Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

[Barfly]

I am about to lay down some scratch on an AI in a 260 platform. I will be using it exclusively for tactical matches out to 1 mile. Because of the distance, I am leaning towards to 26" AW and installing Viperskins. But new and shiny is also attractive, and I could instead go with a fully loaded Ax 260. Any thoughts?

 

[bm11]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

Why not a 26" AX in .260?

 

[bward]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

I would go with the AW.

 

[poison123]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

20" is not going to reliably get you to a mile. You'd be sending a 139gr Scenar at around 2750 max I think.......

I think your looking at the wrong cartridge if your shooting to a mile.

 

[Graham]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

1) You don't need an AW.
2) There are no tactical matches that shoot out to a mile.
3) If you want to push the .260 to a mile you are better off loading it to 2.9+ than to 2.8+
4) That means you can use the extra 6" of barrel.

 

[SOC308]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1) You don't need an AW.
2) There are no tactical matches that shoot out to to a mile.
3) If you want to push the .260 to a mile you are better off loading it to 2.9+ than to 2.8+
4) That means you can use the extra 6" of barrel. </div></div>

+1

 

[Barfly]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1) You don't need an AW.
2) There are no tactical matches that shoot out to a mile.
3) If you want to push the .260 to a mile you are better off loading it to 2.9+ than to 2.8+
4) That means you can use the extra 6" of barrel. </div></div>

1. Why wouldn't I want a proven, reliable rifle that can get a little sand, dirt, snow, etc in the action and keep running? What would you recommend instead?
2. TVP runs local matches, including last month ranging 300-1200 yards with a bonus 1650 yard target.
3. I read that Frank "Lowlight" has gotten 2850 fps out of his 21" 260, so maybe shooting 1200 yards and in would be fine for the 20" Ax.

 

[Barfly]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

And for reference on Frank's load, I read this thread:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...239#Post2917191

130gr VLD running 2850 and 139gr Scenar 2750+.

I have no experience with the 260, so that's why I was asking for input. Thanks.

 

[Graham]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Barfly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1. Why wouldn't I want a proven, reliable rifle that can get a little sand, dirt, snow, etc in the action and keep running? What would you recommend instead?
2. TVP runs local matches, including last month ranging 300-1200 yards with a bonus 1650 yard target.
3. I read that Frank "Lowlight" has gotten 2850 fps out of his 21" 260, so maybe shooting 1200 yards and in would be fine for the 20" Ax.</div></div>1. An AE.
2. Those aren't tactical matches.
3. Sure, but you'll have to load long to walk away from anemic performance with short barrels.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

My rounds are loaded to 2.830" and I get those MVs out of my 21" barrel... they feed great. Excellent accuracy too...

 

[Barfly]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
1. An AE.
2. Those aren't tactical matches.
3. Sure, but you'll have to load long to walk away from anemic performance with short barrels. </div></div>

1. 26" AE would suit me fine then?
2. Sorry, I was using that term loosely, basically I would be interested in using it for non-benchrest matches and true tactical matches, mostly out to 1200 yards and occasionally beyond.

 

[Barfly]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

I don't see an AE 260 offering, only AX and AW. I wanted something bombproof which is why I was leaning towards the AW over the AE.

 

[Graham]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My rounds are loaded to 2.830" and I get those MVs out of my 21" barrel... they feed great. Excellent accuracy too... </div></div>I'll play: How do you do that? Not that it's impossible, just that it's not a dedicated 1200+ rig either.

Because although the short gun might make it 1200, if I was building a 6.5 rifle to shoot 1200 yards and beyond I would want a 26" bbl on my .260 and load 139-142's at 2.950.

OP, no worries about the AE being robust. You can add a custom chambered .260 bbl for less than you pay for an AW.

 

[poison123]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My rounds are loaded to 2.830" and I get those MVs out of my 21" barrel... they feed great. Excellent accuracy too... </div></div>I'll play: How do you do that? Not that it's impossible, just that it's not a dedicated 1200+ rig either.

Because although the short gun might make it 1200, if I was building a 6.5 rifle to shoot 1200 yards and beyond I would want a 26" bbl on my .260 and load 139-142's at 2.950.

OP, no worries about the AE being robust. You can get a custom .260 bbl for less than you pay for an AW. </div></div>

Graham my 22" .260 hits 2790 with a 139 scenar loaded to 2.820

 

[Graham]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

2790 from a 22" is good. 2850 from a 21" is very good.

 

[poison123]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2790 from a 22" is good. 2850 from a 21" is very good. </div></div>

Ya but that 2850 he's getting is using a 130gr bullet.

 

[bward]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

If you can afford an AW or AX get it over the AE. You would probably just end up wishing you would have got the more expensive AW or AX.

 

[wiganbear]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

Lets us know how you get on with the AW if you go down that route. I'm getting a 26inch .260 barrel for my AW in the next few months and also looking at the viper skins for it as well.

If I was buying again I probably go for the AX as it has more adjustment if you want a 26inch tube I would imagine they would just put one on for you.

 

[Barfly]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

Alex at Europtics has 2 offerings, 20" Ax loaded and 24" Ax without quick adjust features and without brake. I will probably go with the 24".

 

[Barfly]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

Done. Ordered 24" Ax with 16" forend, no frills, no brake. Thanks for the input.

 

[Graham]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

Congrats! Good choice. You won't be disappointed.

 

[RollinCoal11]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

Thats awesome. Did he have it in stock

 

[Barfly]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Truckman11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thats awesome. Did he have it in stock</div></div>

No, he ordered an assortment, expected to be in around February. I just placed dibs on one.

 

[poison123]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

You bought it from the right place. Alex and Euro Optic have the best CS I've seen period!

 

[bm11]

Re: Ax 260 20" or AW 260 26"

Congrats, AI purchases are ones you will never regret.