Do people still shoot .260 Rem?

[Maverick223]

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.

I see. That's the article I'm familiar with. Any experience with the .260SLR that pdd614 linked to?...seems like a nifty solution that would give up a negligible amount of capacity for a return on investment of a longer neck (for longer projectiles without having to seat it beyond a short action magazine length) and sharper angle (thus reducing trimming). That said, I have always shied away from the AIs for fear of encountering feeding problems.

 

[helotaxi]

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.

True, but to the Creedmoor doesn't have to give up case capacity to load long, high BC bullets to short action mag length. It was designed with exactly that use in mind. The .260 Rem, on the other hand has to give up capacity with long bullets because of OAL restrictions. Only way around that is to go with a long action. If you're already going with a long action, you may as well move up to even more case capacity with something like a .264 Win Mag or a 6.5-06.

 

[pdd614]

I never said anything about a cartridges "inherent accuracy." All I am saying is that a 30 degree shoulder requires less case trimming. We all know by now that accuracy comes from a quality barrel and a true chamber.

I consider trimming to be brass prep, or maybe worse than brass prep. Things like deburring flash holes, turning necks, fire forming, etc are all one time events. Having to trim a case after each firing is much more time consuming over the life of the barrel. I was just pointing out the trimming as another example of why I don't shoot 260, and the 6.5slr does away with the whole "not enough case capacity argument of the 6.5x47 vs. 260." Which as was discussed in another thread, I think the spped of the x47 vs. the 260 is a moot point.

By the way, I hate brass prep too. I don't do any of the above mentioned things when reloading. Another reason to use lapua brass when available!
I honestly think that if lapua would have come out with something like the 6.5slr from the beginning instead of the x47. The 260 would have gone back to a squandering chamber that nobody shoots very much.

 

[Maverick223]

Another reason to use lapua brass when available!

Bingo!

 

[Zak Smith]

For reference, from the 6.5SLR page

The 6.5 mm Super LR is a 6.5 mm wildcat cartridge with a powder capacity of 55.5 gr of water weight (i.e. similar to a .260 Remington) but with a long neck and the proven 30 degree shoulder angle that is seen so often in the top performing accuracy cartridges.

...seems like a nifty solution that would give up a negligible amount of capacity for a return on investment of a longer neck (for longer projectiles without having to seat it beyond a short action magazine length)

That second part starting with "for longer projectiles..." does not make sense. There is no need to seat .260 Rem longer than magazine length for any accuracy or ballistic purpose-- at least not until someone makes a 160gr VLD (and even then it wouldn't be required unless the ogive was too long).

True, but to the Creedmoor doesn't have to give up case capacity to load long, high BC bullets to short action mag length. It was designed with exactly that use in mind. The .260 Rem, on the other hand has to give up capacity with long bullets because of OAL restrictions.

Again, this is not true either. The 6.5CM has less case capacity than the .260 so it will always have less usable capacity when seated to the same OAL. There is no restriction in OAL in .260 with 139-142gr bullets.

I never said anything about a cartridges "inherent accuracy."

I was referring to the inferred advantages of "6.5x47-like geometry" (see the quote from the 6.5SLR web site)

All I am saying is that a 30 degree shoulder requires less case trimming

FWIW, I never case trim. I do use Redding Competition shell-holders and minimally full-length size.

 

[pdd614]

I am glad to hear you never have to trim the 260. As stated before, my experience was from shooting 308 in a factory remington chamber. I don't wish excessive case trimming on anybody. I put my foot in my mouth over the "inherent accuracy statement", and I am glad we agree on that point. But you have to admit, the 6.5slr does seem logical. Especially if lapua had made factory brass for it. For now I am sticking with the x47, and don't feel at any disadvantage in doing so.

 

[DIM]

I tried it 260 REM and I was getting 4 - 5 " groups using 139 gr Lapua Scenar at 300 yards, hell my 223 shoots 1"@300 with v-max ;-) If you need 260 to shoot perfect groups, you need custom build, the one I tired couldn't group, and manufacture couldn't fix it.

 

[Zak Smith]

I'm not against cartridges like the .260AI or 6.5SLR at all. I'd love to shoot a 140gr VLD at 3200 fps from a cartridge the same size as a .308. That's not going to happen, but I appreciate the sentiment. Some of the arguments for alternative cartridges are misguided IMO, but some are laudable. I am an engineer and my focus with shooting is on what - in the end - helps me make more first-round hits. I personally don't want to be hamstrung by component availability or by having to spend a lot of (read: any) time doing case prep, or re-prep. I'd rather spend that time shooting. FWIW I once considered building a 6.5-7.5 Swiss until I discovered the case head wouldn't fit my favorite bolt head.

 

[Maverick223]

That second part starting with "for longer projectiles..." does not make sense. There is no need to seat .260 Rem longer than magazine length for any accuracy or ballistic purpose-- at least not until someone makes a 160gr VLD (and even then it wouldn't be required unless the ogive was too long).

