I have both of them and lean toward the 7mm-08 for deer hunting. I have taken an elk with the 260 using the 140 grain X bullet. Worked well. The bulletet went in behind one front shoulder and exited through the middle of the other front shoulder.

The 6.5s will give you similar performance with a bullet that weighs 20 grains less than a 7mm, so the recoil will be a bit less. True the 7mm has more bullet choices but how many use 130, 145 or 154 grain 7mm bullets? Most use 140s for medium game and 160s or 175 for really big game. So the 6.5 with 120, 140 and 160 grain bullets isn't at much of a disadvantage. Me bein' obtuse prefer the 129 Hornady's in my .260.

7mm-08 would be my choice. I just love this caliber. And ammo availability is much better in my area.

You want the best of both worlds? Buy the 7mm-08 and load 120's in it. Almost everybody makes a good 120gr 7mm bullet. Should be a nightmare for deer. Both good guns but the 7-08 is more versatile. At least IMHO. Either way..happy shooting.

I faced the same decision a few years ago and decided to go with the 6.5 X 55mm Swedish Mauser. I got mine in a Ruger and have been pleased with the way it shoots. I use Hornady and Nosler bullets for this rifle.

My 2 cents worth.....

Ed

Both good choices and in all likelyhood will work well for you, seeing you already have others in the cabinet for special purposes. However the 7mm 08 bullet selection has to be considered a big plus, also due to the popularity of the .284 caliber you are assured when new bullets hit the market you'll have a chance to load them where as the 260 may take a little longer.

However maybe you already own a .284 and just want something different to play with, then maybe the 260 would make you feel more warm and fuzzy.

Best of luck

After reading all your comments and being that I all ready reload for my 7 mm Rem Mag and have a small surplus of bullets I think the 7 mm-08 would be the choice. I had looked at the Remington 700 LSS mountain rifle is very nice but I have my mind made up on another rifle. Thanks guys...

Take the 7mm-08. I'm like 5' 11" and 120 pounds and I shot about ten rounds and it never left a mark. I didn't even feel it and it is a really nice gun. I like to shoot the winchester ballistic tip bullets out of it too. They git'r'done!

I own both also,but I use the 7mm-08 more...

http://members.tripod.com/sed88/rem7/

if you want to know about the 260 i would get a hold of rebel hog. he uses the 260 for about everything including moose. so he would definately be some help.