260 rem or 308 win for new build

[Vettez06]

I'm new to this forum but anyhow I am stuck between the 260rem and 308 win for a new build... The rifle will be used for 100 to 800+ yds I already have two 308s but I would like to try something different... What are the up and downs of the 260rem... Any help would be appreciated

 

[Korhil78]

Is it for targets only or for both hunting and targets? There is not really a down side to the 260 Rem. unless you want to go after elk at 700+ yards and then there are a lot of down sides. But as shooting goes, its a great caliber. Cheap to reload, reloading components are easy to come by( if Obummer doesnt screw it up), light recoiling, long barrel life and accurate.

 

[Vettez06]

Nah it's just gonna be for punching steel and paper and whitetail here in ms and al.. I really didn't know how it was for longrange

 

[Vettez06]

And to be honest I think obummer has screwed it enough as it already is my local reloading store today they haven't had no powder in a couple of months

 

[Firetec]

Between the two I really like the 260. Great ballistics with low recoil. 308 is the hard way to get the same results. Just my opinion.

 

[porkchop401]

Here is the is advantge, a 140 gr 6.5 has roughly the same BC of a 200 grain 30 cal. so you get great bc with less recoil and more velosity in a inherently accurate case.

The 6.5 disadvantage is not as much punch (retained energy) as the 30 cal. and a smaller hole for the blood to pour through!

 

[albertakid]

If you already have 308s id go 260 ai as that is a great caliber i have this internal battle all the time over 260 vs 308 out to 1000 308 after that 260 seriously considering having my 308. Rebarreled in 6.5 creedmore next time around. Great little round that will fit in my cz mags loaded out where they belong

 

[benchracer]

I have a .308 and a 6.5x55 (pretty much the same ballistics as the .260) and have shot them side by side out to 600 yards. Even at 600, the 6.5x55 is noticeably superior to the .308 in terms of trajectory, wind drift, recoil, and general shootability.

However, I have been shooting my .308 more because I have a ton of reloading components for it and because I am trying to work on my wind/mirage reading and doping skills. The .308 is less forgiving of a bad wind call, which makes it a better teacher IMO. Once I have mastered my .308, I will be that much better with my more capable rifles.

 

[Vettez06]

If I go with 260 or the 260ai will I need to go with a 1/8 twist barrel to shoot the. Heavier bullets

 

[SavageShtr]

An 8 twist would be preferable for the 140's. I love my 6.5x47mm lapua shooting the 140 Berger hybrids. I can consitantly shoot under half MOA at 100 and it is a half MOA gun to 1000 yards. I also have a .308 I just haven't shot it in awhile I have a break on that so it is just as nice as the 6.5 to shoot and just as accurate. IMO you can't go wrong with either one that you choose. Good luck in your decision!!

 

[Vettez06]

I really appreciate all the info.. It's going to be built on a savage mdl 12 action I have and I know I can get pre fit barrels for I seen that McGowen chamber both of the rounds is there anyway I can go with the pre fit barrels

 

[albertakid]

I thought shilen and lija both make drop in savage barrel

 

[Vettez06]

I'm pretty sure Lilja and shilen and several other company's make pre fit barrels

 

[SavageShtr]

I used Benchmark barrels on my last two builds. That is what I am running on my 6.5x47 Lapua, they were drop in barrels made to my specs!! They are very nice barrels and shoot amazing! When I ordered mine there was a six week turnaround. My 6.5x47 is built on a model 12 target action and I have three other savages built on the model 12 actions.