I am looking for a new deer gun and can't decide between the 260 and the 25-06. I already own a 300 weatherby mag. so I have a gun with a lot of power for the bigger game. I want something for long range but can still easily take a deer, groundhog, and antelope. I like the 25-06 because of the availability but the 260 can take heavier bullets. Whats are your opinions?

Of the two, the '06 will burn more powder to get roughly the same energy as the 260rem. As you mentioned, finding heavier 6.5mm bullets is easier than finding heavy .257" bullets. Bigger case capacity of the .25-06 with a proper powder should be able to push a bit more energy out than the .260rem, but the difference won't be huge either way.

Personally, I'd throw the .243win in the mix since you mentioned antelope and groundhogs. Even for whitetails, I'm more and more convinced that the .243win is the optimum whitey cartridge.

Out of your two, I'm a bigger fan of the .25-06 than the .260rem, but flip a coin, you'll be happy.

I own two 25/06 , I like them very much. Most deer don't make it out of there tracks. You can go from 87 -120 grain bullets for the 25/06. So it fits your bill. I was looking for 260 myself for something different. But of the two for what you mentioned I go for the,25/06.

You'll see almost no practical difference between em. I'd let the determining factor be whether you want a long or short action.

257 Weatherby mag.

Yes the 257 weatherby is a nice round. My dad's shoots one ragged hole @ 100 yards. Dead deer walking with that 257 weatherby. Plus goes within your 300 weatherby. We got two 300 wby, a 257 wby, and are looking for a 240 weatherby.

If you're a handloader the .260 makes sense. If not then I would go with the 25-06. I have a custom 25-06 & with handloads can pretty much cover all the game I hunt. Some use it on elk with good results but I wouldn't use it or the .260 for elk or larger critters. You already have the .300 Weath. for that. There are alot more factory loads for the 25-06 than exist for the .260. You can even find std. Remington Core-Lokts at Wal Mart for the 25-06 but I've yet to see any .260 ammo at Wal Mart. The only .260 loads I commonly see are the 140 gr Core-Lokt. With online ordering available I'm sure finding ammo is easy.

Have you considered the 7mm/08. A great round in between the 260 and 25/06. Or what I am looking for a 240 weatherby.

From what you listed as requirements the .25-06 is the better choice. It makes a wonderful groundhog rifle, and it is just about perfect for pronghorn and mule deer.

Another thing to consider is that in 20 years the .25-06 will still be a successful commercial cartridge while the .260 may not. I don't see very many .260 rifles around. I think most folks that consider the .260 end up buying the 7mm 08 instead.

Thanks for all of the replies! Keep them coming. I don't want a 7mm-08 because my dad already has one and I want to have a bit of variety in the guns. I am leaning towards the 25-06 but am open to other choices.