What's realistic accuracy expectation of 260 Rem at 1,000 yards?

[Danattherock]

Thanks Kev and Bill.

Appreciate you guys chiming in about scope options. It's a fuzzy area for me. I only own three scopes, two Burris Signatures and a Burris Black Diamond. So naturally, I have limited insight on how various models compare. I'm pretty set on the Savage LRP, although I know better guns exist, I doubt my skill level would appreciate the differences.

Just this past month I started shooting some 1/4-1/2" groups with a Krieger barreled AR. In the past I was just trying to get my few rifles sub MOA. My plan is to learn how to shoot the model 12 and perhaps upgrade the barrel and trigger after a season or two. The price of this rifle allows me to get a decent scope. I can see much energy will be spent finding the right one. Trade offs in all directions when a limited budget is involved.


Dan

 

[ohearchai]

OP, may I suggest the Tikka T3 CTR in 260 Rem, yes you are losing some velocity but it uses TRG 10 round mags, which is a plus if you plan on shooting in some practical matches (yes they are expensive but so is good bottom metal and AICS mags) and the stock isn't that bad. Running 139 Scenars you will probably be around 2650. There's also a few companies making pretty decent stocks for the Tikka's. As for scopes, most of the shooters in practical matches and the PRS series are shooting FFP, the primary benefit of a FFP scope is that you wind hold is the same through your magnification range. There's a lot of decent scopes out there, I would look for a used Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50, new from Eurooptic they are running about $1350, a used Nightforce F1 3.5-15x50 or even a Steiner 3X-12X-50mm G2. If you go the Savage route, KRG is now making their chassis for the Savage its the 180-Alpha.

 

[Danattherock]

Thanks man. There is some serious eye candy on that site. After looking at the Tika I selected 260, never knew there were so many choices. AI, Surgeon. Nice looking stuff. Thank you for chiming in. Very much appreciate the insights on scopes as well. Much needed.


Dan

 

[chromatica]

New to the game but had my mind set on a Savage LRP model 12 in 260 Rem. While acknowledging my cart and horse are jacked up, I have already amassed 2,000 Lapua Scenar 139's and enough H4350 to go with.

Not a lot of ranges near me in SC North Carlolina that go out that far. Well, none actually, I should say. But Frontline Defense is a very high speed range that is currently building a 1000 yard range. And Dan Newberry, created OCW, is about 4 hours away and runs events and training at Bang Steel, which allows shooting beyond 1000 yards.

Will the 260 be a good choice for 600-1000 yards? Curious what's realistic. Also, any scope suggestions? I had been thinking about the Bushnell 3.5-21, but see so much preference for Nightforce it makes me wonder. I'm naive, and impulsive, so begging for info here seems appropriate.

My long term interest is designated marksman and practical long range events.


Dan

I too would want to warn you away from the Savage platform. If you want a reliable hunting rifle, then Savage is fine. If you want to upgrade your accuracy there are roadblocks everywhere you turn. I started with a Savage Model 11 in .308. I immediately re-barreled in 260 Rem. I found bottom metal from PTG that would allow me to make use of AI magazines, but I had to do my own inletting to mate the bottom metal to a laminate stock. I had to cut away so much material that the stock finally cracked around one of the action screws. Trying to get a new stock for a Savage action is maddening because there are so many combinations of

short action vs long action
top bolt release vs bottom bolt release
small shank vs large shank
Accutrigger vs non accutrigger
Accustock vs non accustock
wide trigger guard vs narrow trigger guard

In addition there are other differences such as:
Model 11 firing pin style vs Model 10 firing pin style

I finally threw up my hands and purchased a Bighorn Origin action that I mated with a prefit 260 barrel. I had no trouble finding an inexpensive stock for the Rem 700 footprint. I had no problem finding aftermarket triggers. Nearly all of the chassis on the market are compatible with AI magazines. Everything fell into place and all my feeding problems disappeared. Boy am I glad I stopped beating a dead horse!

You can assemble a custom barreled action with a Shilen or Criterion prefit barrel and a good trigger for about $1600. Then you can buy the stock of your choice from $200 on up.

