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6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

jschroed

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 3, 2010
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I know this has been discussed many times here and you are sick of seeing it, but instead of asking "which is better," I want to ask those of you who own or have owned in the past why you chose one over the other. The few that happen to have both I'd like to hear the pros and cons of each.

Thanks
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

I have both. I have enough brass for the 6.5X47 to burn 1-2 more barrels out, but when that is gone it will be a 260 or a 6.5 SLR. The 47 is no more accurate or faster. The only advantage is the 47 does what the 260 does with 2-3 grains less powder. If I was starting fresh with the 6.5's it would be the 6.5 SLR, longer brass life with the 30 degree shoulder WIN 7-08 brass is cheaper and a longer neck.
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

Is the 6.5 SLR better than the CM?

And regardless of reloading and price, is a .260 better than a 6.5CM ballistically?
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

The 260/6.5x47L/6.5CM are same/same/same

I've built numerous rifles in all three calibers and none has an advantage over the other. I own 3-260's and chambered all with the same reamer because of brass, FL & Seating die setting etc.

Each caliber will feed from an AI magazine but the VLD's require a slightly different approach. If you dont handload go 6.5CM.
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

Even though your not asking which is better, what you are asking has still been covered many many times. I'm not the type to always tell someone to go "search", but this is a dead issue and has been. The only variance your going to receive here is going to be strictly opinion based.

I have 4 rifles in 6.5x47 and lots of friends that shoot .260. When i decided to go with the 6.5x47's, there was no .260 Lapua brass being made yet and the 6.5 CM hadn't really caught on yet like it has now. I wanted the quality Lapua brass and I liked the idea/thoughts behind the small rifle primer versus the Large on the 260.

If I had it to do all over again from the start, I'd go with the 6.5 CM and buy a 1000rds of the factory Hornady 140 Amax ammo and to hell with the hours spent reloading. Then I'd sell the once fired brass and recoup some cost for the next 1000rds of ammo. If you remove the option of the wonderful factory Hornandy Amax ammo, then my next choice (and future build) would be the 6.5SLR chambered for the 140 Amax. Cheap easy to find brass, no fireforming, no donuts, and the ability to push the 140's at 2,900+fps is very attractive.
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trevor300wsm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

If I had it to do all over again from the start, I'd go with the 6.5 CM and buy a 1000rds of the factory Hornady 140 Amax ammo and to hell with the hours spent reloading. Then I'd sell the once fired brass and recoup some cost for the next 1000rds of ammo. If you remove the option of the wonderful factory Hornandy Amax ammo, then my next choice (and future build) would be the 6.5SLR chambered for the 140 Amax. Cheap easy to find brass, no fireforming, no donuts, and the ability to push the 140's at 2,900+fps is very attractive. </div></div>


Good advice right there.
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: buffybuster</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trevor300wsm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

If I had it to do all over again from the start, I'd go with the 6.5 CM and buy a 1000rds of the factory Hornady 140 Amax ammo and to hell with the hours spent reloading. Then I'd sell the once fired brass and recoup some cost for the next 1000rds of ammo. If you remove the option of the wonderful factory Hornandy Amax ammo, then my next choice (and future build) would be the 6.5SLR chambered for the 140 Amax. Cheap easy to find brass, no fireforming, no donuts, and the ability to push the 140's at 2,900+fps is very attractive. </div></div>


Good advice right there. </div></div>DARN sure is.....
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

You can use VLD's in the 260 without single loading..... you have so many chamber choices its absurd with the 260. Right now I have 2 rifles chambered in 260 that run VLD specific chambers. They run perfectly in the Templar Action. Im pushing a pointed 130gr Berger VLD at 2900 (give or take a few).
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

I chose 260 Remington for a Savage 10FP build because I already had a R700 Mountain LSS in 260 Rem for hunting and was set up to reload for it.

I got the LSS from my father; he bought it in the late 90s from a coworker and it was a safe queen. I loved the way the laminate stock looked with the stainless barreled action and it was very accurate with no recoil, so he let me have it. Damn thing is a hammer on Kentucky whitetail, and its the oddball caliber caliber at deer camp so there's novelty associated with it.

I use 120gr Nosler BTs for hunting in the 700, but run 130gr Berger Hunting VLDs in my Savage/Criterion barrel, which has a fairly long throat. 2.94" OAL and 3000fps, and feed VERY reliably from Alpha Type 2 magazines.

