New Rifle in 260 Remington

[CB900F]

SwaneeSR;

Another very enthusiastic vote for the Tikka. I have several & my custom 6.5 Swede is built on a Tikka action. You can get the walnut stock and the detachable magazine. What I'm not sure of is if it's offered in another 6.5 caliber than the Swede. However, my opinion is that it really doesn't need to be. Neither the Creedmore or the Remmy offers anything the Swede can't do, most assuredly including accuracy.

The short-action card doesn't play well until and unless you can prove that you can out-shoot the supposed limitations of a standard length action. There might be a hundred to a hundred-fifty people in the U.S. who can actually prove that they can do that. No game animal will ever know the difference, that's for sure. Cycle time of the action? If it's that important, why aren't you looking for a semi-auto then Mr. Short-action-guy? For the very vast majority of firearms owners in this country, the short action hype is propoganda that they've bought into & provided X company's marketing department with their bonus's.

900F

 

[Gtscotty]

If you want high-BC bullets (hunting or match), .270 is a horrible place to look for them. For example, the 140gr 6.5mm Partition has a G1 BC of about .49. The 140gr .270 partition is .43. That's a pretty big difference. This same scenario plays out with most bullet types.

.270s also tend to be under-twisted. Most modern 6.5s are 1:8 twist which will stabilize a wide range of bullets. In contrast most .270 barrels are 1:10 twist which is not likely to do well with heavy bullets. So even if someone were to make the bullets, you'd have a hard time shooting them.

If you want high BC bullets the Partition is a horrible place to look. The .270 has some high BC options, the 140gr Accubond ~. 495, 140gr SST's ~.495, 150 SST's and Interbonds ~.525. Even the 130gr SST's with its BC of .460 is going to do well at any reasonable hunting range. All of these numbers are especially strong given that a regular .270 will push 130's to 3,100 fps, 140's to 3,000 fps, and 150's over 2900 fps.

The days of having to use grandpappy's stumpy old .270 bullets are over, the caliber has seen improvments in BC for weight just like 6.5 and 7mm have. It should also be noted that while match type 6.5mm bullets often have fantastic BC's, hunting bullets are usually much more sedate (a few exceptions being some of the new Hornady offerings). In actual use, modern .270 loads will deliver more power and a flatter trajectory than .260 at all hunting ranges 99% hunters have any business shooting game at. The cost of that performance is, of course, more powder usage, the requirement for a long action, and higher recoil.

I think this, along with the ubiquitousness of .270, .308, .243, . 30-06 and now 7mm-08 have pretty well stumped the growth of the 6.5's. While the 6.5's seem to confer real advantage in long range shooting competitions, they really just offer more of the same old performance in the already packed, and excellent field of medium game hunting cartridges.

 

[ZGunner]

I was doing this same search a few months ago. Unfortunately I couldn't meet the wood stock. But... The Tikka T3 CTR looked to be a perfect option. I wound up going full Tactical and jumping on the 6.5 Creedmoor band wagon all in one with a Ruger Precision Rifle.

I hate to say it, because I do love the .260, but 6.5 will survive where I believe the .260 will fall off save for the faithful. .260 is much better for a reloader, easier to produce brass. As said its just a matter of resizing .243 or 7mm-08 and the addition of neck turning .308. Creedmoor can be made from those cases too but its a little more involved.

 

[Lazy R]

There's no way the .260 will make it. It makes far too much sense.

I own one that I bought for my sons to hunt deer with and handload for it. Ruger 77, about 10 years ago.
It has light recoil. It's accurate. It kills the heck out of big mule deer past 300 yards. 120 grain bullets going 3000 fps and easy to shoot.

It's too good to survive while everyone looks right past it for the next 88 magnum.

Remington didn't do it any favors with their ammo offerings from day 1 either.

 

[eastbank]

gtscotty, don,t tell any one about the older calibers. the rifle makers will not be able to sell their so called new deluxe super duper magnum 2000yd no drop or wind drift rifles. 7x57-7mmo8, 6.5x55- 6.6 cr,.260, 300 savage- 308,30.30- 7.62x39,300blk, the list goes on and on. the tv hunter shows don,t help either as they show very long shots at game(but leave out the misses and cripples). rant over. eastbank.

 

[jmr40]

It seems like the .260 is not going to catch on. It is not a MAGNUM of any kind.

