I’ve been doing research on some guns I don’t know much about and this one came to mind mainly because I have an opportunity to buy one. Looks like it’s similar to a 6.5 creedmoor? I’ve read it’s a very soft shooter and good for deer to 600 yards and elk to 400 yards. Would it be worth it? The gun is a brand new savage with bushnell scope for $600. Any one have any direct shooter knowledge?
260 remington
- Thread starter Csinn
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adcoch1
Member
Kinda depends on what model. If it's a 10 series, it's a deal, but if it's a axis, not a great deal. Both are accurate, but the axis leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion...
25-20 WCF
Member
I‘ve shot .260s for over 20 years. The cartridge is a good one and in practical terms is comparable to the Grendel - in spite of what the fanboys might say. Both were Remingtons, an M7 and M700VLS; I still shoot the 700. Recoil is determined by bullet weight, velocity and gun weight, not magic. I find it pleasant enough. Accuracy is dependent on barrel quality and load, not by a cartridge’s name. Range is more dependent on the shooter‘s ability rather than on some ballistics table. No clue about the rifle’s value.
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gotboostvr
Member
It's moving the bullet considerably faster than the Grendel can go.
It's very similar to the creedmoor, but (typically, short of a custom barrel) lacks the twist rate to sling the high balistic coefficient bullets that have become so popular.
Still an absolute dandy of a hunting cartridge, but factory ammo isn't going to be super easy to find.
troy fairweather
Member
The 260 is a very nice cartridge, the creedmoor guys Poo poo it's slower twist. Many shooters at the time didn't shoot 6.5s with bullets heavier then 140 grains back then, only heavier bullets were mostly round nose. A cm may make more sense in a short rem 700 mag but most guns today are longer then the 2.80" 700 magazine, most clones seem to have more mag space then the original. If you reload and have extra mag space with proper throat the 260 should out preform the creedmoor by a bit given the same pressure. Great deer killer with 120s inside 400 yards, a heavier bullet may shoot better farther out but think hunters should stay inside 500 yards on game anyway.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
I have brass and a set of dies plus a .260 that I got from my dad. Never really tried it out. Heavy rifle and there are so many others to choose from it has taken a back seat.
Chuck R.
Member
Pretty much the reason I stuck with it. That, plus dies competition seater and a a lot of brass!
The .260 Rem will do pretty much what the 6.5C will do. With hunting bullets it's gets a little more speed as it's got slightly more capacity. When shooting the heavy high BC bullets you'll have to seat deeper and loose some capacity, but they'll still be neck and neck for MV. I originally bought a Rem M7 in .260 for my son as a starter rifle and loaded 100 grain bullets at 2800FPS as a "youth" rifle. As he grew I stepped up my loading to the 120s. He killed 8 or 9 whitetails with it and I killed a couple more, all 1 shot from 130yds to a little over 300yds using the 120BT. I wouldn't bother shooting deer with 140+ bullets, just not needed.
It does what it's supposed to do as far as a hunting cartridge, Remington was just shortsighted when it came to the twist. A couple years ago I had the rifle "rebuilt" using a PacNor 20" 1:8 twist 3 groove barrel, Timney Elite trigger, Graphite Black CeraKote and a Manners EH8 stock as my idea for a stand/blind rifle that could stretch the distance if I had to. It's just at 7lbs all up due to the 2B barrel profile:
Accuracy is sub moa with everything I've put through it while wearing a 2.5-8x36:
With the 120s I get 2930 FPS and with the 130ABs I get 2840FPS from the 20" 3Groove barrel. As it's set up now it's easily a 400+yd deer rifle, that's pretty handy in a blind. IF I mounted a different scope I could take it further, but it'd screw up the handling, which is about perfect now.
Buuuut,
IF I was starting from scratch, didn't reload and the deal on the rifle wasn't a killer, IE too good to pass up etc. I'd walk away. The 6.5C will do the same thing and can be found on a Walmart shelf.
If I were looking at 2 identical rifles, one in 260 and the other in 6.5 CM I'd buy the CM version 10 times out of 10. But if I already had a 260 that I liked I might have a hard time justifying trading for a 260. Or, if I just ran across a deal I couldn't pass up. The 2 are very similar at 1st glance and the 260 inspired the 6.5CM.
But there are subtle differences and while the 6.5CM's ballistic advantages may seem small it is enough that it's hard to justify the 260. The biggest difference is the 6.5's ability to shoot heavier bullets as well as the lightweights.
It's like trying to decide between buying a 2023 truck with an engine that has been discontinued or buying 2024 truck at the same price with a more powerful engine that tows more AND gets better fuel mileage. For the same money I'll take the newer truck that gets better performance. But if I had a 2023 that I liked I wouldn't trade unless I really needed that increased towing capability.
