What's the next step up from a .260?
- Thread starter Yoshi
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nastynatesfish
A day which we will live in infamy
Never shot one but have seen many who do. I'd say a 6.5 creedmore. A guy over on predator masters shoots his at 1550 yards out of a 20-22" bolt rifle
I put a 6.5x55 30" std Palma bbl on my Palma rifle in 2002 for use in any/any prone matches. Found it easy to get just a hair over 2900fps with S142MKs using N160, and had very good results out to 1000yds with that combination. Built another LR prone rifle around a BAT 3LL several years later, with 30" hvy Palma bbls chambered for 6.5x55AI & 284 Win - the hvy Palma contour added approx. 1lb to the rifle's weight - 14.25lbs vs. 15.25lbs. Both rifles have Robertson H&H prone stocks, and when they're adjusted properly for LOP & cheekpiece height, they're both comfortable to shoot with coat, sling, & glove.
No question about recoil - the 284 with 180s has more recoil than either of the 6.5s. However, as I said, with coat & sling, it's not difficult to make it through a 3x1000 with the 284, even firing 75+rounds in a day's shooting. I do find that by the end of the day, I find myself working harder in order to break clean shots & follow through - my honest assessment is that the 284/180 combination is about all the recoil I can handle without a brake as far as a complete day's shooting goes. But man, that 284 is a hammer, and it'd got a considerable advantage in the wind over the 6.5x55AI.
No question about recoil - the 284 with 180s has more recoil than either of the 6.5s. However, as I said, with coat & sling, it's not difficult to make it through a 3x1000 with the 284, even firing 75+rounds in a day's shooting. I do find that by the end of the day, I find myself working harder in order to break clean shots & follow through - my honest assessment is that the 284/180 combination is about all the recoil I can handle without a brake as far as a complete day's shooting goes. But man, that 284 is a hammer, and it'd got a considerable advantage in the wind over the 6.5x55AI.
XTR
F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
nastynatesfish said:
The 6.5 Creedmore, the 6.5x47 Lapua and the 260 Rem are for all practical purposes ballistic triplets. There is really no appreciable difference in the three and w/o looking I think the 260 has the largest case capacity by enough to not matter.
7 wsm on a long action throated for 180 Bergers
I have a 260 and love it, I also have a 300 wsm to fill the role you are looking for. Non belted case, load development is straight forward 95% + of what a 300 WM gives you with less powder easier loading (no belted case), component avail is good too.
Next step up?
Might not be any more steps necessary.... 6.5x284 will get you out to a mile; at least David Tubb made it look easy enough.
Not really a matter of a "next step" to rationalize another rifle. Maybe you go .260rem AI on a long action so's you can seat vlds w/o backing below case neck??? Maybe you get a switchbarrel and new stock and have a tactical and hunting rig on the same action? Maybe you buy a S&B or other "premium" scope and a Near Mfg mount set??? It ain't always about a new rifle or cartridge...
Nothing wrong with belted ctgs; just don't have them set up to headspace on the belt. One day soon, some honcho will figure out the belt adds stability and does other things better than non-belted. Just takes someone who can shoot and is willing to investigate in defiance of the conventional shooter wisdom.
Maybe your next step is to begin shooting cast bullets, or swaging your own?
Basically, unless you gotta have a 1200+yd capable rifle, the .260 will do it all; as long as Kodiak Bear aren't on your dance-card.
Not really a better all-around cartridge if you want to really hone your skill and utilize the best ballistic profile bullets being made.
Maybe see if you can get a Tikka Competition or Sako TRG22 in .260 if you really want a rifle that is an off the shelf performer. Lots of fine Tactical builders. A barrel optimized twist for the Sierra 142 Matchkings and a few thousand of those and couple hundred Lapua or Win 7-08 cases and you are set.
Maybe your next step should be to continue building your capabilities with a better rifle? Not gonna find much more in any cartridge than the .260 offers....
Might not be any more steps necessary.... 6.5x284 will get you out to a mile; at least David Tubb made it look easy enough.
Not really a matter of a "next step" to rationalize another rifle. Maybe you go .260rem AI on a long action so's you can seat vlds w/o backing below case neck??? Maybe you get a switchbarrel and new stock and have a tactical and hunting rig on the same action? Maybe you buy a S&B or other "premium" scope and a Near Mfg mount set??? It ain't always about a new rifle or cartridge...
