.260 Rem Vs 6.5 creedmor

[crabcreekhunter]

So which has an advantage in a  semi custom gun.  Will be built on a t3x action with proof  sendero light carbon barrel (26" 1-7.5"), mcmillan game scout stock, and Mark 5hd 3.6-18x44.  Parameters are mid/long range mule deer 600 yards and in, NRL hunter matches, and predators in washington.  Currently set up as 6.5-06AI, amazing cartridge but burning 10 + grains of powder than needed for its application.  Elk at longer ranges covered with a 7mm platform.  Not entirely opposed to sticking with 6.5-06AI as brass is plentiful.  Let's here it from the choir!

[jrebel]

What bullet and bullet weight are you looking to sling down range?  I think to your hunting range listed, either will do just fine.  I like the 6.5...but that's because I have a couple and they are all great shooters.  They are also very easy to load. 

[Dan-o]

Well, if it was me.....


260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor are basically twins.   You get less than 100 fps extra from a 260, right?

Creedmoor ammo and components are much more available.   Especially if you don't reload, the Creedmoor is the way to go.

BUT.....   You've already got it in 6.5-06AI, which means you likely reload.


I happen to think that the 6.5-06AI is just WAY cooler than a 260 or a 6.5 Creedmoor.

Extra powder?    How many rounds would you need to shoot to save the powder/$$ from the cost of converting to another caliber? 

I'd have to keep my 6.5-06AI.

[crabcreekhunter]

What bullet and bullet weight are you looking to sling down range?  I think to your hunting range listed, either will do just fine.  I like the 6.5...but that's because I have a couple and they are all great shooters.  They are also very easy to load.

Bullet weight will be 135-156, 130 at the lightest.   I like the 6.5 until elk get into the equation.  Do enjoy the lower recoil and ease of tuning a load.

[crabcreekhunter]

Well, if it was me.....


260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor are basically twins.   You get less than 100 fps extra from a 260, right?

Creedmoor ammo and components are much more available.   Especially if you don't reload, the Creedmoor is the way to go.

BUT.....   You've already got it in 6.5-06AI, which means you likely reload.


I happen to think that the 6.5-06AI is just WAY cooler than a 260 or a 6.5 Creedmoor.

Extra powder?    How many rounds would you need to shoot to save the powder/$$ from the cost of converting to another caliber? 

I'd have to keep my 6.5-06AI.

I do reload almost exclusively, just at the price of barrels now a 6.5-06AI does a number on the throat with 5-8 round shot strings compared to 260 rem or 6.5 creed.  Honestly right now leaning towards a 260 rem since many powders are compatible with my other rifles vs the creed.  I still have a 6.5-06AI for hunting that will always be in my safe.

[mountainman]

.260 then Ackley it out👍

[b23]

The 260 has a little more case capacity then the 6.5CM but you need enough magazine length to take advantage of it or there really is no gain but if you have the mag length the 260 shoots a little faster.

It sounds like you enjoy cartridges with added performance so maybe take a look at Defensive Edge's 260 Terminator.  Shawn offers Lapua formed brass for sale if you don't want to mess with forming.

https://defensiveedge.net/260-terminator/

http://panhandleprecision.com/260-terminator-initial-review/

[crabcreekhunter]

I could Ackley it out, they just look sexy.  Main all around mountain rifle is a .280AI non sammi.  I looked at the terminator but with the action I have makes sense to just run a the 6.5-06AI again and get the velocity with ease.  Not really chasing velocity with this one.  Just looking at getting a 140 to 2900 on the mid higher end most efficiently.  Have a little one at home now and with less time kind of tired of fireforming.  I use a lot of n560 and h4831sc and have a lot on hand so still leaning 260 rem over 6.5 creed. 

[jrebel]

I'm getting 2850 out a 24" barrel on my 6.5 creed using a 124 grain hammer hunter.  I would imagine a couple more inches would get you darn close to 2900fps which would make it a killing machine to 700 yards.  I would have no problem taking an elk with that bullet / weight combination.  Son killed a bear with it and I was super impressed with performance and terminal ballistics.  If you have the mag capacity, you could get the 131gr HH with the 1:7 twist barrel, though I'm not sure your gaining that much with 7 grains. 

The hammer hunter really like speed and accuracy / terminal performance has met all my expectations. 

[Karl Blanchard]

Don't mess with any of them and certainly don't Ackley a 260 when there's this caliber called the 6.5x284 😍 absolutely wonderful on a t3 action where mag length isn't a concern 

[Jonathan_S]

Don't like it for elk? Have you killed an elk with it yet?

[carpsniperg2]

We own both pretty close to the same but done right the 260 can do it a little better.

We have shot plenty of big game with the 260. Including elk. It works just fine good bullet choice as always. We are running 130 and 140 accubonds in ours.

[Dan-o]

Seriously.....   Is it even possible to be cooler than a 6.5-06AI?

It's just so high up on my cool caliber list.

I've never owned one, but man.....

[b23]

Don't mess with any of them and certainly don't Ackley a 260 when there's this caliber called the 6.5x284 😍 absolutely wonderful on a t3 action where mag length isn't a concern 

The only way I'd do a improved 260 would be the Terminator and even then it would only be because Shawn already has Lapua formed brass and doesn't charge a whole lot more then Lapua unformed brass.

But, if you're going to bring the 6.5-284 in to the mix then, winner winner chicken dinner, and I'll take the 6.5-284 every time.  Even with a limited OAL of 3.00 the 6.5-284 has a pretty sizable advantage over just about anything else with a .473 bolt face.  I'm a big fan of pretty much anything and everything off the 284 parent case including just the straight 284.

Dan-O; "Seriously.....   Is it even possible to be cooler than a 6.5-06AI?

It's just so high up on my cool caliber list.

I've never owned one, but man....." 

I could probably help you scratch that itch if you're looking for one. 

[BULLBLASTER]

6.5-284 is the easiest way to get a 140 to 2900 in your action, a 260 or 6.5 creed wont get you there.