260 rem or 6.5*55 swedish?
- Thread starter David L
- Start date
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
I like the 6.5x55 because there are so many rifles available in that caliber, including lots in quality military actions that usually go for cheap, and (to a much lesser extent) you do have a slight advantage with the heaviest of the 6.5mm bullets. The 260 is definitely a nice little package however, no denying that.
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
I vote .260, largely because virtually all the factory ammo available is about as hot as good Swede handloads. And I think the cartridge really is catching on, and will be around in the future. Not that there's any flies on the Swede, mind you. I used to own one myself.
I read John Barsness' article on 6.5 rifles a couple years back in either Rifle or Handloader Magazine. He didn't do any huge development of handloads, but as I recall, his data showed a slight velocity advantage to the .260 with bullets up to 120 grains, a 50 or so fps advantage to the Swede with the 125 to 140 grainers, and with the 156 and 160-grain bullets, the difference on his chrony was 1 (yes, one) fps between the two cartridges.
I also have a soft spot for the .260 because of what it set out to do, and does so well....update the performance of the 6.5 Swede and standardize the round in new rifles, so standard factory ammo doesn't have to be kept at low pressures in deference to the century-old rifles so chambered. I believe there are Light Magnum 6.5X55 rounds out there, but they are only about equal to the regular .260, and in my limited experience, harder to find locally.The .260 offers sensible performance perameters instead of trying to be the latest red-hot velocity king.
I read John Barsness' article on 6.5 rifles a couple years back in either Rifle or Handloader Magazine. He didn't do any huge development of handloads, but as I recall, his data showed a slight velocity advantage to the .260 with bullets up to 120 grains, a 50 or so fps advantage to the Swede with the 125 to 140 grainers, and with the 156 and 160-grain bullets, the difference on his chrony was 1 (yes, one) fps between the two cartridges.
I also have a soft spot for the .260 because of what it set out to do, and does so well....update the performance of the 6.5 Swede and standardize the round in new rifles, so standard factory ammo doesn't have to be kept at low pressures in deference to the century-old rifles so chambered. I believe there are Light Magnum 6.5X55 rounds out there, but they are only about equal to the regular .260, and in my limited experience, harder to find locally.The .260 offers sensible performance perameters instead of trying to be the latest red-hot velocity king.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
It's the Swede for me.
I don't buy factory ammo, I like old cartridges, and double rifles - 'nuff said!
Cat
I don't buy factory ammo, I like old cartridges, and double rifles - 'nuff said!
Cat
Standard original loaded 6.5x55 swede will get you anything you set your sights on in North America... if you do your part.
Also no need for a 'magnum version", so methinks it is a waste time trying to fix what isn't broken in the first place.
Also no need for a 'magnum version", so methinks it is a waste time trying to fix what isn't broken in the first place.
260's way better 'cus I now own two. 6.5x55 was better when I had one.
Basically the same ballistically. Some competitions where overall rifle weight matters (silhouette) taking advantage of an ounce lighter receiver for 260 as in a Rem700 short action is of benefit. Brass is easily made from 243 or even 308 win.
Basically the same ballistically. Some competitions where overall rifle weight matters (silhouette) taking advantage of an ounce lighter receiver for 260 as in a Rem700 short action is of benefit. Brass is easily made from 243 or even 308 win.
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I've got a Rem 700 Ti in 260 and a Tikka M65 in 6.5x55 and between the two there are both similarities and differences.
First, the Ti is a dream to carry at 5lbs. 12 oz scoped and field ready, slightly over 2 lbs. lighter than the Tikka.
Neither one has seen a round of factory ammo so performance of both largely depends on how far the powder can is tipped and I don't push either one to the max, thus velocities are fairly close.
I think one mistake Remington made with the Ti was to use a 9" twist instead of 8" or tighter.
My 6.5 is an excellent shooter with any bullet weight tried from the lightest to the 160 gr.
The 260 on the other hand works very well with 120 gr. and fair to good with 140 gr., but puts 160 gr. bullets into patterns not groups.
