Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

[6.5BR]

Looking to do a fluted barrel 21.5-22" max 700 varmint contour, in a 6.5mm, using a custom action in a short XCR stock.

Decision is between the 260 and 47L only.

What chambering would you do?

My thoughts, the 47 as I won't be competing nor shooting long distance and brass costs won't be as much an issue for 200 pieces or so. That should wear the bbl out I figure.

Can anyone tell me about the muzzle blast difference in the two rounds in 21-22" bbls?

Thanks guys.

 

[DarinR]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

6.5BR,

Muzzle blast will be slightly less in the Lapua but I am not sure if it will be noticeable to the human ear.

Are you planning to hunt or punch paper/steel? At what distance?

I had a Rem .260 Model 7 that I took a nice buck with 8 or so years ago and it only had a 20" barrel. Only sold it becaus of the crappy factory stock and the LIGHT barrel contour. Found out I much prefer a Rem Varmint contour for hunting. I now have a FN/SPR action in .260 Rem with a fluted 23" barrel in a McMillan Winchester Varmint stock. Right weight, right caliber for anything I will be hunting.

I prefer the .260 for a hunting 6.5 and the Creedmoor or Lapua for a target gun.

My .02,
Darin Reiss
FFL/SOT in Haysville, KS

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

Hi Darin,

My use is hunting and informal paper, but I love accuracy and brass quality a concern w/RP brass, my best groups have been in past using FC 708 and 308 brass in a Sako, but WW 708 and Lapua is said to be the best way to go.

I want an all out custom for quality in every component, and max accuracy. With a 47, most seem to get easy well under sub 1/2moa, I wonder what I would get, consistently with a 260, and w/o sorting brass and turning necks, I like to K.I.S.S.

I may change ranges, now I shoot to just over 400 yds, but I could reach out much further at the other range, to 1k if I wanted, but likely 600 would be as much as I'd care to spend much time. I like banging gongs, and 90-95% of all my shooting is likely going to be up to 400 yds inc. deer so either round will do what I need.

I was hoping if I had the 47, w/o a muzzle break I might be able to spot hits like my 6BR. The BR has spoiled me on accuracy, and I'd hate to do a all out custom in 260 and not get the accuracy I'd expect.

Darin, tell me if you can what your accuracy is in your custom. And what brass if you don't mind.

Thanks much for your input, and welcome others.

 

[CCooper]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

I just went thru the same decision and went with the 6.5x47. The main reason was brass quality (I hate brass prep.). Also, on a short action 260, if you seat the bullet where it should be, you may not be able to magazine with the long bullets. I also believe the 47 gives up very little to the 260.

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

Thanks CC. Good points.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

6.5BR,

260 vs 47L? Not taking a side as this is a personal decision for you, but have you seen this article:

6.5 shootout

On another subject, something is going in the mail for you today!!!

Thanks,

Bob

 

[cinosbus]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

47

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

Hi Bob, yes seen that before, was in contact with Zak a good bit in the past and keeping up with his articles, pre-press at times.

I am sure I'd be happy either way. Out the box brass is becoming a strong factor in this...if only Lapua or WW offered good affordable brass....I just don't trust RP 'as is' to give as consistent results. Hear Norma/Nosler is soft and primer pockets not holding tight long like Lapua 47 or 6BR brass does, so overall longevity factors in as well as consistency.

Thanks Bob, looking forward to it.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

Yes, good brass is always a problem for the 260 rem. You could of course buy Lapua 243 brass and neck up. It would be an extra step, but might be worth it. I like the 260 over 6.5x47 only because of case capacity; same velocity less pressure.

But either will do the job, and do it well.

Bob

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

I am spoiled to 6mmBRs and even 7BRs in rifles giving me minimal muzzle rise and modest blast, so I was looking to the 47 as a 'go between' in those areas, but agree, as much or more speed at lower pressures. Performance is not a big issue, been running 130s at 2780 in my 260 Sako and 6.5x55 and the latter flattened a deer last year at 250 yds, an Accubond.

Lapua missed the boat I think not offering 260 stamped brass, at 09 Shot show, they stated, No Go, to mfg. 260 brass. I guess they'd rather RP take some of that market. Same thing with 6x47, No Go so loaders have to reform. Ashame they are not 'in tune' w/buying public.

Can anyone say if the blast is much different in the two? Tradeoffs....I can probably be happy either way

 

[DarinR]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

Hi BR6.5,

Sorry for the delayed response.

I haven't shot the .260 yet. I am still playing with my 6.5CM barrel on my AW that I recently got from GAP. I hope to begin testing the .260 this next weekend.

