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260 Rem vs 308

O

oldfatguy

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Full Member
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Nov 6, 2008
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Huntsville, AL, USA
looked at the external ballistics tables and have read a bunch of info trying to justify tooling up to reload 260 Rem. Already set up for 223 and 308 and am trying to get a better idea of just how much better the 260 reaches out then the 308.

I know this could go in the reloading section but am looking for more of end use experience with 260 Rem instead of how to get the rounds loaded.



Any input would be greatly appreciated.

OFG
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

500' ASL elevation, standard atmosphere

260 Rem, 140gr A-Max @ 2700fps: 9.3mil drop, 2.1mil drift @ 1000yd
308 Win, 175 SMK @ 2700fps: 10.8mil drop, 2.8mil drift @ 1000yd

In other words 52" less drop and 27" less drift @ 1000yd, and beyond 650yd the 6.5mm has more energy.

But with a 26" barrel you can <span style="font-style: italic">easily</span> run the 140 A-Max to around 2820fps, which provides 8.5mil drop and 2.0mil drift. That's 82" less drop and 30" less drift than a 30cal 175 SMK @ 2700fps.
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

you can run 155s fast enough to be close to the 260, but there's definitely more recoil. If you're going to roll your own, why not switch to better ballistics?
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

I love the 260, just sold my last 308 and wont look back. I love pushing the 123gr out to over 3100fps.
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

Thanks for all the replys, especially BoilerUp for the numbers.

I was afraid of that. Looks like the 260 really is enough better then 308 to justify tooling up to reload.

Now, where to find a rifle chambered in 260 Rem?

OFG
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

.260 hands down. My Trg 22 in .260 rem kicks ass, too bad you can't get em any more.
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

I set up for the .260 back in 2002, and haven't had a .308 in the house since only a couple of years later.

I do miss my M1A, but not enough to replace it yet in the indefinite future. Still, I do think it maks some kind of sense to maintain at least one rifle, maybe a bolt gun, in such an commonly available chambering. I guess a swap-out barrel might be a reasonable compromise.

Greg
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

shame on remington for not chambering a 260 in anything other than a sporter barrel. go 260 or 260ai custom and push the 140 class of bullets
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">shame on remington for not chambering a 260 in anything other than a sporter barrel. </div></div>

Big Green doesn't chamber ANYTHING in a 260 these days, sporter barrel or not. For a factory rifle in 260, Tikka and Savage are your only choices.

Given the surge in precision rifle over the last few years, an 8 twist AAC-SD in 260 would sell like frigging hotcakes...
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

i have a 308 rem, what part of it can i use for a 260 build? or is it better to start from scratch
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

if you must run a 260 at least run the SLR version

otherwise your better served via
6XC, 6.5XC, 6.5x47, 6x47, 6.5CM, 6CM
IMHO
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

tigerfan9 said:
Action, stock and bottom metal will all work for 260. All you have to change is the barrel. [/quote

What he said! Slap a new barrel on that action and get busy shootin!
Click to expand...
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

I have an AAC-SD and when I shoot out the barrel Im going to have Accurate Ordnance re barrel it in 260. Im sold on the round too.
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Big Green doesn't chamber ANYTHING in a 260 these days, sporter barrel or not. For a factory rifle in 260, Tikka and Savage are your only choices. </div></div>

they still sell a model 7 in 260
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

Remington needs to wake the fuck up and offer the 260 in the Sendero, XCR Tactical, Police, and 5R with an 8" twist! And yes, the ballistics on the 260 are worth the cost of reloading dies.
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

260 is the winner. But ammo price are higher than 308(a lot military surplus for 308). If reload, 260 is worth to have....
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">they still sell a model 7 in 260</div></div>

I stand corrected, thank you.

