260AI. worth it or do something different?

[Flatwound]

260 ai with Re 26

 

[PartsJr.]

My gunsmith recently called PTG for a custom reamer. He quoted me about 8 weeks to get the reamer.

 

[Andrew Cowling]

7mm-08 with a 26 inch will get you there easily but at a lower BC for the same weight bullets. 260 AI sounds like a lot more fun though. When my 6.5 PRC is shot out I will seriously consider the 260AI. Most running copper solids anyway.

You will need a different bolt face to switch from 6.5prc to 260ai.

 

[Cmrem700]

Just sayin'....
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My JGS reamer took 9 weeks, and it is a custom cut with .140" FB instead of the standard .050" FB.

There is always https://4drentals.com/product/260-remington-ackley/ you could rent from.

6.5SLR?

 

[lancetkenyon]

6.5SLR?

.260AI!

I already have a 6.5SLR though.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Just sayin'....
View attachment 320664
View attachment 320665
My JGS reamer took 9 weeks, and it is a custom cut with .140" FB instead of the standard .050" FB.

There is always https://4drentals.com/product/260-remington-ackley/ you could rent from.

Whats your base to ogive or OAL with a 140?

 

[wkdwdg66]

Hello all, I'm in the thought process of building my wife a rifle, I've all ready bought a defiance tenacity and a proof sendero light barrel. looking for something that is relatively (easily) loaded for that will run a 140grain bullet around 2900. I had thoughts about ackley improving the 260 Remington but it just doesn't seem worth it. Open to all short action standard bolt face calibers 6.5-30cal that will do that velocity

AI that 260

 

[wkdwdg66]

Thank you everyone for the insight. And I really like the 260ai idea. The dilemma is the time it takes for a reamer, the wife wants to hunt this upcoming fall. And it looks like reamers are quite a ways back ordered. Unless anyone knew where to find one quick?

I have a new PTG finish reamer that I used on one barrel. PM if interested?

 

[lancetkenyon]

Whats your base to ogive or OAL with a 140?

Cut for the 140 Hyb to just touch the lands at around 2.880" COAL if I remember right (my Accurate mags w/o binder plate are 2.980"). Should be around 2.192" CBTO I am thinking. Until I get my rifle back, I won't know these exact numbers.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Go 260AI and don't look back. There are more benefits to modifying the 260 case than just extra speed.
For what it's worth I had a factory Remington 700 5R Gen 2 24" 260 running 2948 avg with 140 VLDs, Lapua Brass, Fed 215 primers and RL26 powder. 7fps ES.

You should be able to easily get that or better with an AI.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Cut for the 140 Hyb to just touch the lands at around 2.880" COAL if I remember right (my Accurate mags w/o binder plate are 2.980"). Should be around 2.192" CBTO I am thinking. Until I get my rifle back, I won't know these exact numbers.

Thanks for the info Lance!

 

[SSgt G Cody]

I was down watching the 1000yd shooters recently in eastern NC, and the 2 top shooters were using 6.5's in necked down (slightly) 270WSM cases, with stock 35 degree shoulders, and 20% more capacity than the 260. Why AI???

 

[lancetkenyon]

I was down watching the 1000yd shooters recently in eastern NC, and the 2 top shooters were using 6.5's in necked down (slightly) 270WSM cases, with stock 35 degree shoulders, and 20% more capacity than the 260. Why AI???

Less recoil
Longer barrel life (possibly double+)
Almost buy 2, get 1 free for powder charge. A 6.5WSM is definitely more than 20% more powder burn in a .260AI. 65gr+ vs 45gr+.
I have had four 6.5SSs. First barrel was toast at 1200+ rounds. Average charge weight was 61.0gr @ 3120fps 26" barrel. On the flip side, my 1st 6.5SLR barrel was done at 2800 rounds, average charge weight was 43.0gr @ 2930fps 28" barrel. That is a pretty close comparison to your 6.5WSM vs .260AI question.