AR build .260 or 6.5 creedmoor?

[VTmtn.man]

I am doing x 2 AR-10 builds & am looking to do at least one of them in 6.5mm. I'm trying to decide between the .260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor (6.5x284 is out for my own reasons). I am aware of the OAL & case capacity differences, though slight. The question is, which would be the better round in the future, based on availability / cost. I reload and can neck up or down brass, however, many moons from now that might not be the situation especially if I pass this gun down in the family.

Basically is the .260 here to stay, albeit on the fringes, or will the Creedmoor take off and become more mainstream? Any thoughts/comments/smart remarks... Thanks!

 

[Kachok]

As a 6.5mm fanatic I prefer the Creedmore, I somehow don't think brass and ammo is going to get hard to find anytime in the foreseeable future. I plan to get one myself.

 

[taliv]

If you shoot it much it doesn't matter. 3000-4000 rnds and you'll want a new barrel long before you pass it down. You can always change calibers when you rebarrel.

I'd go with the creedmoor because of the improved shoulder.

 

[VTmtn.man]

I can't quite figure out how an "improved" .260 i.e. Creedmor doesn't really surpass the .260 in fps or any stats on paper. I assume that the improved shoulder is all about not having to seat the bullet as deep to meet OAL specs for its parent 308 cartridge, is that it? I wonder how it is that with the improved shoulder it has aprox. 1/2 grain less case capacity. Can't knock it till I'v tried it. Just wondering how it's in any way better in a utilitarian or performance sense...

 

[mljdeckard]

I'm not as familiar with the Creedmoor, Can it use the same magazines and bolt as the .308?

 

[chaser_2332]

Go creedmoor that case is designed around a gas gun. The 260 is handicapped somewhat in a gasser by the oal of AR mags

 

[helotaxi]

The Creedmoor uses a shorter, improved case to duplicate the .260. It doesn't have an advantage until you get into the heavy, long bullets that won't fit in an AR10 magazine without giving up powder capacity by seating the bullet deeper in the .260. The .260 is the better choice IMO for a bolt gun with a generous magazine and a barrel throated for the longer bullets seated long. In a gas gun, the Creedmoor is the way to go.

If you're really worried about ammo and brass availability in the future, neither is a good choice as neither is poised to take the world by storm and become a real mainstream cartridge. I would go with either a .243 or 7-08 in an AR10 if long term ammo availability was a concern and I wanted something other than a .308.

 

[mljdeckard]

But can you not form .260 brass from .308 brass?

 

[mnhntr]

You can easily form brass from 243 or 7mm08 or 308 with a single pass through a FL sizer die to make 260 brass.

 

[Txhillbilly]

I have both calibers.A 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action,and a DPMS LR-260H AR10. I like them both,accuracy is almost identical with either.
Although factory ammo is available for both,I strictly handload for all my calibers. I use Hornady brass for the 6.5 CM,and resize Winchester 243 brass for the 260 Remington,I've never cared for Remington brass.

Both are great calibers,so you'll be happy with either one. I would've gotten the DPMS in 6.5 CM if they offered it with a 20" barrel,I just couldn't see having to cut off the barrel of a new rifle when they had what I wanted in the 260 Remington.

 

[Offfhand]

The .260 Rem is a super caliber for AR types. I have a .260 DPMS that amazes and delights my shooting pals when I let them shoot it at 600 yards. The gong is never safe. More and more shooter are discovering what a terrific caliber the .260 Rem is for hunting and long range target shooting. It will still be around and going strong long years from now when most of today's "boutique" calibers are long forgotten.

 

[VTmtn.man]

Great feedback! I did order a .260 barrel today so at least one of the AR builds is spoken for. My decision in the end hinged on the fact that I scavenge most of my brass at the local range where people generally throw it in the trash barrel. I pick up a couple hundred pieces once or twice/wk, plenty of .243, 708, 308. That and I already have 3 AR's in .308. It came down to readily available brass that costs me nothing to obtain.

The barrel was just about the last piece I had to decide on for this build so shortly my next dilemma will be what to do w/ the next AR-10 build.... I don't have anything specific in mind for this next one .338 Federal, .284 or other? Don't have any real voids in my gun safes' just thinking about a fun AR-10 build that is distinct enough from .308 & the other smaller AR-15 type varinats.

 

[aubie515]

If gas gun 6.5CM due to being able to seat bullet longer with mag.

If bolt action...either caliber will work since they are very similar.

Only real advantage to 6.5CM is being able to load bullet longer in semi auto.

 

[mljdeckard]

Is there a parent cartridge from which Creedmoor brass can easily be formed?

 

[henschman]

I faced the same decision (I am doing both a bolt gun and an AR) and set my mind on .260 because of the ability to use common brass. I have several other .308/7.62x51 rifles. I will try to stick with Lapua brass, but it would be nice to have the option.

 

[helotaxi]

Is there a parent cartridge from which Creedmoor brass can easily be formed?

I believe I read an article where they formed it from .250 Savage brass.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

I'd heard that the 6.5 Creedmore was developed from the 30TC. I checked the SAAMI specs and it looks like they're the same case with differences in the shoulder/neck due to the different bullets.

Given the (un)popularity of 30TC I'm not sure how helpful this information is but I think you could form 6.5 Creedmore from 30TC.

BTW - not to hijack the thread but I love my Icon in 30TC. It is accurate and duplicates 308 Win performance with my handloads. Keep on unloving this cartridge so I can pick up an all-weather rifle at clearance prices!

 

[scramasax]

The .260 is a .308 Win. necked down and trimmed. The 6.5 Creedmore is a .260 with minor changes in the case to make it more efficient and consistant with target loads.
Both can be made from quality .308 brass.

That is my understanding.

 

[helotaxi]

The .260 is a .308 Win. necked down and trimmed. The 6.5 Creedmore is a .260 with minor changes in the case to make it more efficient and consistant with target loads.
Both can be made from quality .308 brass.

The .260 is simply the .308 necked to .264 with no other changes. The growth of the neck is even accounted for from the .308 with a longer max case length. The Creedmoor case is shorter by almost 0.1" or more in every dimension; the shoulder, the base of the neck and the OAL. It *can* be made from .308 brass but you're talking about moving the shoulder back significantly, trimming a good bit and reaming the neck. It can made from .308 brass about as easily as .260 brass can be made from .30-06. It would be much easier made from .30TC brass but that is actually considerably more uncommon than Creedmoor brass is to begin with which kind of defeats the purpose. Creedmoor brass is available right now and the Hornady brass is very high quality. No need to form it from something else at this point.