6.5 SLR vs 260 30° improved
- Thread starter gunmutt
- Start date
Read the descriptions at http://www.6mmar.com/260_Imp_30_.php and http://www.6mmar.com/65_SuperLR.php
I thought about those options. Went with a good ol' 260.
Both have good attributes. The 30° 260 has a little more capacity and an improved flame path but will still magazine feed. The 6.5SLR has a longer neck for throat erosion prevention but looses a little capacity to the 30° 260.
Robert Whitley is very knowledgeable. The 30° shoulder allows easy feeding from the magazine but is an improvement over the 20° shoulder of the 260.
I thought about those options. Went with a good ol' 260.
Both have good attributes. The 30° 260 has a little more capacity and an improved flame path but will still magazine feed. The 6.5SLR has a longer neck for throat erosion prevention but looses a little capacity to the 30° 260.
Robert Whitley is very knowledgeable. The 30° shoulder allows easy feeding from the magazine but is an improvement over the 20° shoulder of the 260.
I have a 260 imp 30 in a large frame AR and love it. Shooting 123gr. Scenars over AA4064...like a laser. Downside to any "special variant" is that all the "stuff" you need to make it run is special too. Would I do it over...you betcha'!
I decided to go with the 260 Imp 30* about three years ago for one of my comp rifles used in PRS-style matches. Granted, it would've been easier to stick with the std 260, but when has practicality ever made any difference to a gun nut - especially one who has his own lathe & is already doing bbl work? I made a set of dies, since I'd ordered a resize reamer along with the finisher. Used a Newlon sizer die blank - highly recommend them, as you have the option of ordering with or without a neck bushing cavity, and they're already threaded up top. I'd been using PTG's $12 die blanks, which don't have any work done on the top side - Newlon's are quite a step up. The seater was easily made by buying a Forster Ultra Mic 260 seater, removing the sliding sleeve & reaming it with the Improved 30* finisher.
I don't run the 260 Imp 30* nearly as hard as some guys do - only getting 2820fps with Berger 140 Hybrids or VLDs, using IMR 4451 out of a 26" Krieger. But accuracy is very good at that level, and it's fairly easy on brass. I can easily go 3-4 firings between needing to trim, due in part to the 30* shoulder, but also because my reamer's body dimensions are the same as the 260 Ackley, with reduced body taper. IIRC, Robert Whitley stocks custom die sets from Redding - they're expensive, but those or a set from John Whidden would be a better choice than making your own, as those sizers are hardened & polished inside.
I don't run the 260 Imp 30* nearly as hard as some guys do - only getting 2820fps with Berger 140 Hybrids or VLDs, using IMR 4451 out of a 26" Krieger. But accuracy is very good at that level, and it's fairly easy on brass. I can easily go 3-4 firings between needing to trim, due in part to the 30* shoulder, but also because my reamer's body dimensions are the same as the 260 Ackley, with reduced body taper. IIRC, Robert Whitley stocks custom die sets from Redding - they're expensive, but those or a set from John Whidden would be a better choice than making your own, as those sizers are hardened & polished inside.
Joe R
Gold $$ Contributor
I would suggest the 260AI, Ben Steinsholt told me about it and I decided to give it a try. I use the Lapua Palma brass and I'm running it at 2970 and getting very good results. Extremely easy to tune. And I consider myself an average shooter and bad wind reader.
Dies are also easily available.
Joe
Last edited:
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.