260 Rem or 260 Ackley Improved? - Need opinions.

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Steverdb

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Hello,

I have all the pieces for a nice 260 build but I just can't decide on whether to go a straight 260 Rem or to improve it. I would love to hear experiences with and opinions on either. I reload so fire forming really isn't a big deal to me. I am leaning towards the 260AI as it duplicates 6.5x284 performance and if I shoot a tactical comp with it I can still load straight 260 Rem.

Action: Trued Rem 700
Barrel: Krieger Heavy 8.5 twist will finish at 28"
Stock: AICS 1.5
Trigger: Jewel
 
Personally I'd get sick of the extra brass prep (ie. fireforming etc) in about 5 rounds haha. Seriously though, if you are trying to make it perform like 6.5x284, why not just get 6.5x284. The 260 is certainly no slouch, and in my mind it would make more sense to either step up to a larger capacity round, or just use the .260 as is. But hey, that's just me, lots chaps love the improved cartridges.
 
I have a bit of a love affair with the 260, I have had three so far, two regular and one Ackley. I have another rifle on the way, it is a straight up 260. I liked the added performance of the Ackley, but it was tricky to get to feed well from AI mags while the regular 260 feeds like butter and even though I reload it was a pain in the a$$ to fire form. I find the straight up 260 to be more than adequate, I can get a 140 grain bullet hopping out the barrel at 2750ish fps with out stepping on the gas too hard and that works really well for my needs. The Ackley will get the same bullet going about 200 fps more, but that is pretty extreme in my experience, the difference at 1000 meters was only about 2 mils.

Hope this helps a bit. I am not totally biased against the Ackley, I just find the extra work of fire forming to be not really worth the effort.
 
Have you looked at the 6.5 SLR?
Gets just a little more velocity with an efficient case design and easy to form brass.
It's not really a hot-rod, but has some gains without a ton of brass work required.
 
SouthPaw, I had an extra 308 that I wanted to turn into a 7mmx08 or a 6.5x47 or 260. 260 has less recoil and better barrel life. Not as good with the AI but 260 Rem gets great barrel life. Plus I don't have a 260. :)

I also saw my former shooting instructor do some pretty impressive things with his straight 260 so it kind of attracted me to the caliber.
 
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I did both... sold the AI... I prefer the ignition with the standard case... it has enough of what I need... still have both reamers though...
 
I will throw another twist into the mix. If I am sticking with a straight 260 Rem as an option, then why not a 6.5x47? Or do both accomplish the same thing?
 
The .260 AI does have some issues like fireforming and donuts at the shoulder/neck junction, but if you can get past those it is very impressive to shoot. I am getting a lazy 2915 fps with 140 Bergers out of my Remington custom with a 29" barrel. I could probably get close to 3100, but this thing shoots one hole groups with any idiot behind it right where it's at, seriously though, it's crazy accurate.

Having said that, the .260 Rem is such an easy round to load for and shoot, it would be tough not to give it some serious consideration.
 
Like others have mentioned and as expected, the feeding in a 260 AI isn't as clean as the 260.
Mine are both SA Rem hunting rifles, and both shoot 120gr bullets. Both are accurate but the plain jane 260 is my preference.
 
My vote is 260AI......who cares about fire forming,hunt or shoot target with them they are just as accurate!! Buy 100 lapua brass they will out last your barrel easily if you take care of them......I shoot 140 JLK'S 2962 with ease,not even max load for 260 in hodgen book! 26in tube In perfect conditions iv shot 3-4 inch groups at 900 yards,very easy to load for,not picky by any means!
 
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Steverdb said:
Thanks for all the comments. Much appreciated

ivo, when it's time for a new barrel, if you were sticking with a 260 would you AI again?
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I will stick with the .260 and He!.!. Yeah it will be an AI.
BTW I have never had any issues feeding out of AI mags. Also, I hate trimming brass so most of my rifles are chambered in improved chamberings, like Quentin mentioned, buy 100 Lapua brass, fireform and NEVER TRIM AGAIN for the life of the barrel!
 
Steverdb said:
ivo and quentin, what kind of barrel life can be expected out of an AI?
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If you take care of your barrel with proper handloading tech. you should get 3000-3500 out of your barrel! Seat the bullet 5-20 thou from your lands will increase your barrel life big time.....Don't load to hot either,find a most accurate load you can! They seem to love being loaded with 260 data close to max loads,use a crony to check rounds stay around 2900-2950! for 140 grainers Work yourself up plz
 
6.5 SLR will mag feed and chamber dimensions are to allow for mag length COL and still get good performance from 140's. There isn't much info out there yet, but performance looks to be somewhere between .260 and .260AI, as well as a bit better than the Creedmore.
I have all the parts I need as well for a 6.5 build, and was looking at this one....almost sounds too good to be true??
 
Colquhoun, I have been researching the 6.5 SLR since you mentioned it. It does seem interesting. I will chat with my smith about it and see what he knows and or thinks. 260AI still appeals to me thus far though.
 
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