Really itching for a 260... thoughts on a couple of options? Hog Hunter?

[LoneWolf]

and for the record I shoot my current competitions with a custom Axis 308 I built myself.

My Build thread has become a historical item in the Axis Forums, but I think it still sits on like page 7 these days if you want to check it out. I paid extra for the SSS stock because they CNC inlet the stock for the Axis action and there is nothing but perfection in their work. I permanently bedded the recoil lug into the Axis ProTac Stock and it is a Sub Half MOA capable rifle. I've shot it round for round next to guys using full McMillian custom rifles. With a well developed hand load it does exactly what you want in 308. The 260 would be marginally better and is why I'm going with 6.5-06 on my next build. It does everything the 6.5-284 can, but with cheaper brass.

[emtrescue6]

Yeah I have been debating a 6.5 build and have been debating between a 260 Rem AI and the 6.5-06 (and AI version)...I am torn but leaning toward the 6.5-06 for the same reason...abundant and cheap brass (plus I have a 5 gallon bucket full of it)....but I really like short action calibers.....decisions decisions decisions...

[LoneWolf]

but i really like short action calibers.....decisions decisions decisions...

6.5 saum?

[emtrescue6]

6.5 wsm ;)

[upSLIDEdown]

I've already bedded the action in the Tacticool stock, and installed pillars when I did it. I didn't know about the SSS stock when I bought the Tacticool from Boyds or I probably would've gone that route, mainly for the adjustable height comb. That's my only gripe with my current setup, and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do to fix it now. Been playing with Kydex but can't come up with something I like yet. Hate the look of the Karsten piece. Bah, we'll see.

Anyway, only thing really left is a nice quality heavy barrel, so I'll more than likely end up rebarreling the Axis instead of building something new. Just have to decide on a cartridge. I always come back to the 260, but I've been looking at the 6.5 Creed a lot lately too. I don't want something like a 6.5x284 because it's not a hunting rifle, so I want to stick with something with good barrel life if I can.


Not just you. That jump from 800 to a 1000 yards gets challenging for most shooters, but as LoneWolf states it starts with the platform and then the shooter.

Not sure if the 260 Rem has any better legs to reach out to 1300 yards than the 308. With Berger 6.5mm 140gr Match Long Range VLDs, my drop at a 1000 yards is almost 30 feet and 2x that at 1300. .308 175gr Match Long Range VLD drop is worse (32 feet @ 1000 and 70 feet at 1300). Add in even a gentle breeze and things will get real interesting for either caliber.

A 260 or 6.5 Creed will stay supersonic out that far, a 308 won't. If I'm not mistaken, the 260 and 6.5 buck the wind a lot better at those distances.

[bflee]

The 6.5 Creed made a much better long range shooter out of me!
I could not hit like I do now with the 308. I am sure I could have with alot more experience, but the 6.5 Creed made it seem alot easier.

[upSLIDEdown]

Nice. Do you have any 260 experience?

[bflee]

No, but I am willing to try it! Do you have one I can use a while?

[thomae]

Gun Shack (an advertiser on this forum) has 260 and 260 AI barrels on sale right now.
Worth a look.
I purchased one of their 6.5 Swede barrels and it easily has legs out to 1K plus (1050 - 1100 is the longest I have shot it.)

[emtrescue6]

There's a slightly used stainless heavy barrel (Shillen) on the classifieds now for a good price....become a paid member and go take a look.

[RyanG]

My thoughts are that if you are set up to reload for the 308 now I would keep the 308 totally set up and go with a new build. No point in getting rid of the reloading stuff you have because, you are on THIS site and the building bug will bite ya, you will come back to the 308 eventually. Why sell all your stuff and then have to start over down the road. Sounds to me like you really want a 260. I say build the 260! This is again where the building bug will bite ya AGAIN. You can always do something else later!

I have a 260 AI and the 308. I like my 260 better because it has a better trigger than the 308. My 308 is a tricked out and loaded Remington 700 and she is a shooter. Better that half MOA when I do my part. Bottom line I have more confidence in the 260 so I shoot it MORE and therefor better. Lonewolf said it really well above about learning your gear! Most of us are shooting for fun so I really think that has to be the goal. Work up your rifle the way you want it and have fun!

I so need a support group! Cause I want one of EACH! LOL

[upSLIDEdown]

Gun Shack (an advertiser on this forum) has 260 and 260 AI barrels on sale right now.
Worth a look.
I purchased one of their 6.5 Swede barrels and it easily has legs out to 1K plus (1050 - 1100 is the longest I have shot it.)