Still unbelievable they don't offer more rifles in the caliber THEY introduced and allowed to wither on the vine, despite huge gains in popularity the last few years.
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hewlett260</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington needs to wake the fuck up and offer the 260 in the Sendero, XCR Tactical, Police, and 5R with an 8" twist! And yes, the ballistics on the 260 are worth the cost of reloading dies. </div></div>

Big green dicks everything up with their slow twist. I had a 700 VLS factory 26" 260 and it would hammer (for a factory nonmodified rifle). I dont remember the twist but it would handle the 140 SMK pretty good, so it must have been around a 9 twist.
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

Big Green doesn't sell to consumers. They sell to distributers. Same with all the other big makers. Convincing the big makers what to make available revolves around stuff like the SHOT show. Distributers see what the makers have, order what they like, tell them what else to bring the next year.

People like you and me, we don't get to be part of those conversations. People like Lowlight do, and honestly; the distributers get much more say than even Frank does. But at least we can get at Frank's ear, even of we can't get to a distributer's ear.

Clearly Big Green isn't hearing what we're saying here; or maybe they do, but it's falling on ears that are deaf for reasons we're not considering as part of this discussion.

The only thing that makes a set fo featurs 'interesting' to a maker is how well it sells, period. If the distributers aren't interested, it's never going to be 'interesting' to the makers.

That's how business works. It's plain, it's simple, and it depends solely on what vibes the makers are resonating to.

You want to catch your favorite kind of fish; that's the food chain you need to reach, and the kind of bait you need to be using.

Greg
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

Some major rifle manufacturer is missing out on a LOT of potential sales. Between the current tactical craze and the fact that the .260 offers hunters .270 performance in a SA, I cannot believe that *SOMEONE* has not jumped on this.

Other than Remington, the one that really baffles me is Tikka/Beretta. Tikka makes the T3 Lite in .260, but Beretta doesn't import it (unless you want to buy a Sporter for 3x). I swear guys who work for Beretta ride the Short Bus to work.
mad.gif


Oh, and BTW... in case you hadn't guessed, .260 gets my vote too.
grin.gif


John
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

It is true the major manufacturers are missing some good sales potential but I dont care because I would rather have a custom build over a factory rifle. So they are actually doing us a favor by keeping us using better weapons.
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

My AW is a 260 factory gun and even though AI's are more like custom guns anyway, it still makes you wonder why Remington doesn't take notice that the Euro/ Tactical higher end manufacturers are using their cartridge and it's selling pretty damn well. For a while the TRG's were offered in 260 as well and were very popular. It just seems the manufacturers don't care even if they stand to make a profit.
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

308 has the barrel life and brass life advantage. Not to even mention availability. Yes there are many round with slightly better range, and how often does anyone shoot 1000 plus? If you have the money yea i might. Or maybe id stick with 308 and the money I save will go to more trigger time.
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

If 260 and 308 had same availability and ammo costs... I would be with u all the way! It does not and case forming is just another fing step... Neck turning is already added time away from the range
 
Re: 260 Rem vs 308

I've spent a lot of time reading into this lately too. Unless you are planning on pushing 155 scenars or 155 palmas you aren't going to come close to the ballistics of the .260 . IMHO the debate isn't .260 vs .308 as much as its .260 vs 6.5 Creedmore. You can still, even today get 20 rounds of Hornady Match for 6.5CM for 25$. 6.5 Brass has great resale value too.
 
oldfatguy said:
looked at the external ballistics tables and have read a bunch of info trying to justify tooling up to reload 260 Rem. Already set up for 223 and 308 and am trying to get a better idea of just how much better the 260 reaches out then the 308.

I know this could go in the reloading section but am looking for more of end use experience with 260 Rem instead of how to get the rounds loaded.



Any input would be greatly appreciated.

