260 Rem., 6.5 Creedmoor, or 6.5 x 47 Lapua , and why

[bb204]

Thinking about a 6.5 build. Need opinions on the 260 Rem., 6.5 Creedmoor, or 6.5 x 47 Lapua, and why. Rifle will mostly be a paper puncher and maybe some F-class. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim See]

any of the 3 will do the same basic thing, any feedback you get will be personal choice.
If you want the best brass/least prep get the 6.5x47 or 260, if you want the cheapest to load for get the 260 and use rem brass. If you want to shoot factory ammo get the CM.

 

[jhord]

I asked myself this same question 6 months or so ago, ended up with a 6.5x47. I don't think it really matters which way you go, but I thought the 6.5x47 "might" have the advantage of good brass availability and stability combined. I ruled out the Creedmore because of the brass. I think they can all make a quality 6.5mm bullet consistently go the speed it needs to go, that's the main thing. An interesting writeup in case you haven't seen it:

http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-shootout-260-6.5x47-6.5-creedmoor/

 

[260Remshtr]

I too asked myself this question about eight months ago. I ended up with the .260 in my first dedicated F-Class rifle. I was looking for a project (and found one) so I used a 98 Mauser action with a Bartlein barrel. After all the work I did to that rifle I "saw the light" and built a second F-class rifle on a Remington 700 Long Action in .260. Both rifles are capable of shooting under 1/4inch at 100, and the new rifle stayed under .27 at 200yrds.

Now that Lapua is making brass for the .260 I see no reason why to change to anything else. I have been using Remington Brass that I weight sorted, and neck trimmed, plus a bit of other work.

If you choose the .260 ask your gunsmith if he has a reamer for a long throat, that helps get the bullet out of the case and gives it more capacity. Both of my rifles have long throats and I've been impressed with them.

As far as the creedmore....my friend bought one and sold it after he had problems with the brass. I don't remember the problems but I know he bought a custom .260 shortly afterward.

 

[mikecr]

For 1kyd, I would go least wind drift & that's 260 (and I'd Ackley improve it).
For mid ranges, I'd go 47L (as per it's purpose).

 

[wbm]

I have a 6.5 Creedmoor and use Hornady brass. No problems with the brass at all.

If you are not after speed with heavier bullets then the 6.5 Lapua is fine but if you want to push the envelope the Swede or 260 will get you there.

 

[Erik Cortina]

If you are not after speed with heavier bullets then the 6.5 Lapua is fine but if you want to push the envelope the Swede or 260 will get you there.

In my 6.5x47 Lapua and Reloader 17 I would get 2930 fps. out of a 28" barrel with 139 Lapua Scenars. I currently get 2,900 fps. out of a 30" barrel with N550. Brass is on it's 13th firing, so I guess I there is room for more, but I'm satisfied with what it does.

 

[wbm]

Great velocity out of that small package. How does it shoot? Glad you posted. You are getting almost 200fps more than the 139 loads listed on "Tactical Tack Driver". Reloader 17 seems to be great in more than just WSM's. I like that powder a lot.

I have used RL-17 in everything from a Springfield 30-06 to 6.5 CM and it was not always the best powder for the caliber but it shot well in everything I have used it in.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek084.html

 

[Erik Cortina]

Great velocity out of that small package. How does it shoot? Glad you posted. You are getting almost 200fps more than the 139 loads listed on "Tactical Tack Driver". Reloader 17 seems to be great in more than just WSM's. I like that powder a lot.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek084.html

"I believe the following "upper end" performance loads are feasible with a 25" or longer barrel: a 139gr Lapua Scenar at 2850 fps; a 123gr Lapua Scenar at 3050 fps; and a 130gr Berger VLD at 2950 fps. These velocities were attainable in my 25" barrel without abusing the brass; the primer was the limiting factor."

This is from the article on the link you posted. So, he was getting 2850 fps. with a 25" barrel, I shoot a 30" barrel and I get 2,900 fps., like I said, I could get more but I like the way it shoots at that speed so no need to push it faster.

You ask how it shoots? Well, the attached picture was about 2-3 months ago at the Bayou Rifle Club monthly 1,000 yard match. I was contacted by someone that wanted to try F-Class and I told him he could use my rifle, it was his first ever 1,000 yard F-Class match. I told him to "chase the spotter" since he was a new shooter and new to the range. Long story short, he cought a steady condition and hit 7 X's in a row before the wind pushed him out of the X ring. For comparison purposes, the spotter is a 3" spotter. That should give you an idea of how my 6.5x47 Lapua shoots with N550 and 139 Scenars. ;D

 

[wbm]

Don't ya just love it when it all comes together like that? Especially when you are working with a new shooter ;D

 

[Erik Cortina]

Don't ya just love it when it all comes together like that? Especially when you are working with a new shooter ;D

I know what you mean. The only problem is that I ruined him for life, he has since bought himself a 6.5x47 Lapua and is totally hooked! ;D

 

[wbm]

Yeah but he is ruined in the proper manner. Even if it was malice aforethought. ;D

 

[dennisinaz]

I decided on a 260 AI and with the new Lapua brass, this is a great caliber. Several people have told me that their 260AI always shot better than their Remington versions.

I have a 700 Mountain rifle with a 22" Krieger barrel. I am getting 3150 out of 129-130 grain bullets. It is a 9 twist so I don't bother with the 140s. I does shoot the 140 Sierra Game Kings very accurately.

I am sure that with a 25" barrel I could get 2950 or more out of the 140 grain bullets. It shoots amazingly well for such a thin barrel.

I have a 6.5-284 which shoots even better but it has a heavier barrel. With R17, I can easily get 3100 out of it with the 140 AMAX bullet.

I prefer the 130s for shooting coyotes and such as the added velocity makes for better terminal performance.

 

[TxBoy]

I am the "rookie" 1000yd F-class shooter Erik is speaking of. I got in contact with Erik as i was trying to decide on a caliber for my first F-class build. I was thinking (no real reason) i wanted a 6br. Erik was gracious enough to let me test drive is 6.5x47 and i had to have my own....

So far in load development my 47 shoots berger 130's behind both H4350 and VV550 well. Last weekend i got 3115 fps with 41.5grains of VVV550 and Berger 130's. ES was 9 on a 3-shot load development group. No pressure signs. Accuracy was better at this velocity than at 2900 fps.

-----WORK UP TO THIS LOAD!!!!!!------

I am chasing that 7 shot group Erik posted and my 139 Scenars came in yesterday. Back to the bench.....

Ruined I am. Kind of like your first deer being a 180" B&C, you are ruined forever.

 

[ktoney]

IF you want lapua brass then 6.5x47
260 has inherit 308 shoulder issue and resulting case problems
6.5cm better case design, thou i hear brass may have issues
6.5SLR no fire forming, 260 done right, Win brass known quality

for me 6.5x47 n RE17 140berger ;D