When it comes to hunting and shooting, selecting the right cartridge is crucial for success. Two cartridges that have gained popularity in recent years are the 260 Remington and the 7mm-08. Both cartridges have their unique characteristics and strengths that make them appealing to different types of shooters. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the 260 Remington and the 7mm-08, compare them, and help you decide which one to choose.
Here is the short answer:
The 260 Remington usually has better ballistics, excluding, muzzle energy and energy retention. The 7mm-08 is going to have a slightly worse trajectory and more wind drift however it will have more energy making it better for hunting big game like elk.
With the short answer out of the way, we can look closely at each cartridge, their ballistics, and how they compare in-depth.
In-depth look at the 260 Remington
The 260 Remington is based on the 308 Winchester case, necked down to accept a 26-caliber bullet. It was introduced in 1997 and has gained popularity for being a versatile deer hunting cartridge that also excels at long-range shooting without unwanted recoil.
The main upside 260 Remington’s moderate recoil makes it much easier to shoot accurately and also more suitable for beginner and smaller-framed shooters. The cartridge’s versatility also means that it can be used for hunting a wide range of game, from small varmints to larger animals such as deer and antelope.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 260 Remington with a 120-grain bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2950 | 2319 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 2828 | 2131 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.8 | 2710 | 1957 |
| 150 | -1 | 1.8 | 2595 | 1794 |
| 200 | -3.2 | 3.3 | 2483 | 1642 |
| 250 | -6.9 | 5.1 | 2373 | 1500 |
| 300 | -12.1 | 7.6 | 2266 | 1369 |
| 350 | -19.1 | 10.6 | 2163 | 1246 |
| 400 | -27.8 | 14.2 | 2061 | 1132 |
| 450 | -38.6 | 18.3 | 1962 | 1026 |
| 500 | -51.5 | 23 | 1866 | 928 |
In-depth look at the 7mm-08
The 7mm-08 is based on the 308 Winchester case, necked down to accept a 7mm bullet. It was introduced in 1980 and has gained popularity as a cartridge suitable for hunting big game animals such as elk and bear that doesn’t recoil any more than a 308.
Much like the 260 Remington, the 7mm-08 is popular for the fact that it delivers a lot of energy in a small cartridge that doesn’t have much recoil. This round has been used to take game as large as moose but still has very little recoil so little that it is a good option for youth hunters or small frame shooters.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 7mm-08 with a 140-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2850 | 2525 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 2731 | 2319 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.9 | 2615 | 2126 |
| 150 | -1.1 | 1.9 | 2503 | 1947 |
| 200 | -3.6 | 3.4 | 2393 | 1779 |
| 250 | -7.6 | 5.4 | 2285 | 1623 |
| 300 | -13.3 | 8 | 2181 | 1479 |
| 350 | -20.8 | 11.2 | 2079 | 1344 |
| 400 | -30.3 | 14.9 | 1980 | 1219 |
| 450 | -41.8 | 19.1 | 1883 | 1102 |
| 500 | -56.1 | 24.3 | 1791 | 997 |
In-depth comparison
When comparing the 260 Remington and the 7mm-08, it’s essential to consider their strengths and limitations.
The 260 Remington, due to its flatter trajectory and better overall long range performance, is a better choice for long range shooting. However, the 7mm-08 has 200 more foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle and is going to hold its energy longer than the 260 Remington so it will give you an extra advantage on bigger game animals.
One important area to analyze these two cartridges is the cost difference and availability. The 7mm-08 is more popular than the 260 Remington and is chambered in a vastly larger selection of rifles. and is going to be about 40 cents cheaper per round.
The last metric to compare these rounds is their recoil. While both these rounds are very mild recoiling cartridges, the 260 Remington has about 3-5 less foot-pounds of recoil depending on the load. While this isn’t a huge difference, it can be noticeable in a lightweight rifle or after a long day at the range where you are shooting a lot of rounds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the right cartridge for your firearm is crucial for success in hunting and shooting. The 260 Remington and the 7mm-08 are both excellent cartridges that have gained popularity in recent years. The 260 Remington is a versatile cartridge more suitable for target shooting, while the 7mm-08 is a more powerful cartridge suitable for hunting big game animals.