Mountain Rifle DM in either .260 or .25-06

[OnEsHoT]

I have an opportunity to purchase either a .260 Rem or .25-06 in a Remington 700 Mountain DM rifle.

This comes an an awkward moment for me, but I've longed for a Mountain DM for a long time.

Since I can only afford one, I'm pondering the .260 or the .25-06.... bah..

I know that the bullet selection choices are far greater for the .25-06 and factory loadings are in almost every store..

But I am curious as to what the .260 would bring to the table noting that the barrel is 22" on these particular rifles.

Thoughts on either of these calibers based upon their perspective performance out of the 22" barrel?

I have access to a reloader so that's not an issue.

This rifle will serve as my CXP2 class game (up to 300 yards) and an occasionally ELK trip where shots are less than 200 yards.

[sneekeepete]

Well oneshot the .260 is an amazing caliber that you could do a lot of things with. Like you said though the availability of ammunition would be a down side. I know that there are some snipers that use the .260 in competions with great success at long range. The down side is that there are very few bullet choices as well. Now the 25-06 is another wildcat but there are many more capabilities because of the availability of factory ammo and reloading components. Just my personal opinion I would go with the 25-06 for that reason. Both are good rounds but I would stick with the more popular on due to ammo availability.

[TheGreatwhitehunter]

Nothing wrong with the 260 if you reload I would go with the 260 if not go for the 25-06 both are great calibers

[The Ox]

Id say 25-06 just for the ease of ammo. ive bought to many odd calibered guns that are hard to find ammo for and very costly when i do... ive learned my lesson on that. i wont buy another odd cartridge again.

[silvertip-co]

I'd go with the .260 to keep weight down. Ounces are important when spending days hiking the high country. But onthe other hand the .25-06 is the more versatile cartridge.

[m gardner]

The Mountain rifle doesn't have the best reputation for accuracy probably because of the whippy barrel, but it's plenty accurate for big game. The 25-06 can't be compared to the 260 rem., they just aren't in the same league. The 25-06 is easy to hit with out to 350 yards. The 260 has the same trajectory at 250 yards. I've owned both. I'd go with the 260 and the 140 grain bullets if you'll hunt elk. I've killed elk with the 25-06 and seen my buddy's kids do it too. But sometimes it wasn't pretty.
Mark

[wingmaster36]

I'm a huge fan of the 25-06 and have had one custom built. The 22" barrel kills the velocity of the 25-06 and for that reason I would take the 260. The 25-06 really needs a 26" tube to get all of what you get a 25-06 for and a 24" tube would be the bare minimum IMHO.