6.5x55 versus 260 rem

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oldfart

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My Barnes manual gives me 50.86 gr of water capacity for 6.5x 55 case, it does not give any case capacity for rem260.
260 loads are loaded to higher pressures thus higher velocity than 6.5x55.

6.5x55 velocities are held down due to older actions.

Looking at the case size it appears that the 6.5x55 case is larger than 260rem, so in a new action should be able to be reloaded to equal or exceed 260 rem.

Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks
 
Ignoring the subtle differences the perform the same. I would prefer a .260 as it could be had in a short action. IIRC the ballistics are very close. Speer lists the 6.5 (strong actions only) to 2655fps with a 140. the .260 tops out at 2731fps. Both are out of 24" bbls.
 
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I had a target rifle in 6.5x55. it was great and I wore out the barrel.

When I got the new barrel, I went through the same calcualtions as you are doing. I got a Winchester case from a friend shooting 6.5-08 improved and found it was identical in water capacity to my winchester cases in 6.5x55. I specify winchester becasue the Remington and Lapua 308 or 264 cases are heavier.

I shot both calibers in a Savage action, so pressure was not an issue with either. Both were loaded with 2 scoops.

I would say a 260 at full pressure would be the samne as a 6.5x55 at reduced presssure. The 260 Ackley is sweet. I get 2950 fps out of a 32" barrel for the Sierra 142. About the same as the 6.5-284 with 5 gr less powder.

if you are going toshoot long bullets, make sure the throat is deep, or you lose powder capacity.
 
I have 3 - 6.5x55's in the standard version, one is a Remington 700 Classic, the others are Swedish mausers. I also have a 6.5x55AI, built on a Remington 721 Action, and a 260AI built on a 40X action. The Remington 700 will allow me to easily reach standard 260 velocities without causing a problem. The 260AI will reach similar velocities to the 6.5x55 standard case with relative ease. The 6.5x55AI is about 100 FPS faster than the others with the same 26" tube. Regards, Eagleye.
 
There is no replacement for displacement.

All thing being equal, the larger case will go faster!

The 6.5 Swede and the 260AI/6.5 Mystic are identical in performance but the smaller case has to run harder.

If both are run at the same pressure, the Swede will easily go faster by at least 50fps.

In a 26" pipe, I would expect a 260AI/Mystic to run around 2900/2950fps with a 139/142gr VLD match bullet. The Swede will go to 3000fps at the same pressure levels. At this level of performance, expect the Swede to wear faster.

Jerry
 
oldfart said:
...260 loads are loaded to higher pressures thus higher velocity than 6.5x55...
Click to expand...

This not correct. Higher pressure does not by itself lead to higher velocity. For example - The .308 winchester is loaded to higher pressures than the 30-06, yet the 30-06 will routinely beat .308 velocities with the same bullet.
 
oldfart said:
My Barnes manual gives me 50.86 gr of water capacity for 6.5x 55 case, it does not give any case capacity for rem260.
260 loads are loaded to higher pressures thus higher velocity than 6.5x55.

6.5x55 velocities are held down due to older actions.

Looking at the case size it appears that the 6.5x55 case is larger than 260rem, so in a new action should be able to be reloaded to equal or exceed 260 rem.

Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks
Click to expand...

LoadFromADisk lists the 260 Rem as a water capacity of 53.16 gr
 
Jet Hunter - OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL (like case capacity) higher pressure makes for higher velocity. The 30-06 is quite a bit bigger than a 308, so it can be loaded with a larger powder charge of a slower powder. This is why it can generate higher velocity.

This thread is about the Swede v the 260 - a similar situation. The Swede has a bit more capacity. If the 260 Rem is given the Ackley treatment, case capacity is about the same as the Swede. This allows Swede performance in shorter actions.
 
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Ganderite said:
Jet Hunter - OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL (like case capacity) higher pressure makes for higher velocity. The 30-06 is quite a bit bigger than a 308, so it can be loaded with a larger powder charge of a slower powder. This is why it can generate higher velocity.

This thread is about the Swede v the 260 - a similar situation. The Swede has a bit more capacity. If the Swede is given the Ackley treatment, case capacity is about the same as the Swede. This allows Swede performance in shorter actions.
Click to expand...

You said more pressure = more velocity. That's not necessarily true so I used the 308/30-06 comparison to illustrate the point. BTW I think you got a few too many Swedes in your post... but this time i know what you meant anyway :)
 
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wolfen1960 said:
Would'nt touch one of those metric rounds to save my life! That's why I shoot a 260.;) WOW...now I sound like an American.
Click to expand...


Don't be scared - Fear of metric cartridges can be treated with counselling and extended range sessions. :)

The 6.5x55 has gained in popularity for 115 years while the 260 rem will probably be gone before it sees it's twentieth birthday. Better stock up on ammo and brass for that .260 before they quit making them... ;)

I'd venture to say there are a lot more 6.5x55 rifles in the USA than .260 rems.
 
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