Alright folks I know this topic has probably been beaten to death on the inter web but I just gotta know what you guys think. If you were not a reloader currently but thinking about getting into it, which of these calibers would you pick? The 260 has always had some weird allure for me but my shooting friends think the creedmoor is better. Primary use will be long (ish) shooting at steel (600 yards maybe a longer), the occasional deer hunt and hopefully an antelope hunt down the road. I picked up a savage axis II dirt cheap and was thinking of doing a build on it.
Pick one, 6.5 creedmoor vs 260 remington
- Thread starter dkarre
- Start date
MPFD
Well-known member
The only advantage to the creedmoor in a bolt gun is that Hornady has a full line of factory match ammo for it... Period.
It is a shorter OAL so it will fit in an AR10 better. But other than that its just more people jumpin on the bandwagon of what the gun rags told them to buy. There is nothing the creedmoor can do the .260 can't do just as good or better if you reload. The premium factory ammo just isn't there for the .260 rem. So if you are really gonna get into reloading... .260, if you aren't creedmoor.
It is a shorter OAL so it will fit in an AR10 better. But other than that its just more people jumpin on the bandwagon of what the gun rags told them to buy. There is nothing the creedmoor can do the .260 can't do just as good or better if you reload. The premium factory ammo just isn't there for the .260 rem. So if you are really gonna get into reloading... .260, if you aren't creedmoor.
Smokin Barrel
Active member
I would have to let the fact if reload or not answer this question. If you don't and go with the Creed, the availability would worry me and probably lead you to reloading down the road anyway.
I finally settled on a Creedmoor for one reason. I spent several years trying to find a 260 in a rifle I wanted and they either didn't make them or they never were available. I finally bought a Ruger Hawkeye Predator in a Creedmoor. So far I have been pleased with it. I would have rather had a 260 just for the fact it is easy to make brass for it out of so many other calibers.
drscott
drscott
Hidalgo
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: drscottI finally settled on a Creedmoor for one reason. I spent several years trying to find a 260 in a rifle I wanted and they either didn't make them or they never were available.
drscott
Exactly. The .260 is not going to be found on the rack at Gander, Cabelas, Sportsman's, or other box stores. Or at the LGS for that matter. Sure, you can get one from CDNN or Bud's but the point is that while it has "stood the test of time" it still isn't a popular caliber. The Creedmoor has become so popular that the stores can't get them at times. The only question is will the Creedmoor be a "flash in the pan" or will it become a popular cartridge like the .243 and .308? And you have to ask yourself if the .260 will survive much longer with the lack of popularity?
I'd go with the Creedmoor and load up on ammunition .... just in case it falls out of favor and gets hard to obtain.
Nothing against the .260, just my personal opinion.
drscott
Exactly. The .260 is not going to be found on the rack at Gander, Cabelas, Sportsman's, or other box stores. Or at the LGS for that matter. Sure, you can get one from CDNN or Bud's but the point is that while it has "stood the test of time" it still isn't a popular caliber. The Creedmoor has become so popular that the stores can't get them at times. The only question is will the Creedmoor be a "flash in the pan" or will it become a popular cartridge like the .243 and .308? And you have to ask yourself if the .260 will survive much longer with the lack of popularity?
I'd go with the Creedmoor and load up on ammunition .... just in case it falls out of favor and gets hard to obtain.
Nothing against the .260, just my personal opinion.
I wanted to buy one of the Ruger American Predators when they came out just to see how such a cheap gun would shoot. Boy was I happily surprised. I got the Creedmoor because Ruger didn't make the American Predator in a 260. My Creedmoor is a 1/2 inch shooter. However, I would have gotten the 260 if they had made it. I think you are splitting hairs and it isn't worth the time. It depends on things already mentioned such as quality brass or what is stocked on the shelves. If I had a choice I would go with the 260 because their isn't enough difference to make a decent discussion and the availability to form brass from 243 and 308. etc.
