260 Remington-How come none in T/C?

[Minnesota1]

Hey guys.  My question is this.  I've been told that most of the high power long range shoots are being won by the 260 remington cartridge.  I've heard that many swat teams are switching from the 308 to the 260 rem.  I hear it has the best ballistics for long range shoots as well.

If this is true how come Thompson has not chambered a rifle in it?    Or have they in the past and currently do not?  If anyone could shed some light on this I would appreciate it also if you have any experience with the 260 rem case and would like to share your thoughts-pro's and con's I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Bob

[sweetwyominghome]

TC did offer the .260 but has since dropped it from the standard list of calibers.

I've used the caliber for years -- and in fact, two of mine were stamped 6.5x.308 as Remington had not yet adopted it as an official factory round at that point.

The caliber is at its very best with 140 grain bullets at around 2700-2750 fps as the long, streamlined projectiles retain their velocity and energy well and penetrate like nobody's business. In fact, at the moderate velocity the cartridge operates at, there's really no need for a premium bullet on any medium-sized game. 

[oneshotonekill]

Not sure how many shoots are being won by the 260 rem, most guys that are serious about long range and 6.5mm bullets are using the 6.5x284 for the superior ballistics.  Quite a few competitors are winning with the 6.5x284.  In general the 140 gr 6.5mm bullet is a good long range/target bullet due to the extremely high BC.  The 260 is a good cartridge but it lacks the powder capacity to really ring out the potential of the high BC 6.5 bullets.  The 260 is almost a ballistic twin to the 6.5x55, either of which would make a great deer round but if I were looking for something to throw the long ball with I'd go to the 6.5x284.

[HEAD0001]

I concur with Oneshot.  The 6.5X284 is the cartridge I believe you are talking about.  From what I have seen you need to push the 140 grainer between 2900-3000 fps.  The 260 can not quite get there.  The 140 grain match bullets at 2950 have a BC of approximately .575.  And that is pretty good.

The 260 Remington is a great cartridge.  But I would not get rid of a great shooting 308 Winchester for one.  I can not see any discernable real world difference.  Tom.

[R.W.Dale]

 The 260rem is a cartridge  that spent a brief period in the limelight but whose popularity has already waxed. The .260 is akin to the .450 marlin in that it's only real contribution to the shooting world was to show how good the original can be when loaded to it's potential. In the 450's case that would be the 45-70 and in the .260's the original 6.5x55 has been the benefactor of much renewed interest.

[Minnesota1]

So the 6.5 x 284 is the better of the bunch.  I am assuming it is a 284 case necked to the 6.5mm bullet.  Is this then a wildcat round?  Does anyone make dies for it?  How much would it cost to rechamber a rifle to it?  If anyone can enlighten me on any of these questions I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Bob

[Cowboybart]

Redding, RCBS, Hornady all make dies.  Hornady and Lapua make brass.   Careful on doing this on an Encore barrel.  The rebated rim of the 284 case is a problem for the extractor of the Encore.  My friend had this problem on his Bullberry barrel.  He tried several different extractors, even slightly sprung extractors.  The barrel eventually went to ebay.  This would be a great bolt gun round.  If you want to do it on an Encore go w/ a 6.5-06.
If you want to do it still, a local riflesmith has a 6.5-284 reamer (he is currently doing a 6/284 on a '98 action for me).  An Encore is cheaper to do than a bolt gun but the extraction problem is yours.

PS The reason the 6.5/284 is better at long range stuff than the 260 is the 6.5/284 will stay super-sonic to 1000yds, the 260 won't (depending on elevation and % humidity).

[jakes10mm]

Agree that the 6.5X284 has superior long range ballistics, but didn't see any mention about barrel life issues with this HOT round.  Over on the 6mmbr forum, they are calling for about 1000 rounds plus or minus before its time for a new barrel (although it looks like benchrest shooters will cut back the bolt action barrels to reach a new throat area).  I have a 260 built on a Savage 110 Long Action.  It is definitely a nice shooting cartridge.  Very mild on recoil and the long action allows me to load to a long OAL.  Haven't gone beyond published loads, but the extra length from the long action could potential give me a little more "safe" powder space....just not very risky with chamber pressures. 

Once S&W gets the Fox Ridge site (Custom Shop) back online, you should see a 260 barrel.  It use to be there.

[jamie]

I have a 6.5-284  in an Encore.  You can have any of the custom barrel makers to make you one for around $350-$385.  Mine is a handgun so it is a little harder to get it's potential accuracy out of it (FOR ME IT IS).  It shoots in the .3's at 100 yrds with 142grn MKs and H4831sc powder.

As far as barrel life, well it doesn't apply to most.  It has a reputation for being a barrel burner and barrels last from 1000-1200 rnds before they are shot out.  Well that is coming from guys who shoot  in 1000 yrd matches where 1/10" is a big difference when testing at 100 yrds.  When their groups go from .15 to .25 they are furious.  I shoot a .25 group  and I frame it.  It is no harder on barrels than any other hot stepping round.

IF you take of your barrel and do not over heat it and clean it well  then as the casual shooter you should get thousands of rounds throu it before you need to replace it.

[poncaguy]

I got a 260 Rem barrel from Ed's TC this summer..................

[encoreguy]

Actually he is right the straight .260 is becoming the preferred swat and tactacial shoot choice.  Why, the great b.c of the 6.5 bullets and it works in a short action magazine with high b.c bullets where the 6.5 X 284 does not work reliably with detachable or internal magazines.  The 6.5 X 284 will give you more velocity and would be great in a single shot.

[sdb777]

Kind of wondering why the SWAT and Tactical teams would bother to switch over to the over-penetrating caliber?  Not saying it's not a better cartridge then the .223Remington....  Just thinking that urban use would lead to non-combatants being put in harms way with a cartridge/bullets combination that will easily pass through a human, into another.

Wasn't the wildcat adopted in 1996 and did SAAMI ever give pressures for it?  And it's already dying?  Someone should Ackley it and re-introduce it with a better name............maybe?


Scott (great cartridge topic) B

[encoreguy]

It is really just becoming a option to replace the .308's not .223's.  Simply better ballistics.  Mainly though it is just being used in competitions, not necessarily in field use.

[Elwood]

It seems that the 260 Rem is going nowhere. I did a search on auction arms and only found four rifles. Im not saying that it is a bad round but, it seems to be floundering.
Elwood

[pa hog]

You can get a 24" blued no sights .260 Encore or the same thing in 6.5x284 from Midway USA's catalog for$ 249.99
I called today they have a 6.5x284 in stock and a .260 barrel should be in Dec. 12. They are also aval. from Fox Ridge Outfitters.(TC's Custom shop)

[cinosbus]

Why not a .264 WinMag if you want more than the .260/6.5x55?

[tlyne]

T/C is an manufacturing Company. If people don't buy a caliber. T/C stops making that caliber.