About six or seven years ago (I think), it looked like .260 Remington was an improvement over .308 for long-range shooting. I think a lot of new 6.5-mm and 7-mm calibers have come out since then--some also suitable for short actions--and now I don't hear much about .260 Remington. Did it ever catch on?
Do people still shoot .260 Rem?
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Zak Smith
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What you hear depends on who you listen to.
I would say the .260 is the most popular "better than .308" cartridge in the LR circles I'm in. There have not been many new 6.5 and 7mm cartridges since 2005, IMO. The only two I can think of that are relevant are 6.5x47 and 6.5 Creedmoor. The former is a little slower than .260, the latter is substantially identical.
The .260 won #1 and #2 at the 2011 Steel Safari, with at least 5 of the top 10 shooters using it.
http://demigodllc.com/articles/the-case-for-260-remington/
http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-shootout-260-6.5x47-6.5-creedmoor/
Survey data
http://demigodllc.com/articles/steel-safari-2010/?p=3
http://demigodllc.com/articles/colorado-multigun-steel-safari-2009/?p=3
http://demigodllc.com/articles/colorado-multigun-steel-safari-2008/?p=3
I don't have the 2011 survey data crunched yet.
I would say the .260 is the most popular "better than .308" cartridge in the LR circles I'm in. There have not been many new 6.5 and 7mm cartridges since 2005, IMO. The only two I can think of that are relevant are 6.5x47 and 6.5 Creedmoor. The former is a little slower than .260, the latter is substantially identical.
The .260 won #1 and #2 at the 2011 Steel Safari, with at least 5 of the top 10 shooters using it.
http://demigodllc.com/articles/the-case-for-260-remington/
http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-shootout-260-6.5x47-6.5-creedmoor/
Survey data
http://demigodllc.com/articles/steel-safari-2010/?p=3
http://demigodllc.com/articles/colorado-multigun-steel-safari-2009/?p=3
http://demigodllc.com/articles/colorado-multigun-steel-safari-2008/?p=3
I don't have the 2011 survey data crunched yet.
Friend of mine who was an avid long range competitor shot a 6.5-.284 mostly. It's a reasonable amount faster than a .260 but much like the .260 it is more flexible in a long action. The 6.5 Creedmoor was designed to overcome that limitation. The .260 is a great cartridge that was severely hindered by the lack of available ammo and more importantly brass. Until a few months ago, you were forced to either use Remington brass, which was largely junk, or form brass by necking up or down another member of the .308 family of cartridges. Meanwhile many other cartridges were out there that had better support and could do essentially the same thing or better. Like most other recent cartridges with Remington behind them, other companies have had to come along to really make it everything it could be. Savage brought out several rifles in .260 this year, but Remington doesn't chamber a current rifle for it.
GooseGestapo
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I do. Just aquired it about 4mos ago. It's a used Remington Mod-7 CDL.
Original owner claimed it wouldn't shoot anything but light bulleted loads accurately, and not especially then.
I worked a little "magic" on it. It now shoots at or just under 1moa with most of my "pet" loads of 120-160gr bullet loads. It dosen't like max loads, but is very good with loads just under most max loads (~95% loads).
I'll let you know how I like it on big game in about 6mos...... (But I don't expect any "issues". However, I don't expect it to be remarkably better than either of my .25cal rifes nor the 7mm's).
Original owner claimed it wouldn't shoot anything but light bulleted loads accurately, and not especially then.
I worked a little "magic" on it. It now shoots at or just under 1moa with most of my "pet" loads of 120-160gr bullet loads. It dosen't like max loads, but is very good with loads just under most max loads (~95% loads).
I'll let you know how I like it on big game in about 6mos...... (But I don't expect any "issues". However, I don't expect it to be remarkably better than either of my .25cal rifes nor the 7mm's).
jimmyraythomason
Member
I still don't know anybody personally who has one or even acknowledges it's existance. This is still mostly 30.06,.270 and 30-30 country.
The 260 has been my go to rifle for deer since `96 and likely will continue for the rest of my hunting career. I started with a M700 and went to a Kimber when they came out.
Low recoil, very accurate, and kills as well as any cartridge I` used to date (`06, 308, 7-08, 270).
Low recoil, very accurate, and kills as well as any cartridge I` used to date (`06, 308, 7-08, 270).