Originally Posted By: pahntr760If you're going to reload, build a 6.5x47Lapua.
I don't have any good reason why but for some reason this cartridge intrigues me and for as much as I like the 260 Remy, 6.5x284 and 6.5x55 Swede Ack Imp, this will likely be my next build.
Anyone know if there is much gain in an "improved" version of the 6.5x47 Lapua?
Anything that offers the use of Lapua brass usually gets my vote so I'd pick the 260 Remy and maybe even go with a Ackley Improved version. There isn't much to be gained in case capacity by improving it but I followed along in a conversation on another board awhile back and there were some good points made toward improving the case dimensions.
Defensive Edge has a patented throat design that has been yielding them 150-200fps gains and the last time I talked to them they were working on doing a 260 Rem with their throat design which would run near the same speeds as a 6.5-284 but using quite a bit less powder.
I don't have any good reason why but for some reason this cartridge intrigues me and for as much as I like the 260 Remy, 6.5x284 and 6.5x55 Swede Ack Imp, this will likely be my next build.
Anyone know if there is much gain in an "improved" version of the 6.5x47 Lapua?
Anything that offers the use of Lapua brass usually gets my vote so I'd pick the 260 Remy and maybe even go with a Ackley Improved version. There isn't much to be gained in case capacity by improving it but I followed along in a conversation on another board awhile back and there were some good points made toward improving the case dimensions.
Defensive Edge has a patented throat design that has been yielding them 150-200fps gains and the last time I talked to them they were working on doing a 260 Rem with their throat design which would run near the same speeds as a 6.5-284 but using quite a bit less powder.
Robinhood21
Member
Originally Posted By: HidalgoOriginally Posted By: drscottI finally settled on a Creedmoor for one reason. I spent several years trying to find a 260 in a rifle I wanted and they either didn't make them or they never were available.
drscott
Exactly. The .260 is not going to be found on the rack at Gander, Cabelas, Sportsman's, or other box stores. Or at the LGS for that matter. Sure, you can get one from CDNN or Bud's but the point is that while it has "stood the test of time" it still isn't a popular caliber. The Creedmoor has become so popular that the stores can't get them at times. The only question is will the Creedmoor be a "flash in the pan" or will it become a popular cartridge like the .243 and .308? And you have to ask yourself if the .260 will survive much longer with the lack of popularity?
I'd go with the Creedmoor and load up on ammunition .... just in case it falls out of favor and gets hard to obtain.
Nothing against the .260, just my personal opinion.
Last 4 times I went to cabelas in KC they had several boxes of .260 and no Creedmoor.
Sometimes I wish I would have gotten the .260 but I do love the creed
drscott
Exactly. The .260 is not going to be found on the rack at Gander, Cabelas, Sportsman's, or other box stores. Or at the LGS for that matter. Sure, you can get one from CDNN or Bud's but the point is that while it has "stood the test of time" it still isn't a popular caliber. The Creedmoor has become so popular that the stores can't get them at times. The only question is will the Creedmoor be a "flash in the pan" or will it become a popular cartridge like the .243 and .308? And you have to ask yourself if the .260 will survive much longer with the lack of popularity?
I'd go with the Creedmoor and load up on ammunition .... just in case it falls out of favor and gets hard to obtain.
Nothing against the .260, just my personal opinion.
Last 4 times I went to cabelas in KC they had several boxes of .260 and no Creedmoor.
Sometimes I wish I would have gotten the .260 but I do love the creed
Lost_River
New member
Originally Posted By: msincI chose the 260 because it is easily made from 308 brass of which I have plenty and can always get plenty more. You might say you don't intend to reload, but you will...it is just a matter of time.
The ability to very easily make .260 brass from .243, 7-08, and .308 makes this a no-brainer to me too.
