6.5x47 compared to the 260

[jghoghunter]

I'm a big fan of the 260,243,308. So I guess you can say I'm a fan of the 308 family of cartridges. I also have a panda action that is a 6x47L and it compares really well to my 243 with less powder. I was thinking of getting a 6.5 bbl. for the panda. For those of you who have both or shot both which would you go with the 6.5X47L or 260? Any info. on velocity, bbl. length etc would be greatly appreciated. The rifle is used for informal comp. and out to 1k killin rocks and clay birds, things like that.

 

[rpierce]

Id go with the 6.5x47. Ive had a 260 also and the 6.5x47 was a lot easier and forgiving to shoot consistent bugholes. The primer pockets for the 6.5x47 stay tight a lot longer than the 260 also. Both my 260 and 6.5x47 had 30" straight contour brux barrels. They both shot 1" at 600 yds. Speed was within 30fps for the two and the 260 was burning around a gr more powder, 140's going 2830-2860 depending on barrel.

 

[Ggmac]

If its a hunting rig ,I would go with the 260 . Just incase your ammo goes missing in transit to a planned hunt . You could probably find the 260 not so easy with the 6.5 lap . Plus its easy to down load a cart.
Just my 2 cents , again if its a hunting rig.

 

[SG4247]

I have had both, I found the .260 difficult to load for, which took a lot of time and money. Once I found a good load for the .260, it was solid.

The 47L does not care, it shot pretty well with nearly every load I ever tried. Many loads are excellent, and interchangeable.

The .260 also had more recoil.

So, I sold all the .260 stuff, and now have a big pile of 47L stuff.

 

[Changeling]

Everyone talks about having ammo problems associated with lost baggage/whatever.
BS in my opinion. It happens, but rarely!
Talking to the airline about your cargo/ammo can basically eliminate these problems totally! Have you ever tried ??

The 6.5 x 47L is a cartridge case "designed for pure accuracy", the Cartridge Case, not necessarily the caliber.
However to think that the case would be as powerful as a MAGNUM in the 264 caliber is ridiculous considering the powder capacities.

However, a Gentleman called "Bell" seemed to have NO problem using the 7x57 ,160 gr to heavier 264 diameter bullets (solid) into the brain of quite a few Elephants and establishing an enviable record to this day and probably forever!
His cartridge case was the 7mm Mauser which is practically the same as the 260 Remington, and you are worried about a deer. LOLAL

 

[Cat MD]

Ryan pretty much nailed it for ya!I have had a couple 260's and liked them but my 6.5x47 is better, doubt ill ever have another 260. Herb

 

[jghoghunter]

"The rifle is used for informal comp. and out to 1k killin rocks and clay birds, things like that. "

"and you are worried about a deer. LOLAL"

Thanks to the guys that have answered my questions. I think I may get a bbl. for my Panda and make it a switch bbl. rifle.

As for Changeling no one mentioned MAGNUM, no one mentioned DEER and I never mentioned air travel. But IF it was a hunting rig, as Ggmac said and in my OPINION, I also would go with the 260 rem. Just because if I'm on my $15,000 hunt of a lifetime and no ammo shows up at least I would have a fighting chance at finding some. I would probably go so far as to take a 30-06 or 300 win mag because everywhere I've been so far those 2 cartridges were on the shelves.

By the way I've been hunting with a 7x57 since 1982. I've got it pretty well figured out.

 

[Sniper338]

Do both. Thats what I do when I cant decide... End up with switch barrel rigs... haha! Works out nicely!!

now I have a 6.5x47 and .284 XP100 switch barrel rig, AND a 260, 308, 6XC, 22-250AI switch barrel rifle rig..

Im sold on switch barrel rigs now, more bang for the buck when you spend all that money on actions stocks triggers and scopes...

 

[Bugs]

Jesse, for God's sake just get another good barrel for your 6 x 47. . . . . . . .The easiest shooters to beat are the ones that are constantly jacking around with a new and different caliber. . .

 

[jghoghunter]

I think I'm going to get a new bbl just in 6.5. Theres nothing wrong with the 6 bbl. I just want to try the 6.5x47L for fun, I think!

 

[sp260]

So you guys are saying you can drive a 6.5x47 as fast as a .260?

 

[bhoges]

My 260 has been a thorn in my side. Its been difficult to load for and never consistent. Meanwhile I spared no expenses on the built. Today I pull the barrel and rechambered it to 6.5x47 for another action. Im looking forward to shooting it this weekend.

 

[Patch700]

So you guys are saying you can drive a 6.5x47 as fast as a .260?

They go fast enough in a 47 in my opinion if you are talking about shooting accurately...

Spec'd properly you can achieve 2850-2900+ with a 47 using 140 class bullets.

Last half dozen or so 6.5's I've done have all shot the best when speeds were kept below 3000fps , I still have an old 6.5x300 Hoyer that will shoot outstanding but not when I step on the gas and push them past 3200fps.

260 is a great round , 47 does what needs doing using less powder and the small primer pocket is the key.. It let's you run much higher pressures for obvious reasons.
If I was looking for a flat shooting 6.5 I would have no qualms going with a 260AI and being happy with minute of prairie dog.

To each their own rite.