OFG
Click to expand...
I've been shooting the .260 Rem. for 25 years and to be honest it's my favorite small/medium game cartridge. It is so versatile as you can load 95-100 grain projectiles for coyote and other varmints. Or you can load 120-160 for deer and even elk. My favorite is the Hornady 143 grain ELD-X. I've taken an elk at 338 yards with this round and it was a single shot instant kill. Just make sure to place that shot well. I see a lot of talk about the 6.5 Creedmoor and as yes it is a fine round it isn't the .260 Rem. Remington should have done a better job selling the .260 Rem just as SAAMI should have done a better job with load pressure data. With the newer powders out there today you can get several hundred fps. faster with the .260 than with the 6.5 if speed is all you want. And now with the 1-in-8 twist being the new standard for the .260 it truly does out perform the 6.5. And you can use 308 Win. brass to make .260 brass. Much cheaper to reload than 6.5 if you need to get brass. Especially if you look at range brass. You won't find a whole lot of 6.5 on the ground but there is always lots of 308, and once fired brass is just as good as new brass if you clean it well. No different than reloading your own once fired brass. Anyway, if you load .260 and 6.5 to the same fps. they are the same same thing. And as we all know speed isn't always best. Most if my best most accurate loads are on the upper end of the loads but not max loads. And let's face it, speed is your barrels worse enemy. To date I have 2 Browning A-Bolt's in .260 Rem. and 2 AR-10's in .260 Rem. And I'm now in the process of building myself a custom .260. Purchased a brand new Browning A-Bolt Medallion in 308 Win. and removed the barrel and had Shaw Barrels make me a 26" CMV Fluted high gloss 1-in-8 twist barrel for the action. Next I'm having my machinist machine me a custom chassis similar to the MTD LSS-XL GEN2 Chassis to support this action and barrel. Yes a very expensive build but well worth it. So, the 308 and 6.5 are wonderful cartridges and greatly deserve high praise but so does the .260 Rem. Very accurate with not too much recoil. And that of course depends on the shooter. My wife and daughter have both fired my A-Bolts in .260 as well as my A-Bolt in 338 Win. Mag and they preferred the heavy but smooth recoil of the 338 over the softer but sharp recoil of the .260. Go figure. Lol. Well sorry to have made this so long but I just feel the .260 never seems to get the credit it deserves. Happy and safe shooting. One of my AR-10 .260 Rems.
 

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Ranting ramblings:
A long time ago, the 308 was all you got, because everyone (USA) wanted a .30 cal to do everything.

Then the 308 was considered too heavy and everyone (USA) wanted a lighter round. Since everyone, then and today, can't differentiate between cartridge and twist, they went with the 223 instead of the 222 Rem.

The 223 was found lacking and today, the latest craze is a short action .270 (6.8) loaded to higher than necessary pressures.

If! A 3/4" longer action had been considered viable, we all could have been using the best all round cartridge: 6.5x55 SCAN (modern pressure loaded 6.5x55 Swede).

So, 260 or 308?

260 is a very good cartridge. But today the 6.5CM has better availability. A 6.5 mm/.264 140 gr bullet is very hard to beat, be it hunting or target shooting. Just choose a cartridge to propel it and go...
 
