.260 rem or .260 rem match

[6.5grendel]

I'm in the market for a new prefit barrel for my savage action. The barrel that it will be replacing is a 260 rem so I would like to stay with same caliber since I already have Forster dies, brass, powder, and bullets for it. I'm pretty set on getting a 24" Criterion from NSS also. For chambers they offer 260 rem and 260 rem match. What is the difference and what would the pros and cons of each be? I'm planning on running 130 to 143 grain bullets and mag feeding in the savage short action which allows approximately 2.95 oal. Thanks for any advice.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Their straight .260 Rem is likely just a SAAMI spec chamber; as far as what their "match" version is, you'll probably have to call them to get a reamer print unless someone just happens to know. It also couldn't hurt to ask for a print of their standard reamer.

You'd then compare to see which one offers a freebore, neck diameter, and lead angle that works best for the bullet/brass you're shooting.

With a 2.95 OAL, you've got a lot of room to work with, so you'd probably want a ~.130+ freebore at a minimum.

I can tell you my PTG .260 Rem Match reamer is a .295 neck and a .090 freebore, but it's very likely theirs would be different.

 

[Slim13]

There’s also a PTG no turn “Tac Match” with a .298 neck. It’s perfect with Lapua Brass

 

[TC260]

I have a Remage 260 match barrel from NSS and IIRC, the match chamber is throated to allow heavier bullets to be seated out a little further than the standard chamber. I think the chambers were them same other than that but a call in to them would be a good idea. It was a few years back but Jim? was more than helpful on the phone and happy to answer any questions I had

 

[sbhooper]

Standard has a .116 free bore, and the match has a .160 free bore, according to James at Northland. I bought the match and it shoots 130-grain and up extremely well. I have not shot anything lighter. My go-to in that rifle is 129 Interlocks and it shoots them into easily 1/2 moa at 300 yards. I shot some 130-grain ELDMs and they were also fantastic-and kill antelope and deer real well!

 

[6.5grendel]

Sbhooper, what is your OAL touching the lands with the .160 free bore? I emailed him today and thats exactly what the difference was. A longer throat. I'm trying to figure out if i can go with the longer throat and still be able to mag feed.

 

[6.5grendel]

TC260, what has been your cartridge OAL with the longer throat and heavier bullets?

 

[sbhooper]

Sbhooper, what is your OAL touching the lands with the .160 free bore? I emailed him today and thats exactly what the difference was. A longer throat. I'm trying to figure out if i can go with the longer throat and still be able to mag feed.

I load them to 2.816, or so. I don't change the die for the long bullets and they sit a bit longer. I am not a real hair splitter, so if it shoots well, I don't mess with the depth much. This die is set for both of my Criterion barrels and the ammo is all 1/2 moa in both rifles and works fine in my magazines. The longer 130 and 147 eldms shoot extremely well, but I do not shoot ultra-long distances, so the cheap Interlocks do well for me. They are nearly as accurate as the fancy bullets and smash deer just fine. I can only shoot to 530 on my range and they do better than I can at that range.