Need Both? Same Caliber? 260 / 308

[03psd]

I need some advice. I am at a crossroads and need guidance.

I currently have a 700LH LTR with a USO ST10. I handload for it and its been good to me. Its factory stock with the exception of a PTG shroud and firing pin assembly. I also have a basically new LMT MWS with a USO SN3 chambered in .260. It has a PRS stock, 20" SS barrel and is a very nice, albeit heavy rifle. I have a bunch of reloading supplies for it as well but havent done much with it.

The decision comes about because I want to have some work done on my bolt gun. I know it can shoot considerably better with an aftermarket barrel and by having the action trued and either a new or tuned trigger installed. If I get it built I will also do a bolt release, DBM, threaded barrel (18-20"), etc. The question is what caliber? go back with .308 or go to .260?? If we agree that .260 is superior than do I need the MWS? Do many folks keep a bolt and precision gas gun in the same caliber? sell the MWS and move the SN3 to a built .260? always keep a .308 bolt gun? If it matters my range is limited to 600 yards and I now dont anticipate ever living where I will have ready access to 1k+ pokes.

 

[CrazyDonkey]

Re: Need Both? Same Caliber? 260 / 308

If it was me, I would sell the gas gun and re-barrel the LTR for .260, I also doubt I will ever have two rifles in the same caliber, all personal preference though.

Then again I'm building a 18" .260 on a Tikka T3 so my opinion is probably discounted from the get go.

 

[The Gump]

Re: Need Both? Same Caliber? 260 / 308

Sell the bolt gun and have a .308 barrel cut for the LMT.

I have a .308 CL 16" MWS. My factory LMT barrel isn't that great. I bought a used .308 barrel off the hide, harvested the barrel extension and gas block from it, and installed them onto Mike Rock barrel chambered in .260. So far it shoots solid. I've only shot 55 rounds through it...

Point being, I feel the factory barrels leave more to be desired. So, if you had a high quality 16" barrel installed you would have enough accuracy and energy to get you out to 600, your barrel will last longer, your brass will last longer, and you will have a semi-auto .308.

I still want a .308 bolt gun though.

Thats just my opinion.

 

[rlr]

Re: Need Both? Same Caliber? 260 / 308

Keep the gas gun if you get out of it what you want.

Build the bolt gun, back to .308.

You can never have too many! I would always want to keep a 308.....or two, but not rely on the gas gun to suit all my needs(wants).

Good Luck!

 

[whycanti]

Re: Need Both? Same Caliber? 260 / 308

Why not keep both and rebarrel the 700 to 260. Then you could switch your barrel back and forth if you wanted.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Need Both? Same Caliber? 260 / 308

I think you should consider your philosophy of use (to quote Nutnfancy). He can be a goofball, but he makes good points sometimes.

Seriously, what it is you want to achieve with your two rifles? If it is casual target shooting, it doesn't seem like you've got your equipment squared away.

The way I see it, a 260 gasgun is a really specific system. I have one specifically for the role of secondary shooter for the Mammoth Sniper Challenge, where fast follow up shots are important, and light recoil of the 260 is an advantage over the 308.

Unless you have a compelling reason to keep the AR as a 260, I think most people could explain a 260 bolt gun alongside a 308 gasgun a lot more easily than the reverse.

 

[03psd]

Re: Need Both? Same Caliber? 260 / 308

thanks guys. some advice I got suggested getting the bolt chambered in 260 and keep the gasgun in 260. The thought being that having 2 calibers for essentially the same purpose is not efficient. I will admit I am reluctant to not have any .308 on hand. Maybe I should just pick up another bolt andhave it built in .260 and get a spare barrel for the MWS in 308 to have all the bases covered.

 

[JWV]

Re: Need Both? Same Caliber? 260 / 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 03psd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thanks guys. some advice I got suggested getting the bolt chambered in 260 and keep the gasgun in 260. The thought being that having 2 calibers for essentially the same purpose is not efficient. I will admit I am reluctant to not have any .308 on hand. Maybe I should just pick up another bolt andhave it built in .260 and get a spare barrel for the MWS in 308 to have all the bases covered. </div></div>

I think most on this website have a lot of rifles that serve the exact same purpose/niche. I do love the 308 but if you are going to put money into the bolt gun why not optimize your performance and do a 260? The only way I can see doing a 308 is if you wanted to compete in F-tr matches or didn't reload. This is coming from a guy who has a bolt gun in both 260, 308, and a gas gun in 308 with two of the three being factory unmodified. 6's and 6.5s are in the future for those.