I'm in the same dilema, but I am thinking of a 6.5x.284 instead. Should be just about right for long range varmints w/ 107gr Sierra MK @ about 3300fps (i hope).
Posts: 7752 | Location: kalif.,usa | Registered: 08 March 2001
I play with the 260 for long range target work. If you want a good 120 grain long range bullet, go with the Lapua 123 Scenar. It has a BC that puts it right up there with the best heavy target bullets when the difference in velocity is taken into account. Mine only needs 25 moa to get to 1000 yards based on a 100 yard zero and will stay supersonic out past 1200 yards. Don't know how they would work on varmint sized game but I would suspect with the light target jacket thickness that they would be impressive.
The big advantage to the .260 over the .308 is 1/3 less recoil. It won't shoot much flatter with anything comparable from the .308. Suggest you consider the A-Max bullets from Hornady. They seem to work at the longer ranges better than anything else for varmits. E
quote:Originally posted by Eremicus: The big advantage to the .260 over the .308 is 1/3 less recoil. It won't shoot much flatter with anything comparable from the .308.
The part about not shooting flatter than a 308 is pure BS. The 260 shooting Lapua Scenar bullets shoots way flatter than any 308 out there and has a huge amount less wind drift. If you are talking strictly about factory loadings, that is a different story and, yes, the 308 shoots reasonably close with factory loadings only.
My pet 260 load puts 123 Scenars (BC .56) at 3100 fps (best accuracy) or 3150 fps (max load) from a 27" barrel. You are limited to about 2750 with a 308 with a 26" barrel and a common target bullet is the 175 Matchling (BC .495). The difference in these two choices at longer range is a real eye opener. I shoot both out to 1000 yards and know from personal experience that there is no comparison.
I agree with Bruce, the 260 IS flatter than the 308 by a good margin. I have shot the 308 to a 1000 yards, with both the 155 and the 175 MK's and the 260 with the 123 Scenar is way flatter than either of the 30 caliber bullets. I will never totally abandon my 308's but they are not being shot nearly as much as they used to be. And I am having another 260 built right now. Had too, the wife has claimed the first one for her own.
Shoot Safe, Shoot Straight........RiverRat
Posts: 413 | Location: Owensville, Indiana USA | Registered: 04 July 2001
