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Maybe. Not really sure. Being as I live in Iowa I can't use a 6.5 of any sort for deer hunting anyway, so mostly just dreaming. I will check out the 600 yard range near here this spring. I want to stretch out a bit with 140 gr Bergers, so I'll probably see how they shoot in the .260 barrel before making a decision. I had MGM stretch the throat on it because I'm not confined by magazine length restrictions. So the longer bullets aren't a COAL issue with this barrel.
You just named my favorite caliber so I recommend the 6.5 x 284 Norma.I've got an 18" MGM .260 Rem barrel for my Encore in 1-8" twist. I know MGM will rechamber one of their barrels for $100. What different 6.5 cartridge would you go to and why? I'm drawn to the 6.5-284 because it has more oomph than the .260 Rem and brass and dies aren't hard to come by. Other suggestions? I've thought about 6.5-06 AI and 6.5x55 AI also, but are either of those really going to deliver more than the 6.5-284? I don't really NEED to make a change, but it's fun to think about.
I've been intrigued by the 6.5-284 for many years. The only reason I went with .260 Rem instead of 6.5-284 is that money was a bit tight at the time and I was already set up for the 260 Rem because I have a Ruger 77 in .260 Rem. I was in Minnesota's shotgun zone at the time, but they allowed us to use any pistol as long as it was centerfire and had a barrel of 4" or longer. So the .260 Rem made perfect sense. And it's a great barrel that I've killed plenty of deer with. So mostly just dreaming. I like Ernie's suggestion of just getting a different barrel if/when I want more horsepower.
I gree it's fun to think about because I am hoping to rebarrell a rifle to .260rem because it seems like a good thing. Can't suggest anything else because that's what I'm set on for now.I've got an 18" MGM .260 Rem barrel for my Encore in 1-8" twist. I know MGM will rechamber one of their barrels for $100. What different 6.5 cartridge would you go to and why? I'm drawn to the 6.5-284 because it has more oomph than the .260 Rem and brass and dies aren't hard to come by. Other suggestions? I've thought about 6.5-06 AI and 6.5x55 AI also, but are either of those really going to deliver more than the 6.5-284? I don't really NEED to make a change, but it's fun to think about.
See, that's the thing. I like the XP platform better than the Encore platform, but it limits to one chambering. Because I have two Encore frames, I could potentially sell one with the .260 Rem barrel and start saving my pennies for an XP in the chambering I really want, which would be either the 6.5-284 or 6.5 PRC. I'd likely go with the former, as I know brass will always be around for that one because it's an established chambering with a great track record.
One viable option for the XP...Switch barrels