The ability to very easily make .260 brass from .243, 7-08, and .308 makes this a no-brainer to me too.
cherokeetracker
New member
Originally Posted By: Lost_RiverOriginally Posted By: msincI chose the 260 because it is easily made from 308 brass of which I have plenty and can always get plenty more. You might say you don't intend to reload, but you will...it is just a matter of time.
The ability to very easily make .260 brass from .243, 7-08, and .308 makes this a no-brainer to me too.
I have always chosen the 243 to load for my 260. The 308 causes a doughnut in the neck and this increases pressure . Yes it can easily be removed with a reamer but I choose not to add this extra work to my reloading. 7mm-08 is no problem too. It necks up easily. The problem with the 260 has been that when Remington came out with it, and all the rifles had the 1-9 twist. The 260 performs much better with a 1-8 twist. Cooper rifles have the 1-8. I had known about the 6.5-08 A Square for many years before Jim Carmickle called his version ( The 6.5 panther) was picked up by Remington and named the 260. I have several High Power shooters( silhouette) that have been shooting the 6.5-08 for many years. The other big problem was the 260 ammo from Remington was total crap. Winchester was miffed by the whole idea that their 308 had been necked to another caliber and was being claimed by Remington. They swore that they would never make any brass for the 260. I and some others found the 260 Rem brass to be too soft. All these things plagued the 260, in spite of it being a good cartridge. When the Creedmore came along, it was a better idea and was handled different. Mr Emory said many times that it was what, the 260 should have been. Personally I wanted the 260 to have a longer neck and a 30 degree shoulder. Well, that has been done as well as the 260 SLR For some interesting reading on several 6.5s go to 6mmbr.com that website has several calibers and a lot of information about them. One of my best friends has the 6.5 Creedmore and he loves it. It is very hard to tell much difference in the two cartridges performance. I remember talking with Sierra and Speer about loads and then Hodgdon, and it took awhile to get things sorted out, but actually there is now quite a bit of info on both, calibers and there is much better choices of bullets than the late 90's when the 260 started showing up.
I don't think you can go wrong with either caliber, and I also don't think either one will disappear any time soon. The 6.5 X 55 and the 7X57 Mauser are both calibers similar to what we have discussed and they are still here. Stop and think just a minute how that we sometimes come full circle on some of the calibers. We start off with a small and light gun and then ( in our Minds ) Progress to magnums or whatever, than as we get older we go back to the smaller light weight calibers. Any of you that choose one or both of these calibers will enjoy it for many years to come.
Just Food for thought The 140 grain Nosler Partition has been a good bullet for Hunting as well as the 120 gr. The Scenars and bergers excel in the long range department.
Oops I got sidetracked !!! I was supposed to choose which one to buy or shoot?
The ability to very easily make .260 brass from .243, 7-08, and .308 makes this a no-brainer to me too.
I have always chosen the 243 to load for my 260. The 308 causes a doughnut in the neck and this increases pressure . Yes it can easily be removed with a reamer but I choose not to add this extra work to my reloading. 7mm-08 is no problem too. It necks up easily. The problem with the 260 has been that when Remington came out with it, and all the rifles had the 1-9 twist. The 260 performs much better with a 1-8 twist. Cooper rifles have the 1-8. I had known about the 6.5-08 A Square for many years before Jim Carmickle called his version ( The 6.5 panther) was picked up by Remington and named the 260. I have several High Power shooters( silhouette) that have been shooting the 6.5-08 for many years. The other big problem was the 260 ammo from Remington was total crap. Winchester was miffed by the whole idea that their 308 had been necked to another caliber and was being claimed by Remington. They swore that they would never make any brass for the 260. I and some others found the 260 Rem brass to be too soft. All these things plagued the 260, in spite of it being a good cartridge. When the Creedmore came along, it was a better idea and was handled different. Mr Emory said many times that it was what, the 260 should have been. Personally I wanted the 260 to have a longer neck and a 30 degree shoulder. Well, that has been done as well as the 260 SLR For some interesting reading on several 6.5s go to 6mmbr.com that website has several calibers and a lot of information about them. One of my best friends has the 6.5 Creedmore and he loves it. It is very hard to tell much difference in the two cartridges performance. I remember talking with Sierra and Speer about loads and then Hodgdon, and it took awhile to get things sorted out, but actually there is now quite a bit of info on both, calibers and there is much better choices of bullets than the late 90's when the 260 started showing up.
