These two cartridges look very similar as far as their capabilities go. Is the less than 50fps higher velocity of the 260 the only advantage it holds over the 6.5x55?

TIA

6,5*55 is the faster one with european cart. 6,5*55 can take longer bullets and are made on standard mil. mauser(8*57) or standard (3006) actions. The only advantage with 260 is short action with about 140g max bullet weight.

Most of your load data for the 6.5 x 55 is on the extreme side of conservative due to the large number of very old rifles in use which shoot the 6.5 x 55 cartridge.

I think if you're interested in a 6.5 caliber, I'd go with the Swede chambering. It's been around over 100 years, and likely isn't going away anytime in your life or mine.

And if you can ever get your hands on some of that Swedish milsurp "prickskytte" ammo, buy all you can find. My old 96's shoot that stuff beautifully.

Dan Newberry
green 788

I think the difference is whether you want an old miltary rifle with a long throat, or a lightweight, short action cartridge that will probably be more accurate.

I love my 260, it puts 5 120 gr. Ballistic Tips inside 1" consistently with H4831. Out of a 22" barrel, I think the 2 cartridges are within 50 fps or so, with the 6.5 swede holding an edge due to a slightly larger case capacity. This is if they are both strong actions though, some Swedes have weak actions.

The case capacity is within a couple of grains (47.5 grains of Reloader 22). I bought a couple of pieces of new brass to compare. Loaded to the same pressure level in the same rifle they should give identical performance. I was having a tough time finding 260 Remington loading info so just used loads for the Swede. They worked just right.
The big advantage I can see for the Swede is the availability of good brass. The remington stuff is not real good.
Out of a 28" target barrel I am getting 2900 fps from 142 grain Matchkings and 47 grains of Reloader 22.