I'm thinking about getting a new barrel for my Rem700P, currently in 308Win. When the time comes for a new barrel should I get it done again in 308(which I really like & it maintains good accuracy over several 1000 rounds) or should I go to the 260? I use to think I'd get it done in 243 but have read a lot about short barrel life. Only used for target from field positions, not a bench gun. I'd like something with good barrel life as I do about 2-3000 rounds/year. I was considering a 243 but I've read a LOT about short life. Any input (without starting a war, let's be nice) would be appreciated.
308 or 260
- Thread starter big boar
- Start date
My rule of thumb formula suggests about 1,400 accurate rounds out of a .243 and 3,000 out of a 308. A 260 Remington would be around 2,400 on the same scale.
I think the .260 Remington is a great cartridge and is very underrated. Very good selection of target quality bullets. Not so sure what you do for quality brass like Lapua though... The 260 would give you a better ballistic coefficient with lower recoil than the 308, so could be better at longer distances.
Have you thought about a 6BR Norma? Less recoil still, and barrel life comparable to the .308. They can make some nice targets. Lapua brass, and all kinds of short range target bullets due to the popularity of the 6PPC, and other heavy ones for distance. A bit more info on the cartridge here:
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6mmbr/
bulldog284
CGN Regular
- Location
- pigeon hill
hello
i think either round would be good,but just to throw you a curve ball i would go with a
7mm08.
this would be my pic if you want lapua brass simply neck down,this is a case that is very underrated in my opinion.
i think either round would be good,but just to throw you a curve ball i would go with a
7mm08.
this would be my pic if you want lapua brass simply neck down,this is a case that is very underrated in my opinion.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
7-08 isn't a bad choice, nor are the .260 or .308.
The 6.5mm stuff does seem to be extremely popular these days. Can get some very slippery bullets in 6.5mm and 7mm.
I think you may get better barrel life then previously stated though. 2500-2800 ft/sec I assume you'll be shooting at, isn't too fast and can get good accuracy. IMO
The 6.5mm stuff does seem to be extremely popular these days. Can get some very slippery bullets in 6.5mm and 7mm.
I think you may get better barrel life then previously stated though. 2500-2800 ft/sec I assume you'll be shooting at, isn't too fast and can get good accuracy. IMO
308 Advantages:
-Factory match ammo availability
-Can shoot it in F-TR
-Longer barrel life
260 Advantages:
-Better ballistics
-Longer range
-Can shoot varmints with it in Southern Ontario (targets in a field)
Basically, if you reload and have no desire to shoot F-TR, 260 would be my choice.
-Factory match ammo availability
-Can shoot it in F-TR
-Longer barrel life
260 Advantages:
-Better ballistics
-Longer range
-Can shoot varmints with it in Southern Ontario (targets in a field)
Basically, if you reload and have no desire to shoot F-TR, 260 would be my choice.
Why not a switch barrel.......308 and .260.
I have settled on these... as well as a .223 (Savage and Tikka) as well as 6BR.
I have created a 'family' of calibres that complement each other...as well as generate a
(hopefully healthy) 'sib' rivalry.
Four inherently 'accurate' calibers...all easy to reload..all proven performers....
What's not to like!
I have settled on these... as well as a .223 (Savage and Tikka) as well as 6BR.
I have created a 'family' of calibres that complement each other...as well as generate a
(hopefully healthy) 'sib' rivalry.
Four inherently 'accurate' calibers...all easy to reload..all proven performers....
What's not to like!
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Why not make it 5???
Why not a switch barrel.......308 and .260.
I have settled on these... as well as a .223 (Savage and Tikka) as well as 6BR.
I have created a 'family' of calibres that complement each other...as well as generate a
(hopefully healthy) 'sib' rivalry.
Four inherently 'accurate' calibers...all easy to reload..all proven performers....
What's not to like!
TERMINATOR101CA
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- TORONTO, CANADA
You can't do that with the 308 ?
