of the    7mm-08  as far as drop my remington software that i use would recomend the 260 for less drop but knockdown goes to the 7mm-08 i say my vote is either one would be great

[Wacenturion]

Might consider a .308.  Great caliber for deer.

[Gutpile]

I would choose the 260 only if you reload. I have one, my daughter has one and they are a GREAT deer cartridge. BTW I also have a 6.5 swede which is similar. If you don't reload the ammo selection is pretty slim.

7mm-08 is a much better choice for lowly non-reloaders who need to settle for second best.  

Another thing, your probably not just going to go out and find a 260 like you will a 7-08. Very few companies chamber them. If you know of one and reload, snap it up. You'll love it.

[MtnMuley]

Of your two you've narrowed it down to, I'd go with the .260.

[Jamieb]

I prefer the 7-08.

[thinkingman]

I own a 7-08 and would sell my 300WSM before the 7-08.
Great bullet selection.
260 only if you reload.
Not a bad cartridge at all.

[Buckmark]

Only experience i have is with the 7mm-08, and that is what i would chose if i had a choice but for the reasons the 260 guys have given, yes there is good ammo off the shelf for the 7mm-08, but there is a really good selection of bullets and weights if you reload for it..
Heck i'd get both and play with them...

[Buckmark]

Just curious, are you on any kind of a price budget for this rifle?

[Huntbear]

7mm-08 is a "can not go wrong choice" here.  There is plenty of factory loadings, and a wealth of components that really make the little 7 shine.  Recoil on either is minimal so that is not a consideration.  Just decide how much you want to spend, go get it, and go hunting.

[h2ofowlr]

25-06 is a good choice as well.  .260 is a great flat shooting rifle.  Popular in the silhouette shooting.

[jdb]

for game up to deer i'd say 260 if you wanna shoot anything bigger i'd say the 7

[G.R.K]

7mm Rem mag. 

[270Shooter]

7mm Rem mag. 

HAHA yea me too!

[Chopaka81]

I own a 7-08 and would sell my 300WSM before the 7-08.
Great bullet selection.
260 only if you reload.
Not a bad cartridge at all.

RE: The 7mm Bullet selection...
I could not aggree with this point more. Yes there are some outstanding 6.5mm offerings out there. The 7mm offerings must be nearly 4:1 vs. the 6.5.
Just my 

[ducksoup]

I'd go with a 7mm-08. While there are some good bullets for the 260 there are tons of good bullets in 7mm. I used to shoot nothing but Nosler Partitions out of my first 7mm08, Rem 700 BDL, but my latest one, a model 70 featherweight, really likes the 140 grain Sierra ProHunter.

[257 Wby Mag]

22 hornet..

[G.R.K]

22 hornet..

Thats got a little sting,shot placement

[coachcw]

about the 260 , the factory rem 140 core lock shoot great and do really well on deer all the energy is left in the deer I've seen four deer shot all were one shot kills two steps max , crazy efficant on deer  .

[rover747]

308 , ammunition is still cheap ,and you can use on any game in WA ,plus it is great sniper caliber .

[addicted]

i gotta tell ya. there is a clearly correct choice in this........buy both

[hendog]

.308, Hornady 165gn SST, varget.