I am considering getting into the 6.5 game, and would like some opinions on whether for either the 260 REM or 6.5 Creedmoor. This will be used for medium game, and long range shooting.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
- Thread starter willyp
- Start date
Love my .260
I will be rebarreling a REM 700 with a Pac-Nor barrel.
If you're an accomplished reloader, get the 260REM
If you're new to reloading or plan on using factory ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor
If you're new to reloading or plan on using factory ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor
I'm glad you asked, as no one has ever asked this before and there isn't at least a dozen threads on it already.
If people never asked questions, redundant as they may seem at times, what would be the point of having ANY new comments as everything is just regurgitated info most of the time.
Check out Zak Smith's write up on demigodllc.com and what lowlight said.
Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2
If you want to keep it simple, go Creedmoor. Gone both ways and Creedmoor is the heat. Hope this helps.
Just curious, but why do you say this? I'm thinking about 260 myself. Just a lack of good commercial ammo?
I don't think there is any factory ammo in .260 rem , you are going to have to reload this caliber
But there is 6.5 CM factory ammo out there and its pretty good quality , actually exellente
I would choose 6.5 Creedmoor for my very first 6.5mm.
And I say that as a guy with two 260s.
Why?
1. Brass is affordable, high quality (maybe not Lapua quality) and available locally to me
2. Factory match ammo is affordable
3. OALs are a little bit more mag friendly
Its really a coin flip.
And I say that as a guy with two 260s.
Why?
1. Brass is affordable, high quality (maybe not Lapua quality) and available locally to me
2. Factory match ammo is affordable
3. OALs are a little bit more mag friendly
Its really a coin flip.
A few companies make 260 Rem ammo, but its not nearly as common (or as good?) as the 6.5 Creedmore.
I just switched from 260 to 6.5 Creedmoor, I only have 56 rounds down my CM barrel, my first impression is the CM recoils slightly less, accuracy so far is ok, but I'm still doing load development, I'm really impressed with Hornady brass, all I did was uniform the pockets and deburred the flash hole even though it appears to be drilled like Lapua brass, the neck thickness consistency is pretty good but I'm still gonna turn them, the polish job on Hornady dies could be better but at 35-40 bucks for the set they work well, and I can't see spending 240 for Redding dies at this point. I threw 4068 rounds down my 260 tube, pick a heavy bullet and I shot it at 2780-2810, and it preformed extremely well, BUT today brass is very hard to come by, Rem 260 brass needs to be annealed just about the time the pockets let go, Lapua 260 shot no better and the pockets lasted only 3-4 firings, Win 7-08 is the way to go, I annealed every 3-4 loadings and some have over 30 firings, I even necked up Win 243, neck turned it and was just as good as the Win 7-08, I know people do it but my advice is don't reform 308 anything into 260, it's too short.
I chose 260 and started reloading and am really enjoying the caliber. The tipping point for me was when so many mentioned in the Caliber Sticky Section that the barrel life on the 260 is about 50% greater than the 6.5 Creedmoor. Also bullets have great BC and do well past 1000 yds when just shooting steel.
Yeah I wouldn't believe that if I were you.
I did the same thing your considering, I rebarreled a unfired R700 SPS in 308. I purchased a Kreiger MTU in 6.5 with 1/8.5 twist and had it installed along with a Little Bastard muzzle brake. It was chamber for the 6.5 Creedmore round. The receiver was left stock, using bluing it had a very even wear marks on the bolt. I did change out the stock since I'm left handed. It has shot well with the factory Hornady ammo and my reloads. Good luck with your choice. If there is one type of bullet you want to shoot, mention it to person that fits the barrel for you.
Not even possible.
These three points made me decide to go with the Creed when it was time for a re-barrel. I also think it is a better cartridge design.
Last edited:
260 is #1 in my book as I reload and can shoot anything from Yote's to Elk. The 6.5 CM is a faster gun but barrel life is shorter and this is a known fact, however it is all dependent on certain variables. If you load down to keep that barrel in service for a while then you might as well shoot the 260. If I bought another 6.5mm it would be 6.5 x 284 before I ever bought a CM. Whatever you buy I would go with a 1/8 twist minimum 24"
Can somebody explain to me how the same or a grain less powder through the same size bore = shorter barrel life?
Sense, it does not make.
What lowlight said. Off topic, what part of the Nevergreen state are you from?
6.5 CM loads are usually 250 fps faster than the .260, this can easily be seen going to any load data website. You can load them the same but i don't know anyone who does. Higher velocity will wear a barrel out sooner, its not like I am comparing a .264 Winchester Magnum to the 6.5 CM but I honestly don't know anyone who loads down...
I will eat crow if I am wrong, this is just what I have seen. Everyone I know who shoots a CM pushed them to the limit which is faster that the .260
I will eat crow if I am wrong, this is just what I have seen. Everyone I know who shoots a CM pushed them to the limit which is faster that the .260
Please link these load data websites that show this.
