M14S/M1A in .260 rem
- Thread starter Airborn_69
- Start date
There is no problem in regard to the barrel, Kreiger cuts barrels for the M1A.
There is no difference for them to take a 260 instead of a 308.
The 260 would make the M1A a more accurate long range rifle because of the better ballistic of the 6,5mm bullet compared to the 308.
http://www.warrifles.com/forums/showthread.php?p=422688#post422688
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=38624&Number=414820#Post414820
http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/M1Garand__M1AM14-c1246-wp3393.htm
There is no difference for them to take a 260 instead of a 308.
The 260 would make the M1A a more accurate long range rifle because of the better ballistic of the 6,5mm bullet compared to the 308.
http://www.warrifles.com/forums/showthread.php?p=422688#post422688
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=38624&Number=414820#Post414820
http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/M1Garand__M1AM14-c1246-wp3393.htm
Commercial Springfield Armory has offered M1A rifles in calibres other than .308.
The gas system on these rifles is a cut-off and expansion system; a somewhat self adjusting system. Might be necessary to start with a smaller gas port, and ream it up if necessary, but the gas system should pose no problems.
The barrel would be the only thing that would be needed.
The gas system on these rifles is a cut-off and expansion system; a somewhat self adjusting system. Might be necessary to start with a smaller gas port, and ream it up if necessary, but the gas system should pose no problems.
The barrel would be the only thing that would be needed.
Adjustable M1A Gas Nut
M1A/M14 - cleaning drill not included
$38.00
http://www.adcofirearms.com/gasnuts.cfm?page=gs
"...Can it be done????..." Anything is possible with enough time and money. In this case, lots of money. To have one in .260, you'd be looking at an expensive, custom made barrel. Kreiger makes .30 calibre match barrels. An M14 barrel in .260 would be a custom barrel. Think $$$$$.
It might need a bit of work on the extractor too. The .260 case head is a wee bit smaller than the .308. Only 6 thou though, so it's not a big deal. No work needed on the mags though. Same OAL for both the .260 and .308.
"...has offered M1A rifles in calibres other than .308..." Yep. Originally, they came in .243 Win, .308 Win and .358 Win.
"....243 Rem..." .243 Winchester. Remington's is the 6mm Rem.
It might need a bit of work on the extractor too. The .260 case head is a wee bit smaller than the .308. Only 6 thou though, so it's not a big deal. No work needed on the mags though. Same OAL for both the .260 and .308.
"...has offered M1A rifles in calibres other than .308..." Yep. Originally, they came in .243 Win, .308 Win and .358 Win.
"....243 Rem..." .243 Winchester. Remington's is the 6mm Rem.
I think that the surcharge would be modest for a 260rem barrel.
Kreiger heavy pattern are 340$, so maybe a total of 400$ could be expected.
If you believe that it is very expensive for a match barrel, you better do some research on the price of a custom gun.
Choosing a 260rem barrel for a M1A make sense only if you plan to have a highly accurize rifle to shoot long distance(600m+).
If that is not your objective, stay with the 308...
Kreiger heavy pattern are 340$, so maybe a total of 400$ could be expected.
If you believe that it is very expensive for a match barrel, you better do some research on the price of a custom gun.
Choosing a 260rem barrel for a M1A make sense only if you plan to have a highly accurize rifle to shoot long distance(600m+).
If that is not your objective, stay with the 308...
This question has been asked a few times in the past.
The consensus was that it is not worth the time and money to do this conversion.It could be done, but is it worth the hassle..................
The barrel is the main stumbling block for availability and cost.
Would a manufacturer like Krieger make a one off barrel, and if they did, would they make it at a reasonable price??? Keeping in mind that this for a Canadian order and the hassles of export permits as well.
Next is the gas system and the gas ports.These would require tuning (meaning experimenting with gas port sizes).Then bolt face diameter and the extractor.
