Need Advice: 260 Remington (UPDATED)

CalCoyote

CalCoyote

Member
Okay, so for several months now I have been planning on buying a 25-06 in the Tikka. I would use it for calling coyotes and Blacktail deer. It would make a nice addition to my two other calling rifles (243 and 22-250). Well, I now have the chance to buy a Savage chambered for the 260 Rem at a really good price. Would it be a mistake to get it instead of the 25-06? Most the guys on this forum that have purchased 260's seem to be bench rest shooters. I realize the high BC's in this caliber make it a great long range shooter for ringing gongs, but I am a hunter at heart and shots at the shooting range and in the field would not likely exceed 300 yards. If I purchases the Savage 260 I would likely replace the stock with a $159 Hogue or Boyd laminate. I love Savage but hate their stocks.

I reload, so ammo availability is not a factor and, I already reload for the 243 so I am very familiar with the 308 case. If I got the 260, I would probably try to develop a load using the 100g Nosler BT for coyotes. Then for deer I could stay with the BT or load up some 100g partitions. Either one of those should easily get me over 3100 fps out the muzzle. Blacktail deer up here in NW Oregon are not typically large bodied and shots are usually 150 yards or less. If I went with the 25-06 I would also try to develop a load with the 100g Nosler.

260 vs 25-06? What are your thoughts?
 
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I have both and love both rounds. I think the .260 will be a fine rifle for you, but it really depends on exactly what your looking for. If you want a flat shooting lazer like rifle with lots of muzzle velocity I'd say hold out for a 25-06. If you want something that will maybe not be as flat but will have more ft/lbs of energy down range I'd say go .260 rem.
 
If the savage is a really good deal,then I would get it. 150 will get the boyds laminate to your door. 243 and 260 are same parent case, same powders are good for both so it works out. Now the question, if you only want to shoot 100 grain bullets, then why not use the 243. I fully understand if the only reason is that you want another one. The savage can easily be anything that you want it to.
 
I hunt with my 260....it is a killer with that long bullet and high BC. Now a Savage...might want to change your brand in rifles, but you are real close on the caliber anyway...at least you are considering the right one!!!
 
Dustin,

My ultimate goal is to own both some day. I had looked forward to the 25-06 being my next project. My only hesitation was wondering if I could get that "lazer like" velocity from the 22" barrel of a Tikka. Some cartridges are affected by barrel length more than others. It would be my guess that the 260 might be better suited for the shorter barrel but I don't know that for sure.

Sandy,
You asked the following question: "if you only want to shoot 100 grain bullets, then why not use the 243?"

There is some overlap there to be sure, but then again, the same would be true if we compared my 243 to the 25-06. I am dumping in a healthy dose of I4831 and seating a 90g Nosler and getting 3140 fps from my 243.

I just like the mid size calibers for predator calling and deer. I don't have a good reason, but just personal preference. I have a 22-250 that I use sometimes for predators but don't have much interest in other 22 caliber cartridges. I have a 30-06 that I use for elk hunting but that is the only time I carry it. For me, the 243, 257 and 264 calibers are the ones the peak my interest.
 
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which model savage? seems the 243 would cover what you are asking for.
maybe put these dollars into glass.
 
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Originally Posted By: CalCoyoteDustin,

My ultimate goal is to own both some day. I had looked forward to the 25-06 being my next project. My only hesitation was wondering if I could get that "lazer like" velocity from the 22" barrel of a Tikka. Some cartridges are affected by barrel length more than others. It would be my guess that the 260 might be better suited for the shorter barrel but I don't know that for sure.

My 25-06 has a 22" barrel as well. It had a 26" when I got it and I had it cut down and I lost about a 100 fps loping off 4". I get just under 3300 fps with a 100 SMK. I think I could get more as the load isn't that hot, but it is very accurate. Your doing pretty well with the .243, honestly I would go with the .260 and have the ability to shoot up to 140's. Mine loves the 123 grain Amax/SST bullets and H4350. It is a nice mid point between speed and really decent BC...
 
