Tikka 260 or 6.5 creedmoor

[palo]

I'm looking to buy a Tikka t3x ctr rifle in 260 remington or 6.5 creedmoor.
It will be used for deer hunting and target shooting out to 500 yards.
I will be using reloads only using bullets in the 120 to 130 grain range.
I know there is nothing between them as far as ballistics go but is one more accurate than the other ?
I also shoot a 308 and this cartridge just seems to shoot really well with almost any load I try.
What about the 260 and creedmoor ? Is one less fussy than the other when working up loads ?

 

[ballison]

There are several threads on Sniper's Hide discussing this topic. It will drive you crazy reading all of them, but this one just about sums it all up.

http://www.scout.com/military/snipers-hide/story/1677748-bullet-point-ep-20-260rem-vs-6-5cm

 

[the_accuser]

I have a Tikka CTR in .260 and it is simple to load for. Seems to shoot everything great. I'm assuming their new 6.5CM would be the same way.

 

[V509]

Great article
The only thing I disagree with is the available factory ammo. I see way more 260 ammo. Not that common any more to see 6.5cm
I have a Rem Seven in 260 but I really want a Ruger NO.1V in 6.5cm, just not found one yet

 

[22BRGUY]

Both excellent cartridges but the .260 would have more brass options (such as Lapua or even Lapua Palma) choice availability I would think, although what is out there for the Creed seems pretty good from what I've heard....tough choice.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

When other factors are that close, I go with the option having Lapua brass.

 

[TGP]

I have both, the 260 in a model 7, the Creedmoor in a XP 100 and love both of them! I use Lapua brass for the 260 and Nosler brass for the Creed, both are equal as for as quality as for as I can tell. Flip a coin and be a happy camper both are great rounds for what you have planned for them!!

Glenn

 

[JamesnTN]

When other factors are that close, I go with the option having Lapua brass.

You can have Lapua brass with the 6.5 CM many guys are using either .243 brass by necking it up and trimming it back or the 308 brass by necking down and trimming as well.
As for other quality brass Norma is making brass for the nosler rounds so one could just buy a few boxes of Nosler ammo and save the brass for reloading.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

You can have Lapua brass with the 6.5 CM many guys are using either .243 brass by necking it up and trimming it back or the 308 brass by necking down and trimming as well.
As for other quality brass Norma is making brass for the nosler rounds so one could just buy a few boxes of Nosler ammo and save the brass for reloading.

I've had enough negative experiences with Nosler brass that I avoid it now.

Nosler may use Norma for some of their cartridges, but not all. Since they do not disclose which is Norma and which is not, customers will not be sure, and even if something is made by Norma now, they may go to a cheaper supplier for the same cartridge in the future.

 

[Laurie]

I'm confused. Does Tikka offer anything in 6.5 Creedmoor? Looking at its website, I don't see anything listed with this cartridge as an option.

AFAIK no European rifle manufacturer has adopted the cartridge yet (and I live in Europe). There are rumours that the new Tikka T3 TAC-A1 might be made available in this chambering in due course.

So far, the only factory 6.5 Creedmoor rifles seen in the UK are the very popular Ruger Precision Rifle and one or two Savages. For some would-be buyers here, the problem is factory ammunition which up to now has been scarce to non-existent making it a handloading only option. (This might ease soon as there are some very large orders into Hornady.)

 

[palo]

I seen the tikka ctr 6.5 creedmoor advertised on a couple of US sites.
Euro optic were one of them.
I didn't see anything on the tikka website so maybe it won't happen.

 

[BOB LEE SWAGGER]

I'm confused. Does Tikka offer anything in 6.5 Creedmoor? Looking at its website, I don't see anything listed with this cartridge as an option.

AFAIK no European rifle manufacturer has adopted the cartridge yet (and I live in Europe). There are rumours that the new Tikka T3 TAC-A1 might be made available in this chambering in due course.

So far, the only factory 6.5 Creedmoor rifles seen in the UK are the very popular Ruger Precision Rifle and one or two Savages. For some would-be buyers here, the problem is factory ammunition which up to now has been scarce to non-existent making it a handloading only option. (This might ease soon as there are some very large orders into Hornady.)

http://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-...2E2LThmYTgtYjc5YWU5M2VlNjBk&o=0&p=1&i=18&d=18

 

[palo]

http://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-...2E2LThmYTgtYjc5YWU5M2VlNjBk&o=0&p=1&i=18&d=18

It looks like it will have to be a .260
I was in touch with the UK importers for Tikka and they said the tikka in 6.5 creedmoor won't be available in Europe.
They said they only made a limited amount for the US market.

