looking for a round with a little more poop than my 6.5x55 cz mannlicher can provide. i have a 1500 short action howa i am thinking of rebarreling to 260 rem with a 26" tube.looking for at least 2900 fps with 140 gr bullets. will this combination get me there or should i search for a standard length action and go 6.5-06? any input would be appreciated. most cordially, victor

The 6.5x55 and .260 Rem are so close I don't see how switching will get you more velocity. The 6.5x55 has slightly more capacity and you will be loading in the same rifle thus are limited to the same pressures. Your mention of the 6.5-06 implies that you'll be reloading.

Aren't you getting 2800 with the 140s? What will the extra 100 fps get you? Not criticizing, just wondering. If you really want a project rifle, maybe what you want is a 6.5WSM...

The loading of the 260 and 6.5x55 in modern rifles should be almost identical. It is only the older mauser actions that keep you from loading the 55 to a lower pressure. My preference would be the 6.5-06 just because they are not seen everywhere.

Actually, I would download the 264WM since brass is so plentiful (you can use 7mag brass) and no necking, etc is necessary if you buy factory 264 brass, but you didn't ask that.

I'd go with the 6.5-06 or 6.5-284 for the 2900 fps/140 gr. load you want. You could get close to that figure with a 26" 260 Rem, but you'd be pushing the upper limits. Better to have a safe pressure load in a larger case.

6.5x55 imp ( Ackley or Arch ) can reach 2900 fps with full load and 308 WIN pressure level but best is to go with 6.5/284 ( Lapua chamber )

good shooting

DAN TEC

I'm not that familiar with the Howa action but, I have heard only good things about them. I do not know if the bolt face can be opened up to accept a .532 case head. If it can you might consider what I did.

I re-chambered my .260 Rem to 6.5 WSM (6.5 x .300 WSM). Mine is on a Model 70 Classic action and is sub .5 MOA.

I haven't chronographed it yet but it supposed to spit out 140 gr. bullets at better than 3100 fps.

I am a BIG fan of the 6.5x55 BJ Ackley Improved. Much prefer it to the 260 Rem. The 6.5x55 AI will just about equal velocities of the 6.5-06 with a lot less powder. I have the .260 Rem, a 6.5-06, a 6.5/08 Ackley and am currently building the 6.5x55 AI, one for myself and a rechamber for a customer. I personally consider the 6.5x55 BJAI to be the best of the bunch, all things considered.

Ol' John