260 vs 6.5 CM or 243 vs 6 CM

J

JayCarver

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Hello, I have a 308 bolt face action. I want to get a barrel ordered up soon so I need to make a decision. 6.5 or 6mm? This will be a 99% steel and paper shooter and if it sees any hunting it will be coyotes.

I already have precision rifles in 223, 308 & 338 and reload for all of them. Been shooting the 308 out to 1150 with good results but I'm always wanting to try something different.

I'm leaning hard toward a 6.5 for better barrel life and the fact the the heavier bullet might make it easier to see splash down range. If I go 6.5 what are the pro's and cons to the 260 and 6.5 CM?

Thanks guys.
 
I like the 260 myself. I compared them a few years ago when I was looking and decided on the 260. Mainly because it was more mainstream and easier to find brass for.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but the only real advantage to the CM is that the bullets can be seated further out, thus allowing a little more powder charge. If you are building a custom, you could have the barrel reamed with a longer throat to allow the same advantage.
When I started with the 260, I used 243 Lapua brass, but now Lapua makes 260 brass ready to go. Best brass you can start with in my opinion.
 
I see a lot of parallels with what I recently went through in deciding on what chambering to go with.

I ultimately chose 6mmSLR but all these cartridges are so similar that what can be said about the SLR is also relevant to the 6CM. Barrel life was not really a major consideration for myself. The load I'm running sends a 105gr. Scenar (.540 BC iirc) down the barrel at 3250fps. Last time out with it the winds were heavy with gusts to 25mph, the hit percentage was significantly higher with it than the .308 in similar conditions. Very forgiving. Splash is noticeably smaller though and misses can be hard to spot depending on what your backstop is.
 
I picked the 260, lapua brass, and I wouldn't want any less case capacity to push the heavier 6.5's, though either one will push them fast enough to have plenty of fun.
 
My custom is a 6.5 CM and with 123 gr Scenars, i am sub .5 MOA up to 400 metres @ just south of 3100 fps, it is a great caliber to shoot... JP.
 
I have had three customs built chambered to the 260. I guess I like it. I think at this point you are splitting hairs, you would have to look hard to find a real significant difference in all of them. I based my choice on availability of components, 260 get the nod for me in that department with excellent bullets and brass available. I was using the 139 Scenars and still really like them, but I recently tried the 136 Matrix VLDs and they give very similar velocity with a little better BC and come from a Canadian manufacturer so I like that a lot.

I have another custom coming this week from North Shore Barrels, this one will be in 284 win and will be shooting the 190 Matrix VLDs.
 
If Lapua doesn't make brass for it I don't shoot it. If you can't optimally utilize the highest BC bullets for it, it isn't built for optimal long range performance. Therefore, the 6.5 answer is simple: 260 or 6.5X55

For barrel life, absolute ease, cost of loading and unparalleled precision, 6mmBR Norma .....end of story.
 
I dont feel at lost with Nosler brass in 6.5 Creedmoor, they are at par with Lapua brass if not to close to be mentionned... JP.
 
I really really like my 6x47 lapua. Infact I think I am going to get one built in a hunting rifle. If I was going to a 6.5 it would either be the 6.5x47 lapua or the 260 remington( but would probably go for the lapua).
 
The Creedmoor sure pack a healty punch for a small round... Very imressive compare to a 30 caliber... JP.
 
Love the .260 Remington. Easy to load for, easy to shoot, Lapua Brass, lots of bullet options, great barrel life, it's a beautiful cartridge. I would like to make up a semi-auto in the same caliber, less recoil, better ballistics than .308, more fun too shoot.

I was looking at 6.5x47 Lapua really strongly, but settled on the .260 for a little more case capacity, and a little more forgiving in load development (from what I was told)... can't say much on that... Love the .260.
 
6mm SLR here. Really liking it so far.

Was helping my brother look at the 6.5 calibers and we came to the conclusion that the CM was the way to go. Only short coming is brass but that may change in the future.
 
Shooter ----/ said:
6mm SLR here. Really liking it so far.

Was helping my brother look at the 6.5 calibers and we came to the conclusion that the CM was the way to go. Only short coming is brass but that may change in the future.
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Nosler now supply them and Hornady are a lot better than i though, there is no more difficulty here than the 2 other 6.5 ... And Nosler dont have to be shy in front of Lapua brass, give i a couple of year and the Creedmoor will be the reference in the 6.5 department... JP.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys. Still leaning hard toward the Creedmore. Anyone have any experience with the factory Hornady 140gr Amax ammo?

Caramel - Is the Nosler brass available? Or is it still in the works.
 
JayCarver said:
Thanks for all the replies guys. Still leaning hard toward the Creedmore. Anyone have any experience with the factory Hornady 140gr Amax ammo?

Caramel - Is the Nosler brass available? Or is it still in the works.
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I got an order in so they will be here soon... I hope, but you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the Hornady brass, those are not the same i got 2 years ago for my TC Icon, and factory ammo 140 Amax is a .7 -.8 proposition in my custom, the best in factory so far are the 120 gr GMX from Hornady, there are a solid .5 load and are available at SFRC... JP.
 
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