If I didn't just build a 260ai, I'd build a 6.5SLR. Still may.
6.5 what?
- Thread starter Cmrem700
- Start date
If I didn't just build a 260ai, I'd build a 6.5SLR. Still may.
Small correction - 260 Rem for Remington. R.E.M. is usually abbreviation for Rapid Eye Movement and relates to sleep pattern.
260 AI if the brass was better 6.5 WSSM or 6.5 with a hemisphere shoulder. Larry
I will answer Yes to that question. I see virtually no choice of dies for that wildcat cartridge. If I was building a custom target gun, I would not do it if I could not get a Forster Bushing Bump die in the cartridge, or make one work by substituting bushings.
And you are not getting any additional case capacity over a standard 260 Remington. I don't buy the magic shoulder angle thing. Can't put any value on that. The long neck is kind of nice. But if you are planning on long range and want to seat a 130 or 140 grain bullet, and are doing a custom chamber, you can control the length of the throat and seat the bullet pretty much where you want. There is no real need for the long neck.
I would easily pick the standard 260 Remington over the 6.5 Super LR. I think what you really need to decide is if you want more case capacity than the standard 260 Remington. That might have some value.
I would narrow it down to two...
1) 6.5x47 with a .190" freebore , believe me if you don't think there's enough powder capacity with 41+ grains of N-550 to propel a 140 class bullet at a decent clip you may be surprised.
2) The 6.5x284 , a timeless classic that will definitely get the job done , both cases can be had by Lapua... nuff said.
Good luck
1) 6.5x47 with a .190" freebore , believe me if you don't think there's enough powder capacity with 41+ grains of N-550 to propel a 140 class bullet at a decent clip you may be surprised.
2) The 6.5x284 , a timeless classic that will definitely get the job done , both cases can be had by Lapua... nuff said.
Good luck
While I fully respect each person having their own opinion, I will have to disagree with this one. There is no requirement to get a Forster bump die. You can get 6.5SLR Redding dies easily, and John Whidden, which a few very reputable shooters like quite well, has the 6.5 SLR dies available. I've got a Dasher bushing die by Whidden and they're top notch. I'd have got my 260AI sizing die from him if they were in his production line. I strictly use Wilson seating dies, though.
http://www.whiddengunworks.com/product/reloading-die-set-2/
While there are slight differences in capacity of chamgers and brass, here are a few samples.
260 Remington
The .260 Remington has a case capacity of about 3.47 ml (53.5 grains) H2O.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.260_Remington
6.5 SLR
55.5 gr of water weight
http://www.6mmar.com/65_SuperLR.php
260 AI
57.4 grains H2O capacity after fireforming
http://www.the-long-family.com/260AI.htm
260 AI
Formed H20 capacity: 57.44gn
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/my-260-ai.3906314/#post-36802875
Being that many people on this forum/site are looking to something other than "off the shelf", I wouldn't let only one factor outweigh all others when choosing a chambering. If I really like it, I'll have my own reamer, as I do with my Dasher.
I like the 6.5x47, just want a little more oomph than it has to offer. As mentioned, I went with the 260AI, but may have a 6.5SLR in my future.
Can you get Redding Super LR bushing dies? I couldn't find them listed.
I wonder how old that article is? I can't find a date.
I also cannot find the cartridge listed under the Type S Bushing dies at the Redding site. Not uncommon at all for manufacturers to discontinue making unpopular cartridges when their product does not sell.
I don't believe it was produced for mass market by Redding. The above link is a manufacutrer's website of the person whom developed that one, along with a few others, where the dies can be purchased.
Also, hyping it as "unpopular" in your opinion in no way diminishes the capabilities of that cartridge. It's gaining a decent following recently by outperforming shorter cartridges like the 6.5x47, as have many others along the way. Some last and some don't. Again, everyone doesn't want "off the shelf" so they are not bound buy what can be loaded and shot, nor what others prefer.
On a side but related not, you also will not find a 6mm Competition Match listed under Redding's site. It's called the 6mm Egolf, which can be bought from them, yet does not appear on their site. Nice cartridge that's similar to the 243AI and 6mm SLR varity.
Joe R
Gold $$ Contributor
If you don't want to fire form ( I totally understand that ) IMO the best choice is a .260.
Any bullet you can shoot with a 6.5x47, Creedmoor and 6.5slr you can also shoot with the .260. What you get with the 260 that overshadows the others is case capacity, and that makes all the difference. The extra case capacity allows you to burn slower powder, which will extend your barrel life and pursue the higher node (around 2,950 fps). With the others calibers you mentioned the 2950 node is not an option, even if you want to burn H4350 or Varget (you can get the speed but not the precision).
If you're really seduced by the 30 degree shoulder ( I like it too) then you might as well go for the 260AI.
Until last month I had not fire formed brass. After building my new 260AI (see my review here http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/my-new-260-ai-build.3909184/ ) I found it to be a non-issue. And I went to the extreme of fire forming Lapua Palma .308 brass. Check out my match score on the last page.
Kindest regards,
Joe
I fully agree with Joe on the 260AI (I have one and 16lbs of 4831sc, http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/my-260-ai.3906314/#post-36802875).
My fireforming loads with Berger 130VLD are .3 MOA Plenty for fun matches and better than some go to registered matches with. Very easy to prep to fireform and a pleasure to shoot. I expand new brass anyways. I also consider new brass needs to be fired at least once in my gun for me to consider it "my" brass.
As this is my "fun" gun (800-1000 f-open and 100-1200 steel), several things went into the decision.
Die availability - I wanted Whidden sizing die, but got a Redding. Will end up with a Whidden if this cartridge sticks. I only use Wilson seaters.
Barrel cost - I went with a Savage Criterion (see above mentioned .3 MOA forming comment).
Brass availability/cost - Can use Winchester or Lapua. Not stuck down to one hard to find maker
If I like it as much as I think I will, I'll get my own reamer and have Skeet Lee chamber my barrels from now on. If not, I take the barrel off myself and sell all related parts and go with a 6.5SLR. Didn't break the bank to try this one. My Borden Dasher build is another story...
Sorry OP, didn't mean to highjack or ramble on, just happy with my 260AI ;-)
Joe R
Gold $$ Contributor
Tom,
Your spreadsheet shows that the 6.5slr has a higher capacity of a straight .260. How's that? The slr has a longer neck at the expense of headspace. Can just changing the angle of the shoulder give you that much gain?
Joe
Joe,
I took that capacity from the site I referenced above. I'll check with a few people on here shooting it. I think the shoulder is blown out as well as forward. I'll check my reamer prints when I get home.
Terry
Energy content of powder may be a better indicator. If you can get the same velocity with the same powder, but the heat content is lower, barrel life may be improved. In general, but not always, the energy content goes down as burn rate slows down. If you compare H1000 to Varget you can see a significant difference for example.
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