Is a 700 LA justified for a 260 or a 6.5 Creedmoor?

[VaniB]

I have a Rem 700 BDL Long action rifle as the donor rifle for my smith to build a 260 Rem or a 6.5 Creedmoor. I'd choose either cartridge which best justifies using a LA. I want the rifle to function as a repeater, and I intend to use 130 to 140gr bullets seated way out with the bullet bearing surface above the neck-shoulder joint. Will a long action rifle be practical with one or both of these cartridge? If not, then how about if I consider having an after market detachable magazine installed on the rifle. Would installing a DM justify having the long action?

If the long action is just not necessary for a BDL repeater in either loading, then I'd rather dump my long action and buy me a 700 in SA. But, if using a detachable magazine with one of these cartridges would justify the long action, then I'll take that route. Accuracy is a priority and I intend to singly load cartridges into the chamber, but I still like working repeater actions. BTW, the rifle is NOT intended for F shooting or any other sanctioned competition.

 

[REDGUN]

The Creedmoor should not need the LA. A 260, with long seated bullets, could easily be to long to fit in the magazine of a SA.

 

[CaptainMal]

If what you want to know is, "Will it feed?" The answer is, "Yes"!

I had a 260AI built on a Remington LA. It will feed well with my bullets seated out like you suggest. Never hunted with it as it does not shoot well but it will feed.

 

[.260 james]

I have a .260 that was built on a Long action 700 BDL, only because it was the action I had. With 130gr. bergers loaded to a length of 2.99" It would not go through most short action anyways. I did put a .45" block in the back of the magazine box and use a Short action .308 follower with the front of the spring trimmed to allow the follower to be positioned properly. The gun feeds smoothly and I have not had a problem since doing these small modifications. With the standard LA follower and no block it would allow the cartridge to pop up out of box too soon and the pointy vld would catch in the lug area or back of the barrel and bind things up.

 

[bricktop]

I have a S/A 260 with an AICS mag system and some receiver modifications to allow for feeding rounds up to about 2.980" COAL (with Alpha Industries magazines). For the very long VLDs, I still wish I had a bit more room, but it is manageable. I think the 120-130 class works a bit better anyway with the std. 260, for which there is plenty of room (my chamber needs only ~2.850" for the 123 AMax).

 

[jonbearman]

I have a savge long action and as a repeater with the .260 it worked flawless and now it is single shot but the long action can be made to work with anything,especially the long actions that savage used for .223 with a shortened mag well.I took that one and made it into a 7.62x39mm repeater. I think the creedmore would be way easier to fit to a long action than my russian short.

 

[VaniB]

Well guys, since I had started this thread, I have chosen the 6.5 Creedmoor over the 6.5 Super LR.
(since most folks can't relate to a 6.5 Super LR, I used the 260 for the subject being it is so similar in length)

I can't ignore that the standard Hornady 6.5CM cases commonly shoots 1/4" 5 shot groups. It seems Robert Whitleys' 6.5 Super is a great cartridge too, but shoots .4" to .5" groups easier then 1/4", using more powder with less available dies to choose from......with my being more alone and "on your own".

Even with a long 130 or 140 VLD bullet seated way out of the 6.5CM case, I don't think its COAL justifies using my long action. (??) Would you concur? You're welcome to talk me out of buying a whole new short action Remington rifle for the 6.5CM, as it would be easier for me to just use the LA I already bought. ;D

 

[Minesweeper3433]

Well guys, since I had started this thread, I have chosen the 6.5 Creedmoor over the 6.5 Super LR.
(since most folks can't relate to a 6.5 Super LR, I used the 260 for the subject being it is so similar in length)

I can't ignore that the standard Hornady 6.5CM cases commonly shoots 1/4" 5 shot groups. It seems Robert Whitleys' 6.5 Super is a great cartridge too, but shoots .4" to .5" groups easier then 1/4", using more powder with less available dies to choose from......with my being more alone and "on your own".

