I have a problem...260 Rem.

[Babalouie]

The problem is that I have always wanted a rifle in 260 Remington. When I was first getting into hunting, a long time ago, Remington had a mountain rifle in 260. I thought it was one of the most beautiful rifles ever. Well, I ended up with a 30-06 700 instead for all the right reasons and have loved it. I am now ready to get a 260 and Remy doesn't make the MR anymore. I do not want a Model Seven. I do want a 22" barrel, not 24". And yes I know I could go with a 7mm-08 and I wouldn't hesitate to get a Winchester 70 featherweight. In fact that is a mighty big temptation and wouldn't mind some feedback with that in mind.

But I really want a 260 and the choices are limited. Savage makes exactly what I'm looking for (116). So here is my real question: Is Savage a top quality product? For some reason I have in my mind the attitude that Savage is not as good as Remington or Winchester. I have no idea why I think that or where I got that notion. I have shot Savages in high power and loved the goofy accutrigger, so that is not a problem for me. Its just this attitude. So set me straight or give the straight scoop.

Finally, is the Win 70 such a better choice that I should jettison my desire for a 260 and go with the Featherweight in 7mm-08? If so why?

Thanks folks, I look forward to hearing from the masters!

 

[waterhouse]

Every once in a while one pops up on gunbroker, but it may take some patience. That's where I got my .260 mountain rifle. Great lightweight gun.

 

[ZGunner]

I have a the Savage 10 Precision Carbine in .308. It is the best rifle I own. I also have or have had over the years several Rem 700s, Model 7s, Ruger M77s, Browning A-Bolt etc. My only gripe is that from the factory there is a little slop in the bolt but this was fixed with a PTG aftermarket bolt body. This was worth it to me.

I've been looking really hard at building a .260 off a Stevens 200 action lately. After doing some thinking I've sort of came to the conclusion that I'd be better off with a .270 or 30-06. Within ~300 yrds the .260 doesn't really give me any more advantage over the others. Your purposes may be different, but for me a 1 MOA 30-06 will do anything I'd ever ask it to.

My short answer would be, Savage is a fantastic rifle, buy with confidence.

 

[horsemen61]

I am looking to get that exact savage I think they are great rifles

 

[twofifty]

Bought my first Savage last year and am happy with the overall quality, design, function. Like you I really like the AccuTrigger.

I am not really brand conscious...will buy whatever firearm has the features I need. Have a Rem 700. Will probably add a Win 70 or whatever when the need arises.

 

[Jcinnb]

Nosler has just come out with Nosler 26. Supposed to be Badazz.

 

[ArtP]

I'm in the same boat, I want a 260 and can't find anything except Savage and I don't want the short barrel 7 either. I find Savages ugly, bad resale, and a higher possibility of a lemon.

The lemon comment is from what I've read over the years. The resale is from my own experience with 20+ Gun Broker feedback. Flame suit on.

 

[ArtP]

Badazz if you want to rebarrel once a week.

Nosler has just come out with Nosler 26. Supposed to be Badazz.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

the words Nosler and .26 badass tell me it aint gonna be cheap and ammo easier to find than a Republican at an hobama rally.

 

[mnhntr]

I have 2 Savages in .260 one a 10 predator and the other a 12LRP and they are both very accurate rifles and the accu-triggers IMO are excellent.

 

[WVRJ]

I think if you stay with the higher end Savages,you'll be ok.Or the Featherweight ain't bad either.I've had both,and both were fine rifles.My Savage was a M12 in 204,and I loved it,the Accu-trigger was great,and the rifle was a good(but not great)shooter.Groundhogs became extinct around here and I traded it.They aren't quite as pretty as a win or rem,but they are good solid guns.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

You could always get one built how YOU want it. I have 2, one is built on a M70 SA with an 8 twist; the one below is built on a M700 LA with an 8.5 twist. The only reason it's on a long action is because M700 30-06s are pretty cheap. The one I found had very light use and looked nearly new. Less than $500 delivered and transferred. Barrel and install about $450 ish. 24 inch heavy sporter profile.