Nothing wrong with belted ctgs; just don't have them set up to headspace on the belt. One day soon, some honcho will figure out the belt adds stability and does other things better than non-belted. Just takes someone who can shoot and is willing to investigate in defiance of the conventional shooter wisdom.
Maybe your next step is to begin shooting cast bullets, or swaging your own?
Basically, unless you gotta have a 1200+yd capable rifle, the .260 will do it all; as long as Kodiak Bear aren't on your dance-card.
Not really a better all-around cartridge if you want to really hone your skill and utilize the best ballistic profile bullets being made.
Maybe see if you can get a Tikka Competition or Sako TRG22 in .260 if you really want a rifle that is an off the shelf performer. Lots of fine Tactical builders. A barrel optimized twist for the Sierra 142 Matchkings and a few thousand of those and couple hundred Lapua or Win 7-08 cases and you are set.
Maybe your next step should be to continue building your capabilities with a better rifle? Not gonna find much more in any cartridge than the .260 offers....
BigDMT
hogan said:
Amen.
I hate it when people think the belt is a huge disadvantage. If a person knows how to load for them properly, they can be just as accurate as anything else. In my experience, a belted case will handle higher pressures than beltless designs when limits are pushed.
What BigD & Hogan said! It's usually inexperienced reloaders that are the loudest critics of belted cases!
Load away you experienced reloading snobs. Fact is the belt adds some complexity and is a bit more of a tedious process to non belted cases, just fact. I load the 300WM for over 28 years. Component availability for the past year is a big problem, especially brass, powder (H 4350, H1000, Retumbo has been coming back but still spotty), case head separation is a real risk with belted cases, requires attention to the inner case. It is a more tedious process to say otherwise is deceiving people that don't reload the belted case. Please post me the source or explain how the belted case adds stability?
Agree its a great round but there are better out there.
Agree its a great round but there are better out there.
BigDMT
Nothing complex about it. Ive loaded the 300 win mag, 7mm Rem Mag, 6.5mm Rem Mag, and 358 Norma Mag for years. Funny how Ive never had a case head separation....maybe im doing something wrong? 
Once you shot it on the warm hot side and expand the belt your done. I can shoot a 300 WSM and size the case all the way to the extractor groove. The accuracy is there also. Easier to tune and holds a lot of the 1000 yard BR records. The amazing thing about them is when I shot the Weatherby and 300 WIN cases I had to chase the throat about every other match to keep them in the rifling. Sometimes as much as 15 thousandths every 32 rounds. Usually on the average it would be 40 to 50 thousandths for the season. Now I can shoot a 300 WSM for about a season with only 2 to 3 thousandths movement. They also are a lot more accurate. The brass is built like a tank and lasts for 40 or more firings with annealing. You will never get that from a belted case. I have shot lots of both belted and nonbelted cases and above is many of the reasons to shoot a 300 WSm. I just like the fact that I can get 1300 to 1500 Benchrest accurate rounds out of a barrel instead of 500 to 700. With the savings on the brass, cost of barrels and chambering; it is pretty much a no brainer. Matt
hehehehhe
mr45man said:
Point I was trying to make is that a .260rem will do it all. There don't have to be a "next step up"...
Not gonna work for me in my backyard for Brown Bear protection but better than a slingshot or .22 pistol. Loaded with 140gr X bullets or 160gr hornady rn would be fine on Moose. Not a first choice for me in AK.
This is one helluva hobby. The temptation is to indulge your "need" to go the next step in velocity and accuracy. What really counts, imho, is barrel and case life along with versatility. Don't matter what your purpose is, unless you're being supplied with gear & gunsmithing services; IE paid-to-shoot, the costs to obtain that extra .00015 degree are substantial. Really, what pays dividends is shooting one ctg and one bullet and knowing the ballistic curve by heart.
Want to throw your effort in all directions? Buy/build a whole quiver of shooting sticks and never really learn any of them well. It's fun and it's your money and time to do with as you prefer.
Got another purpose that your .260 won't fulfill on the practical/actual plane? Then there could be a next step up you need to take. A .338-08 is a poor platform for anything but short-range delivery of .338 caliber bullets and too much to do better than a .338Whisper.
The .223 is one helluva a versatile round. Maybe your next step ain't supposed to be "up"?
Switchbarreling opens the best of all possible worlds: You get to buy gunsmithing tools and shoot almost any centerfire round you desire w/o having to reinvent the wheel you rode in on. Lots to be said for a single platform and scope that you're familiar with.
