.260 and 6.5 Creedmor info

[GreggNY]

Been searching around on comparisons of these 2 and they seem ballistically similar with the only advantage being the 6.5 CM supposedly fits in mags better. The line I kept coming across was ".260 if you reload, 6.5CM if you don't." Just a brief search around (midway) showed way more factory loaded ammo options in the .260 than the 6.5 CM. What am I missing here? It seems like the .260 is the way to go even if you don't reload. The only reason I can find in favor of the .260 for reloader's argument is the better brass options. As of right now, I'm not reloading so quality factory ammo is high on the list of requirements. Any info in regards to factory ammo in each would be great.

 

[Captain Kirk]

The 260 and 243 really shine when you can load them beyond the max 2.800, I run a 243 with a OAL of 2.865 shooting the 115 DTACs, but this load and OAL will not work in the gas guns or other mags with a max OAL of 2.800 where the 6/6.5 CM round will. The Creedmore will hang with the 260, 243, 6.5X47 Lapua and the likes, its something new and it is an amazing round, the fact you can get factory loaded ammo for a resonable price and hang with some of the other mentioned cartridges shooting handloads is a testiment to the loads efficiency. Is the 6.5 CM better? yes and no, it is a good choice for the handloader, a great choice if you don't handload, and IMO the best choice for the gas gun with its shorter OAL.

Kirk R

 

[Captain Kirk]

Here is a great article written by Zack Smith I often refer this question to, it answers some questions and backs them up with data

6.5mm Shootout: .260 Remington vs. 6.5x47 Lapua vs. 6.5 Creedmoor

 

[Jhnmdahl]

6.5 Creedmoor is somewhat more efficient, and is relatively new. It's definitely still growing in popularity, and although it's far from certain, I would guess it will be more popular than the .260 in years to come. Note that Nosler just started making 6.5 Creedmoor brass as well, and the purported reloader advantages of the .260 are disappearing. On the other hand, a lot of people who had .260s five years ago see the 6.5 Creedmoor and wonder what all the fuss is about - they're really pretty close.

I'd get a 6.5 Creedmoor if I had to buy one now, but it would be hard to make a really "wrong" choice.

John

 

[MosesTheTank]

The factory Hornady loads are excellent. Copper Creek Cartridge Co. makes superb Creedmoor ammo. I have used the factory 129 interbond for hunting. For target shooting I have used almost every load from Copper Creek and they are very good. I also handload. I can find no argument in favor of the 260, or at least none that put it over the Creedmoor. There is currently only 1 source of brass and that is from Hornady. This has not been a problem for me. Lots of back and forth may follow this post, but it's hair splitting. Finally, Creedmoor sounds infinitely cooler than Remington.

There have been lots of posts on this topic and if you read every one of them you will be no closer to a logical decision that points one way or the other. So, are you cool or are you not?

 

[GreggNY]

Thanks for the replies and info. My original post may have not been too clear, but I didn't want to start an argument on which cal is better. I was really looking for info on the available factory ammo for each, and if there was a clear 'winner' as far as that goes. I haven't found any real negatives to either cal in all the reading that I've been doing so I'm sure both can be made to perform better than I can shoot. Thanks again and keep the info coming

 

[garandman]

I haven't found any real negatives to either cal in all the reading that I've been doing so I'm sure both can be made to perform better than I can shoot.

^^^ THIS.

I went 6.5CM, but load my own. I really don't think you'll be disappointed with either.

 

[MosesTheTank]

Each one of these is a clear winner. It just depends on how far, how much wind, the intended target and whatever else I can think of at the moment, and maybe my mood. Depending on any number of factors each can produce anywhere from 0.2" to 0.6" 5 shot 100 yard groups in my rifle.

 

[Thor2j]

Thanks for the replies and info. My original post may have not been too clear, but I didn't want to start an argument on which cal is better. I was really looking for info on the available factory ammo for each, and if there was a clear 'winner' as far as that goes. I haven't found any real negatives to either cal in all the reading that I've been doing so I'm sure both can be made to perform better than I can shoot. Thanks again and keep the info coming

Let me see if I can answer your question. The creedmoor has cheaper and as good factory ammo. The 6.5cm has hornady factory ammo that shots very well for a reasonable $25/ box. The couple issues with this ammo is it is very consistent in same lot, but when you switch lots I have seen 100 fps difference. Other issue, depending on how far you shoot, the velocities on the factory hornady is not all that fast. Usually slightly under 2700fps. The only good factory ammo for 260 that I have seen is the federal match with the 142smk. Around 2790 fps. Expensive, around $36/box when u can find it.

The big advantage of 260 vs cm when reloading is the availability of Lapua brass. You also get a small 2% increase in case capacity. Load the 260 long and the cm has no answer.

Either way you will be fine. Unfortunately it's true, don't reload= cm. reload=260

 

[MosesTheTank]

True, the Hornady loads are a bit slowish. I have never given this much thought unless I'm shooting well past 600yds. But with hand loads I have gotten the 123SMK to 3,100 out of a 24" barrel with no problems. I will confess to wishing Lapua made CM brass, but I have had no problems with the factory stuff.

 

[Rob01]

Other issue, depending on how far you shoot, the velocities on the factory hornady is not all that fast. Usually slightly under 2700fps.

What length barrel you using? I have run a 28" and 26.5". I have been shooting lots of Creedmoor since 2008 and never had anything under 2700fps with the 140 AMAX load. There was one slow lot I got that was 2720fps but most is over 2800fps.

 

[bward]

What length barrel you using? I have run a 28" and 26.5". I have been shooting lots of Creedmoor since 2008 and never had anything under 2700fps with the 140 AMAX load. There was one slow lot I got that was 2720fps but most is over 2800fps.

I've ran the factory stuff in a 22'' before. It was right at 2700 FPS over my PVM-21.

 

[Rob01]

Sounds right for a short barrel like that. What people forget is that the round was developed around a 28" barrel to be in the 2810-2820fps range for the most part. The old ammo boxes used to have the 28" barrel data but it's since changed to 24".

 

[m6z]

6.5 creedmoor for a new build.

 

[earthquake]

My 6.5 Creed with 24" tube pushes the Hornady 140's at 2,850 and the 120's at 2,970 fps. YMMV.

*Edit: That's the factory ammo I'm speaking of...not reloads.

 

[Newtrick]

So, I think you'll be happy with either. I am not touting one over the other. That said, I have two .260's. One bolt, one gas, both 24", 8.5 twist. Both of them slap the piss outta steel beyond 1000. Believe me, it's the caliber and the gun, I'm no shooter. I'm sure if you get quality in either cal., find a load, they'll both amaze you. Oh yeah, I think quality, long optics really help.

 

[leadbullet]

chamber a bolt action in 260 and a semi auto in creedmoor and for pete sake start loading your own.
they are both outstanding, nough said
cheers.

 

[VKC]

6.5 Creedmoor has a little better powder efficiency but also a little less case capacity than the 260rem. Factory ammo is a little cheaper for 6.5cm.

Seems like everyone harps on Hornady brass being inconsistent etc, but I've found it to be fine.

My rifle shoots factory 140amaxs loads at less than 0.25 to 0.5 moa, as does many others. Honestly many people can't shoot better than that consistently. It comes down to diminishing returns for marginal gains at high costs of components. I don't mean picking out the best 3 to 5 shot group, I mean consistently shooting that in 10-shot groups and not cherry picking.

Lapua brass is great but it is expensive. And painful to lose. To me at least, Hornady is more than consistent enough and I don't worry about lost cases. Plus getting 8-10 reloads is just fine with me.