I need info on this caliber......
A guy that is new to reloading said he wish he hadn't got a 30-06 because it is more than he needs. He mentioned getting a .260. I mostly deal with pistols, but know some about rifles, and I have never heard of a .260 caliber. What does it compare to? What size game is it best for and what makes the .260 a good choice over well known calibers? Thanks for any help.
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The.260 Remington was brought out in the 90's. It's the Americanized version of the 6.5 Swede of the 1890's, but based on necked down .308 Winchester brass. Everything the Swede can do, the Remington will also do. Generally the Remington isn't loaded with the heavy 160 grain bullets, that the Swede was designed for though. 0 -
The 260 is follows the same thinking as the 7-08. Neck down the 308 to .264 and you have the 260.
I have read where it is comparable to the venerable 6.5x55. I may be biased so jmho, nothing compares to the 6.5 Swede.
With that jab aside. I've never hunted with one, but have fired a couple of 260's and accuracy was what I'd expect from something in the 6.5 caliber. One was a Savage the other a re-barreled Sako and they both shot like lasers.
Anything you would want to hunt with the 6.5x55 is doable with the 260. And Yes, I said that. Just cause I'm biased doesn't make me stupid.0 -
Varmints to deer/elk, maybe more. Think 6.5mm-308 Win. A little less powder and perhaps a little cheaper bullet prices than feeding an 06. You could download an 06 to be in same class more or less as a 6.5mm but don't think you could upload the 6's. Maybe paper energy due to the velocity squared term. The 256 Newton (6.5mm-06)was good cartridge with a fast twist rate to run 160 gr. bullets. I think I have some 180 gr. that are really long bullets.
I like 6.5mm but 7mm are my favorite flyers.0 -
It's a very capable round, with lighter felt recoil than the .30-06/.308, yet the 6.5mm bullet is one of those that just does more than you would think it could; flying further and flatter that you'd expect and working on game animals like a larger round does. (Example; the 6.5 Swedish round, which is not as "powerful" as the .30-06 by any stretch, is a very common moose caliber in Northern Europe.)
It is as good (or IMHO better) than the 7mm-08 for just about anything, and has more oomph than a .243 should larger game and/or longer distances be encountered.
The .260 is very accurate and effective at almost all reasonable ranges, (And some extreme ranges as well) and is a popular caliber in high-level sniper competition rifles built by Surgeon and others.
Ammo is not as "everywhere" available as the .308 or .30-06, but it isn't so uncommon as to be a hassle if one checks out the retailers. Loads are usually in the 120-140 grain range, with the most recommended all-around being the 140. This will do for everything he'll hunt up to Elk (if the bullet is properly constructed and a good shot is made). Craig Boddington writes about his love for the Barnes 120 grain TSX bullet in .260, which will have less recoil than a hevier bullet yet these things seem to work magic on deer/elk.
If your buddy handloads, .260 from .308 casea re a snap, and .308 cases are everywhere. Lots of load data, too.
I have a M77RSI in .243 that someday will become a .260..if I can collect enough cans to get the $$ together..[8D]0 -
6.5x55 swede or twede(turkish mauser) is the way to go .Nice customized rifles ,ammo,and reloading gear all available at reasonable prices.I got my Twede off GunBroker with syn stock, Buehler safety, and aftermarket trigger etc.for $350.I put a Pentax Gameseeker on it it's a great gun. 0 -
.260 Remington is a great deer cartridge. BUT, the 30-06 can easily be loaded down to similar energy / recoil levels, and be just as effective on deer. No need to change rifles! 0 -
Like has been said, the 260, is the ballistic twin of the 6.5x55 Swedeish Mauser. It is based on the 308 Winchester case, so it can be had in shorter actions, which are also lighter, and most definitely handier.
That said, I have a 260 Remington, in a Browning A-Bolt II, stainless, that I won at a raffle. I almost sold it, NIB, then got a wild hair to see what it was about...and glad that I did. With a 120 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, leaving at 3000 FPS, it hits the shoulder like a 243, and delivers more energy past 400 yards, than a bunch of loadings for the 308 Winchester, and 30-06. It does all this while shooting flatter, than the beloved 270 Winchester. I have killed several deer, and a black bear with it. The 6.5 Swede, has been said to have harvested more Scandinavian moose, than all other cartridges combined.
On the advice of a friend, and my new found affliction for the 6.5mm bore size, I built another rifle, on a wildcat cartridge that also mimmicks the performance of the 260. It is called the 6.5 Heaton, and is a 25 WSSM case necked up to 6.5mm. For a platform, I used a Browning A-Bolt II, stainless, specially designed for the WSSM sized rounds. At deer camp, there are almost outright fights, over who is going to take out on watch.
As one last attribute, it is well suited for youngsters, and the recoil sensitive hunters. As such, it is leaps and bounds above the 243 Winchester for that purpose.
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