Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Optimum Barrel length for 260 Remington build

As in the title I am thinking of building a .260 Remington (low recoil) on a T3 lite action I have. This will be for short range and hunting from a climbing tree stand hunting whitetail deer back east. I see Ruger compact uses a 16.5 inch barrel so I was thinking 18.5 should work for a short range .260.

Any suggestions? Does anyone use a .260 compact.

Personally I'd do a 21" tube, short shank and .6" at the mzl.

Find the 700/300Sav that Steelhead did a bit ago dupe it and you're golden!

Dober

22 inch would be my choice

I've shot a Remington 7 and a Ruger 77 RSI with 18.5" barrels and they were loud, but not as loud as a 260 in an XP-100.

I would focus more on the over-all balance of the barrel, action, stock, scope, mounts combination, rather than specifically on the barrel itself. If you go with a short barrel, you may need something with a magnum contour to have enough weight up front to balance the entire package, if neutral balance is something that appeals to you.

Jeff

I'm a 22" guy as well

22"

As it has already been mentioned, balance is key. I'd not be leery of a 20-21" 260, provided it was built correctly.

Iffen I was to put a 260 together, it'd have a 22"


No, wait, I did and it does......

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Nice rig aalf,

I may try 21" in my build but like the feel my hunting partners 20 inch model 7 has.

22" sounds right.

For my purposes when I build mine if I ever get the dang thing built I'll go with 24" but for your purposes a 20" to 22" sounds about right.

If I was building a walk about/stand rifle I think I would go with a 22" mannlicker stocked rifle with a weight of about 7 pounds and high quality peep sights. YMMV.

For noise and all around use, I'd build 21 if I wanted a short carbine and 22-23 for tad better speed and getting blast that much further away from the ears.

That said, for you, I'd sell the Tikka and get the Ruger Compact. Nothing to keep you from putting a ball of rolled up tissue or foam plugs in to cut that blast from any rifle from ringing your ears. It will handle great.

I had a custom Model 7 built in 7mm BR, 21" .700 at muzzle and I never wanted to change anything about it, worked beautifully for me.

Your hunting ranges are short and the small diff in speeds won't affect your outcomes, but the blast is a concern, though it's a trade off for ease of handling. Many guys using XPs w/14.5" IIRC and get great results. Just know up front the blast will be greater as you know to expect.

FWIW I have a bbl on order and it will be 22-23" fluted varmint but I don't plan to climb up trees w/it - it will be a 260 or the 6.5x47 Lapua. I cannot imagine anything handier up a climber though then that Compact. You can always sell or trade it if you don't like it. A thought.

be ahead of the game just buying a ss in 6.5 swede.... if your set on a 260 i will jump in the 22" gang....

I like both my M7 260s. 20" tube. Just wish the barrel had a little more substance to balance it better. Maybe a little thinner than the magnum contour on my 300 SAUM M7.

The only problem that I see with going with the 260 in a T3 is that it is a long action that will have a magazine stop to get it to feed properly. I'd be more apt for the 6.5 Swede over the 260. Better ability to handle larger pills.

I prefer 22" barrels, but a 20" would work as long as it doesn;t throw off the balance.

22" has never been a hindrance for me.

Go 22" by all means, you can always have it shortened if it's much of a hindrance later. The 22"ers are easier on the ears and it won't affect re-sale value like the short tubes can.

MtnHtr

I have an original 18.5" Model 7 in 260. It is definitely loud with that short of barrel, but is also definitely handy too.

I would not build one less than 20" myself in the future, and prefer a lightish contour 22" for most work (unless you're hunting really THICK stuff all the time).

Our 23" barreled 700 balances great and my daughter can shoot it with no fear of muzzle blast. Great little round and she is making great use of it.

22" would be my preference. If going longer I'd go long action and 6.5-06 or 6.5-06AI. (Which is what I did.)