.25-06 or .260...which is the better performer?

G

Grayson

New member
Which is the better performer on light skinned animals (deer, antelope)? Which do you prefer for target shooting?
 
I doubt you could tell the difference. Where you hit the game, and the bullet used would be the difference.
For deer and antelope I would choose the 25/06.

Regards,
Jerry
 
There's not a lick of difference for normal hunting ranges. Both are great cartridges. The .260 is not quite as common in factory hunting rifles as the .25-06, if that makes any difference to you. Factory ammo for the .260 might not be as easy to find in any corner store either.
 
You can run a .260 in as little as a 16" barrel (I've got 1 in a 16" pistol and another in an 18 1/2" rifle). Yes, you loose a little velocity but it is still a very potent round and pleasant to shoot.

On the other hand, if you start shooting a 25-06 in anything less than a 22" barrel be prepared for a huge fireball and tons of muzzle blast.
 
I don't have any experience w/ the 260 but my 25-06 is my go-to rifle. 25-06 is a great open country caliber & I load mine with 115 gr bullets. Seems to cut through the wind like nothing.
 
Depends on the rifle you want and the type of hunting you do. Both are superb long range, high BC bullets. The 260 will perform better in a shorter lighter gun, because it is a short action cartridge, the 06 is a long action, and you will need a longer barrel to get a complete burn of the powder. I personally like the 260. Lighter, shorter, less recoil, and less blast.
 
You could have a little of both the 6.5-06. Forget about factory ammo with this wildcat but it will shoot flatter than the 260 and have more frontal area than the .25. Its funny how much importance rifle shooters can place on 7 thousands of an inch.
 
You like Fords or Chevys? Neither is a target shooting cartridge. Either will drop any deer or antelope you can hit. Local availability of ammo/brass might be an issue too.
 
^^^^^

Correction, the 260 IS a target shooting cartridge. Its very popular in long range competition, especially tactical matches.
 
20thru45 said:
Its funny how much importance rifle shooters can place on 7 thousands of an inch
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.

Ain't that the truth?! Realistically, there's nothing to sneer at with either cartridge. One launches a 0.257, 115 grain bullet at ~3000 fps. The other launches a 0.264, 120 grain bullet at ~2900 fps.

I doubt that a deer, antelope, or any other target could tell the difference. In both cartridges, I've seen rifles that are amazingly accurate. They're each easily capable of holding MOA or better with a good rifle and ammo. One fits in a long action, one in a short action.

I'm a quarter-bore guy, so I'd probably go with the .25-06. YMMV.
 
Correction, the 260 IS a target shooting cartridge. Its very popular in long range competition, especially tactical matches.
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+1. Sgt Sherri Gallagher used a Tubb 2k in .260 to win this year's NRA Highpower Championship out at Camp Perry, Ohio.

For field use, I think it'a a matter of flip a coin, unless you're buying factory ammo, in which case I believe the .25-06 has a slight edge. In a dedicated target rifle, I'd go .260 and never look back. The 6.5mm has a HUGE edge in target-grade bullet selection over the .257" caliber.
 
I am a very proud .25-06 owner. I use it to hunt varmints at moderate to long range. It was my first rifle ever. I love it. However, now that I own more rifles than I can count in a minute or two I will have to say that the .260 is more versatile and I would prefer to take one hunting than a .25-06. I am sad to say it but those 6.5 bullets really are the bee's-knees.
 
Ammo availability honestly depends on where you live, here in the Portland Oregon area .260 ammo is much easier to find. Either caliber is best for a reloader IMO, since ammo is usually close to $30 a box locally.
 
20thru45 said:
Its funny how much importance rifle shooters can place on 7 thousands of an inch.
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I think you're not looking at the big picture. Bullet design/shape, width, and weight in the smallest of changes has the potential to provide big differences in precision on target.

Either one will do just fine for hunting. If anything, I'd choose the .25-06 if you don't reload. There's greater availability of ammo for it depending on demographics.

For target, the .260Rem is what I would choose....
 
Unless you are a reloader or are looking to get into reloading I would stick with the 25-06. If you do reload then I would go the 260rem over the 25-06 without hesitation.
The 260 is a short action so your rifle will be shorter, lighter and faster and short actions are usually more accurate. There is a much bigger selection of hunting and target bullets with the 260rem and the 25-06 bullets range from around 75 to 120 grains where the 260rem range from around 75 to 160 grains. Also for some reason the 260 (6.5mm) bullets (weighting the same as the 25-06 bullets) have much better ballistic coefficientcy and sectional density so the farther you shoot (compared with the 25-06 with the same weight bullets) the 260rem will hit harder and penetrate more as well as shooting flatter and having less wind drift. Having the ability to go up to 160 grain bullet changes your Deer/Antelope rifle into an Elk/Bear rifle. The 25-06 and 260rem have about the same recoil but I would take a guess that the 25-06 is harder in barrels. If you go at any long-range shoot (F-Class, Bench Rest, Tactical, Practical) the 260rem would probably be the most used caliber. Don’t get me wrong the 25-06 is a great round just the 260rem is better (just ask anyone with a 260rem and they will tell you they love theres as well).
 
At one time I thought the only gun to own was the 25-06. Then I got into the 6.5X55 swede. What a round! Then, I got a .260! For me it's the cat's meow! Less powder,,less kick, very accurate. All these rounds are like beautiful women---I love-em all!
 
I have both. If you want a more compact rifle Id choose the .260. If you dont mind a standard length action and a 24" barrel I prefer the 25-06. With 115gr NBT's or 117 gr Sierras, it hits like a hammer.
 
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