A while back I got a great deal on a used AI-AWP. Since I already have a 308, I decided to get a .260 Remington barrel for it. The logic is that for long-range shooting, wind drift is the crux of making first-round hits. While 308 match bullets (150-175gr) generally have a BC of 0.53 or less, the 6.5mm bullet have BCs are high as 0.64 for the 140-grain bullets. With similar muzzle velocity, higher BC translates directly into less wind drift. The .260 Remington can shoot the high-BC 139-142gr bullets at 2800-2900fps from a 26" barrel .
George Gardner (GA Precision) chambered and fitted this 26-inch medium-Palma from Rock Creek to the AW action. Due to the AW receiver design, headspaced barrels can be swapped at-will in about 5 minutes.
The result feeds from the double-stack AI DBM, runs perfectly in the short action, and has a trajectory significantly better than 308. At 1000 yards, a moderate 260 load shooting the 139gr Lapua Scenars has 25% less wind drift than the best 308 loads, and only 10% more than good 7 Rem Mag loads.
After spending a few hours developing loads at 100 yards, the first two shots out of the rifle past 100 were both first-rounds hits centered on two different 690-yard targets. 260's recoil with the 139's is less than 155-grain 308 loads. My current load shoots the 139gr Scenars at 2840fps, and I think 2900 fps may be safe with the right load.
Scope is a S&B 3-12x50mm PMII.
[ link to LARGER image ]
[ link to LARGER image ]
My 308 JET suppressor is actually quieter on the 260 than it is on my 308.
[ link to LARGER image ]
Crummy through-scope picture of sets of targets at 650 (right) and 690 yards (left). The small targets are about 10" across, while the large ones are 12x18". Reticle is the S&B "Fine P4".
[ link to LARGER image ]
The pictures were taken at June's Sporting Rifle Match at the NRAWC in Raton NM.
George Gardner (GA Precision) chambered and fitted this 26-inch medium-Palma from Rock Creek to the AW action. Due to the AW receiver design, headspaced barrels can be swapped at-will in about 5 minutes.
The result feeds from the double-stack AI DBM, runs perfectly in the short action, and has a trajectory significantly better than 308. At 1000 yards, a moderate 260 load shooting the 139gr Lapua Scenars has 25% less wind drift than the best 308 loads, and only 10% more than good 7 Rem Mag loads.
After spending a few hours developing loads at 100 yards, the first two shots out of the rifle past 100 were both first-rounds hits centered on two different 690-yard targets. 260's recoil with the 139's is less than 155-grain 308 loads. My current load shoots the 139gr Scenars at 2840fps, and I think 2900 fps may be safe with the right load.
Scope is a S&B 3-12x50mm PMII.
[ link to LARGER image ]
[ link to LARGER image ]My 308 JET suppressor is actually quieter on the 260 than it is on my 308.
[ link to LARGER image ]Crummy through-scope picture of sets of targets at 650 (right) and 690 yards (left). The small targets are about 10" across, while the large ones are 12x18". Reticle is the S&B "Fine P4".
[ link to LARGER image ]The pictures were taken at June's Sporting Rifle Match at the NRAWC in Raton NM.
