6.5x55-vs-260-vs-6.5creedmore-vs-6.5x284
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Depends on what action you are going to use. 6.5X284 works better in a long action same with the 6.5X55, unless you have an intermediate length Mauser action to build the Swede on. 6.5 Creedmore and .260 are the obvious choice for a short action. The Creedmore would probably be better if you are going to use long VLD style bullets since it is a little bit shorter case vs. the .260 Rem and doesn't give up much in speed.
You want a short action from a strictly engineering standpoint short actions are stiffer that cuts out 6.5x55 and 6.5x284. You'll also want premium brass, which cuts out the 260 Rem (users of 260 Rem brass give mixed reviews).
That leave the 6.5x47 Lapua and the 6.5 Creedmoor with Lapua and Hornady brass. The Creedmoor has the case capacity advantage.
So get the 6.5 Creedmoor unless you like using the smaller powder charge on the 6.5x47 to pinch pennies on the powder.
Jimro
That leave the 6.5x47 Lapua and the 6.5 Creedmoor with Lapua and Hornady brass. The Creedmoor has the case capacity advantage.
So get the 6.5 Creedmoor unless you like using the smaller powder charge on the 6.5x47 to pinch pennies on the powder.
Jimro
But you don't have to use Remington brass, Lapua, Norma, and Nosler all make quality brass for the .260. Plus there is a lot of good quality .308 brass to make it out of as well.
??? Everything I read indicates the .260 has the larger case capacity since it is based off of the .308. The 6.5 Creedmore is an improved .250 Savage case. Here is what our very own Zak Smith had to say in his article: 6.5mm shootout
If I were building a rifle I agree with using the Creedmore but not for the reasons you stated. I just like the looks of the Creedmore and it doesn't give up much to the .260 Rem.
For a varmint rifle, you are going to want light bullets, no? That means short bullets...... and a slow twist (1 in 14).....
For a "long range target rifle" you are going to want high BC bullets, no? That means very long bullets..... and a fast twist (1 in 8) ...
You seem to be working at cross purposes.......
I'd go with the .260, so long as it would chamber and stabilize 140 grain bullets ...... and use a .223 for varmint work.
Or you could just shoot prairie dogs with the 140's ......
Me? I shoot a 1 in 10 twist .270 WIN at everything (I don't shoot long range target competitions, though!). It does best with 150 BTSP's ..... but does well enough with 110 varmint bullets to pop p-dogs out to 350 ....
For a "long range target rifle" you are going to want high BC bullets, no? That means very long bullets..... and a fast twist (1 in 8) ...
You seem to be working at cross purposes.......
I'd go with the .260, so long as it would chamber and stabilize 140 grain bullets ...... and use a .223 for varmint work.
Or you could just shoot prairie dogs with the 140's ......
Me? I shoot a 1 in 10 twist .270 WIN at everything (I don't shoot long range target competitions, though!). It does best with 150 BTSP's ..... but does well enough with 110 varmint bullets to pop p-dogs out to 350 ....
To cover all your stated desires, I'd pick the 6.5-06. You can use 25-06 or 30-06 brass. I stick to 140s in the 06 because I had it long throated. Gives me over 2900. You should be aware that the recoil of the larger 6.5s is like a .270. I use 120s and 129s in my 260s and have built low recoil loads.
The most important point, IMO, is the barrel length. If it's 22", then the short cases. I don't understand why Savage chambers a 116 in 6.5-284 and puts a 22" barrel on it. However, you can get the LR Hunter in 26". You can get an ER Shaw Mark VII in whatever caliber and barrel length you want.
The most important point, IMO, is the barrel length. If it's 22", then the short cases. I don't understand why Savage chambers a 116 in 6.5-284 and puts a 22" barrel on it. However, you can get the LR Hunter in 26". You can get an ER Shaw Mark VII in whatever caliber and barrel length you want.
The problem with the 6mm-6.5mm wildcat calibers is that some of them are real throat burners- the 6.5x47 Lapua being one of them.