Nope, you can't hunt with a caliber larger than 0.275 in Southern Ontario
Because naturally since the bullet is bigger in di-a-me-tor, it must therefore be more powerful and will absolutely, therefore go further and cause more damage, and so forth.
Because naturally since the bullet is bigger in di-a-me-tor, it must therefore be more powerful and will absolutely, therefore go further and cause more damage, and so forth.
Nope, you can't hunt with a caliber larger than 0.275 in Southern Ontario
Because naturally since the bullet is bigger in di-a-me-tor, it must therefore be more powerful and will absolutely, therefore go further and cause more damage, and so forth.
WOW......that sounds like Southern Ontario logic if I've ever heard it.
I have two target rifles, a .308 and a 260AI
I love both. The .308 is great but I couldn't resist the better ballistics in the 6.5mm bullets.
ignoring the AI side of it, the 260 cartridge has been steadily increasing in popularity and I wouldn't be surprised if more ammo makers start including it in their product line.
I decided on going with a 6.5mm bullet after reading Bryan Litz's book and discovering the great ballistics of the 6.5mm match 140gr SMKs and VLDs. 260 is no less difficult to load than .308 in terms of components.
The only thing for .308 though like others said is that you can buy factory match ammo (I haven't bought a box of ammo in years though except rimfire) and as well you can compete more with the .308 in matches. I don't compete so I just want to hit things accurately far away and that makes me a happy shooter with the 260AI
I love both. The .308 is great but I couldn't resist the better ballistics in the 6.5mm bullets.
ignoring the AI side of it, the 260 cartridge has been steadily increasing in popularity and I wouldn't be surprised if more ammo makers start including it in their product line.
I decided on going with a 6.5mm bullet after reading Bryan Litz's book and discovering the great ballistics of the 6.5mm match 140gr SMKs and VLDs. 260 is no less difficult to load than .308 in terms of components.
The only thing for .308 though like others said is that you can buy factory match ammo (I haven't bought a box of ammo in years though except rimfire) and as well you can compete more with the .308 in matches. I don't compete so I just want to hit things accurately far away and that makes me a happy shooter with the 260AI
I take issue with the barrel life numbers stated.
308 with a good barrel can be good for as many as 10,000 accurate rounds. 5000 for sure. 260, count on 1800-2000 accurate rounds.
The 308 has recoil, poor-ish ballistic coefficients and poor vlocity with heavy bullets. It has terrific barrel life and is easy to make work.
The 260 is a sweetheart. Great ballistics, less recoil, but at the expense of some barrel life.
308 with a good barrel can be good for as many as 10,000 accurate rounds. 5000 for sure. 260, count on 1800-2000 accurate rounds.
The 308 has recoil, poor-ish ballistic coefficients and poor vlocity with heavy bullets. It has terrific barrel life and is easy to make work.
The 260 is a sweetheart. Great ballistics, less recoil, but at the expense of some barrel life.
Thanks to all of you for your input. I never even considered a switch barrel and that may be a good route to go. I haven't bought a box of factory stuff in decades (except for 22's and 12ga) so I'm not concerned with that aspect. The only thing I don't like about some other rounds is the short barrel life, one thing the 308 excells at. Again thank you for your help, glad this didn't turn into a "smack talk" post.
"...can't hunt with a caliber larger than 0.275 in Southern Ontario..." It's not all of Southern Ontario. Only in some municipalities, mostly in Southwestern Ontario. Some of 'em say nothing greater than .270, both by the cartridge name, too. Those are primarily around TO.
The .243 doesn't have a short barrel life. Mine has been consistently, minute-of-deer for eons. And the rifle isn't high end.
The real question is why you think you need a new barrel. Other than, "I want one." That's reason enough. Mind you, serious target shooters have different accuracy requirements than hunters and informal target shooters.
The .243 doesn't have a short barrel life. Mine has been consistently, minute-of-deer for eons. And the rifle isn't high end.
The real question is why you think you need a new barrel. Other than, "I want one." That's reason enough. Mind you, serious target shooters have different accuracy requirements than hunters and informal target shooters.
