Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles .260 Rem ~ 6.5 Creedmoor ~ .264 Winchester Magnum

I'm really getting the itch for adding one of these chamberings to the stable. Mainly just for shooting steel or paper at longer distances but would like for it to do double duty if I'd get the chance to hunt it out west someday too. I need to fill the gap between the 22-250 and 30-06. Any suggestions?

Yes .

Yes

See the same thread/question in the Long Range Hunting sub forum

Seems to be the question of the month lately


Mike

So which one?

I have a soft spot for the 260Rem in a rifle twisted and chambered correctly.

Depends on distance used. Game shot.
Do want want to build or buy. Desired bore life
All work.

I'd go with the 260. 25-06 would work too

Must depends on what you want.
If you don't want to have to do any resizing, or brass hunting, buy the 260.
If you want an efficient case design, buy the Creed.
If you want to claim to be the king of all speed, buy the Win mag.

From living with the 264, it seems that it shares the same propensity for random pressure excursions as the 7mm mag has.

To answer your original question, of the choices you mention, I would go with the 6.5 Creedmoor. I have had a .260 and loved it, but for a 2.8" magazine box, the Creedmoor is simply a better mouse trap. I currently have a 6.5x47 Lapua in the works which I think may be a better solution yet. It may be the perfect case for a 2.8" magazine box.

That being said, a little recent research showed me that in terms of ballistic performance, the 6mms are going to be a better deal. While the BCs are not quite as good as the 6.5 projectiles, apparently the attainable velocity more than makes up for the slight difference in BC. Big Stick pointed out something to me that I had never considered. 6mm projectiles are substantially cheaper than similar 6.5 projectiles. While you might give up a little barrel life with a 6mm, the cost saved in bullets would likely cover the cost of a new tube. My next barrel will likely be a 6x47 Lapua. Have a look here:

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/10/14/rifle-calibers-what-the-pros-use/

John

For longevity sake I'd opt for whichever one of the smaller rounds you can find brass to load for!

The 6.5-08 a.k.a. .260 was the darling of the Highpower crowd when I used to shoot and the Creedmoor was designed around the best bullets needed to stretch it out.

Component shortage would dictate for me. If I could find what I wanted I'd go Creedmoor.

Mike

RickyBobby
If you want to go on a western hunting trip, the money you'll spend on a decent long range rig would go a long way towards financing the hunting trip- Where your 30/06 would work fine for everything up to the smaller varieties of whales.

That's sig-line material. Most excellent!

For shooting targets, I would avoid the 264 win (no real need under 1000 yards) and try either the 260 or 6.5x47. Lapua brass is available for both. Although, I am not sure you would see much difference between the creed, 260 and 6.5x47.

John, after the 47, the next step up...in bore life and pleasant firing is the 6.5 BR...

Your comment on 6 vs 6.5 is spot on. IF bore life were same same I would use a 6 for 98% of my shooting. You can run #s of bore life costs vs bullet costs.

I too will likely build a 6x47 if not XC - for their niceties - and realize barrel expense might trump bullet savings, though it does help mitigate it

Then we circle right back to what makes a 243 factory rifle so appealing. Save a custom barrel and burn it out. Sell and repeat, or re-barrel. Twist aside as 95% of shooters can do fine with a standard 10t 243 using 95 Bergers and Ballistic tips. But like you - I like the 47 and XC case design n benefits given a choice.

In the end it's all fun and what your wallet can handle. Many shooters have a few unused rifles and scopes they could re-invest sale proceeds for a better mousetrap

Disappointed in the answers so far.....the real answer is ALL 3!

Good grief,the rifle loony-ism here is sadly on the decline.

6.5 Creedmoor all day long

6.5 Creedmoor all day long

264 because you can!!!!!!

I have both 260 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor…there is no disconcernable difference between them.

And twice on Saturday?