Yeah, those, and Apache, are part of the reason for this thread. They're ER Shaw barrels.


There's a slightly used stainless heavy barrel (Shillen) on the classifieds now for a good price....become a paid member and go take a look.

I am a paid member, and I saw it. I can get a Shillen brand new from NSS for $299... kinda hard to pay $250 for a used one.

[upSLIDEdown]

My thoughts are that if you are set up to reload for the 308 now I would keep the 308 totally set up and go with a new build. No point in getting rid of the reloading stuff you have because, you are on THIS site and the building bug will bite ya, you will come back to the 308 eventually. Why sell all your stuff and then have to start over down the road. Sounds to me like you really want a 260. I say build the 260! This is again where the building bug will bite ya AGAIN. You can always do something else later!

I have a 260 AI and the 308. I like my 260 better because it has a better trigger than the 308. My 308 is a tricked out and loaded Remington 700 and she is a shooter. Better that half MOA when I do my part. Bottom line I have more confidence in the 260 so I shoot it MORE and therefor better. Lonewolf said it really well above about learning your gear! Most of us are shooting for fun so I really think that has to be the goal. Work up your rifle the way you want it and have fun!

I so need a support group! Cause I want one of EACH! LOL

Yeah, I keep going back and forth between a 260, a 260 AI, and a 6.5 Creedmoor. Ugh. I suck at making decisions... lol.

[LoneWolf]

I was doing some reading today and even the 6.5x47 will perform like the 260 with less powder consumption and longer barrel life.

[emtrescue6]

If the goal is really to out-perform the 308 (which is no small task) the bet option is the 6.5-06 or one of the 6.5 WSM/SAUM options....the others (260, 6.5 Creed...) only marginally outperform the 308...

[bflee]

The 260 and 6.5 CM hold supersonic much longer than the 308. There was only 1 308 at the PRS last year among several 6.5's and most of the rest were 260's. The 308 holds its own for under 600 or so but it will not "hang" with the 260 or 6.5CM.

[emtrescue6]

The 260 and 6.5 CM hold supersonic much longer than the 308. There was only 1 308 at the PRS last year among several 6.5's and most of the rest were 260's. The 308 holds its own for under 600 or so but it will not "hang" with the 260 or 6.5CM.

When comparing 140g 6.5 trajectory with that of the 175g 308....drop is negotiable out to 1000....yes, the 6.5 is marginally better...but the 308 can certainly compete and hold it's own in proper hands. The point is this...we're talking about someone who owns a single bolt rifle and isn't competing at PRS...any significant gains in increased accuracy at 1000 for him will come from him trigger time and just plain experience...and an upgrade to his equipment more than just a caliber/barrel.

[bflee]

That is true, but I can honestly say the CM made a much better long range shooter out of me! Then again I dont have as much tied up in my 308 as I do my 6.5, so alot of it could be the rifle and scope combo. I do like the lack of recoil also but that may be due to the weight of the rifle also. I let a 7 year old boy who had never shot anything but a 22lr shoot it and he was ringing an 8" plate at 400! He didnt even seat it on his shoulder!

[emtrescue6]

That is true, but I can honestly say the CM made a much better long range shooter out of me! Then again I dont have as much tied up in my 308 as I do my 6.5, so alot of it could be the rifle and scope combo. I do like the lack of recoil also but that may be due to the weight of the rifle also. I let a 7 year old boy who had never shot anything but a 22lr shoot it and he was ringing an 8" plate at 400! He didnt even seat it on his shoulder!

Well obviously if you invest heavily in a 6.5 over a mostly stock 308 (or vise-versa)....that was exactly my point, it's going to take more $ than just a new barrel to make a huge difference over the 308....better stock, blueprint the action, pillar and action bedded, percision recoil lug, better glass....and lots of trigger time to be consistent out to 1k....I have about $2,000 (total) into my 10 FLCP-K so far (and it was a good starting platform) to keep me on target out to 1k....and spent a lot of time/money on load development as well. And yes, weight makes a huge difference...my 9 year old daughter who hunts with a .243 right now has been able to take my heavy A$$ flcp-k out to 250 so far and ring 6" plates...the 14 or so pounds that stupid thing weighs makes a huge difference.

[bflee]

I just bought the LRP and a PST 6-24x50 ffp. I have 1900 toed up in it now. My 308 is no slouch either though. It just has a 20" bull barrel and a leupold.