New to LRS -6.5 creedmoor vs 260?

blackbeard

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I want to get started in long rande stuff and have settled on something in one of these two calibre's. I am lefthanded, so factory options are not that plentiful. I would prefer the 6.5, but there are a few more factory options availible in the 260. I am also going to get back into handloading. Any input or experience with these two cartridges would be appreciated.I realize this has probably all been covered before, thank you for your patience with a newbie!
 
Hi, the 6.5 is a great option, I believe you are on your way to making a great choice. A 260 running 2860fps (average loaded velocity) and a 120 Amax (bc of .465) will be -3.98 moa drop at 300, -13.47moa at 600, -27.35moa at 900. A Creedmoor will be 3020 fps (average loaded veleocity) with the same bullet. -3.48moa at 300, -11.84moa at 600, -24.03moa at 900. A you can see there is a slight velocity advantage to the Creedmoor, there is slightly less drop, but thats about it. You have the same bullet selection for both rifles, both avalible in same or very similar twist rates and barrel lengths. Creedmoor has become mainstream enough now that brass is no longer an issue to find, but I would say 260 is still a little easier to find and if not form from .308 or .243. Barrel life is likely a touch better in the 260, but also not really a bearing anymore with all the barrel options and reasonable pricing. I went through the same options a very short time ago, settled on the 260 (which is now for sale in the EE) and also bought a 6.5x284 that I will use for hunting. It is really going to boil down to personal preference. Hope you are happy with your desicion, either choice will be a great one, enjoy!
 
If single loading, 260Rem.

if mag loading, 260Rem

If using heavier bullets better suited to LRS, 260 Rem

If competing in F class at moderate distances, 260 Rem or larger

For wider range of gear, brass and rifle options, 260 Rem.

I think my feelings on the matter are pretty obvious.

It is a pity Rem did such a horrid job developing this chambering all those years back.

But there is simply no replacement for displacement.

Jerry
 
I sense you might think the ...260 is a better choice? lol. As it happens, savage chambers both in the model 10 pred hunter in lefthand. So now i have a decision to make, partly based on gun availability. Thanks for the input, keep it comin.
 
If single loading, 260Rem.

if mag loading, 260Rem

If using heavier bullets better suited to LRS, 260 Rem

If competing in F class at moderate distances, 260 Rem or larger

For wider range of gear, brass and rifle options, 260 Rem.

I think my feelings on the matter are pretty obvious.

It is a pity Rem did such a horrid job developing this chambering all those years back.

But there is simply no replacement for displacement.

Jerry

Jerry, you don't like the 6.5 Creedmoor?
 
If you feel you must have a bit more HP, simply AI your 260 Remington.
I have one that I shoot in 1000 yard competition, and it is hard to beat. [Like your 6.5 Mystic, Jerry]
Regards, Eagleye.
 
I have no like or dislike or any chambering. It is what is it is....

What I dont like is the marketing hype surrounding these "new" things. Amazing performance, unbelieveable accuracy, make your hair grow back....

ALL of these chamberings have been around since the 70's and 80's. Some even reach back to the 50's and if "super" magnums come back, the turn of the LAST century

Unless there is a specific application (ie mag length or action size), the performance of any cartridge is tied directly to the case volume. bigger case, bigger speed... PERIOD

I commend Hrn for offering an interesting chambering in a super cal with the support that makes a cartridge gain traction.... something Rem didn't do with the 260Rem

BUT at this time, there is precious little support for the Creedmore in the form of brass and dies. I am sure that will change as interest grows

However, the 260Rem will always offer more performance at the same pressure levels and effective bore lengths. The improved versions more. or just move to the Swede and beat them all.

At the very least, NA is finally waking up to the benefits of the 6.5 cal as far as ballistics go.

Something the Swedes figured out around 1880/90's...

Jerry
 
Hi, the 6.5 is a great option, I believe you are on your way to making a great choice. A 260 running 2860fps (average loaded velocity) and a 120 Amax (bc of .465) will be -3.98 moa drop at 300, -13.47moa at 600, -27.35moa at 900. A Creedmoor will be 3020 fps (average loaded veleocity) with the same bullet. -3.48moa at 300, -11.84moa at 600, -24.03moa at 900. A you can see there is a slight velocity advantage to the Creedmoor, there is slightly less drop, but thats about it. You have the same bullet selection for both rifles, both avalible in same or very similar twist rates and barrel lengths. Creedmoor has become mainstream enough now that brass is no longer an issue to find, but I would say 260 is still a little easier to find and if not form from .308 or .243. Barrel life is likely a touch better in the 260, but also not really a bearing anymore with all the barrel options and reasonable pricing. I went through the same options a very short time ago, settled on the 260 (which is now for sale in the EE) and also bought a 6.5x284 that I will use for hunting. It is really going to boil down to personal preference. Hope you are happy with your desicion, either choice will be a great one, enjoy!

Run some "average" 260 loads with a 140gr bullet, this is where they shine also not sure what powder you are using but apples to apples is better....
 
Whatever your decision, blackbeard, take your time and be certain you'll be happy with it. As has been said, both cartridges are attractive but I think the larger fuel tank of the .260 is likely to help with the heavier bullets (that you'll probably need to fight the bloody winds at my place!).

Can't wait to see what you get. Just remember though, you'll still only play second fiddle to the .284!;)

Rooster
 
I shoot my fair share of long range competitions, and use a 260 out to 600m and a 284 for 7,8,9m. But if I was allowed only one gun it would be a 260 and wouldn't bother with any adulterations of it.
 
unfortunately, availability of rifles in either cartridge will be a contributing factor. At this time I will not do a complete custom build for my first long range rifle, so factory offers are my only resource at the moment.

I think trees planted parallel to shooting lanes would help with wind drift (rooster). lol
All joking aside, I am leaning towards 6.5. There is a local who owns one for log range stuff, so he would b a good resource of info.
Is there that much real world difference between the 260/6.5 in real world applications when comparing apples to apples at 600-1000yd ranges?
 
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Ellwood Epps has the Savage model 12 Long Range Precision in 260 in stock right now for a little under $1200. I have heard good things about that rifle and with the availability of Lapua brass now for the 260 this makes it a no brainer in my mind. In my 260 I get 2770 fps witht he 139 scenars and H4831sc from a 24" barrel, I hear guys using Reloader 17 are getting 100-150 fps more so that puts it into the 2950 ish range, especially with the 26" on the Savage.
 
+1

Game, set, and match!

You'll never look back. It's this simple.

Lapua brass is good brass but not the be all end all. I have used it and still do in .308 but would not discount a caliber because Lapua does not make brass for it. How did anyone survive before Lapua brass became available. Hornady's brass for the 6.5 CM is good brass and there are guys winning competitions with the CM. If everyone also had such a narrow mind as some here we would all be still shooting 30 06.
 
Is there that much real world difference between the 260/6.5 in real world applications when comparing apples to apples at 600-1000yd ranges?

The small difference in case capacity is likely irrelavent. With barrel variation, you could probably have either one shooting slightly faster than the other. Further, people don't load their ammo to maximum velocity possible, they load to the highest accuracy node attainable, and I would wager that for a given bullet, powder and barrel lenght, it falls at nearly identical velocities for both cartridges.

Zak Smith at Demigodllc compare them a few years back and found no practical difference. The articles are probably still on his site.
 
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