.260 A.I. Barrel Length...Recommendations?

[Senderofan]

Good Evening All:

I'm shifting from varmint hunting into BR shooting....Hopefully! I'm seriously considering having my Rem. Milspec 5R redone into a .260 A.I. I like the idea of the high B.C. 6.5's. But, having no experience with the .260 A.I., I need recommendations for barrel length?

I would like this to be my LG rifle for 1K BR shooting.

Thanks in advance for any assistance / information.

Sincerely,

Wayne

 

[smike308]

I would go with 30" or 31".

 

[2644ever]

Very good cartridge but give a try to the 6.5 Redding as it's easier to form and the dies are more available. I agree with Smike, any barrel under 30" would'nt make you use the round to its full potential. Call Richard at Pac-Nor's and ask about their Supermatch 3-groove barrels, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Senderofan]

I'll have to do a search on the 6.5 Redding. But, I greatly appreciate the advice on length of tube...also, thanks for the heads up on the Pac-Nor barrel. I was thinking along the lines of a Krieger...but will definately check out Pac-Nor.

Thanks again...Much appreciated,

Wayne

P.S.

Would y'all recommend going with a "Palma" contoured barrel...to save weight?

 

[DogBuster]

My 26" x 1.230" no taper 260 AI w/8 twist is a Pac Nor...pushes 142 moly SMKs right at 2900....fast enough ? I use a Redding std FL 260 AI die...Lee collet die...Forster 6.5 x 284 BR seater to seat...RE19 or H4831sc.....Lapua 308 necked down to 260..

 

[Senderofan]

DogBuster:

Great info.! Sounds fast enough to me....especially with 142 gr. SMK's. I just wasn't sure how long of tube was needed to maximize this round.

Thanks Again...I really appreciate all the advice / tips.

Wayne

 

[techshooter]

I have both 30" and 31" tubes in 260AI. Either is a good choice for that cartridge. Try the 130 Berger VLDs and Ramshot Hunter. Better match for the case volume than the 140s. I get much better velocities out of the Bartlien's and the Broughton's,5R or 5C rifling, respectively) over the PacNor 3 grooves. The PacNor 3 grooves have very wide lands, and I get higher pressures and slower velocities.

If you go with the 260AI over the 6.5 Redding, try Remington brass and sort by neck wall thickness variation. I have had excellent results with this brass. Had issues using Lapua 243 necked up,donuts - bad). I might try Lapua 308 necked down, but the Remington is so good that I figure why bother?

Check my web site,below) for more info on the 260AI.

Hope that this helps!

Cheers,

 

[DogBuster]

Recent target pic with five Nosler 140 Comp seconds @ 100 yds...target dot is one inch...this rifle has never been fussy since I set it up 6 yrs ago...

 

[Senderofan]

Thanks for the replies guys....This is helping me a bunch. I'm liking the idea of switching to a 6.5mm more and more.

Wayne