260 or 6.5x55SE

[sewwhat89]

I am looking at getting a Tikka T3 in either a 260 or 6.5x55SE. Is there a performace difference in them? I will use them for deer/hogs out to 400 yards and paper out to 800 or so. In a modern rifle, I do not see any difference other than Lapua brass for the Swiss. Any other opinions?

 

[Clark]

A) With American load book's max loads as the absolute limit, the 260 would be a little higher performance.
B) Working up a load until the threshold of long brass life is reached and backing off a safety margin ala Vernon Speer 1956, gives the 6.5x55 considerable performance advantage.

What does it all mean?
It depends on your level of handloading.

 

[goodgrouper]

I would lean towards the Swede. WIth the Lapua brass, you can load it to a higher psi before losing your primer pockets and the accuracy is top notch.

I wish there were better brass for the 260.

 

[RT2506]

I don't know which action that the Tikka T3 uses but a 6.5X55 Swede will not work through a short action like a Rem. 700 but the 260 will. The 6.5 Swede in a modern rifle with worked up to loads will out perform the 260. If you were going to be building a rifle you should go with a longer barrel (28 to 30 inch) and the 6.5 Swede will smoke. I have a sporterized 96 Swede Mauser that has the 29 inch barrel and with safe loads under 45,000 cup pressure that long barrel gives 3000 fps with a 120 Nosler BT and 2850 fps with 140 gr bullets with glent edge accuracy. I just picked up a Rem 700 actioned 27 3/4 inch Douglas barreled 264 Win Mag but have not shot it yet. I am waiting on scope rings that should be here today. I am chomping at the bit to see how fast it will drive a 120 Nosler BT.

 

[tackb]

I use 243 lapua brass (your only necking up 1/2mm) and find it to be superb I can't imagine what a swede would do that my custom 260 won't with a short action ?

I think you'll be served very well by either , just try them both in the shop and see which action you prefer , the difference is not enough to worry about. Just concentrate on hitting the right spot .

Russ

 

[J E Custom]

I am looking at getting a Tikka T3 in either a 260 or 6.5x55SE. Is there a performace difference in them? I will use them for deer/hogs out to 400 yards and paper out to 800 or so. In a modern rifle, I do not see any difference other than Lapua brass for the Swiss. Any other opinions?

There is nothing wrong with the 6.5 except they do need long barrels and expensive
brass.

The 260 on the other hand will match velocities of the 6.5x55 in much shorter barrels
and with short actions making the 260 a much more usable rifle .

Ammo can be found allmost anywhere and is reasonably priced.

It is in the 308 family and is simply a 6.5/308 just like the 243 and 7/08 so brass can be
made from any of these cases.

I prefer the 7/08 but the 260 will kick butt on white tail deer.

The 308 was designed to work in a short action and with a short barrel.

My 7/08 will exceed 3000ft/sec with the 120gr bullet in a 20" barrel at moderate pressures.

Just my opinion
J E CUSTOM

 

[gabby]

I'm also looking at getting A Tikka T3 in either 260 or 6.5x55. The jury is still out. One interesting thing I found out is that on the Tikka website under data table they list the 260 as having a 1 in 9" twist and the Swede a 1 in 8"" twist. Mike

 

[ol mike]

I am looking at getting a Tikka T3 in either a 260 or 6.5x55SE. Is there a performace difference in them? I will use them for deer/hogs out to 400 yards and paper out to 800 or so. In a modern rifle, I do not see any difference other than Lapua brass for the Swiss. Any other opinions?

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I don't think you can get a 260rem anymore !

If you search 'tikka' a site pops up and shows them in 260rem -but in checking through the berretta site <- they own tikka -they don't show the t-3's in 260.
I was told on 24hr campfire that the 260rem's were no more -bummer for sure.

Remington is chambering the youth model -model seven in 260rem -retails for $550ish ?Not too bad providing it shoots good.

I can't quit going over to the kimber site and looking at the montana's in 260 or 7-08 -at 5 pounds 3oz's they sure are tempting for a backcountry backpacker like me.

I think the tikka 6.5 swede has a 1-8" twist in that chambering !
Good luck -Mike