The .260 is a great round with lots of bullet choices. The 25-06 is also great but the bullet choice is more limited. When me and my huntin partner expect long shots while coyote hunting he takes his .260
His longest kill shot to date is 620yds
 
Originally Posted By: CalCoyote
My ultimate goal is to own both some day.

OK, I have made your goal.
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I have a Tikka M-695, SS Laminate in 25-06 Rem., and a Savage 16, I switched from a 204 Ruger, to a 260 Rem...Actually I switch it back to 204 Ruger, if I am going PDog shooting. The 260 Rem. switch uses a 24" Shilen barrel.

Definitely overlap, but that is only a problem for my wife, and I am not telling her. I get some pretty impressive velocities out of the Tikka 22 5/8" barrel, so I wouldn't be concerned about that. Both are good long range shooters, but the BC on some 6.5mm bullets, pushed the 260 out in front on LR shooting. I am shooting 100 gr. Barnes TTSX bullets, in both for deer, and 85 gr bullets for Predator/Varmint loads(.25 cal - Nosler BTs, .264 cal - Sierra Varminter HPs). Both of these rifles are pretty flat shooters. I was really pleasantly surprised with the 260 ballistics, with my 100 gr. TTSX loads, when cataloging my bullet drop over 300 yards, for deer hunting this year. Again, out to 300 yards, both rifles are close.

I certainly wouldn't want to live on the difference. Sorry no real help here other than I think you have a good goal, but which one to buy first, really comes down to the first deal you like. I have no issues with either brand of rifle, except the Tikka is prettier than the Savage, but the Savage sure is supported well in the after market, and doesn't take a gunsmith to upgrade most parts.

Squeeze
 
Most of the guys I know on here that have 260s are not bench rest shooters. Most are hunters that like to bang steel for practice.

The 260 and 6.5x47L have a huge following for a good reason, they plain work.
 
Originally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeMost of the guys I know on here that have 260s are not bench rest shooters. Most are hunters that like to bang steel for practice.

The 260 and 6.5x47L have a huge following for a good reason, they plain work.






Plus 1
The last place I like to shoot is off a bench! Not nocking the 25-06 but seriously the 260 is the Bee's Knee's!
 
Originally Posted By: tugboaterOriginally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeMost of the guys I know on here that have 260s are not bench rest shooters. Most are hunters that like to bang steel for practice.

The 260 and 6.5x47L have a huge following for a good reason, they plain work.






Plus 1
The last place I like to shoot is off a bench! Not nocking the 25-06 but seriously the 260 is the Bee's Knee's!

Exactly.
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Originally Posted By: fw707Originally Posted By: tugboaterOriginally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeMost of the guys I know on here that have 260s are not bench rest shooters. Most are hunters that like to bang steel for practice.

The 260 and 6.5x47L have a huge following for a good reason, they plain work.






Plus 1
The last place I like to shoot is off a bench! Not nocking the 25-06 but seriously the 260 is the Bee's Knee's!

Exactly.
thumbup1.gif


Yup!
 
I bought a Savage Model 11 about 6 months ago . Not a big fan of the stock , but love the gun & caliber . Took it to Texas this Dec . Shot 6 deer ( axis & whitetail ) . Great deer round .
 
Originally Posted By: msincI hunt with my 260....it is a killer with that long bullet and high BC. Now a Savage...might want to change your brand in rifles, but you are real close on the caliber anyway...at least you are considering the right one!!!

Have you ever actually shot a Savage?
unsure.gif


I am not a bench rest guy and I shoot a .260. I don't know much about the 25-06 round but love my .260, oh yea, and it's a Savage, yea, one of "those" guns
wink.gif


 
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Originally Posted By: dpollardOriginally Posted By: msincI hunt with my 260....it is a killer with that long bullet and high BC. Now a Savage...might want to change your brand in rifles, but you are real close on the caliber anyway...at least you are considering the right one!!!

Have you ever actually shot a Savage?
unsure.gif


I am not a bench rest guy and I shoot a .260. I don't know much about the 25-06 round but love my .260, oh yea, and it's a Savage, yea, one of "those" guns
wink.gif

Some people will just never get it and will stay confused ya know....hahaha
Id snag the Savage .260, you cant go wrong with that caliber for whay you want.
 


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