 

[Laurie]

Yes, I looked there too. Both are shown as out of stock and on back-order though. The question is have they ever had any ..... or is this in advance of a Tikka announcement of 6.5CM adoption, ..... or just some sort of dealer's nonsense that sometimes happens where a product is listed but never actually appears in stock?

I hope it does mean Tikka intends to adopt the cartridge. Past history doesn't give much cause for optimism though as European manufacturers have previously been very slow to adopt new cartridges such as this. The 'home market' (ie Europe i/c the UK) is tiny for the Creedmoor to date, although my fellow Brits suddenly 'discovered it' late last year, but very much amongst the ultra keen match and pest shooting people. Even here, precious few deerstalkers have heard of the cartridge, and current debate on 6.5s is about 260 v 6.5X47 Lapua v 6.5X55mm, the latter very popular and available from all European rifle manufacturers.

It really comes down to how important the US market is for Sako / Tikka now. I would have thought it is 'very' in which case it'll have to get its *rs* into gear and offer the things American customers are buying. In Europe, the various T3 models have been very successful indeed. Initially, the reorganised company put its Sako models into the more expensive upmarket market segment, whilst Tikka was the budget / working rifle range. The T3s have sold so well though, they are no longer cheap here prices having risen dramatically from the launch of the range 10 or so years ago and are now a lot closer to Sako prices. It looks like the company is still trying to get a substantial foothold in the US market so you guys are getting much better prices than we do, the rifles having still to build brand recognition and respect and compete with domestic products.

In the UK we're seeing the T3 action become steadily more popular for customisation or as the centre of custom rifles.

 

[Laurie]

It looks like it will have to be a .260
I was in touch with the UK importers for Tikka and they said the tikka in 6.5 creedmoor won't be available in Europe.
They said they only made a limited amount for the US market.

Our posts crossed here ... so you've answered my question. If this is Sako/Tikka's policy, I can only say that I despair!

 

[Patton243]

I've had enough negative experiences with Nosler brass that I avoid it now.

Nosler may use Norma for some of their cartridges, but not all. Since they do not disclose which is Norma and which is not, customers will not be sure, and even if something is made by Norma now, they may go to a cheaper supplier for the same cartridge in the future.

Not trying to get off topic here, but I have Nosler brass for my 7mm magnum and 280 AI and both are outstanding. the 280 AI I cannot compare it to anything, but the longevity of the brass is good so far. The Nosler brass in the 7mm magnum is better than Hornady by far, and Winchester too. Not sure what cartridges you're talking about, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy Nosler brass if Lapua or Norma was not available. As far as I'm concerned, Nosler is better than Norma in some cases because they take the extra time and prep their brass before it leaves the facility.

In reference to your question 260 Remington if you reload, 6.5 Creedmoor If you don't. Simple answer.

 

[LRPV]

I actually saw the 6.5 Creed on the Tikka website. It was available in the T3XCTR with a 20" barrel. I just looked again, and it's not there now. I have some friends that are wanting to get into something like this so I took note of it. I wish I had written down a sku number now but I don't think it would've done any good at this point.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Not trying to get off topic here, but I have Nosler brass for my 7mm magnum and 280 AI and both are outstanding. the 280 AI I cannot compare it to anything, but the longevity of the brass is good so far. The Nosler brass in the 7mm magnum is better than Hornady by far, and Winchester too. Not sure what cartridges you're talking about, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy Nosler brass if Lapua or Norma was not available. As far as I'm concerned, Nosler is better than Norma in some cases because they take the extra time and prep their brass before it leaves the facility.

Loose primer pockets after a couple of moderate firings in .300 WM has soured me on Nosler brass. That rifle is happily shooting Norma now, and primer pockets are still tight after a couple of warmish firings. The Norma brass was pretty well prepped out of the box. I had better experience with Nosler brass in 25-06, but since they won't say who is making the brass in each cartridge, it's gonna always be hit and miss.

But I may never buy another rifle without Lapua brass available. So much time is spent with the brass, that it is painful to see loose primer pockets after only a couple firings. (Not to mention the cost.)