Because Hodgdon doesn't show that...
Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com
Lighter Bullets shoot 200 to 250 FPS faster. I agree the 140's are about the same. I can push a 107g, 108g bullet to 3220 fps out of my 260 same bullet in the CM up to 3440. I am speaking of the lower grain weight bullets, should have mentioned that earlier.
Have you shot a 6.5 Creedmoor at 3440 with the 107/108 weight bullets? Or just read that somewhere? You can believe what you want but the barrel life and velocities between the two will be almost identical. It's no where near 50% better barrel life with the .260.
CM
Bullet Sierra Matchking
BulletWeight 107 grs
Powder Winchester WMR
PowderWeight 62 grs
Primer Federal 210M
Brass Make Winchester
Barrel Length 25 (inches)
C.O.L (inches)
Velocity 3463 fps
260
Bullet Sierra HPBT
BulletWeight 107 grs
Powder Winchester 748
PowderWeight 43 grs
Primer CCI 200
Brass Make Remington
Barrel Length 28 (inches)
C.O.L 2.2 (inches)
Velocity 3250 fps
Reloader's Nest - a reloaders resource
Yeah...two different powders...
I agree 50% is a way off number.
Powder is not in question only velocity
Yes I have
I think we are spitting hairs, I agree they are close, but a reloader can push the envelope and get more velocity out of a CM IMHO, I say this as I have done it. Amny of my shooting buddy's do the same. Whoever said 50% barrel life is full of crap, maybe 10% -20%.
Different barrels and lengths, twists and powder charges. You can push the .260 faster too. Have you used the same load in both?
The 6.5 Creedmoor was designed to be a more efficient cartridge with it's 30 degree shoulder. Barrel life in itself is dependent on many factors like how hot the load is as well as how the barrel is shot. I bet I can get a .260 to crap out at 2000 rounds but make a Creedmoor go 4000 and vice versa. Irregardless of the way the rifle is shot the cartridge specs do not lend themselves to the Creedmoor having less theoretical barrel life. It should be more by cartridge design.
Have you shot the barrel out on either?
The 6.5 Creedmoor was designed to be a more efficient cartridge with it's 30 degree shoulder. Barrel life in itself is dependent on many factors like how hot the load is as well as how the barrel is shot. I bet I can get a .260 to crap out at 2000 rounds but make a Creedmoor go 4000 and vice versa. Irregardless of the way the rifle is shot the cartridge specs do not lend themselves to the Creedmoor having less theoretical barrel life. It should be more by cartridge design.
Have you shot the barrel out on either?
I have a new barrel back ordered for my CM, the throat is gone..... Anyway I believe you are correct how you load, etc.... affects everything. I am just not pleased with the barrel life on my CM. Could it have been me or the quality of my damaged barrel, I dunno. But in my case the CM did not last. Ordered my new barrel in 6.5 x 284, going to have it rebuilt when I ever get the barrel........
So how many rounds did you have through it when it went? How far out was the throat?
Here's a thread on barrel life
6.5 Creedmoor Forum 6.5 Creedmoor barrel life... Answered
Here's a thread on barrel life
6.5 Creedmoor Forum 6.5 Creedmoor barrel life... Answered
Last edited:
Rob, your not supposed to look at the fact that the loads are completely different from rifles with different length barrels from an unverified source. Just accept that the CM is just better, and faster by at least 400 fps and has a better shoulder. ADMIT IT!!!!!
Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2
Id love to see somebody get 62gr of powder in a 6.5CM.
You're going off info you're getting somewhere else. The fact is that 260 has a slightly higher case capacity than the creed. Case design can play a big part in velocities and the creed is a great case design which basically evens the playing field as far as velocity goes. It DOES NOT get 250fps more than the 260 does with any bullet though. You and anybody else who says so doesn't have a clue.
I don't think what he is calling a 6.5CM is actually a hornady creedmoor.
Like noted above, no way your using 62gr
Like noted above, no way your using 62gr
I did a little digging and he's quoting a 6.5-284 load on there. Not even close to 6.5 creedmoor velocities.
I guess that is what makes this a forum, I agree the CM is faster, I agree to disagree. Wildboarem said it all.
I agree, grabbed the wrong load data. My bad.
Really enjoy this topic.
Love to hear some opinions and fact on these 2 different guns
Kyle
Love to hear some opinions and fact on these 2 different guns
Kyle
Always a good thing when you insist everyone else haven't a clue, and you're the one that is wrong.
If you want me to say I am wrong because you will feel better about your manhood than I am wrong. I stand behind what I said sleep well master.
M
milo 2.0
Guest
WOW, you had a big first day!
I went this direction for the above reasons. I don't believe there's much difference ballistically for most shooters to notice. .260, 6.5 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmor, it's a crowded space.
