Help me decide. Model 7 caliber change.

[Mr Drysdale]

I have a Model 7 in Remington 260 that I want to change to a caliber that shoots a heavier bullet. I’m thinking KISS and re-barrel to a 308 Win. I will keep the same stock and barrel taper and length of 20”. Thoughts? Barrel brand? I have a gunsmith that will perform the change.

 

[Slugz]

I have a Model 7 in Remington 260 that I want to change to a caliber that shoots a heavier bullet. I’m thinking KISS and re-barrel to a 308 Win. I will keep the same stock and barrel taper and length of 20”. Thoughts? Barrel brand? I have a gunsmith that will perform the change.

That's definitely the easiest route 260 to 308. Brux would be my choice.

I'm assuming you want to be able to shoot something in the 170gr area?

 

[Mr Drysdale]

I shoot 168 grain Barnes out of my Browning A-Bolt. Would hope the same AmmoSeek would be accurate If that is the route I go. Was also thinking maybe 7-08.

 

[Micah S]

I'm really liking bartlein barrels right now. But my brux, criterion and shilen shoot great also.

If you reload you can run AI cartridges and get a little more power from the short action case. I've been looking at the 7mm-08 ai and 260 ai.

 

[dan maule]

I shoot 168 grain Barnes out of my Browning A-Bolt. Would hope the same AmmoSeek would be accurate If that is the route I go. Was also thinking maybe 7-08.

I really like the 7-08, it's hard to beat a 308 but the 7mm-08 is real versatile round. It has a large bullet selection light recoil and just kills stuff. I bought one for my kids and they've killed all sorts of critters with it, bears, antelope, and too many deer to count. You won't be disappointed with a 7mm-08.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

You really havn't said what you are hunting . It does make a difference.

 

[BuzzH]

I've had great luck with pacnor and they can do all the work. I have 3 pacnors and have had the barrels installed by them, holland recoil lugs added, 11 degree crowns, faster twists to accommodate heavier bullets, super match grade barrels...yada yada. All have shot stupid good. Other good barrel makers but have really liked dealing with pacnor. I'd go 7-08 over 308....twist and throat to handle 140-160's...my 2 cents.

 

[Mr Drysdale]

You really havn't said what you are hunting . It does make a difference.

CC,
Mainly Whitetails. I know the 260 is great on them but this rifle will not shoot the 140’s. I have a Browning A-Bolt that shoots them well. I also have two other Model 7’s in the 260 caliber. These rifles are for the grandchildren and they are the ones wanting to move up in bullet weight. Trying to decide between the 7-08 and 308. Thought I would try one and see how it turns out. May do one of each.

 

[JimP]

While the 7mm-08 would fit the bill quite nicely have you thought about something in the line of a 25-06? It would make a great whitetail rifle and give you some extended range.

 

[dan maule]

While the 7mm-08 would fit the bill quite nicely have you thought about something in the line of a 25-06? It would make a great whitetail rifle and give you some extended range.

I agree with the 25-06 comments but I don't think it'll work in a model 7 action.

 

[JimP]

That's true, it is hard to get a long action round to work properly in a short action rifle.

But a sweet one to have in that action would be a .250/3000 Savage..

 

[BuzzH]

CC,
Mainly Whitetails. I know the 260 is great on them but this rifle will not shoot the 140’s. I have a Browning A-Bolt that shoots them well. I also have two other Model 7’s in the 260 caliber. These rifles are for the grandchildren and they are the ones wanting to move up in bullet weight. Trying to decide between the 7-08 and 308. Thought I would try one and see how it turns out. May do one of each.

7-08...140 accubonds....1-9 twist if you're going no heavier in bullet weight. #1 or #2 contour...20-22 inches, I'd lean #2 and 20.

Nothing is a close second....

Elk, deer, sheep, moose, bear...haven't a chance.

 

[Slugz]

Now that you say kids....another vote for 7mm-08. Hodgen has plenty of reduced load data using their 4895 and 60% of max load. A quick Google will pull up all their data sheets on it. My son started with a 7mm-08.

 

[HuskyMusky]

7mm-08 ackley improved??

or 7mm-08 rem?

308 is not a bad choice either.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I would go AI!

 

[mcseal2]

The 140gr accubond has served me well on game up to elk size in 26, 27, and 28 cal over the years. I’d lean toward the 7mm-08 with that bullet personally from your two options.

For deer or antelope have you tried a 130 accubond or sirocco? I’ve had good results with both. The BC advantage of the 140’s isn’t that much in the tougher bullets I usually prefer.

 

[idcwby]

Talk to your gunsmith about the barrel, sometimes they can get a deal on a certain brand they use a lot. There are a lot of good barrels out there, so it does make it hard to choose. Since it’s a kids gun you could slightly heavier contour and than flute it for the cool factor. Both cartridges are plenty for whitetail, if you go 7mm-08 I’d opt for the 1:8 twist that way you can run heavier bullets if you want. If your shooting factory ammo the 308 will have a better choice of plinking ammo.

If you really want to step up in bullet weight you could always go 358 Win.

 

[THelms]

My choice would be the 7mm-08 BUT... a 6.5 Creed rebarrel would be excellent as well. Tons of factory loadings and a superb balance of performance vs. recoil in a small rifle. The 7mm-08 and 308 in the model 7 platform can produce surprisingly stiff recoil, especially for smaller shooters. The 6.5 Creed, as much as I hate to admit it, is very well suited for kids and female hunters and shooters.

 

[taskswap]

Tell you one thing, even during this "sky is falling" run on ammo I can still consistently get 7mm-08 ammo in my local store. Almost nothing else is there, and I don't have a choice of brands, but I can get it.

 

[Mr Drysdale]

My choice would be the 7mm-08 BUT... a 6.5 Creed rebarrel would be excellent as well. Tons of factory loadings and a superb balance of performance vs. recoil in a small rifle. The 7mm-08 and 308 in the model 7 platform can produce surprisingly stiff recoil, especially for smaller shooters. The 6.5 Creed, as much as I hate to admit it, is very well suited for kids and female hunters and shooters.

The 6.5 is virtually what I have (260 REM). I am currently debating a re-barrel to 1-8 twist and keep the 260 caliber, going 7-08 or 308 Win.