That said, if I were starting out today the 6.5 Creedmoor idea trevor had is likely the way I would go.
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

Unless you travel by air with your rifles and ammo, it does not matter. If you do, then the 6.5x55SE is a better choice, only because you can find ammo for it anywhere in the world.
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYS338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can use VLD's in the 260 without single loading..... you have so many chamber choices its absurd with the 260. Right now I have 2 rifles chambered in 260 that run VLD specific chambers. They run perfectly in the Templar Action. Im pushing a pointed 130gr Berger VLD at 2900 (give or take a few). </div></div>

What I ment was using VLD's in a Magazine. Are you saying that .260 can be feed out of a magazine while still seated 10 or 20 thou into the lands because of chamber choices??
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cox380</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYS338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can use VLD's in the 260 without single loading..... you have so many chamber choices its absurd with the 260. Right now I have 2 rifles chambered in 260 that run VLD specific chambers. They run perfectly in the Templar Action. Im pushing a pointed 130gr Berger VLD at 2900 (give or take a few). </div></div>


What I ment was using VLD's in a Magazine. Are you saying that .260 can be feed out of a magazine while still seated 10 or 20 thou into the lands because of chamber choices?? </div></div> I use type 2 Alpha mags, but yes you can.
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

^^^ I've never used Alfa mags but with my ax mags I can't imagine using 260's w/VLD's because my 47L bullets don't have much space before they touch the front of the mags. Maybe it's just my set up/camber??
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

If you're at mag length in an AX mag, or 2.980, then you barely have any bullet in the case neck. Might be time for a new barrel or you need to check your seating depth again.
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

I would go 260, I use a 260 reamer built for Lapua brassfor mag length with a tight no turn .297 neck throated for a 139 scenar. With 43 grains H4350 I'm pushing them at 2912 fps and accuracy in the .1's. It shoots just as good at 1000 as my 7mag pushing 168 vld's at 2930 fps.
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

the one consideration that might come up is the firing pin. the 47 with the small rifle "might" require some additional consideration. Other than that.....same same same (I own a couple .260 and a couple of 6.5CM)
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

6.5x47 requires a BUSHED firing pin period
not doing so limits performance due to cratered primers well below what case is capable of handling. Run a unbushed firing pin and YES your limited to 260 like performance, hence common ref "they are same performance wise"
X47 brass is crazy $$, I will not build another, Brass is super tuff with annealing many report 20+ loads on brass and still going strong.

Now for 50% savings, good brass, same PSI rating, same performance or better the XC case is slightly bigger.
Buy brass direct from tubb, $68 x100 Norma XC very good only bested by lapua maybe.
Simple neck up to 6.5 cal and you have a large primer version of 6.5x47 50% cheaper.
What about the CM, well difference in cost of brass is $6 x 100, would you rather run Norma brass or hornady ... pert simple
Hornady brass is no where as good as Norma period, XC brass made to Tubb specs is very tuff.
Just got to have a 260 crowd at least do it right via 6.5SLR, i have heard folk using lapua 260 brass with success but WIN brand is recommended. For a TAK rig where losing brass is a concern,
SLR via WIN brass = low cost effective solution

For me thou 6.5XC wins hands down as best of breed
It ck's all the box's
Cost
Quality brass
Performance
no fire forming
Dies easy to find, thou must be modified
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

I think it also depends what bullet you want to run. Find the bullet you want to run and go from there.

I really like the 130 JLK VLD's. There true and tested BC is .600.

That is really hard to beat running out of a 6.5x47 Lapua at 3000 FPS. And getting 3000 plus rounds out of one barrel is also hard to beat.

I think hands down this is the winner.

Better Brass
More efficient Cartridge
Match made in heaven for the 130 bullets
Feeds great and you can seat the bullets whenever you want and not have a Overall Length problem
The drop chart smokes the 260 running most of the 140 Grain bullets. Like the 140 Amax, 139 Scenar, ETC ETC.
Less recoil because you are shooting a lighter bullet with less powder.


Whats not to like???
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

I went with 6.5 x 47L because my smith (Robert Gradous) recommended it.

I have been shooting the 123 scenar out to 1000 yds.

It really seems to shine between 600-900 yds in moderate winds.

I shoot with guys who shoot 260's and my 6.5L hangs all day long.

I love this cartridge.......
 
Re: 6.5x47 vs. 260 again...

ok, so im new to this site and i have a ? i currently shoot a savage 10 fcp-sr in .308 and i want to get some more bells and whistles added, but i need a rig to shoot while this is being done. so this is my plan.I have a basic heap lil marlinxs7also in .308 and i want to rebarrel it to .260 and add a stock am i crazy or is it worth it? any opionons would be great. thanks shane