Bldg new 260 rem

[valleysnyper]

Guys I am going to build a new 260 Remington for longer hunting shots can anybody tell me what the optimum barrel length would be and if I should build it off of a short or long action. I have one I hunt with now built off an old Stevens 200 action that shoots lights out but I want to make a dedicated long-range rig

 

[ShtrRdy]

My .260 has a 25.5" barrel. It sends the 140 gr Bergers at about 2750 fps. It was built on a short action, ( Stiller TAC 30 ). The heavy bullet extends into the case.

If you wanted to go with a wildcat cartridge you could use a long action and specify a .260 reamer which allows you to seat the bullet WAY out there. That would give you more case capacity.

 

[valleysnyper]

thanks, do you hunt or shoot paper with yours. I'm thinking about VLDs in mine. I shot a 8pt buck a few years ago with them out of a 264 win mag.DRT
What twist should I go with

 

[Andy grubb]

I built my 260 off a Savage short action with a 26 in shilen barrel. With 142 matchkings I'm getting 2890 fps. These loads also fit in magpull ai mag and are loaded against the lands. I also loaded 140 eld m bullet for this setup that are coming out at 2810 fps. Neither load has showed pressure but both are compressed loads that I can't go any further with. My setup shoots sub half moa all day long.

 

[valleysnyper]

How far are you guys shooting ? I want to use this for longer range hunting....500-600 yds. Any bullet suggestions ? Maybe a hammer or barnes. That way i can keep weight down tp arpund 120 and velocity close to 3000

 

[Lee D]

have you considered a 6.5 short mag? maybe a 6.5 saum, 6.5 wsm, or the new 6.5 PRC from hornady? seems like that would fit the bill well for you and your intended purpose. not knocking 260rem at all, as it is a wonderful chambering, but it sounds like you're looking for something with a little more a**

 

[valleysnyper]

I thpught about the prc but dont see too much about it. I really like the 6.5x284
I might just go with that. Can handle 140s no problem and is faster i beleive. Wpuld tale alot of shooting to burn out the barrel

 

[valleysnyper]

The other ctgs seem like they are not to popular...i could be wrong. My son had a 300 saum ....hard to find ammo or components like brass, expensive when he did so he said

 

[valleysnyper]

I guess im looking for a light recoiling rifle....bad shoulders and neck can only handle so much 300 wby. Ok recoil with ability to shoot deer at 5-600 yds with more than borderline ability. If that makes sense. Somebody give me an idea. I want it in abt 8# rifle

 

[Lee D]

I thpught about the prc but dont see too much about it. I really like the 6.5x284
I might just go with that. Can handle 140s no problem and is faster i beleive. Wpuld tale alot of shooting to burn out the barrel

personally I wouldn't build one other than the PRC, but there are a lot of folks that like the SAUM. Hornady is backing the PRC big time and I really think it is around to stay, and will be an excellent balance of performance and barrel life

 

[valleysnyper]

I'll look into it before I decide. Any idea abput how much recoil. How far would it be adequate on whitetail ?
Thanks for the suggestion

 

[Andy grubb]

I haven't tried them in my 260 but I shoot the Barnes 127 lrx out of my creedmoor with great results. I've found better accuracy with the 140s out of my 8 twist barrel though. Seems like most 6.5 barrels are being built with 8 twist. I wouldn't worry so much about trying to get to 3000 fps. All these 6.5 cartridges shooting 27-2800 fps will carry more than enough energy to 600 yards to take down game.

 

[Lee D]

I'll look into it before I decide. Any idea abput how much recoil. How far would it be adequate on whitetail ?
Thanks for the suggestion

both will have more than adequate energy at 500 for deer, 260 around 1300lbs and 2000fps and PRC with 2250fps and 1600lbs of energy shooting the same 140 class bullet.

For what you're doing in a lightweight rifle and just for deer sized game, 260 will more than likely be adequate, that is if you do not want 3000ish fps at the muzzle, which the PRC will accomplish with a 143

 

[valleysnyper]

I was just studying up on the 6.5 PRC. Article says handloading is the ticket for this and 140 + bullets. Recoil should be fair. I havnt seen anything addressing this though. I wonder if a short action would work with the VLD ? Or if i need a La