The 260 was almost dead before the 6.5CM came out. Factory 260 rifles and ammo are hard to find, and the ammo is expensive. Rifles in 6.5CM and factory ammo are everywhere and among the least expensive centerfire cartridges. That is the biggest advantage for the 6.5CM, not the ballistics. If you handload and don't need heavier bullets the 260 is a viable option. If not, it's 6.5CM all the way.
But there are subtle differences and while the 6.5CM's ballistic advantages may seem small it is enough that it's hard to justify the 260. The biggest difference is the 6.5's ability to shoot heavier bullets as well as the lightweights.
It's like trying to decide between buying a 2023 truck with an engine that has been discontinued or buying 2024 truck at the same price with a more powerful engine that tows more AND gets better fuel mileage. For the same money I'll take the newer truck that gets better performance. But if I had a 2023 that I liked I wouldn't trade unless I really needed that increased towing capability.
The 260 was almost dead before the 6.5CM came out. Factory 260 rifles and ammo are hard to find, and the ammo is expensive. Rifles in 6.5CM and factory ammo are everywhere and among the least expensive centerfire cartridges. That is the biggest advantage for the 6.5CM, not the ballistics. If you handload and don't need heavier bullets the 260 is a viable option. If not, it's 6.5CM all the way.
1948CJ2A
Member
I bought a Remington model 7 several years ago new, chambered in 260 Rem. It had a plastic ugly stock so I hunted a walnut one down on eBay and swapped it out. Mine is pretty picky about what it will shoot. I'll have to go back and look at my handloading notes but it took some effort to get it shooting up to my standards. It has a pencil thin barrel so you really want to let it cool between shots. As for the cartridge itself, I think it's a great fit between a 243 and 308. I'm a 7x57 guy so the 7-08 never did much for me. The only thing I've shot with it so far was a coyote a couple of years back.
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small town life
Member
Having every rifle I own with short action limits the 6.5creed was a waste. When I got the 260 it outrank the creed. I like my 26cals as I have 5 different cartridges in that caliber. Every 1 except long action cartridges come via AR's. Match bullets of 140gr probably won't stabilize with a 9 twist, but I've never had a problem with soft points stabilizing in 264wm. 260rem should be good to go especially with 130-135's. Enjoy!
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Fantastic cartridge that will continue to serve well ... but I agree completely with @jmr40. The 6.5 Creedmoor has made the .260 Rem obsolescent (not obsolete). I had my .260s bored out to .260 Ackley. When those barrels are shot, they'll be replaced with a different chambering, likely a 6.5 Creedmoor.
Chuck R.
Member
It's the route I'd go.. $50 is well worth the ability to find ammo without having to scrounge.
snowman357
Member
260 is great my wife likes it also. It is better than the 6.5 creed, not as popular because the marketing team didn't give it a cool name. The 260 has more case capacity than the 6.5 creed. I used it for target shooting but have killed deer with it. My wife will shoot this and a 223 all day so not much kick.
horsemen61
Member
- Joined
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I started with a 6.5 Creedmoor and I love it I love it so much I have 2 now, I just recently purchased a 260 Remington I haven’t shot it yet waiting till after deer season but I had it cut back to 18 inches and threaded 9/16x24 for my suppressor I specifically looked for a 260 because I wanted something different something you can’t get at Walmart that’s why I’m getting into the 260 plus as an avid
hand-loader it makes sense to me
hand-loader it makes sense to me
small town life
Member
I have several 110's and all are good actions I've experienced.
citizenconn
Member
I find the .260 Rem to be a wonderful cartridge and much more powerful than the Grendel, and I have a couple dozen Grendels from 10-24".
My favorite Savage in .260 is a Model 12 Long Range Precision model with a 26" barrel. Shoots lights out to 1300 yards (could probably do more but the current range I shoot at ends at 1300 yards.) If you handload the .260 Rem will outperform the 6.5 Creedmoor, and that is not a knock on the Creedmoor which I really like as well.
I recommend you pick up the .260 and don't look back. I think it remains an underappreciated chambering.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
As noted, I like the .260 Rem and the Savage 110 is a fine rifle. But I'd go with a 6.5 Creedmoor if I wasn't already invested in the .260.
wild willy
Member
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- 634
If you load your own buy the .260.If you buy factory get a Creedmoor
citizenconn
Member
They are wondering why Mauser factory loads are downloaded so much compared to them. Tomorrow they will squabble about barrel twist rates.
CapnMac
Member
I've put any number of speed goat in the freezer with .260--it has a place in hunting, and in our hearts (or at least mine).
Gun-Reck
Member
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- May 16, 2023
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They shan't wonder about the SE loadings, as they are a very nice balance between performance and shootability, ~ 2700 fps with the 140 gr..
And then there are the handloads.
Youngsters.
InTheSwamp
Member
From scratch? CM.
But you already have one (and don't plan on a second), just keep what you have. This also applies to the 6.5x47 Lapua. They're all pretty similar in performance.
But you already have one (and don't plan on a second), just keep what you have. This also applies to the 6.5x47 Lapua. They're all pretty similar in performance.