What are the pressure characteristics of the .260 cartridge?? It may just not be compatible with the M14 Platform........
If the thinking behind this is for an accurate long range shooter, then IMHO, you should look at a bolt gun.
The M14 is not the greatest platform to build a accurate long range rig.Too much tuning/tweaking and too many moving parts.
I have owned/built many very accurate M14s, but they required constant attention/tuning/cleaning.
Thats why I stick to my bolt gun and got out of the M14 game...............
SKBY.
The consensus was that it is not worth the time and money to do this conversion.It could be done, but is it worth the hassle..................
The barrel is the main stumbling block for availability and cost.
Would a manufacturer like Krieger make a one off barrel, and if they did, would they make it at a reasonable price??? Keeping in mind that this for a Canadian order and the hassles of export permits as well.
Next is the gas system and the gas ports.These would require tuning (meaning experimenting with gas port sizes).Then bolt face diameter and the extractor.
What are the pressure characteristics of the .260 cartridge?? It may just not be compatible with the M14 Platform........
If the thinking behind this is for an accurate long range shooter, then IMHO, you should look at a bolt gun.
The M14 is not the greatest platform to build a accurate long range rig.Too much tuning/tweaking and too many moving parts.
I have owned/built many very accurate M14s, but they required constant attention/tuning/cleaning.
Thats why I stick to my bolt gun and got out of the M14 game...............
SKBY.
I agree that the M14 plateform is a high maintenance rifle and the only advantage is the fact that it is a non restricted gun.
AR10 in 260 makes more sense, but it is restricted.
In regard to the price of the barrel and Kreiger interest in making one, email sent and expect a reply in about 2 weeks
AR10 in 260 makes more sense, but it is restricted.
In regard to the price of the barrel and Kreiger interest in making one, email sent and expect a reply in about 2 weeks
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
A 260Rem conversion is possible if someone will make you a pipe. There would be no feeding/extraction issues based on case shape. Close enough to the 308 for the action to not care.
Because you will be using lighter bullets ie 123,139, 142gr bullets there is no issue with banging up the moving parts. The standard 308 load is 147gr bullet.
Gas port tweaking is something made a lot easier with the adj gas plug. Just keep to within SAAMI loads and you should be fine. Semi's don't take well to goosed loads.
As for accuracy, with a Krieger, MOA or better should be possible. Yes, it will take some tweaking, bedding, load work up, etc. but is possible.
Budget wouldn't be much more then a bolt rifle build up IF you can find someone to put on the pipe.
If a non restricted semi is your idea of fun, look at the options on the mini 14/30. They can be made to shoot very well and some very interesting wildcats are being offered. Far from cheap, but options....
Jerry
Because you will be using lighter bullets ie 123,139, 142gr bullets there is no issue with banging up the moving parts. The standard 308 load is 147gr bullet.
Gas port tweaking is something made a lot easier with the adj gas plug. Just keep to within SAAMI loads and you should be fine. Semi's don't take well to goosed loads.
As for accuracy, with a Krieger, MOA or better should be possible. Yes, it will take some tweaking, bedding, load work up, etc. but is possible.
Budget wouldn't be much more then a bolt rifle build up IF you can find someone to put on the pipe.
If a non restricted semi is your idea of fun, look at the options on the mini 14/30. They can be made to shoot very well and some very interesting wildcats are being offered. Far from cheap, but options....
Jerry
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
As far as semis go, no, the M14 is not high maintenance, it is quite low maintenance actually. I too played the big dollar M14 game, spent about $10k on a couple of them, in the end I shoot bolt guns too like SKBY. The gun itself is a workhorse, and a low maintenance highly reliable one at that. When it becomes finicky is when one attempts to extract anything beyond the accuracy performance its intended battle rifle role dictates. The rifle runs like a top in standard configuration, when hot-rodded, it will do quite well too but it's a case of diminishing returns that quickly look silly beside a bolt gun.
