WHAT? 260 Remington for long distance?

358Scout

358Scout

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Went to a gunsmith yesterday. He and another customer suggested I should consider the 260 Remington as a 800 - 1000 yd cartridge. I was planning on a 308 but after some reading last night I cant believe I've missed out on this little cartridge for my custom build. The 140gr Berger VLD look like needles. And from what I could surmise, it out performs the 308 Winchester at extended ranges ie: stability with less wind drift. Anyone have experience with this cartridge for this purpose? I'm also thinking of Lapua brass. Since they don't make 260 Remington brass (accuracy wise) - would it be better to neck up from a 243 or down from a 308.
 
...no personal experience with long range. But 6.5s of all kinds hava a strong following on this site. I'm sure you'll get lots of thumbs up for this cartridge. I'm playing around myself with the 260 for a long range hunting cartridge (but pondering ranges half what you're considering).

RG

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Long distance what? Target shooting? Hunting? You want to shoot very accurately at those distances, you might want to consider a 6-7mm variant. 6XC, 6.5-284, 6mm dasher etc... Obviously the .260 fits into that category, just saying that you do have many options other than .308
 
I shoot alot of 6.5's and they are as good as they say. The 308 is like a mustang competing with a Porsche (260). The furthest I have gone is 2300yds with a 139gr Scenar pushed out the muzzle at 2950fps.

8 twist is all you will ever want or need.

Neck down 308 brass and you will have less headaches with donuts. Either way, you need to do brass prep. Unless you are planning on match shooting, Rem brass will shoot as well as most shooters desire.

If I can help with components, barrels, whatever, please let me know...

Jerry
 
Budweiser360: I did some more reading this morning and seem to find the cartridges you mentioned especially the 6.5 - 284 although dominate in the long range categories, has a shorter barrel life maybe 800 - 1000 rounds.

WOW! Jerry, that is one incredible rifle. I'm impressed. I didn't read the whole article - have to go out now but its printing off my computer. I will def be getting a hold of you later.
 
260 is definetly a great long range caliber. the 139 6.5 scenar's are great at short range 300-600 as well as a worthy competitor at 800-1000 metres. Having shot the 30 cal's and the 6.5's at long range, the 6.5 seem to be more forgiving. That being said I still give lots of respect to the guys shooting 308's because they still can outshoot the 6.5's sometimes.

I have got one 260 AI and I am currently having two 6.5x47's built strictly for long range. Great calibers, flat shooting, low recoil, high BC, smaller wind drift compared to some 30 cals, and the list goes on.

You won't be disapointed..........
 
358Scout said:
Budweiser360: I did some more reading this morning and seem to find the cartridges you mentioned especially the 6.5 - 284 although dominate in the long range categories, has a shorter barrel life maybe 800 - 1000 rounds.

WOW! Jerry, that is one incredible rifle. I'm impressed. I didn't read the whole article - have to go out now but its printing off my computer. I will def be getting a hold of you later.
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Yeah I know, I didn't mention barrel life as some guys don't some to mind the trade off. Of course these people have a lot more $$$ to spend than I haha.
 
The .260 is the little cartridge that could. Unfortunately the near-sighted folks at Remington effectively killed off this little gem. Now that the long distance crowd has warmed up to 6.5s again(and it is getting press and attention), maybe we'll see Big Green start to re-introduce it more of their offerings.
 
I chambered two heavy 8" twist Gaillard barrels in 260 for a local guy. Put them on short 700's, not sure what stocks he put them in but they really shoot. Apparently quite a bit flatter than the 308 that he also shoots...and less recoil.
 
dpopl8r said:
Do you recommend necking .308 brass (of which I have quite a supply) for the .260 ? What is the process 1, 2 or 3 step ?
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Run the 308 brass into a 7mm neck sizer so that the necked down brass chambers with a hint of resistance. The bolt should require a bit of effort just before it locks.

Use a very light load of HG or SG powder. I use approx 7gr of titegroup (work up per usual) behind cornmeal filled to the base of the neck.

Put a small wad of paper towel into the neck to hold the cornmeal in place. Fire at the range. Any Large primer can be used.

What will pop out will be a fireformed case ready for case prep. You will likely need to neck turn as the necks will be thick.

7-08 brass will also work well and can be run through a 260 FL sizer. I would fireform but not necessary. Usual case prep and go have fun.

Jerry
 
Here is what I'm doing.

I've had good luck with Lapua brass, however, they don't make anything for the 260 Rem. Here is how you can make yourself Lapua brass in 260.

steps for making 260 brass from 243 Lapua Brass. Take fresh .243 brass; necked up with 6.5 mm mandrel (I'm using a K&M expander); neck turned to remove extra material at base of neck (I running a K&M neck turning tool; then neck sized one final time through a redding neck die and load.

Nosler is making 260 Rem brass and it looks good. Just haven't tried any yet.

As for the 260 itself, its a great round. If your looking in the 308 range this round far outclasses the 308.

Enjoy.
 
I have several long range rifles, and the 260 fits the category quite nicely. You'll never hear anyone knocking the 6.5x55 Swede. It is a superb 1000 yard chambering, and ballistics of it and the 260 are close enough to call it a draw. Just need the fast twist [8"] for long range bullets like the 139 Lapua Scenar, the 140 Berger VLD, the Sierra 142 MK or even the 140 Hornady A-max. The recoil is very mild, and it is easy to load for....what can I say? Eagleye.
 
Option B:

Buy Norma 260 Remington Brass. very Consistent, match-ready and extremely high quality. None of the complicated prep steps.

I agree with EE's assesment of the 6.5X55 Swede. An outstanding long range performer with more capacity than the 260, but = performance. People think that because it is more than a century-old design, it isn't cool. It sucks to admit that shooters long dead had this all figured out before even our parents were born. We just keep re-inventing better mouse traps...

....because it's fun!!!!!
 
Hoping to try some of the Nosler offerings myself, that is if Blackcloud doesn't buy it all up first :D


Blackcloud said:
Here is what I'm doing.

I've had good luck with Lapua brass, however, they don't make anything for the 260 Rem. Here is how you can make yourself Lapua brass in 260.

steps for making 260 brass from 243 Lapua Brass. Take fresh .243 brass; necked up with 6.5 mm mandrel (I'm using a K&M expander); neck turned to remove extra material at base of neck (I running a K&M neck turning tool; then neck sized one final time through a redding neck die and load.

Nosler is making 260 Rem brass and it looks good. Just haven't tried any yet.

As for the 260 itself, its a great round. If your looking in the 308 range this round far outclasses the 308.

Enjoy.
Click to expand...
 
I have "sources"..... :)

I have 200 pieces on their way to me. Cannot tell you which I prefer yet, but I have been involved in a good debate with different 260 shooters over the 308 vs. 243 parent brass debate.
 
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