 

[Ringostar]

Hmmm! A 9 year old thread, and Dan hasn’t been on site for 5 years. I doubt that you’re teaching him anything at this time.

 

[bks22345]

Thanks slm,

Yep, this rifle will be more of a tactical gun rather than bench. Appreciate your input. I'm not very knowledgeable on FFP and SFP scope differences. Honestly, it was the review from Precision Rifle Blog I posted earlier that put the Bushnell 3.5-21 in my head.

Found the Savage after searching for 260 Rem after reading the below article. Didn't see any other factory 260 offerings so I figured Savage it is. To say I'm naive as in OP, might be an understatement. Hah.

6.5mm Shootout: .260 Remington vs. 6.5x47 Lapua vs. 6.5 Creedmoor

Thanks Dennis! Those are exactly the type of insights I desire, and lack. Given the prices, perhaps the 3.5-21 is a good scope for me. The factory Savage seems to get lackluster views here, which I get. But I doubt I could afford much more, $1500-1800 tops. Doubt that will buy much. I need rifle/scope/bipod to be around $3000-$3500. Plan is to upgrade the barrel at some point.


Quick question regarding SSWF scopes, is their 10x a fairly robust scope? I just yanked the Burris Black Diamond 8-32 off my 50 BMG and put it on my Barnes Precision AR-15 with Kreiger 20". I need a scope for my 50, and want a fixed 10 power this time.


Dan

You can get a factory savage action with aics magazine, bottom metal, 20 moa rail and silver blade accutrigger from Northland for under $600. Add 400 for a Shilen or criterion pre-fit. You can get a Boyd’s Pro varmint stock with adjustable cheek (if you want) for about $220. You can get a vortex strike eagle from eurooptics for under $700 with their 12% Vortex discount. Add in some rings and bedding and you well under budget. For another $200 or so you can get a Jard trigger.

Here’s a similar build with a long action and a Viper PST and aftermarket drop box magazine.

For your accuracy question, I have a 260 in a Savage target action that I use for 600 yard F-class with the 153.5 hybrid. I’ve shot it at 1000 yards while practicing. You will have no problems hitting steel at 1000.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Old thread but a 260 is an excellent cartridge that most of us can NOT outshoot. Mag length and action choice are the issues with it. Not accuracy and those have workarounds. Great and accurate cartridge. That's all

 

[Bill Norris]

Old thread but a 260 is an excellent cartridge that most of us can NOT outshoot. Mag length and action choice are the issues with it. Not accuracy and those have workarounds. Great and accurate cartridge. That's all

And you can hot rod it with an AI chamber that really makes it shine like a silver dollar. Speed and accuracy are products of it no doubt.

 

[rardoin]

And you can hot rod it with an AI chamber that really makes it shine like a silver dollar. Speed and accuracy are products of it no doubt.

And then you can buy a 7mm.

@Bill Norris Kidding aside, I shot a 6.5 x55 BJ AI for a couple of years with a 142gr custom and it performed decent at 1000. I got my first F class 20 shot clean at 1000yds with one. Very similar to the .260 AI.

 

[Bill Norris]

And then you can buy a 7mm.

7mm is bad to the bone no doubt. I'm just partial to the 260AI.

 

[Bill Norris]

And then you can buy a 7mm.

@Bill Norris Kidding aside, I shot a 6.5 x55 BJ AI for a couple of years with a 142gr custom and it performed decent at 1000. I got my first F class 20 shot clean at 1000yds with one. Very similar to the .260 AI.

Yea, I think if I were to ever try F-class I'd have to do it with the 260AI.

 

[bpd459]

Clay birds at 1000yds (Deep Creek BR sighters) with my .260rem, 142smk @ 2800, 4.5-14x Leupold is childs play.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

7mm is bad to the bone no doubt. I'm just partial to the 260AI.

me too!

 

[10XSHOOTER]

The night force 5.5-22X50 with the MOAR reticle 2FP is all you will need shooting that rifle!
Kinda like a Timex watch. Takes a beating and keeps on ticking!