.260 question...

[Chadster73]

I'm considering a semi-custom build in .260 remington. I want to use it as a replacement for my .270. I don't like the recoil from my .270 and was wondering if the .260 shooting something like a 130 gr. Berger VLD would be a viable alternative for big game (mule deer, antelope & elk out to 500 yards?) Also, Hornady has thier new GMX 120 gr. in .264 cal... and I think that may closely replicate the .270 in 130 gr. performance. What do you all out there think?
Also, what seems to be the best barrel length for a .260? Thanks to everyone in advance!

 

[280AIman]

The recoil of the 270win and the 260rem are not much different, I would stay with the 270 and put a break on it, or just step up to the 280 Ackley Improved if you are gonna go with a custom build, but if you are dead set on the 260,
I would stick to a 22" barrel, as a minimum, the 120 gr bullet will serve you well for Deer, Pronghorn and mulies but for Elk I would use the 140gr bullet's just my opinion,

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Yes IMO the 260rem will serve you well for your intended purpose. I am shooting 140g AMAX out of a 26 3/4" barrel 1-8 twist at 2967fps there is recoil but not as much as a 270win.

I would consider a 140g Accubond or 140g VLD or JLK for ELK at 500 I dont know about the GMX yet but it looks good.

The recoil of the 270win and the 260rem are not much different,

I disagree with this the 270 has more felt recoil than the 260 rem.

 

[loaders_loft]

mine is a big heavy match rifle not a hunting rig. I had a huge internal struggle over barrel length, finally chose a 26" but in a hunting rig I'd say 24" max. The reloading manuals mostly all call for 24" so there you go.

Jerry Newman built my rifle and a host of other 260's as well; PM me if you want his number.

Not sure about bullet selection. My top choices would be the accubond (130 or 140), the 120 ballistic tip, a 130 scirroco II, or a berger 130 or 140 if you can make them shoot. If you're in a lead free zone, the 120 TTSX or 120 GMX (or 95gr V-max only for condors)

 

[pressman]

i own a win 270 caliber and have hunted with it for over 20 years killing many mule deer with it. last fall i got a custom built 260 Mak. and i have a 28" barrel and i also put a muzzle brake on my custom 260 because i wanted to see my shot through my scope and i can tell you it works. i am taking my 260 mule deer hunting this fall and 270 gets to take a break in the safe. I love it and the accuracy between the two, well the 260 leads the race big time. the 28" might be to long for some people to carry or to consider to carry but the way i look at it is i just got to carry it up a few hills and then i can shoot across the others and have the accuracy to hit the sweet spot. with the muzzle brake on the 260 and the 28" barrel it does not have more recoil than a 223. which i have one of them also.
just my 2 cents. which won't even buy you a piece of gum these days.

 

[Chadster73]

Thanks for the input guys... really appreciate it! I'm thinking something along the lines of a .260 "sendero" or "greybull precision" type configuration. I know greybulls stocks aren't offered in short actions just yet. I'm leaning towards 24 or 26 inch barrel.