Talk to me about the 260 Remington

[Lrdchaos]

Just when I thought I was 100% set on the 6.5 Creedmoor I read up on the 260. Let me hear some opinions from people who have or have shot both. Either caliber I chose will be one that I pass down to my son in 14 years. So I want it to be a caliber that won't disappear.

Thanks

 

[Redmanss]

Got both, .260 bolt and 6.5CM semi. Neither are going anywhere but up. It used to be said (and still is repeated often) if you don't reload get the 6.5CM, but there is a lot of fine factory .260 match ammo available as well. Maybe not WalMart or Bass Pro/Cabelas available for other than hunting ammunition, but it's certainly out there from the likes of HSM (various dealers), Southwest Ammunition or Copper Creek.

Flip a coin, you can't go wrong with either.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

you wont be shooting either of those cartridges much if you plan to hand this thing down in 14 yrs. barrel life is 3k'ish. if you only shoot 200rds a year it will be junk by then. i say pick one and shoot it out and if its not all you wanted rebarrel to the other cartridge and try it. this stuff wouldnt be a big deal if people wouldnt become so emotionally attached to things. its just a rifle with a barrel that will need replaced. would you hand down a car you buy now with the same tires on it 14yrs from now?

 

[BoilerUP]

Neither will be a 308 in terms of longevity...but neither are going away any time soon.

If anything, introduction of the 6.5 Creedmoor and massive initial support by Hornady helped the 260 secure a foothold outside of the niche it previously floundered in due to Remington's malfeasance.

 

[bhart89]

I've found way more .260 brass than 6.5 brass available in my neck of the woods.

 

[wtopace]

I like .260 because it is so easy to neck down .308 / neck up .243 brass (I prefer reforming .308). If you already shoot .308, you'll always be able to get .260 brass.

 

[Cobracutter]

Seriosuly, go 6.5CM. It is soo much cheaper and plentifull.

You can find VERY good factory 120/140Amax loads for $20-23 a box.
Quality .260 starts around $30 a box and goes up, when you can even find it.

$1/rd vs $1.50+/rnd.........wih 99.99% the exact ballistics.......its really not even a question.


This is coming from a .260 owner/shooter.

 

[6brshooter]

I had both and just have creed now. The 260 just seemed finicky to get a good load worked up, then it was hard to keep in tune. I have read that R Whitely believes there to be some annomally in the nk/shoulder angle of the 260. If u form brass from 243 u make a donut that has to be nk turned out, if u use 308 the whole nk needs to be turned as it gets thicker from the forming process. I used nosler260 brass and the cases still got donuts in 7-8 firings. Switched to lapua and never could get the load retuned to shoot as good as the nosler load. Plus some of the lapua got donuts. That was in a factory tikka sporter barrel. At about 1500-1800 rds it started throwing shots 1"+ out of the group, i was actually pretty happy. Rebarreled to 243ai and sold my 260 dies, never again.

 

[Captain Kirk]

They are very similar in performance, but there are a few things that set them apart. The 6.5CM makes a little better use of the case papacity, it is a more efficient design and offers a shorter OAL. The 6.5CM is also the choice if your looking for plentiful match quality ammo. I will tell you from personal experience, the 6.5CM runs on the edge of the pressure spectrum, I have seen many blown primers and scary pressure signs using factory ammo/load specs. The 260 is a longer case, and if you can run a longer OAL than 2.80 (AOL of the 140 Amax 6.5CM), this is where the 260 starts to have a edge over the 6.5CM, be it a slight edge. I found you can get higher velocities and less pressure signs with the 260, and longer brass life if you have the mag length.

You really cant go wrong either way, they will shoot side by side. If your a handloader, I would opt for the 260 but I am a little old school. I run a 6.5CM POF gasser, mainly due to the fact they are limited to a OAL of 2.80 in the mag.

Kirk Roberts

 

[hollowoutadime]

I was in the same boat, looking at both. Very similar performance. Went with an AI in 260 as Lapua makes 260 brass. 243 can be resized, but factory Lapua 260 is just a home run.