I live in SC and whitetail deer is about out largest
animal. A 200 pound whitetail deer here is a BIG deer. A
few may be larger. A 260 will handle up to 140 grain bullet which is more than adequate for our deer. A 140 grain PT has a BC of .490 (only the 175 gr. 7mm is higher in the PT bullets) which should give superb performance "way out yonder". There are plenty of capable bullets availabe to fill my needs. The 260 is suppose to have very mild recoil. I am convinced that accuracy is somewhat inversely related to recoil and directly related to practice. Yes I know you don't shoot many shots while hunting and most hunters never notice recoil or muzzle blast.... but maximum prficiency with a rifle is attained with practice, the more the better. Practice is much more enjoyable and much more likely to happen with a caliber and rifle that is pleasant to shoot. For me all of the above mentioned desirable qualities are filled with a 260. Of course there are other calibers that can and probably do come close to my description of a perfect rifle for SC but the 260 does it best for me.
If I lived in the NE or out west where the game is much larger and I spent more time hunting larger game I would have a bit heavier caliber. That being said if I ever make that one or maybe at best two dreamed of but unlikely hunting trips out west for Elk or up in the NE for Moose,I can kill either by picking my shots and getting my game within range of my 260, which incidentally is a respectable range according to those who live in those locations and take such game with this caliber.
The 260 will fill 98% of my needs & is pleasant & reltively economical to shoot. Seems reasonable to me. Others may likely have a different preference.
I have hunted in SC for 35 years & used 243, 6mm, 30-30, many 270s, 30-06 & 22-250. Many years ago I decided the 270 was our ultimate caliber. I still think it will be hard to beat .... I am now of the opinion the 260 is close behind with less recoil & very little loss of performance.