I recently picked up a Steyr ProHunter in 260. Besides being a Steyr it was the caliber that drew me to it. A ProHunter in 260 is as rare as hens teeth at least from what I've seen. I have heard that we will be seeing a greater variety of factory loads for the 260 in the near future.
Zak Smith
Member
Not true. I interviewed its inventor several years ago. The 6.5 Creedmoor has less case capacity (by a small amount), regardless of what OAL you load it to.
I thought the Creedmoor was designed as an off-the-shelf match-grade .260 round. (Not sure why they didn't just make off-the-shelf match-grade .260 Remington. Marketing?)
I already have some very good .308 brass. Presumably if I were going to rebarrel my Rem 700 action anyway, there would not be many downsides to getting that new barrel in .260.
I already have some very good .308 brass. Presumably if I were going to rebarrel my Rem 700 action anyway, there would not be many downsides to getting that new barrel in .260.
Zak Smith
Member
That was the intent-- given a blank slate, come up with a ideal match round.
http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-creedmoor-260-done-right/
There's no reason they couldn't have done that with the .260, but then it wouldn't have been their cartridge.
I'd be happy to arrange a .260 demo for you at some event around here.
http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-creedmoor-260-done-right/
Part of that strategy was to publish the load data used on the box of factory ammo.
There's no reason they couldn't have done that with the .260, but then it wouldn't have been their cartridge.
I'd be happy to arrange a .260 demo for you at some event around here.
Zak, I might take you up on that toward autumn, assuming I keep putting in my time to wear out this barrel. 
Needless to say, if I'm going to get a new barrel, I might as well get it threaded. And you can see where that's going....
Needless to say, if I'm going to get a new barrel, I might as well get it threaded. And you can see where that's going....
Sadly, the 260 did not catch on with the masses. Partly Remington's fault for for poor marketing and partly, the fact that the 260 had to fill a narrow niche between the popular 25-06 and 7mm-08. I think the 6.5's are an under rated hunting caliber. I started with the 6.5x55 which I'm very fond of and have harvested a lot of deer and hogs with. I recently lucked into a 260 that shoots multiple bullets/ loads from 120's to 140's very well. I can easily see this becoming one of my go to rifles. What's not to like:
mild recoil, inherently accurate, bullets with high BC's and SD's that just flat out get the job done!
mild recoil, inherently accurate, bullets with high BC's and SD's that just flat out get the job done!
I shoot quite a bit of it in my HS Precision. Have two loads, both 120 grain. One is a Matchking for range play and the other is a Sierra Pro Hunter. Both loads work with the B&C Leupold reticle out to 500...can't imagine needing more than that.
Maverick223
Member
Zak, are you abandoning the .260Rem. in favor of the 6.5Creedmoor? 
My next LR precision rifle will definitely be a 6.5mm, and I still favor the .260Rem. (because Lapua makes brass for it, and it has been around for a while), and am leaning towards an AI just for better brass life,...but if there is a major advantage i'm all ears.
My next LR precision rifle will definitely be a 6.5mm, and I still favor the .260Rem. (because Lapua makes brass for it, and it has been around for a while), and am leaning towards an AI just for better brass life,...but if there is a major advantage i'm all ears.
Mav, have you considered the 6.5 super long range? It is basically a long 6.5x47, that is made from 260 brass. I have over 10 firings on some of my x47 brass, and they still haven't had to be trimmed yet. The long neck and 30 degree shoulder angle are absolutely superb. I consider the 6.5slr to be almost the perfect short action 6.5. You get the case capacity of the 260, and the case dimensions of the x47. What is there not to like?
from left to right. 260 remington, 6.5 super long range, 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5x47 lapua.
The 6.5slr is a thing of beauty. See www.6mmar.com for reamers, dies, load data, etc.
from left to right. 260 remington, 6.5 super long range, 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5x47 lapua.
The 6.5slr is a thing of beauty. See www.6mmar.com for reamers, dies, load data, etc.
