260 ai or 6.5prc
- Thread starter BCinKS
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
D
Deleted member 25294
Guest
That 3" of barrel is giving you incredible performance from a 260AI, if I remember right you're using RL26.
A friend of mine shoots PRS with a 26" 260AI loaded to saami length, and he's maxed out 200 fps less than your'e getting with the same powder.
I shoot 147's in my 6.5 SAUM with 60.5 grains of H1000 for 3050 in a 25" barrel 2.97"OAL, it's a mild load for sure and I'm expecting long barrel life.
Now if you want to compare one cartridge to another with RL26 take away 100 fps + with standard powders.
Barrett was awarded a contract for an undisclosed number of 300 PRC rifles this past December, perhaps to replace the 300 Win and or the .338. That's a huge boost for the longevity of the PRC cartridge.
Excerpts from an article about the contract:
"The 300 PRC, along with Hornady's 6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge, earlier this year earned the approval of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute. Described as the "6.5 Creedmoor's big brother," the 6.5 PRC gives precision rifle shooters a flat-shooting, heavy bullet that still brings 2,000 foot-pounds of energy at 500-yards, while still having a manageable recoil."
"In addition to the MRAD contract, Barrett last month also picked up an $8 million award from the U.S. Army to supply the service branch with more M107 rifles in .50-caliber BMG. A further $3.3 million maintenance contract, expected to run for five years, was announced shortly afterward. The military has utilized the M107 rifle system for more than 15 years.
Meanwhile, the MRAD has been spotted in the hands of several international sniper units to include the Israeli Defense Forces and Norwegian Army."
alf
Well-Known Member
For reference.......
My latest PRC runs 140 VLD's at 3120 with H-1000 in a 24" Bartlein.....
My latest PRC runs 140 VLD's at 3120 with H-1000 in a 24" Bartlein.....
codyadams
Well-Known Member
A 6.5 SS will still get that performance out of a 24" barrel. A .260 AI however would not. A friend of mine shoots a .260 AI with a 24" and using Reloder 26 his load is in the neighborhood of the low 2900's with the 143 eld-x, maxed out just under 3000. With H4831sc he was getting high 2800's for max, his best accuracy was 2780 however.
2850 is not all that fast to max out with on a .260 AI and a 26" barrel, but if he is loading to 2.800" OAL then that would certainly hinder performance, though I'm not sure why you would load that short with these high bc bullets? If he is in PRS he likely has an AICS type dbm, so he can easily load out to 2.970" with a couple different mags available, why is he loading so short? Mainly just curious.
D
Deleted member 25294
Guest
I'll ask him what his OAL is at our match this weekend, it's not a custom throated barrel that much I know for sure.
codyadams
Well-Known Member
Ya. I could certainly see the benefit of loading somewhat reduced loads for PRC, would make your barrel and brass last a lot longer. Some barrels are just slower/faster than others too. Also, when I first started loading for my .260 AI, I was using Remington .243 once fired brass that I sized then formed. I would get pressure signs way lower than with Lapua and Peterson. I have also noticed that my Peterson brass shows pressure signs about 20-50 fps lower than the Lapua brass did, but the accuracy nodes are still in the same general velocity range.
Methow Packer
Well-Known Member
6.5 Sherman Short. You can't go wrong especially in a short action. Amazingly accurate. Has just the right velocity. Too fast burns barrels. 40 deg shoulder is ideal to minimize case stretch. Pretty slick cartridge. Needs a magnum bolt face though. Unless you don't reload then the PRC. I've always they should have had a commercially made 6.5WSM. I've never bought loaded ammo before except 30/30. Hmmm
stxhunter260ai
Member
I've been shooting a 260ai from a 24" barrel for the past few years. My current load is running a 143 ELDX right around 2900fps using RL26. Originally wanted a 6.5x284, but really wanted to stay with a short action cartridge. Shoots great, fire forming isn't horrible and I'm still on my original 100 lapua brass.
With that being said, I'm in the process of having a 6.5 SS built to get a bit more velocity. Had already purchased 200 pcs of 6.5 SAUM brass, but decided to jump on the 6.5 SS bandwagon after ADG released their brass. I'm going with a light weight setup 22" proof barrel and hoping to see around 3100fps with the 143 eldx.
Since you reload, I'd seriously consider the 6.5 SS for the additional performance it offers over the 260ai and lack of fire forming. The 6.5 SS seems more efficient than several of the other similar offerings and appears to be "the better mousetrap". If you wanted to download the velocity you could easily match 260ai performance without stressing brass at all.
With that being said, I'm in the process of having a 6.5 SS built to get a bit more velocity. Had already purchased 200 pcs of 6.5 SAUM brass, but decided to jump on the 6.5 SS bandwagon after ADG released their brass. I'm going with a light weight setup 22" proof barrel and hoping to see around 3100fps with the 143 eldx.
Since you reload, I'd seriously consider the 6.5 SS for the additional performance it offers over the 260ai and lack of fire forming. The 6.5 SS seems more efficient than several of the other similar offerings and appears to be "the better mousetrap". If you wanted to download the velocity you could easily match 260ai performance without stressing brass at all.
D
Deleted member 25294
Guest
I love how every time a thread gets started comparing a few standard chamberings everyone starts recommending SS wildcats.. Just sayin
codyadams
Well-Known Member
Because they are better unless you don't reload ha ha
I like 6.5 Grendel for the smaller stuff and targets inside 300. It'll go further, of course. A heavy barrel Howa Mini would be nice, but the bolt handle is on the wrong side. I dig the ARs we have in Grendel. Handy, cheap to feed carbines do most of what I want in a fun gun.
The reasons why on the Creedmoor don't really make sense for bolt action hunters, at least not to me. I would not go a Savage action for a gun I intended to run a lot. If you want cheap look at the Ruger Predator. If I used backwards bolt action, I would consider adding the AI chambering money to the Tikka T3 Lite money and a little more to see about a Tikka CTR in .260. Might as well spend it. It ain't my money!
The reasons why on the Creedmoor don't really make sense for bolt action hunters, at least not to me. I would not go a Savage action for a gun I intended to run a lot. If you want cheap look at the Ruger Predator. If I used backwards bolt action, I would consider adding the AI chambering money to the Tikka T3 Lite money and a little more to see about a Tikka CTR in .260. Might as well spend it. It ain't my money!