 

[6MMWASP]

I had a couple of sporter weight rifles built last year in 260 AI, both under 7.5 lbs. I've had no trouble getting either to shoot 100 - 130 gr. bullets. Both shoot 123 AMAX and SST's to 3090 and shoot around .5 for 3 shot groups.

One is on a Borden Alpine with a #2 Rock 8 twist and the other is a cleaned up 700 with a #3 Brux 8.5 twist. Both are sub 1 MOA to 500, as far as I have shot them.

I don't have any experience with the X47 but understand that they are typically the accuracy leader over the 260.

 

[Eric Leonard]

in 28 inch 8 twist 6.5x47 my accurate loads are,,some are max and others are not,,just where mine shoots well at,,

140s at 2820
130s at 3025
123s at 2980
100s at 3300
95s at 3335

 

[Raptor]

I have had a love hate relationship with the 260 for years. I have shot the barrels out of 3 of them. On my last rebarrel I went to the 260 30 degree improved. I thought that it would be more consistent than the 260s. It wasn't!! I have had one that was a hammer and the next one would be inconsistent. One day they shoot well the next they suck!! The improved was the same damn way. I don't know what it is about that caliber but its the only rifles that I have had that do that.

I have argued on here about the inconsistency of the 260s. Some guys will say if it shoots good one day then its not the rifle but that is exactly what they do. Great one day and suck the next. I even got to where I took my 6SLR out and shot it side by side so I would know if it was me that sucked that day or the rifle. I just pulled the improved barrel and now I am going with the 6.5 Creedmoor and hoping it will be more consistent. I thought real hard about the 6.5x47 but I wanted to make brass out of my 308 Lapua brass that I have a bunch of. So time will tell.... My opinion is to go with the 6.5x47 and save yourself a lot of frustration. Just like some of the guys have said on here the 260s can be very inconsistent.

 

[gilmillan1]

6.5-47 is definitely an efficient cartridge. I was sold when i saw that the 130 grain bullets could be launched at 3000 fps. Thats what my hunting 270 cal shoots the 130 grainers with around 55 grains of powder. the tiny 47 does it with 14 grains less!

 

[swampthang]

AFTER MANY YEARS COMPETING IN 1000 YD IBS I CHOSE THE 6.5 CREEDMOOR WHEN IT WAS FIRST CONCEPTED AND HAVE FOUND GREAT SUCCESS WINNING ALOT OF WOOD IN LIGHT GUN-
THE 6.5X47 IS A REALLY GOOD SHOOTER, ( NOT AS GOOD AS THE CREEDMOOR )
THE 260 WAS A TOP OPTION FOR ME YRS AGO BUT GLAD I CHOSE THE CREEDMOOR NOW.
I OFTEN WANDER HOW A 260 AI WOULD SHOOT? IT WOULD BURN POWDER MORE EFFICIENTLY AND PUSH A 140 VLD FASTER THAN MY CREEDMOOR BUT I JUST CANT CHANGE A FORMULA THAT WINS !!!
42.7 H-4350,FED 210M, SEATED .020 OFF LANDS ES,9 AND ROUTINLY SHOOTS SUB 5 IN GROUPS AT 1K WITH SEVERAL 3.1 AND 3.7 IN 5 SHOT GROUPS IN MATCHES.
JUST MY .2 CENTS WHICH YOU DIDNT ASK FOR, SORRY.

 

[stinnett1981]

AFTER MANY YEARS COMPETING IN 1000 YD IBS I CHOSE THE 6.5 CREEDMOOR WHEN IT WAS FIRST CONCEPTED AND HAVE FOUND GREAT SUCCESS WINNING ALOT OF WOOD IN LIGHT GUN-
THE 6.5X47 IS A REALLY GOOD SHOOTER, ( NOT AS GOOD AS THE CREEDMOOR )
THE 260 WAS A TOP OPTION FOR ME YRS AGO BUT GLAD I CHOSE THE CREEDMOOR NOW.
I OFTEN WANDER HOW A 260 AI WOULD SHOOT? IT WOULD BURN POWDER MORE EFFICIENTLY AND PUSH A 140 VLD FASTER THAN MY CREEDMOOR BUT I JUST CANT CHANGE A FORMULA THAT WINS !!!
42.7 H-4350,FED 210M, SEATED .020 OFF LANDS ES,9 AND ROUTINLY SHOOTS SUB 5 IN GROUPS AT 1K WITH SEVERAL 3.1 AND 3.7 IN 5 SHOT GROUPS IN MATCHES.
JUST MY .2 CENTS WHICH YOU DIDNT ASK FOR, SORRY.

The 6.5 Creedmoor will be my next build. I already have a 6.5-47 Lapua, but I love shooting 6.5mm bullets! So I figured might as well give it a shot! Might turn my short barreled .308 Winchester into a switch barrel rig. I never owned a switch barrel rifle too. Guess I need to buy a high quality barrel vise and action wrench.

 

[djtjr]

I have and love both. The 260 is a bit faster both are inherently accurate. I am surprised to hear others on here say that they have had a hard time getting the 260 to shoot accurately. I find it very easy to load for with h 4350 and 140 amaxs. Now that lapua makes brass for both it's really a toss up. For hunting I like the extra fps of the 260.