I am about to order a new rifle and I know the 260/6.5x47 Lapua are better choices for bucking the wind etc over a 308. How do they compare in regards to terminal ballistics at 500-1200 yards? Which caliber will be a more lethal caliber?
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Re: Capability of 260/6.5x47 vs 308
If this is your first rifle, I think 308 would be a good choice.
Having sad that, generally a 308 would deliver more energy on target for ranges below 5-6 hundred yards without too much penalty compared to a 6.5mm in terms of windage and bullet drop.
If this is your first rifle, I think 308 would be a good choice.
Having sad that, generally a 308 would deliver more energy on target for ranges below 5-6 hundred yards without too much penalty compared to a 6.5mm in terms of windage and bullet drop.
Re: Capability of 260/6.5x47 vs 308
As mentioned, a 260 pushing 140gr bullets will typically have more energy than a 308 with 175gr bullets beyond 600yd. The 6.5mm bullet will have higher sectional density and a higher velocity, which in theory means it will penetrate more than the 30cal bullet.
In real-world practical application, the 260/6.5x47 will kill game animals elk-sized and smaller just as dead as a 308 will.
As mentioned, a 260 pushing 140gr bullets will typically have more energy than a 308 with 175gr bullets beyond 600yd. The 6.5mm bullet will have higher sectional density and a higher velocity, which in theory means it will penetrate more than the 30cal bullet.
In real-world practical application, the 260/6.5x47 will kill game animals elk-sized and smaller just as dead as a 308 will.
Re: Capability of 260/6.5x47 vs 308
I believe beyond about 150-200 yards, the .260 or 6.5x47 will be a better killer. Shooting steel, it hits the steel harder. I've killed game with .308 and 6.5s, the 6.5s kill thin-skinned game cleaner and faster in my experience.
I believe beyond about 150-200 yards, the .260 or 6.5x47 will be a better killer. Shooting steel, it hits the steel harder. I've killed game with .308 and 6.5s, the 6.5s kill thin-skinned game cleaner and faster in my experience.
Re: Capability of 260/6.5x47 vs 308
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As mentioned, a 260 pushing 140gr bullets will typically have more energy than a 308 with 175gr bullets beyond 600yd. The 6.5mm bullet will have higher sectional density and a higher velocity, which in theory means it will penetrate more than the 30cal bullet.
In real-world practical application, the 260/6.5x47 will kill game animals elk-sized and smaller just as dead as a 308 will. </div></div>
+1
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As mentioned, a 260 pushing 140gr bullets will typically have more energy than a 308 with 175gr bullets beyond 600yd. The 6.5mm bullet will have higher sectional density and a higher velocity, which in theory means it will penetrate more than the 30cal bullet.
In real-world practical application, the 260/6.5x47 will kill game animals elk-sized and smaller just as dead as a 308 will. </div></div>
+1
Re: Capability of 260/6.5x47 vs 308
One interesting result of a test I saw that sold me on a 260 was that a 140 grain 260 had roughly 30% more power hitting steel over a 175 grain .308 at 1000 yards. On top of that the advantages you get with the higher BC in beating the wind, especially at those extended ranges, is also a big plus. There is a considerable amount of difference in recoil between the two with the 260 being less, which allows for faster follow up shots and easier shot spotting. With a good muzzle brake you can make that 260 feel like a 22. Another advantage is that the 260 flies similar to a 300 win mag which allows for easier hold offs at the shorter distance with practice. The 260's higher BC allows it keep better gyroscopic stability (less drag) once it's past it's transonic range (which depending on which organization you are with, your transonic range is you max effective range), which extends it's max effective range. The 260 is emerging as the new competition/tactical round of choice for short actions for many operators/shooters because of the many advantages it holds over the .308. At the very least give a test run, I'm sure you'll be sold on it.
One interesting result of a test I saw that sold me on a 260 was that a 140 grain 260 had roughly 30% more power hitting steel over a 175 grain .308 at 1000 yards. On top of that the advantages you get with the higher BC in beating the wind, especially at those extended ranges, is also a big plus. There is a considerable amount of difference in recoil between the two with the 260 being less, which allows for faster follow up shots and easier shot spotting. With a good muzzle brake you can make that 260 feel like a 22. Another advantage is that the 260 flies similar to a 300 win mag which allows for easier hold offs at the shorter distance with practice. The 260's higher BC allows it keep better gyroscopic stability (less drag) once it's past it's transonic range (which depending on which organization you are with, your transonic range is you max effective range), which extends it's max effective range. The 260 is emerging as the new competition/tactical round of choice for short actions for many operators/shooters because of the many advantages it holds over the .308. At the very least give a test run, I'm sure you'll be sold on it.
Re: Capability of 260/6.5x47 vs 308
After getting a .260 conversion for my DTA SRS, I rarely shoot .308.
The .260 shoots flatter and bucks the wind better. It also seems to hit harder when shooting steel targets at any distance.
After getting a .260 conversion for my DTA SRS, I rarely shoot .308.
The .260 shoots flatter and bucks the wind better. It also seems to hit harder when shooting steel targets at any distance.
Re: Capability of 260/6.5x47 vs 308
I'm also new in long range shooting and after reading this forum and another forum, several people referred to the 6.5 caliber, I'm happy I listened to their advise. It was about two and a half of waiting for the barrel to be fitted and a brake installed. It was well worth the wait, while mine is 6.5 Creedmoor the Lapua is almost the same when you look at the specs. Its pleasant to shoot, there isn't much recoil, shoots tiny groups even in bad conditions. The 308 would be cheaper to shoot but the 6.5 will shoot further and with more accuracy. What more could you want.
I'm also new in long range shooting and after reading this forum and another forum, several people referred to the 6.5 caliber, I'm happy I listened to their advise. It was about two and a half of waiting for the barrel to be fitted and a brake installed. It was well worth the wait, while mine is 6.5 Creedmoor the Lapua is almost the same when you look at the specs. Its pleasant to shoot, there isn't much recoil, shoots tiny groups even in bad conditions. The 308 would be cheaper to shoot but the 6.5 will shoot further and with more accuracy. What more could you want.
Re: Capability of 260/6.5x47 vs 308
If you reload the 260 you really can't beat it for what it is. Check Cor-Bon's ballistic charts, they go out to 1000m and even though it's a factory load chart, it's about the average load for a 308 and about an average to low end 260 load. Either way, the 260 starts to outperform the 260 right around 300m and seals the deal the further out they go. Also by the time it gets to 1000 the 308 is lacking severely in the energy department.
If you reload the 260 you really can't beat it for what it is. Check Cor-Bon's ballistic charts, they go out to 1000m and even though it's a factory load chart, it's about the average load for a 308 and about an average to low end 260 load. Either way, the 260 starts to outperform the 260 right around 300m and seals the deal the further out they go. Also by the time it gets to 1000 the 308 is lacking severely in the energy department.
Re: Capability of 260/6.5x47 vs 308
I like my 6.5x47L a bunch! Here's 10 rounds from 1200 yards. Opens up just a bit more but not much from 1300. I shoot 123 gr. Sierra HPBT and 130 Bergers. Seems to like the Sierra just a bit better. The white AR400 bull is 20" diameter.
Untitled by Sharps45 2 7/8, on Flickr
I like my 6.5x47L a bunch! Here's 10 rounds from 1200 yards. Opens up just a bit more but not much from 1300. I shoot 123 gr. Sierra HPBT and 130 Bergers. Seems to like the Sierra just a bit better. The white AR400 bull is 20" diameter.
Untitled by Sharps45 2 7/8, on Flickr
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