I thought there were 160gr. Scenars...upon doing a bit of research it seems that the only 160s are RN hunting projectiles (with an outstanding SD).

In hindsight, I think I'll stick with my plan for a unfooledaroundwith .260Rem. Virtually guaranteed components, better feeding, and plenty of performance. I neck-size unless FL sizing is required so it seems that trimming won't be much of a problem either.

 

[PedalBiker]

I bought an Adams & Bennett barrel in .260 for a savage 110 (long action, short magazine). I liked it pretty well, but ended up cutting it down to 19". Now it's a really handy little mountain gun (but not particularly light weight).

I really like it, though to be honest a 7mm-08 would probably be just as good.

I'd be interested in a Rem model 7 or one of the new lightweight Savages in 260. It's just a great deer round.

I see no need for the 6.5 creedmore and I don't find Remington brass to be a problem. I'm not that good a shot. If I can't find 260 brass it's easy to make it from 243 or 7mm-08.

 

[Maverick223]

I really like it, though to be honest a 7mm-08 would probably be just as good.

After cutting your barrel that short, I believe the 7mm-08Rem. would have been a better choice. At 19in. the .260Rem. is really hampered.

I'd be interested in a Rem model 7 or one of the new lightweight Savages in 260.

The Model 11: Lightweight Hunter? Looks like an outstanding super-light hunting rifle. Planning to get one of those myself. Haven't decided whether to go with a .260Rem. or 7mm-08Rem. for the reason listed above (I like the .260 better, but the barrel really needs a couple more inches; I'd really prefer about 24in. even if it adds 0.5lb).

I see no need for the 6.5 creedmore and I don't find Remington brass to be a problem.

Have you ever tried good brass? Luckily brass is no longer a problem whether you like Rem. or not.

 

[DIM]

Maverick, you missed my point, I tried it (12 LRP) and its crap.

 

[50below]

To answer your original question: Yes. And yes, there are quite of few 6.5mm cases out there. I haven't shot 260 Rem for LR since this weekend in my Pre 64 Win M70 across the course rifle. This has cleaned every yard line of the LR course (sadly, not this week end..but NOT the rifle or catridge's fault, unless you consider the loose nut behind the trigger). I also have an M-1A in 260 Rem that is really nice. If I were going to build a match rifle in 6.5mm I would do it in the Creedmoor or Lapua versions as I like their neck/shoulder designs better. But since I starting shooting 260 across the course in 2001, that wasn't an option and I know from experinece that the money and ass pain of making your own reamer and forming brass isn't worth it in most cases.

 

[Maverick223]

Maverick, you missed my point, I tried it (12 LRP) and its crap.

Huh?...referring to this:

If you need 260 to shoot perfect groups, you need custom build, the one I tired couldn't group, and manufacture couldn't fix it.

FWIW, I'm planning a custom build (might add a hunting rifle in the same chambering, but that is undecided ATM). Probably will be a GAP Templar action (almost a certainty), JAE-700SA stock (the AICS is still a consideration, but the J.Allen is probably the one i'll end up with), Jewell Bottom Safety Trigger, either Krieger, Bartlein, or Schneider/Pac-Nor polygonal bbl (still undecided, but my current Krieger delivers so why change?), and USO SN-3 T-PAL with Mil/Mil: "Mil-Scale MPR reticle" & EREK knob (pretty well decided on this too). I expect slightly better than 5.0in. groups (by at least one order of magnitude)...if I use smooth rocks for projectiles.

 

[DIM]

good for you Maverick, get one, I will build one on my 110 action shortly or on 12 target when I get it back...

 

[Kerf]

Plus, I notice the .260 Rem is being made available in the AR platform. A 100gr hollow point in 6.5 is a great varmint combo, and you can always go up from there. If that suits ya'...

kerf

 

[DIM]

DPMS makes Panther LR-260, and I've read review on LRH http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/dpms-panther-lr-260l-review-1.php
seems to be good, just like Zak's review on 260 ;-)

 

[Shmackey]

Dumb question: Can you rebarrel a .308 Win action to 6.5x47 Lapua just like you can rebarrel it to .260 Rem?

 

[Maverick223]

Dumb question: Can you rebarrel a .308 Win action to 6.5x47 Lapua just like you can rebarrel it to .260 Rem?

Not a dumb question. Yeah, it sure can, the cartridge is a bit shorter so length isn't a problem, and the base/rim is the same so you can use the same bolt. Furthermore, there is no guarantees here (same for any new chambering), but it should feed from the magazine without any problems.

 

[Fat_46]

I just got back from a weekend in the prairie dog fields. I had just recently finished a super heavy barrel 260 project. Between the 260 and the 204, my other rifles were never uncased. I decided on the 260 after months of research, and can honestly say I've never shot a better rifle. The 260 was a laser out to 250, and drop was very predictable out to 600(the longest we had available).

 

[Zak Smith]

Here are some .260's from the SS earlier this month