Anything with magnum on the headstamp has been hard to sell for a long time.

The 260 is a good round and a good idea. But while shooters ignored it the 6.5 Creedmore came along. They are close, but the 6.5 offers just enough advantages that it is the one that is taking off now.

 

[Gtscotty]

Well here you go OP, a dealer exclusive Ruger Predator in. 260 Rem for $299 new.... I need another rifle and caliber to load like I need a hole in my head, but that sure is tempting

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/335

 

[Flatbush Harry]

The .260 Remington is a wonderful cartridge that Remington failed with because of bad gun and ammo design decisions (wrong twist rate for heavy bullets, bad bullets for all but hunting, not offering the round in top of the line rifles, etc).

I have an AI AT with a .260 Rem 26" Bartlein barrel. At 100 yards, it has shot 5-shot groups that ranged from 0.1" (center to center) to 0.3". It's ballistics over 1,000 yards are nearly the same as .300 Win Mag with almost no recoil and, in my Ruger No. 1A, its ballistic twin, the 6.5x55SE will take any deer and most elk reliably.

When I rebarrel one of my .308s next it will get a .260 Rem barrel.

Cheers,

Harry

 

[SwaneeSR]

I am heading to my LGS this evening to look at the used brass situation and other reloading components.

If I was smart I would give up this 6.5mm foolishness and purchase a 7mm-08 or .270Win.

I am not sure why I am interested in the 6.5s. All I can day is they look like the best fit for my type of hunting. Low recoil, not difficult or expensive to handload. Ballistics wise, fantastic.

 

[MrBorland]

If I was smart I would give up this 6.5mm foolishness and purchase a 7mm-08

heh...Get the .260 Rem/6.5CM and about what a great "tactical" or "long range" round it is. But step up a hair in power to the 7mm-08, and you'll be reading about how it's a great cartridge for the wife and/or kid. Go figure.


FWIW, I'm a fan of the .260Rem and the 7mm-08. IMO, the 7mm-08 is a tad better as an all-around hunting round, whereas the 6.5 family is a tad better for long range target work.

 

[CB900F]

SwaneeSR;

When you go, do take a look at the availability of 6.5 X 55mm components. I've never had any trouble getting them. It's easy to reload for & will reward you with itty-bitty groups, mild recoil, and dead game.

900F

 

[SwaneeSR]

Just back from the LGS.

6.5x55 brass = yes
6.5 CR brass = yes
.260 Rem brass = no, but yes at another local location

Good news is that they had H4350 and I have been out for over a year.

They also had ammunition in both 6.5x55 and .260.

It seems all three are not impossible to find components.

I just need to find the right rifle. Online, as pointed out in the thread there are several good deals. I think I have convinced myself that I will purchase a Tikka.

Thank you for all the advice. I will post pics in the new firearm thread when I get it. I have a spreadsheet going with all the models and online sites......

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Maybe if Remington does deserve some criticism for bungling the release of the 260

A 8 twist would have helped quite a bit..........IMHO

What I would suggest, is looking at actions that support DBM and buying for the action and building what you want.

I've still got one in a short action, and another almost done in a long action. Long actions are plentiful and cheaper in the used market.

Another similar offering would be a 6.5x47 Lapua. I had mine out today, after swapping scopes. A little more recoil in the Model Seven, but I do like that one....

 

[1948CJ2A]

You can get one in a Savage 111 Lightweight Hunter or a Remington Model Seven, both with walnut stocks. The model 7 has a 22" barrel and the Savage has a 20".

Budsgunshop has these for $750+. I know the Savage has a DBM option, not sure about the model 7.

 

[jgh4445]

Sako 85 Bavarian. Beautiful walnut, detachable mag that WILL NOT just drop out. .05 MOA groups at 100 and they make it in .260. I bought the Carbine Model. It is awesome and works on deer like you wouldn't believe. Liked it so much, I got a Sythetic Black Mod 85 today in .308. Will add a scope in the morning.

 

[mshootnit]

The percentage of the gun buying public who cares about rifle twist is insignificant when it comes to the success of a cartridge. Tradition is what matters here. 260 is struggling because it was not used in WWII, or Vietnam, nor was it touted by Jack O'Connor.
It is in a crowded niche.

 

[jgh4445]

Exactly right. If O'Conner had shot a .280 first, we'd have never heard of the .270.