Even with a long 130 or 140 VLD bullet seated way out of the 6.5CM case, I don't think its COAL justifies using my long action. (??) Would you concur? You're welcome to talk me out of buying a whole new short action Remington rifle for the 6.5CM, as it would be easier for me to just use the LA I already bought. ;D

I would have stuck with a 260 in a long action. You have lapua brass, more case capacity, easier to get dies, and a long action can be rebarelled to whatever else you may want down the road. Also with Mr. Whitley's 6.5 super shooting .4-.5 groups that is with irons and sling. The 6.5 supper was designed to take full advantage of what the 308 case in a limited platform had to offer and it did. It wasn't supposed to be some supper tactical round or perfect round for a long action just to fit into a match rifle. I personally will stick with 6.5 swede and the AI version. And I would stick with a long action anyway as I am a bit tall and the short throw is weird to me after shooting a long action for so long. You have the long action so I am assuming you have shot it before and are comfortable with it. I would see no reason to limit your capacity because you want to fit into a short action when you have a long action.

 

[jsimonh]

If you need justification to run your long action and are set on the 6.5 bore, then build a Swede and be done with it. Cheapest brass Lapua makes and plenty of steam room for 140's and still fits easily in the LA.

 

[gary0529]

Had a 260 Rem built on a BAT LA but my reasoning was a bit different.
If I ever want to re-chamber away from the 260 my possibilities are greatly increased.

Since the rifle will/ is being used as a long range hunter I wanted the ability to feed 140/142 gr bullets without a hitch, which it does flawlessly.

Gotta love the BAT actions.

Gary

 

[.260 james]

If you need justification to run your long action and are set on the 6.5 bore, then build a Swede and be done with it. Cheapest brass Lapua makes and plenty of steam room for 140's and still fits easily in the LA.

I like the idea of a swede as well. I have seen my brothers initial results with his newly purchased tikka in 6.5x55 and am impressed.

 

[VaniB]

Having chosen the 6.5 Creedmoor, I dumped the idea of using a long action. I already sent out an $800 cashier's check for a 700 SA BDL, and also bought 100 cases of 6.5 Creedmoor. Now my only concern is whether it is possible to seat 130 and 140 Berger VLDs too far out of the case to be able to chamber the 6.5CM through the internal BDL magazine box. I DON'T intend to install any aftermarket detachable magazines.

Now I have a long action and short action, the 6.5CM case loaded with a Berger 140VLD ought to fit in one of them.... ;D

 

[LCazador]

I'm not sure why you would ever want either one of these calibers in a short action , other than personal preferance . Either caliber , and for those that suggested 6.5X55 , the best choice is a long action which allows seating bullets out past the neck shoulder junction , and which further allows enchanced ballistics , no brainer !!

 

[VaniB]

I'm not sure why you would ever want either one of these calibers in a short action , other than personal preferance . Either caliber , and for those that suggested 6.5X55 , the best choice is a long action which allows seating bullets out past the neck shoulder junction , and which further allows enchanced ballistics , no brainer !!

I would agree with you it's a "no brainer" that the 6.5 x55 it is is obviously better in a LA, and probably the 260 as well. But, the 6.5 CM case is still a tad shorter again, and was designed from the start for a long 140 Amax to fit inside of SA magazine. I think you are assuming and basing your input on experince with other 260 based cartridges. I can assume too..... and be wrong.

We have YET to hear from anybody who actually shoots the cartridge........ and is saying that he has had problems with powder space or reaching the lands for top accuracy while using 140 VLD bullets in a SA.

 

[Don_Parsons]

Glad to find this thread

Yes, my LA 30/06 Remmy Long Range is soon to become a Creedmoor so I can seat the longer boolitz out further.

Bob Jury Custom 4 contoured barrle with custom bolt from Dave Kipp,,, He's the fellow that cut the first 6.5 Creedmoor Reimer in its test phases.

I would of stayed with the factory SA, but the new long bullets work better for me closer to the lands,,, and I won't have to feed them 1 at a time.

Ye Ha to good times going forward

Don

 

[HTSmith]

Having chosen the 6.5 Creedmoor, I dumped the idea of using a long action. I already sent out an $800 cashier's check for a 700 SA BDL

Yikes! I've been out of the game too long I guess. A Remington action costs $800?

 

[sbhooper]

Why not a 6.5-06 on the long action?