 

[eastbank]

i have three .260 rem,s, a browning low wall single shot,a remington 7600 pump, a remington xp-100R pistol and they all shoot very small groups with the loads they like.i had a remington model 7 SS in .260 and sold it to a friend for his dauther and he loads the 120gr nosler at 2500fps and she has killed several deer with it stone dead. eastbank.

 

[joed]

I owned 2 Savage rifles, a 10fp in .223 and a 12VSS (I think). The model 10 was very accurate and my favorite. The 10fp had one flaw I couldn't live with, 30% of the time the next round wouldn't enter the chamber. The 12VSS would string shots vertically no matter what I tried.

I think the Savage rifles are OK but I'd rather own something else like Remington or Winchester.

 

[Abel]

Buy a used 700 or one of the cheaper box-store 700's that cost $400 and have it rebarreled to 260. Simple enough.

 

[Gtscotty]

I've had pretty much the same problem as ZGunner. I've owned a 6.5x55 and find myself getting the hots for a .260 or 6.5 CM occasionally, but on a logical level, I can't for the life of me figure out how one of the 6.5s would be substantially better than the much more available .270 or 7mm-08. Since both of those calibers can be had in my rifle of choice (FN Win Featherweight), I'll probably just grab one of them when I get around to picking up a mid caliber deer rifle.

You might want to consider picking the rifle first, then choosing the caliber offered in that rifle that is closest to what you're looking for.

 

[Joseph]

I honestly believe after both companies (Savage and Remington) came under new (different) management years back, Savage probably offers the better customer service along with rifles that are inching closer and closer to "top tier" quality off the shelf at the best value/price point.

I own both Savages and Remingtons rifles, and don't think you could go wrong with either. I will say without hesitation that if both companies have rifles around the same price point/sell price, Savage will probably be your better rifle IMO.

 

[MCMXI]

So here is my real question: Is Savage a top quality product?

No. I own many top quality rifles and also a Savage Weather Warrior. It is by far the lowest quality rifle I own. I would rather rebarrel a Remington, Winchester, Kimber, Tikka, Sako or any other brand than buy a Savage.

 

[dvdcrr]

I know not a 260 but pretty darn close check this one out. 257 Roberts, 110 Accubond great combo.
http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/model-84m/montana

 

[PedalBiker]

There are some things Savage does right. Their three position safety is one of them. Accuracy is another. Otherwise they are a bit clunky, but functional.

I made the mistake of buying a Savage 110 in 243 Winchester. It's very accurate, but heavy. The long action Savages are plenty long, then when you machine them to take a short action magazine you leave behind a lot of metal that would not have even been on a long action gun.

I did put a 260 barrel on it and aside from the weight it's a great hunting rifle. I'd love to see a Rem M 7 in 260. A Ruger Compact with a decent length barrel would be nice too, but I'm not putting a 16" barrel on a hunting rifle - that's a sure recipe for deafness.

 

[jerkface11]

I wouldn't even worry about finding a savage in .260. Just buy one chambered in a cartridge based on .308 and put a good after market barrel on it.

 

[dvdcrr]

I think a 22" savage 260 would be very nice if you could find one with pillar bedding and not a dbm with the plastic catch.

 

[wild willy]

I've had Savage .260 since the first run of them pre-accutrigger.I.ve used it to take Mule deer, whitetails and caribou.Without planning on it it has become my favorite caliber.It kills em just as good as anything else I've used from .243 to 45/70.That being said if I shot right handed I wouldn't be looking for a Savage.I bought my first 110 in 1972 and have been buying one every couple years.They make a lot of left hand calibers.But you ca't get away from the clunky in a Savage they have that look and feel.They shoot fine but my lefthand Tikkas shoot just as well and to my eye look a lot nicer.

 

[scottishkat]

I have 4 260 remingtons. You will like the caliber if you reload. I have a 700 LSS Mountain it shoots about moa for 5 rounds. I own a Sako 85 which is a -1/2 moa shooter they both have 22" barrels. The 700 CDL SF Limited I own is a champ shot deer all the way to 400 with it has a 24" barrel. I see the 700 Mountain on GB often enough that's where I got mine. Just wait there are plenty of good 260's out there that are used.

Good Luck and shoot straight

Bob