If you're a competition shooter, you're planning to re-barrel every year (MOL, depending on how much you shoot) because the barrels may only be good for a couple of thousand rounds before the throat's burned out. Depends on a lot of factors not the least of which is how hot you load.
If you're not a competition shooter, you may want to consider re-barreling costs.
Please no one tell me that barrels are like tires...I know...but it is a consideration, just like buying tires...
My next rifle will be .260. After reading everything I can get my hands on ten times over, it is an excellent compromise between barrel life, recoil, and long range accuracy. The .260, and the 6.5 x 55, are ballistic twins.
If you're a competition shooter, you're planning to re-barrel every year (MOL, depending on how much you shoot) because the barrels may only be good for a couple of thousand rounds before the throat's burned out. Depends on a lot of factors not the least of which is how hot you load.
If you're not a competition shooter, you may want to consider re-barreling costs.
Please no one tell me that barrels are like tires...I know...but it is a consideration, just like buying tires...
My next rifle will be .260. After reading everything I can get my hands on ten times over, it is an excellent compromise between barrel life, recoil, and long range accuracy. The .260, and the 6.5 x 55, are ballistic twins.
My Swedish Mauser Rifle is a 6.5X55 caliber, and with the adjustable iron sights, it's probably one of the most accurate shooting rifle I have ever owned.....The rifles craftsmanship and quality is awesome, and the 6.5X55 caliber round is very versitile.
Used it for Deer , Vermint, and Wild Hog hunts....
I personaly feel the 6.5X55 caliber performance is better than the 260 .270 or 30-06
Just an overlooked caliber.....And to know that it was used in WWI and WWII as a Snipers choice of caliber says something.
Used it for Deer , Vermint, and Wild Hog hunts....
I personaly feel the 6.5X55 caliber performance is better than the 260 .270 or 30-06
Just an overlooked caliber.....And to know that it was used in WWI and WWII as a Snipers choice of caliber says something.
You can make 260 from 243 as well.Doyle said:
IMHO you cant go wrong with the 260, it will give you the best barrel life (along with the Creedmore) but if you want to use it for long range the 260 excels with the 140 grain bullets (which have the best BC) where the Creedmore pushes the 140 grain bullets a little slower so it is better off with the 129 grain bullets that dont have as good BC as the 140 grain bullets (if you get what I'm saying).
Also the 260 is in a short action is that is another advantage. Even though the 6.5x55 case is bigger then the 260 they push the same weight bullets around the same velocity as the 6.5x55 maxes out in pressure before you can fill the case. Some people say that when you seat the bullets of a 260 into the case (as it's in a short action) it will displace powder space but with the best powders for the 260 it gets over pressured before the case is filled to capacity.
If I could only keep 1 gun it would be my 260
The functional case capacity difference between a 260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor is less than 2 grains. Not enough to give the 260 a real edge until you get to absolute max loads. Best accuracy is generally not attained with max loads.
As far as necking down 308 brass, well that leads to thick necks and thick necks lead to "KABOOMS" unless you are set up to neck turn. Necking up from 243 is a better option if you want to go the reforming brass route.
Jimro
As far as necking down 308 brass, well that leads to thick necks and thick necks lead to "KABOOMS" unless you are set up to neck turn. Necking up from 243 is a better option if you want to go the reforming brass route.
Jimro
Fullboar,
I think you are talking about absolute case capacity, in which case you are absolutely correct. But in terms of functional case capacity it is a different story altogether.
Taking a look at max loads from Hogdon's data paints an interesting picture.
260 Rem
142 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Hybrid 100V .264" 2.780" 38.0 2464 46,800 PSI 42.0C 2690 57,500 PSI
6.5 Creedmoor
142 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Hybrid 100V .264" 2.780" 39.0 2581 50,200 PSI 41.5 2737 58,900 PSI
You are looking at half a grain less powder for the Creedmoor. True that H100V is probably not the best powder for the 260 Rem, but if we look at the old standby for target shooters Varget...