Paladin's Hammer said:
I've been shooting the .260 Rem. for 25 years and to be honest it's my favorite small/medium game cartridge. It is so versatile as you can load 95-100 grain projectiles for coyote and other varmints. Or you can load 120-160 for deer and even elk. My favorite is the Hornady 143 grain ELD-X. I've taken an elk at 338 yards with this round and it was a single shot instant kill. Just make sure to place that shot well. I see a lot of talk about the 6.5 Creedmoor and as yes it is a fine round it isn't the .260 Rem. Remington should have done a better job selling the .260 Rem just as SAAMI should have done a better job with load pressure data. With the newer powders out there today you can get several hundred fps. faster with the .260 than with the 6.5 if speed is all you want. And now with the 1-in-8 twist being the new standard for the .260 it truly does out perform the 6.5. And you can use 308 Win. brass to make .260 brass. Much cheaper to reload than 6.5 if you need to get brass. Especially if you look at range brass. You won't find a whole lot of 6.5 on the ground but there is always lots of 308, and once fired brass is just as good as new brass if you clean it well. No different than reloading your own once fired brass. Anyway, if you load .260 and 6.5 to the same fps. they are the same same thing. And as we all know speed isn't always best. Most if my best most accurate loads are on the upper end of the loads but not max loads. And let's face it, speed is your barrels worse enemy. To date I have 2 Browning A-Bolt's in .260 Rem. and 2 AR-10's in .260 Rem. And I'm now in the process of building myself a custom .260. Purchased a brand new Browning A-Bolt Medallion in 308 Win. and removed the barrel and had Shaw Barrels make me a 26" CMV Fluted high gloss 1-in-8 twist barrel for the action. Next I'm having my machinist machine me a custom chassis similar to the MTD LSS-XL GEN2 Chassis to support this action and barrel. Yes a very expensive build but well worth it. So, the 308 and 6.5 are wonderful cartridges and greatly deserve high praise but so does the .260 Rem. Very accurate with not too much recoil. And that of course depends on the shooter. My wife and daughter have both fired my A-Bolts in .260 as well as my A-Bolt in 338 Win. Mag and they preferred the heavy but smooth recoil of the 338 over the softer but sharp recoil of the .260. Go figure. Lol. Well sorry to have made this so long but I just feel the .260 never seems to get the credit it deserves. Happy and safe shooting. One of my AR-10 .260 Rems.
Click to expand...
You should crank some AC/DC up on that stereo and do some .260 Mag dumps for old times sake!!!! 🔥
 
One of my hobbies is restoring vintage audio equipment. If you like the system sitting behind the .260 then you'd really like the rest of my collection. And no I am not telling you where I live. Lol.
 
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CerebralDistortion said:
Ranting ramblings:
A long time ago, the 308 was all you got, because everyone (USA) wanted a .30 cal to do everything.

Then the 308 was considered too heavy and everyone (USA) wanted a lighter round. Since everyone, then and today, can't differentiate between cartridge and twist, they went with the 223 instead of the 222 Rem.

The 223 was found lacking and today, the latest craze is a short action .270 (6.8) loaded to higher than necessary pressures.

If! A 3/4" longer action had been considered viable, we all could have been using the best all round cartridge: 6.5x55 SCAN (modern pressure loaded 6.5x55 Swede).

So, 260 or 308?

260 is a very good cartridge. But today the 6.5CM has better availability. A 6.5 mm/.264 140 gr bullet is very hard to beat, be it hunting or target shooting. Just choose a cartridge to propel it and go...
Click to expand...
You are absolutely correct about availability, but that being said if you are a reloader the 260 truly is the better choice of the 2 "260Rem. vs. 6.5cm.". There is no parent brass for the cm and ammo is anything but cheap. 308 Win. brass is found as range brass all day long and that is free. And just because it's once fired it doesn't mean it's no good. Give it a really good rotory with pin tumble and then resize to the 260 and trim if needed then corn Cobb tumble and you have prettier than new brass that is good for at least 10 reloads if you are not a hot loader. But yes, the .264 projectile using my favorite "Hornady 143Gr. ELD-X" in almost anything that shoots the .264 is a worthy cartridge. But if you are comparing the 260Rem vs. the 6.5Cm. The 260Rem is the true winner if you want distance, cost and brass availability "if you reload". And to be totally fair the fps difference between the 2 is so minute that if you own either one of these fine cartridges you are a winner.
 
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I have both in nearly identical 22” rifles, and love both cartridges. With Berger 153.5 & 156 Elites, my .260 Rem is quite capable at very long distances…

.260 Rem with my Berger 153.5 Hybrids…

1DE6C8CE-A59C-425B-B3E5-9EB11649132F.jpegD4405229-186A-422C-AD60-E67C685F7E94.jpeg7EE62637-0FD4-4C60-B313-7644B1E4AA70.jpeg

.308 Win with Nosler 168 Custom Comp…

FCBF7175-6C53-4613-92DE-00AE9805FF6A.jpegEAE68C76-CADE-49E2-ABA1-48254C210DD8.jpeg6B1DBF3B-6A03-48C4-B6B5-2E72765125CF.jpeg
 

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