Q: I’m looking for a light rifle with a short action chambered for a cartridge with mild recoil for my girl friend. I’ve been told that both the .260 Rem. and 7mm-08 are modern counterparts of the 6.5×55 and 7×57 but faster and more powerful than the two oldies. Which one would you recommend for having milder recoil. Is there a better choice? I’ve decided to get her a rifle with a short-action because it is lighter and the bolt is faster to operate for a fast second shot.
Kevin Wilson
A: The only real difference between the .260 Rem. and the 7mm-08 is bullet diameter: .264 to .284. A deer won’t know any difference between a 140gn 6.5 and a 140gn .284. Both cartridges are based on the .308 case and on a short action, the 7mm-08 shooting a 140gn bullet is hard to beat, and the .260 too, is a deadly, light-recoiling deer cartridge. The old 6.5×55 and 7×57 require a standard length action and with good handloads can actually better the ballistics of the two “newies.” I’m not convinced about the supposed advantage of a bolt that’s 12mm shorter being much faster to operate. But if I was looking for a mild-kicking rifle in one of those calibres I’d probably choose the Remington Model Seven in .260 Rem.
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