142 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .264" 2.780" 35.0 2541 54,000 PSI 37.5 2645 59,100 PSI
6.5 Creedmoor
142 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .264" 2.780" 34.5 2489 52,600 PSI 36.3 2598 60,100 PSI
So 37.5 with the 260 Rem to 36.3 with the 6.5 Creedmoor. With most powders there will be less than two grains between the two as long as you are comparing the same powder, bullet, and primer. If you are loading for max loads all the time then the 260 Rem becomes second fiddle to something like the 6.5x284 or 264 Win Mag. But if you are loading for accuracy then velocity doesn't matter as long as it has enough to get to the target without going subsonic (or if it does go subsonic the bullet handles the transition well).
It is only when you have a bulky slow powder that you can take advantage of the 260 Rem's slightly larger case capacity. H4350 is a good example, you get 2.8 grains of spread on max charge and 3.2 grains with Win760.
260 Rem
142 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4350 .264" 2.780" 41.5 2590 50,100 PSI 44.5 2735 58,000 PSI
6.5 Creedmoor
142 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 4350 .264" 2.780" 39.2 2511 48,300 PSI 41.7C 2687 58,600 PSI
Or Win760
260 Rem
142 GR. SIE HPBT Winchester 760 .264" 2.780" 41.0 2588 50,400 PSI 43.5 2734 58,800 PSI
6.5 Creedmoor
142 GR. SIE HPBT Winchester 760 .264" 2.780" 36.5 2470 50,900 PSI 40.2 2634 58,300 PSI
But, if you want to hit that same 2734 fps that the 260 Rem has with Win760, all you need to do is load the Creedmoor with Hybrid100V.
Jimro
I think you are talking about absolute case capacity, in which case you are absolutely correct. But in terms of functional case capacity it is a different story altogether.
Taking a look at max loads from Hogdon's data paints an interesting picture.
260 Rem
142 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Hybrid 100V .264" 2.780" 38.0 2464 46,800 PSI 42.0C 2690 57,500 PSI
6.5 Creedmoor
142 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Hybrid 100V .264" 2.780" 39.0 2581 50,200 PSI 41.5 2737 58,900 PSI
You are looking at half a grain less powder for the Creedmoor. True that H100V is probably not the best powder for the 260 Rem, but if we look at the old standby for target shooters Varget...
142 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .264" 2.780" 35.0 2541 54,000 PSI 37.5 2645 59,100 PSI
6.5 Creedmoor
142 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .264" 2.780" 34.5 2489 52,600 PSI 36.3 2598 60,100 PSI
So 37.5 with the 260 Rem to 36.3 with the 6.5 Creedmoor. With most powders there will be less than two grains between the two as long as you are comparing the same powder, bullet, and primer. If you are loading for max loads all the time then the 260 Rem becomes second fiddle to something like the 6.5x284 or 264 Win Mag. But if you are loading for accuracy then velocity doesn't matter as long as it has enough to get to the target without going subsonic (or if it does go subsonic the bullet handles the transition well).
It is only when you have a bulky slow powder that you can take advantage of the 260 Rem's slightly larger case capacity. H4350 is a good example, you get 2.8 grains of spread on max charge and 3.2 grains with Win760.
260 Rem
142 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4350 .264" 2.780" 41.5 2590 50,100 PSI 44.5 2735 58,000 PSI
6.5 Creedmoor
142 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 4350 .264" 2.780" 39.2 2511 48,300 PSI 41.7C 2687 58,600 PSI
Or Win760
260 Rem
142 GR. SIE HPBT Winchester 760 .264" 2.780" 41.0 2588 50,400 PSI 43.5 2734 58,800 PSI
6.5 Creedmoor
142 GR. SIE HPBT Winchester 760 .264" 2.780" 36.5 2470 50,900 PSI 40.2 2634 58,300 PSI
But, if you want to hit that same 2734 fps that the 260 Rem has with Win760, all you need to do is load the Creedmoor with Hybrid100V.
Jimro