Norma brass is used in both, in the 260 I neck up 243 Norma and case life for them is about the same.
I enjoy both rifles but perhaps a more fair comparison could be made with a 260 Rem with a tighter barrel twist because the two have identical barrel lengths...
First, the Ti is a dream to carry at 5lbs. 12 oz scoped and field ready, slightly over 2 lbs. lighter than the Tikka.
Neither one has seen a round of factory ammo so performance of both largely depends on how far the powder can is tipped and I don't push either one to the max, thus velocities are fairly close.
I think one mistake Remington made with the Ti was to use a 9" twist instead of 8" or tighter.
My 6.5 is an excellent shooter with any bullet weight tried from the lightest to the 160 gr.
The 260 on the other hand works very well with 120 gr. and fair to good with 140 gr., but puts 160 gr. bullets into patterns not groups.
Norma brass is used in both, in the 260 I neck up 243 Norma and case life for them is about the same.
I enjoy both rifles but perhaps a more fair comparison could be made with a 260 Rem with a tighter barrel twist because the two have identical barrel lengths...
my friend has a Sako 75 in 260 that shot a group with 160 grain Hornady round nose you could cover with a dime. My Gaillard barrel 260 with the 1:8 twist will shoot the 155 gr Lapua Mega into 3/4" or less. I believe the Sako has the 1:8 twist too. I have some 155 gr loaded up for my 1:9 twist 700 Ti 260 but havent shot any yet
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Actually, I think you've had better luck with 140 grainers in your Ti than me.
I did get one good group with 160 Sierras but haven't matched it yet.
Going to try some 155 Matrix bullets soon.
.260 has a slight performance edge but not enough to worry about in the real world.
.260 could also be obsolete in 5-10 years, it has not been a rousing success for remington.
It's the Swede for me too. Plenty of reasonable priced ammo around as well as lots of very nice,sensibly priced, sportered Swede Military rifles out there AND they shoot soooooooo accurate! I have been target shooting and hunting with three 6.5 X 55's for 24 years now. They are super accurate and knock deer down just great. I use an AG42B, Husqvarna, and a Krag Jorgensen carbine. I love 'em all! definitely my favorite cartridge ever! I started handloading about 18 years ago for the 6.5 X 55 and the bolt actions shoot very accurately everything I've loaded for them. I use 100 grains for coyotes and 140's for deer.
carl gustav
CGN Regular
- Location
- Thunder Bay
How Swede it is! If all you want is deer hunting accuracy then just about any old 6.5 Swede mauser will do! As for power of factory 6.5x55 ammo compared to the 260, no deer will be able to tell the difference and in the field you won't be able to tell the difference either. Although it depends on what you mean by "light," you don't even have to spend big $ to get a light rifle. I have an M-96 with turned down 20" barrel and sanded down beechwood stock. With a compact 4X Leopold scope on it, at 7 1/4 lb it's light enough for me. Although I'd like a fancy commercial 6.5, I know I don't really need it. Nor do you, given what you say you want it for. All the same I'd be happy to hear you bought a new 6.5 Tikka or a Husqvarna 1600 or better that has led a sheltered life.
I am going to write this assuming that you are a handloader (or want to be
). I would go for the Swede in a Tikka T3. You have the option of a 130gr Accubond or TSX at 2900fps+ and Lapua Brass. This combination would be excellent from groundhogs to Meese (that is Moose in Plural). The brass will never be in short supply, as it is still in prolific use as a hunting and competition cartridge in Europe.
The .260 is fine, but doesn't bring the history or the "Old School" factor with it. That and the Tikka (or Ruger) are both solid hunting rifles.
Tada.
). I would go for the Swede in a Tikka T3. You have the option of a 130gr Accubond or TSX at 2900fps+ and Lapua Brass. This combination would be excellent from groundhogs to Meese (that is Moose in Plural). The brass will never be in short supply, as it is still in prolific use as a hunting and competition cartridge in Europe. The .260 is fine, but doesn't bring the history or the "Old School" factor with it. That and the Tikka (or Ruger) are both solid hunting rifles.
Tada.