Maybe your Next Step is towards a precision Semi-Auto? An AR-10(T) in .260rem is a very legitimate option and could deliver more than your bolt rifle. They are that good. Then, there's the even finer potentials to be derived from a 6mm XC or PPC, or maybe look at a Sako TRG-22 as a switchbarrel unit or Tubb 2000. Next steps come in many flavors...
The next step really depends on where you want to go or expect to wind up... Outside of Africa and Alaska, your .260rem is about all you'll ever need.
If you have money burning the proverbial hole in your pocket though, I would suggest you use it on a Top-Quality scope and also order another barrel and some quality brass and bullets. Got a lotta money burning the proverbial hole and a real desire to learn all the dark secrets of shooting; then, buy a gunsmithing lathe and tooling and learn to do your own barrel work.
Not gonna work for me in my backyard for Brown Bear protection but better than a slingshot or .22 pistol. Loaded with 140gr X bullets or 160gr hornady rn would be fine on Moose. Not a first choice for me in AK.
This is one helluva hobby. The temptation is to indulge your "need" to go the next step in velocity and accuracy. What really counts, imho, is barrel and case life along with versatility. Don't matter what your purpose is, unless you're being supplied with gear & gunsmithing services; IE paid-to-shoot, the costs to obtain that extra .00015 degree are substantial. Really, what pays dividends is shooting one ctg and one bullet and knowing the ballistic curve by heart.
Want to throw your effort in all directions? Buy/build a whole quiver of shooting sticks and never really learn any of them well. It's fun and it's your money and time to do with as you prefer.
Got another purpose that your .260 won't fulfill on the practical/actual plane? Then there could be a next step up you need to take. A .338-08 is a poor platform for anything but short-range delivery of .338 caliber bullets and too much to do better than a .338Whisper.
The .223 is one helluva a versatile round. Maybe your next step ain't supposed to be "up"?
Switchbarreling opens the best of all possible worlds: You get to buy gunsmithing tools and shoot almost any centerfire round you desire w/o having to reinvent the wheel you rode in on. Lots to be said for a single platform and scope that you're familiar with.
Maybe your Next Step is towards a precision Semi-Auto? An AR-10(T) in .260rem is a very legitimate option and could deliver more than your bolt rifle. They are that good. Then, there's the even finer potentials to be derived from a 6mm XC or PPC, or maybe look at a Sako TRG-22 as a switchbarrel unit or Tubb 2000. Next steps come in many flavors...
The next step really depends on where you want to go or expect to wind up... Outside of Africa and Alaska, your .260rem is about all you'll ever need.
If you have money burning the proverbial hole in your pocket though, I would suggest you use it on a Top-Quality scope and also order another barrel and some quality brass and bullets. Got a lotta money burning the proverbial hole and a real desire to learn all the dark secrets of shooting; then, buy a gunsmithing lathe and tooling and learn to do your own barrel work.
I have the 260, 308,6BRX, 6SLR, 6.5x55 and have shot the barrels out of a couple of 6.5x284s and several 300WMs. I think the next step for you is the 284. I have one and love it!! I shoot paper and steel and tactical matches. I use the 162AMAX or 168 Bergers and its a damn "HAMMER"!! I have shot it out to a mile and was amazed at how accurate it was at that range. (Actually 1770yds) It will do damn near anything the 7MM mag will do but with less powder and a barrel life of nearly 3000rds if not abused to bad. I have just over 2000 through mine and its just starting to show some throat wear. What's not to like!!
I must inter into this as I have had the 280, 280Ai and loved them
the best of all worlds has been my venture into the 7-08AI, in a 24" bbl I get 3024ps and shooting hunting Sierra 140sbt or Nosler BT 140 it shoots into the .300s at 100 and is a wonderful western hunting rifle which I built if for.
however, for target the number are there.
Bob
the best of all worlds has been my venture into the 7-08AI, in a 24" bbl I get 3024ps and shooting hunting Sierra 140sbt or Nosler BT 140 it shoots into the .300s at 100 and is a wonderful western hunting rifle which I built if for.
however, for target the number are there.
Bob
Yoshi said:I spent a lot of time last night searching the web, considering your suggestions and talking to friends... I think I like the sound of "7mm Rem. Mag.". Any thoughts?
As a side note, and I forgot to mention, I have severe degenerative disc disease in my neck/back and I ain't even old yet.That's another reason I want to keep the recoil down.
I hear you on the DDD buddy. I am in the same boat and love shooting! Sorry to hear it! Keep giving it hell though!
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