260 Rem ?

[rojo36]

I have been looking for a new rifle and its kind of between a 260 rem. and a 6.5x55 . I just wondered if anyone was familiar with the 260 Rem . I have owned a couple of the 6.5's so I know what they will do . Nobody I know has used the 260 and you can't tell a lot by reading about one . What do you use it for and what kind of range does it have would help .

[Evan]

varmints to deer,

I wouldnt try shooting over 300yds

[vern]

about all I know is what I hear others say. I understand its a 26 caliber on a 308 case, also very accurate and has some reach, flat shooting. I've heard it has an amazing effect on whitetails, I would take Evan's advice and keep it 300 and under. If your like me I love the 308 cased calibers, 22-250, 243, 7mm08. I've been wanting a 260 for some time now just have'nt got the cash as of yet. I'm sorry I can't be of much help, hope you enjoy the rifle.

[rojo36]

Evan & Vern thanks for the replys I was wondering what kind of range you could get with it .Where I'm hunting now I use a 25-06 and a 243 win for deer ,but I was thinking about going to a heavier bullet thats why I thought about the 260 Rem . I know I could go to a bigger gun but I was tryin to stay in a lighter rifle .I guess its back to the drawing boards .

['da law]

Howdy Fellas,

Rojo, as for the .260, I have had the chance to shoot one in the Ruger here recently. A friend of mine acquired one for his wife to hunt whitetail with this past season. As for the 6.5 calibers, I am a long time fan of them and longed for one of the .260's for myself. I carried a sporterized Model 96 Swede 6.5x55 for quite some time and when the .260's came out I looked at them long and hard. However, I haven't seen one that is accurate enough to suit me. I have talked w/a few fellas that own them in everything from the Remingtons to the Rugers and across the board they all say that they are decent at best for accuracy. The majority of those I have spoke with handload and say that the .260 is rather finicky. I guess I'd have to stick w/the 6.5x55, they are very similiar and w/good handloads, they will shoot w/the .260. If it ain't broke, I ain't messin' w/it! Just my .02 cents.

'da law

[vern]

Ever consider getting a 7mm08? I use 140 grain factory loads and killed a doe this year at 350. She dropped in her tracks, I use this rifle at times for graoundhog as well. The 400 yard shot could be achieved, but still prefer to keep it at 300, but know it can do 350 easy. I have heard you can use 165 grain if you reload. My 7mm08 is my favorite deer rifle I own and have ever owned.

[rojo36]

'da law I have heard that the 260 Rem didn't have the range of the 6.5 X 55,but nobody I know shoots one so I haven't heard anything about the accuracy . I used to own a 6.5 in the model 94 with a short barrel and a soft action . You couldn't load them very fast but they were very accurate ,thats why I was considering a new rifle and a stonger action to see what I could do with it . I like to shoot and buying and selling guns is my hobby .
Vern I have read about the 7mm-08 and I have a friend that swears by his . Its one of those guns that if I run across a deal I would buy it ,you just never see a good used one around . I could buy a new one wholesale but there is no fun in that .

['da law]

Rojo,

As for the 6.5 Swede, you can achieve some flat shootin' loads for the 6.5 if you handload on the high side of the spectrum. As for action strength, all of today's published handload data falls well within SAAMI specs and are safe in the Swede's from what I have seen. A Model 96 small ring is a relatively strong action, tho' not as strong as the 98's, can be loaded up fairly hot given a little discretion is used. As for actions, ever looked at building up a large ring 98? There are some good prethreaded/chambered barrels out there for them (both in the 6.5 Swede and the .260) and they aren't hard to install as I have had the occasion to put "one or two" in actions. I am currently working on an Argentine '09 98 large ring action and I am looking at one of the 6.5's. Right now I have narrowed it down to either a 6.5/06 or a .264 Win. Mag. As for the 7/08, you can't go wrong there. They are outstanding shooters and are flat lethal! Anyhow, just my .02 cents. Take care.

'da law

[rojo36]

'da law How did you get started rebarreling your own ? That is something I have always wanted to do and just never seemed to have the time . I do most of my own gun work but just never had the nerve to try rebarreling . I even know where I can pick up a action fairly reasonable . Do you have a source for barrels you could share .rojo .

['da law]

Rojo,

Like you, I do the majority of my own work (about 95%). When I first got into working on guns, I had little money to work with and had to do a lot of my own work. I got started with the barrels as I got deeper into workin' on guns and rebarreled a 98 large ring w/a threaded/short-chambered barrel, took it to a 'smith and watched him set the headspacing/finish out the chamber. I saw that this wasn't a major undertaking, just took patience and attention to detail and voila! As for barrels, try looking at the threaded/short-chambered barrels for the 98's, they come in everything from .22/250 to .458 Win. Mag. Try Brownell's, Midway USA or E.R. Shaw barrels. You can get them in Douglas, Shilen and the cheaper Adams and Bennet barrels. E.R. Shaw will put together a barrel the same in about anything you want for a decent price also. I am currently working on a 1909 Argentine 98 large ring and I am lookin' at either a 6.5/06 or a .25/06 in a heavy barrel. I can't get my mind made up yet on which caliber I want. As for doin' your own, you need things like an action wrench, barrel vise and finish reamers/headspace guages in the appropriate caliber to get the job done. However, reamers will set you back about $100.00 a pop and the gauges run on average $25.00 a pop. To save some money, you can rent the reamers and gauges thru Shawnie Tool and Reamer rentals for a far cry cheaper than the cost of buyin' them. Barrel vises and the wrenches are available from Brownell's and Midway also. Hope this helps Rojo, take care and God Bless!

'da law

[rojo36]

'da law I have got to say you have my interest on this . I have to make a trip to Ca , but when I get back I'm going to give it a try. All I have to do is figure out what caliber I want . All the info is has been a big help and I want to thank you for your replies . Rojo

[todbartell]

I use my Remington M700 Mtn rifle in 260 Rem for all my coyote & deer hunting. I've gotten great accuracy, and have used it this fall on a mule deer and a whitetail, as well as a coyote. I handloaded 140 gr. Nosler Partitions for deer, and 100 gr. Ballistic Tips for the coyote.

I'd say the 6.5X55 & 260 Rem are so close, it's a toss-up. They are near ballistic twins. Recoil is mild, and they have about 275-290 yards of point blank range +/- 3"

The 140 gr. load's smallest 3 shot 100 meter group is .31", average is around .75". 120 gr. NBT's are also good shooters, 5 shot group was .61".

[outlaw from Idaho]

todbartell,sounds like thats a great shooting MT. rifle is it as out of the box are have you tricked it up some? Outlaw

P.S. Welcome to huntseek,good to see you here. Outlaw

[todbartell]

My 260 is the stainless/laminate M700 Mtn Rifle. I have nothing to it at all....yet. I am waiting the arrival of a lightweight fiberglass stock, should drop a pound off the total weight. I will glass bed the stock, and see how it shoots.

[outlaw from Idaho]

todbartell, hope it shoots as good with the new stock. Outlaw