Ok, I have greatly appreciated all the responses from the posters on this board with regards to my last two posts. From your comments and my research I feel confident that choosing the 260 Remington is a sound and reliable choice for my daughter's first deer rifle. And one that I old dad my use from time to time as well.......... :-).

Now my delimma is to pick the correct rifle. I have had a good response on my questions on the Ruger Mark II Compact. I really like this little rifle and feel that it would serve my needs. However, I am still a bit concerned about the short barrel (muzzle flash, recoil, and loss of velocity/energy at downrange).

I know that Ruger and Remington chambers rifles in the 260 Remington cartridge. I am not a big fan of the "big green" especially of late. I do like Rugers and Winchester doesn't chamber this round as far as I have found. Is there any other manufacturers that chamber this round in there "regular" production models? I just want to cover all my bases before laying out the dough.

Thanks again.

Browning made the Micro Hunter A-Bolt in the .260 I'm not sure if they still probuce it but Iv'e seem plenty of them out there still new on dealer racks . Some times they'll have one in a box in the back room . I dont particularly care for browning A-bolts , not for any valid reason , just personal . They do give comparable performance to any thing else out there in that price range and I must admit , look quite attractive.

444fitch

The only complaint on the several Browning A-Bolts that I've owned have been the high gloss finish on both stock and barrel. Other than that, they all performed beautifully. One in particular, a 25-06 was a very accurate rifle. The 60 deg bolt lift means you can get a pretty low mounted scope. The detachable magazine is an added plus.

Still, the Ruger M77 is a tough rifle and will be a most dependable firearm. The integral scope mount system is a very big plus.

Thats the one saving grace of the micro Hunter it's flat finished and matte black from stem to stern.

Therein lie the rub...not many 260s available in 22 to 24 inch barrels. If you can bring yourself to think of the 6.5X55 as a 260 that is chambered in full sized rifles, you problem is over. The 260 is notinig more than a 6.5X 51 anyway, and held to COL 2.8 inches. The 6.5X55 goes to 3.1 inches COL and achieves 260 velocities at lower pressures when handloaded.

Another plus is that the 6.5X55 is one of the strongest cases out there and only 2 grs shy of the '06 in weight. When i faced the same choice I got the 6.5X55 and never even blinked. Ruger has it in a 22 inch bbl. Avoid the Win Featherweight as they have very long throats. Other than that, look at the CZ 550 (I have that one), Sako 75 and Tikka (1 MOA accuracy guarantee).

Unless 0.30 inches in COL makes a big difference to you, the 6.5X55 is a better choice than the 260 if you handload.

Therein lie the rub...not many 260s available in 22 to 24 inch barrels. If you can bring yourself to think of the 6.5X55 as a 260 that is chambered in full sized rifles, you problem is over. The 260 is notinig more than a 6.5X 51 anyway, and held to COL 2.8 inches. The 6.5X55 goes to 3.1 inches COL and achieves 260 velocities at lower pressures when handloaded.

Another plus is that the 6.5X55 is one of the strongest cases out there and only 2 grs shy of the '06 in weight. When i faced the same choice I got the 6.5X55 and never even blinked. Ruger has it in a 22 inch bbl. Avoid the Win Featherweight as they have very long throats. Other than that, look at the CZ 550 (I have that one), Sako 75 and Tikka (1 MOA accuracy guarantee).

Unless 0.30 inches in COL makes a big difference to you, the 6.5X55 is a better choice than the 260 if you handload.

LOADER! I counldn't agree more with your statement. Sound advise to my way of thinking. I also prefer the RUGER or Winchester Classic to the Remington any day......enough said.

LOADER! I counldn't agree more with your statement. Sound advise to my way of thinking. I also prefer the RUGER or Winchester Classic to the Remington any day......enough said.

Thanks for the advise. I will check into the 6.5x55. I have always been a .30 cal guy. I was brought up on 'em from 30/30 to 30.06 to 300 Win Mag. I never believed in anything smaller for deer and at times may have commented that to others for using smaller.

Thank goodness I ended up with a .243 in a trade for an SKS one time and saw the light of day. That little round really impressed me. I couldn't get over the velocity difference between it and my old .06!
I have since sold the rifle, it was an Interarms Mauser long bolt, and I just couldn't get used to original Mauser action. And I hated having to rack a long action to load and eject a short action cartridge..........I know, just get over it. But I couldn't. Like I said, impressed with the round not the rifle. But, since I am looking to replace this weapon I would like to "one-up" the smaller .243.

I have heard of the round you suggested in several other posts, but have no personal dealings with it. I do like the look of the CZ's and may look in that direction.
Where can I get brass and factory rounds for this chambering? I have found a few sources for .260 brass.

Thanks.

Don't forget the Kimber. Very nice rifle for a reasonable price, higher than most, but reasonable.

VA,

I've seen plenty of .260 ammo for sale at the usual sporting goods stores. It's always available from places like Midway, Lock Stock & Barrel, etc. Also brass - can't imagine that you will have a problem. If you do you can neck up .243 brass, that should not be a problem to find.

The 6.5x55 may not fit in a true 'short' action. Just will depend on the manufacturer and how long of a magazine the gun has. If you really want to stay with a short action then the .260 is probably the best bet. I do like the Swede, though mine is a full infantry rifle... hardly a light handy hunting gun!

Ok, I have greatly appreciated all the responses from the posters on this board with regards to my last two posts. From your comments and my research I feel confident that choosing the 260 Remington is a sound and reliable choice for my daughter's first deer rifle. And one that I old dad my use from time to time as well.......... :-).
Thanks again.

Don't worry 'bout a short barrel - unless it under 'bout 20". One of the guys on here posted a report of his 14yr old daughter takin' a deer with a 260 in a handgun! ;)

The 260 doesn't need any longer barrel than a .308 or .243 IMO... If you wait 'til the Shot Show in a couple months, Remington will probably release a new rifle for their newest cartridge, the 6.8mm X 43mm. This new Remy might be a true compact action, like the tiny Mini-Mausers or Sako, etc. Performance of the new cartridge is said to be very close to the same as the 260 Remington in an 18" or longer barrel (115gr @ 2850fps).

It's designed for the AR/M-16 action, and is the same length as the 223/5.56mm. Remington is supposedly makin' 10M rounds for the Military, and for the public, available in four different loads.

GOOD LUCK!

Ruger Model KMR77RFP is a 22 inch stainless synthetic rifle available in 260...that's your rifle!!