I plan on using Win 7mm-08 brass and resizing after I use up the Rem I have from 10 years ago.

I hope this helps,
Darin

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

Today my 12 yr old son said something about a big tax increase on guns/ammo by Obama, if it is true or becomes true, I don't want to think about relying on brass from across the pond as 260 is ready made from many cases.

I am now leaning to the 260 for ensuring a solid supply of brass/ammo. I can always download some rounds for reduced muzzle lift if I am not able to spot hits with full loads.

Darin I have 200 RP cases purchased in the last 1-2yr so perhaps my batch will be better than when I used them in the first run a decade ago in my 6.5-308. WW 308 brass shot best in that gun - go figure! Lol.

I will likely do as you and use some WW 708 cases as I hear it works well to make into great 260 brass.

 

[deweycapt]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

6.5 I have a 260 700 reworked kregger barrel. I use resized lapua 243s and it drives tacks.size up and your done.Ive never had a bad batch of brass!yet!!!I shoot 85s to 139 grainers and it doesnt care it shoots them very well.Good luck!

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

Thanks, going 260.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

My experience with necking up WW .243 brass to make .260 is all good. I like the case capacity, and the things it can do with a 95gr V-Max. The 142SMK is much at home on the 1000yd line.

More volume/less pressure, coupled with a longer barrel (mine is 28") seems to be a recipe for long and productive throat life.

In the shorter barrel, getting the 95V up to around 3200fps should not be a chore (I figure I'm running somewhere around 3500fps in the 28" 1:8" barrel, and I'm kinda amazed that the bullets are holding together), and 120-129gr bullets might make believers out of critics. With the short barrel, longer bullets may not be at their prime, so a 1:8" twist is probably not needed.

Ramshot lists their loads as tested with a 24" 1:9" barrel, and has minimums that put the 142SMK out as slow as 2350fps. I think that may be a bit optimistic with regard to stability, but I also think you could beat that velocity fairly easily with the 22" bore and 142SMK. You'd only need another 100-150fps to make 1Kyd very feasible.

Again, in this instance, the larger case capacity might be a saving grace where throat life is concerned.

Greg

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

Thanks Greg for the comments. I was initially thinking 20-23" max, want something short compact. Latest thoughts it's prolly 21.5 or 22.5", 22 just seems to 'generic' lol.

My 6.5x55 in 22" gets 2700 easy and another 100 might be there with a different powder, using up some IMR 4350 now in Lapua. Sons 260 not quite as fast in 22 5/8", works with 9t and 140 and 142s.

I was initially looking at the 130 Bergers in the 6.5x47 and still think it would be a good one for this 260. I could get some crazy notion last minute and do the 47, but common sense K.I.S.S. mindset says the 260 is going to do me just fine and have some attributes the 47 cannot have, abundant US made brass, and easy to form from the 308 family of brass is a big factory, more factory ammo does not hurt, and no custom dies needed as well. I may do some work with 123s, current range is out to 415, but I may change to another where it goes to 1k.

I have plenty 130 ABs for hunting, should last me a long time.

Are you busting coyotes with 95s? If so, it must turn them inside out

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

I appreciate your concerns about shorter barrels and loads.

I have some fairly set and idiosyncratic views on the matter.

There are rifles, and there are carbines, and they have different applications.

I think that if I'm going to be in close enough quarters to mandate a short weapon profile, I'm not going to be wanting a rifle.

I wouldn't even be wanting a carbine.

I'd be wanting a short shotgun, a MP, and/or a hicap pistol with at least a .40 caliber chambering. I really like the Kel-Tec and would try for interchangeable magazines and ammo with the Handgun.

The carbine would be for dodge and run outdoors, where high speed mobility is the issue, and accommodations to precision accuracy and deliberate shooting are more superfluous. It'd be a semi. Period.

For anything that's permitting setup and concentration, I think a bolt rifle is the answer, and compromises are out of the question. Either go long, or don't bother.

My rifle is as long, within 1/2", as can lay flat in a case within my vehicle. Bigger car, I'd consider an even longer barrel than 28".

There is no sling, and I have no intentions of carrying it any further than from the car to the bench/slab and back again. My physical imitations prevent conventional sling supported position shooting, and it's a bitter loss, believe me.

A short bolt gun is a bastardization, tries to do too many things, and compromises on too many of them.

But that's just me and my old idiosyncratic viewpoint...

Greg

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Which 6.5mm in a XCR compact? 260 vs 47L ?

Just all depends on how you use your equipment. I chopped a 223 once from 26 to 22.5 as it was a bugger using it for a 'truck gun' and I never missed the 100 fps and was much faster to get in action. Thanks again.