6.5-06 vs 260 Rem; Which would YOU go for and why?

[muleythumper]

I was wondering what the performance difference is between the 6.5-06 and the 260 Remington? For long range shooting (and maybe LR hunting), which round is more inherently accurate? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Scot E]

Here is a link to a number of threads talking about this subject. Hope they are of help to you.

6.5 - Google Search

 

[Derek M.]

I would imagine in would be a parallel to comparing the 30.06 and 308, or the 280 and 7-08. Personally, I prefer more powder. I would guess that the shorter calibers are all more "inherently accurate" simply because the cases are shorter.

You can find 260 ammo, PLUS you can buy Lapua 260 brass. The only way to use Lapua brass in the 6.5-06 is to neck down 30.06 cases, and that's only my guess assuming that the 6.5 is the same body length as the 30.

In this particular situation, I'd likely go with the 260. But for the others, I prefer the long action and more powder capacity.

 

[Dano1]

Muleythumper,

I've owned both a .260 Remington and an Improved 6.5-06 (Iknow i's not the standard one). While can say I really liked both of them. I prefered the 6.5-06 AI. It does take one more step to load for than the Standard 6.5-06. As far as velocity was concerned I was able to get 3300FPS Legitamately out of the 6.5-06AI with a 129g Hornady and RL-22.

I was able to get only 2950fps out of the .260 Remington with a 120g Nosler BT.

I wanted to shoot 140g bullets out of my 6.5-06AI but it only had a 1-9" twist bbl and I couldn't get it to stabilize them.

My father bought my 6.5-06AI from me and I traded my .260 Remington off 10 yrs ago for a .243 Ackley Improved.

Had I to build again and I was to pick between the two, (which there are plans....) I'd build another 6.5-06 AI with a 1-8" twist bbl, so I could shoot the 140s. I also want to get a .260 Rem but not a long range rifle, but one for one of my boys for a deer rifle.

Hope this helps,

Dan

 

[Derek M.]

Dan, my buddy in Illinois asked me what caliber he should get for his 3 daughters. I suggested the 260 Remington.

 

[Dano1]

Yep,

It's an awesome choice for kids. I have to pick up 3 more rifles for my kids. (I have 4 boys). My oldest shoots the .243 AI really well. We'll see how he does this fall.

Dan

 

[Shooter264]

Neither!! For me it would between a 6.5-06AI and a 6.5x47 Lapua and......................I would get em both!!!!!

 

[midwesthunter]

Neither would be my choice. If your going to go 6.5 go big. I'm building a 6.5 STW. Something about 140's at 3400 sounds awesome. But if only had that choice go 6.5-06 more energy down range and go 1-8 to be able to shoot 140's.

 

[WildRose]

I was wondering what the performance difference is between the 6.5-06 and the 260 Remington? For long range shooting (and maybe LR hunting), which round is more inherently accurate? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Neither is going to be more inherently accurate than the other.

I went with the .260 because of case efficiency and barrel life.

I wouldn't go back and do it the other way.

If I just had to have something faster I'd go to the 6.5 remington mag or the good ole .264wm.

You can push bullets faster with all of the above than you can with the .260 but you are going to pay for it with shortened barrel life and more recoil.

I've now had one shot kills with the .260 on both coyotes and deer beyond 750 yds so I simply see no need to "upgrade" to a faster 6.5/.260.

 

[muleythumper]

Thanks guys. I really like the 260 idea for my young boys, and as Wildrose can testify, it is plenty capable to handle deer past 700 yds, which is farther than I will ever shoot it. Thanks for all the input. I appreciate it.

 

[Scot E]

Not to go off topic too far but if you are thinking along the lines of the 260 then don't forget about the 6.5x55 as another option. It has a little bit more power than the 260 and you can get it in a number of very well made factory rifles including Howa and CZ, both of which have excellent track records for out of the box accuracy.

Just something to think about.

Scot E.

 

[Tikkamike]

260 so you can go buy lapua brass and no fireforming

 

[Aldon]

Lapua brass is also available for the 6.5X55....should you expand your list of options.

 

[.284]

I run a 6.5-06 and love it. The recoil with 140 bergers in a 9 lbs(all up) rifle is totally managable for practicing with. I assume that since this is a long range hunting forum that you be using it for such and practicing will be enjoyable. I'm at sea level and with a 24 inch barrel and a 8.5 twist I safely get just under 3000 fps with the 140 Berger. When I run the numbers that keeps 1900 fps out to 800 yards which is how I set my limit for distance for deer(fps). With the same bullet in a 26 inch 260 rem I get 2580 fps accurately. If you run 25-06 brass through the 6.5-06 die its a one step process and the oal of the brass doesn't need to be trimmed for a few firings. It's a great round for hunting. FWIW I have used a 264 win mag to get up to 3180 fps with the 140's but had a hard time getting it to stay consistently accurate. If I wanted more speed out of a 6.5 I would just put a longer barrel on the 6.5-06.
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