.260. Best twist rate and factory ammo circa 140 grn

[Overlay]

Guys.
Seriously looking for a change to a single rifle use for stalking etc

Pretty well settled on a .260

Any guys on here using one for target and or stalking

Possible twist rate 1:8 is that the best rate
Barrel length ?

Prefer something like 140 grn factory ammunition if this is available

I have 243, 6.5 and 308 at the moment which could be used for a new barrel donor

Any info greatly appreciated

Cheers

Phil

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Do you mean 260 as in a 260 rem or any of the 6.5 cartridges?

If you're after factory ammo, you're probably best going creedmoor.

Barrel length - 24 is where I think the sweet spot is with an over barrel moderator. Still usable stalking and still managing to get the velocity for targets at range.

 

[Overlay]

Not sure on the specific calibre but it will be for all round deer use and 1 weight on ammunition a friend has 260 REM in a sauer and it is faultless and superb accuracy - hand load ammo - so if that is the best one I guess 260 `REM it is

I go to the range now and then as well

Preferably factory ammo for me

 

[bobthenailer]

I have had a .260 REM for about 15 years plus.
Factory ammo has always been almost non existent in the UK.

The only factory ammunition that was available in any kind of regular supply was Federal Fusion. This may well have changed as I never really buy anything factory loaded now so I’m unsure what’s about but I very much doubt that it has improved.

Hand loaded ammunition is the key for.260 to really shine in my opinion. It’s a very capable round and will do anything that any of the other 6.5’s will do in standard chamberings.

Kind regards,
Bob.

 

[Konnari]

1-8 is no brainer for 260 rem or any other 6.5mm for that matter. My Sako 85 in 260 rem has 1-8 twist and shoots any weight bullets great

 

[Dan Newcombe]

As someone who uses a .260 a lot and really rates it, I wouldn’t go with one again purely because it’s a pain to get ammunition for, reloading is the only really viable way especially for copper. I’d go creedmoor.

I never used 140gn, not sure if there is any but the Norma 120gn was really good in my rifle and now I use the 110gn Virtus Merlin on roe and reds and never had a problem with either.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Ed at Edinburgh Rifles has non-lead factory ammunition for 260 Rem. I've owned 260 Rems since '99. I'm on my sixth or seventh barrel for stalking. I use a 6.5 Creedmoor for range work.
Regards
JCS

 

[Overlay]

As someone who uses a .260 a lot and really rates it, I wouldn’t go with one again purely because it’s a pain to get ammunition for, reloading is the only really viable way especially for copper. I’d go creedmoor.

I never used 140gn, not sure if there is any but the Norma 120gn was really good in my rifle and now I use the 110gn Virtus Merlin on roe and reds and never had a problem with either.

Cheers Dan
That was my main concern - ammunition
I’ve sold my reloading gear a while back as I found it time consuming loading and testing for a few calibres and went down the factory avenue
But reloading once set up is not really a chore for just one rifle, I would probably enjoy that

 

[Overlay]

Ed at Edinburgh Rifles has non-lead factory ammunition for 260 Rem. I've owned 260 Rems since '99. I'm on my sixth or seventh barrel for stalking. I use a 6.5 Creedmoor for range work.
Regards
JCS

Is that the fox NT ammo, I got quite a bit of him and that worked very well 243 & 308

 

[6pt-sika]

I’ve had atleast one rifle chambered in 260 REM since it’s factory debut in 1996ish . I’ve also had them in 20-22-24 and 26 inch barrels I honestly can’t tell you the twist rate in any but the 26” as I still have it and the twist is roll stamped on the barrel 1:8 it’s also a factory Remington 5R fluted barrel . My initial 260 was a Remington stainless synthetic gun with a 20” barrel and while I don’t remember the twist rate I tried everything from 85 grains up to and including 160 grainers . I think the worst I had any of them shoot was .75 MOA for three shots . Now be aware that was all handloading not factory ammunition .

 

[Overlay]

Thanks 6 -ptsika
Yep
Coming round to the reloading thoughts now, thanks it does seem sensible

 

[K.H - Tikka]

I currently have a .260 Rem in my cabinet. Actually my second of the calibre and it is an excellent choice.

Mine is a 1:7 twist finished at 20” -I have developed loads for it with bullets from 100gr (Lapua Scenar) to 140gr (ELD-M) so you will have a vast choice of bullets for your uses. I went with the faster twist for when I move to lead free; however I have been quite slow with that transition.

With the 140gr - even with the 20” barrel, I am achieving over 2800fps and it shoots better than I can. A lot better. I personally prefer to shoot it over a 6.5CM but that is very much personal opinion.

You will pretty much be limited to hand loading but like you say - once set up, it’s a breeze!

K .H

 

[25 Sharps]

why not just get a creedmoor? It is the ballistic twin of the .260 rem and will give you loads and loads of choice for factory.

 

[Acm]

why not just get a creedmoor? It is the ballistic twin of the .260 rem and will give you loads and loads of choice for factory.

This really is the more sensible option, and if you can’t live with the creedmoor, (we should all just get over it by now, all the hyperbole aside it’s really very good) what about a swede? Generally plenty of factory ammo available and just a touch better than the creed or .260 should you wish to reload. With some bullets you can start to get quite close to prc performance.
I’m still using a swede, the barrels getting quite rough now, but still shoots. Having thought I’d change to a prc I now think when the time comes for a rebarrel I’ll stick with a swede, have all the brass and equipment I’ll ever need.

 

[Trigger260]

Mines 1/8-5 finished at 22inch. If you want factory ammo go creedmore. If you go 260rem its hand load and I'd recommend sticking with 120-130g bullets

 

[Overlay]

This really is the more sensible option, and if you can’t live with the creedmoor, (we should all just get over it by now, all the hyperbole aside it’s really very good) what about a swede? Generally plenty of factory ammo available and just a touch better than the creed or .260 should you wish to reload. With some bullets you can start to get quite close to prc performance.
I’m still using a swede, the barrels getting quite rough now, but still shoots. Having thought I’d change to a prc I now think when the time comes for a rebarrel I’ll stick with a swede, have all the brass and equipment I’ll ever need.

I’m shooting a 6.5 x 55 have been for many years
The 260 rem I’ve shot of my buddy was as smooth as silk and pin point sccrate

 

[Acm]

I’m shooting a 6.5 x 55 have been for many years
The 260 rem I’ve shot of my buddy was as smooth as silk and pin point sccrate

Do you think that’s the cartridge or the setup? There’s no reason a .260 would be anymore smooth or accurate than any other.

 

[Overlay]

Do you think that’s the cartridge or the setup? There’s no reason a .260 would be anymore smooth or accurate than any other.

My thoughts were the rifle build a sauer and bang on hand loading, lovely piece of kit and performance

 

[Acm]

My thoughts were the rifle build a sauer and bang on hand loading, lovely piece of kit and performance

Sometimes there’s an itch you just need to scratch!

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Is that the fox NT ammo, I got quite a bit of him and that worked very well 243 & 308

Yes, Fox ammunition.

Regards

JCS