I don't think you can go wrong with either caliber, and I also don't think either one will disappear any time soon. The 6.5 X 55 and the 7X57 Mauser are both calibers similar to what we have discussed and they are still here. Stop and think just a minute how that we sometimes come full circle on some of the calibers. We start off with a small and light gun and then ( in our Minds ) Progress to magnums or whatever, than as we get older we go back to the smaller light weight calibers. Any of you that choose one or both of these calibers will enjoy it for many years to come.
Just Food for thought The 140 grain Nosler Partition has been a good bullet for Hunting as well as the 120 gr. The Scenars and bergers excel in the long range department.
Oops I got sidetracked !!! I was supposed to choose which one to buy or shoot?
gumboot458
New member
As has been said. If the 260 had the amount of thot put.into it before it was introduced that the 6.5 Creedmoor did. The Creed would never have been born.
However, it did not and the 6.5 Creedmoor is alive and well.
Some guys talk about.the 260 as a hunting round and the 6.5 Creedmoor as a target round. The fact.is. The Creed is just as great a hunting round as it is a target round. I've piled up the caribou with it this fall. [beeep] most guys want their rifle long barreled and heavy for those WAY OUT THERE shots. And I did try mine that way. I eventually came back to the reality of my hunting areas. Chopped my barrel to 18+a half. Put the factory synthetic stock back on. And mounteda 1-4×24 SWFA SS Classic scope on it. Then proceeded to kill more bou at 360+300 yards with ease and total confidence. 1 shot kills with no running around or foolishness.
However, it did not and the 6.5 Creedmoor is alive and well.
Some guys talk about.the 260 as a hunting round and the 6.5 Creedmoor as a target round. The fact.is. The Creed is just as great a hunting round as it is a target round. I've piled up the caribou with it this fall. [beeep] most guys want their rifle long barreled and heavy for those WAY OUT THERE shots. And I did try mine that way. I eventually came back to the reality of my hunting areas. Chopped my barrel to 18+a half. Put the factory synthetic stock back on. And mounteda 1-4×24 SWFA SS Classic scope on it. Then proceeded to kill more bou at 360+300 yards with ease and total confidence. 1 shot kills with no running around or foolishness.
gumboot458
New member
6.5 Creedmoor. Ruger M77 Mk2 Hawkeye SS. Boyd's Tacticool stock SWFA SS Classic 10×42 mildot. Shot was at 40-50 yards. Bou was walking. I flubbed the shot. Due to me flubbing the shot and at 10x . Bou went 25 yards pushed by the band she was leading. Finished her with a neck shot.
gumboot458
New member
Young cow taken @360 lasered yards. Walking right to left. Same rifle but with factory synthetic stock and 1-4 SWFA scope. This one was taken to give to an older couple so I wanted a nice young cow for their freezer. Load was 130 gr Swift Sirocco pushed by 43.5 gr RL17 mv 2777 fps. 1 shot kill. She made it less than 20' from where she was shot
gumboot458
New member
Bull taken at 300 lasered yards. Load was 130 gr TSX hbn tumbled pushed by the same 43.5 gr RL17 mv is the same 2777fps average with lower SD because of the hbn. Bullet entered next to the wind pipe penetrated 42-45" straight thru the body and exited next to his nutsack. He made it maybe 15' from where shot. Estimated live weight 400 lbs.
The first bou I used the 140 gr SST pushed by 43.3 gr H4350. Mv 2650 fps.