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Maverick223
Member
Haven't heard of it till just now. It does look pretty nifty though. The only thing that concerns me is it appears to require being turned down from .260Rem....an operation that I would rather forego. The .260AI, OTOH, only requires factory .260Rem. being shot in the appropriate chamber for forming. Not having experience with turning necks...this is far more appealing. That said, the purpose of the cartridge will be to stretch out to 1k or less (most likely in the sub-800yd range), with the .300Winnie taking anything beyond, so perhaps the standard 6.5x47mmLapua would suit me just as well (and use less powder as well as guarantee my supply of excellent brass). Fortunately the proposed new rig will be a spendy little venture, so I have plenty of time to decide...
[EDIT: After taking a look at the link you provided, I am far more impressed! I didn't even thin about using the .243Win. & fireforming!]
I'm sure I'll find something.
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The man who came up with the 6.5slr states that neck turning is not necessary when forming from winchester 243 brass, but I haven't heard any updates on lapua 260 brass. Looks like lapua 243 brass did indeed need neck turning. I actually formed some 6.5slr with some winchester 243 brass that I found at the range. I simply ran it through my x47 resizing die. It came out nice, and certainly got me thinking.
Sorry for robbing the thread, back to 260 talk.
Sorry for robbing the thread, back to 260 talk.
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Maverick223
Member
^Just found that out (and edited my original post). That is fantastic news...I think I found me case! Though I do hate to use something other than Lapua brass.
Thank you for the recommendation...I will have to ponder the decision, but it certainly looks promising.
Thank you for the recommendation...I will have to ponder the decision, but it certainly looks promising.
Zak Smith
Member
A lot of case prep?
We had some guys shooting .260 AI and after a barrel or two they went to straight .260 because of too much work vs. limited benefits.
If we can get .260's that shoot well under half and win matches, that proves to me they have all the "inherent" accuracy they need vs. a theoretical accuracy advantage of something that looks like 6.5x47
We had some guys shooting .260 AI and after a barrel or two they went to straight .260 because of too much work vs. limited benefits.
If we can get .260's that shoot well under half and win matches, that proves to me they have all the "inherent" accuracy they need vs. a theoretical accuracy advantage of something that looks like 6.5x47
No idea where that came from-- no. I just got 1500 pcs of Lapua .260 brass
Zak, from my experience shooting a 308 with lapua brass. I had to trim the brass after each firing, and considered that way to much case prep. I am just assuming it would be the same on a 260. But that is just an assumption, and I would like to hear your experience.
I know that after shooting a 308 for a while. I went out and bought a giraud case trimmer, because I hated the tedious process of trimming so much. Now my giraud is collecting alot of dust with the majority of my reloading going to the 6.5x47. Something to consider.
I know that after shooting a 308 for a while. I went out and bought a giraud case trimmer, because I hated the tedious process of trimming so much. Now my giraud is collecting alot of dust with the majority of my reloading going to the 6.5x47. Something to consider.
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I am fortunate to have one of the Remington 700's in 260. It has been a great shooter and has accounted for many deer and a few antelope. I have always been a fan of the .264 bullet and also have a Remington 700 in 6.5 mm magnum a cartridge that never caught on. I have been shooting a .308 for long range play but when I shoot the barrel out I am going to have a .260 built. Not sure why this cartridge has been essentially dropped from the Remington line and why more deer hunters have not embraced it.
Maverick223
Member
I have no intentions of hotrodding the .260 (I don't see the need), I just like the AI for the greater case life/less trimming. I welcome any other ideas.Zak Smith said:
Zak, you know me better than that...I don't now, nor have I ever bought into the theory of "inherent accuracy". No cartridge is inherently accurate...cartridges are made accurate. I shoot a .300WM belted magnum...which as we all know from reading the blogs/forums hasn't a change of producing the 0.5MOA that I achieve (when I do my part).Zak Smith said:
Your article seemed to suggest that you now favor the new 6.5Creedmoor.Zak Smith said:
Zak @ Demigod said:
7mm-08Rem.; not saying that it's justified (both are excellent low-recoil big game cartridges), but that's the reason.AKCOP said:
Zak Smith
Member
The only Lapua brass I ever "prep" is the .243 I turned into .260.
I was responding to
I put forward the 6.5CM's best attributes in that article. The later article that was the 6.5mm shootout concluded I would stay with .260. The .260 has more brass available and a tiny bit more capacity. In short, while the 6.5CM is what the .260 should have been originally (from an engineering and marketing perspective), the .260 has more support in the market.
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