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260 SBR Question

mdesign

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 2, 2004
2,134
10
Nebraska
How good of a choice would the 260 (or 6.5 CM) be for a suppressed bolt gun with an 18 inch barrel? The use of the rifle would be for tactical comps and short to medium range hunting. Would the 308 be a better choice?
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

Typically and legally, SBRs are under 16".

If you want an 18" barrel, I'd look more toward the .308 Win. You're going to cripple the ballistic advantage of the 6.5s going so short. Moon advised me not to chop down my GAP below 22", and strongly suggested I stay with 24" plus.

I will say cutting mine from 27" to 22" I lost 30 fps with my 130 gr VLD load. My 140 VLD load somehow gained 20 fps. I have no idea why. Meanwhile, I've worked up a load with the hybrids and accuracy came in about 50 fps slower, but I'm sticking with it to avoid the constant seating depth changes.
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

I have a 19" 260 and love it. I only loose about 150 fps vs my 28" barrel. I am getting 2700 with 140gr SMK with no pressure signs. I could get more but I dont need the extra velocity. I am shooting less than.25moa @ 300
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mdesign</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How good of a choice would the 260 (or 6.5 CM) be for a suppressed bolt gun with an 18 inch barrel? The use of the rifle would be for tactical comps and short to medium range hunting. Would the 308 be a better choice? </div></div>

Read this.

LL review on short .260
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

For a gas gun, I would say go for it.

For a bolt gun I think there are better options. Sure you can do it.....but a longer barrel is going to get it done better.

I don't like heavy barrels, but the length has generally not been a problem.

If we are talking about games, I would not choose a .308 over the .260 unless you need the barrel life of the .308 (i.e. new shooter who should be practicing a LOT).
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

fng - thanks for the link.

I can see an 18" barrel with a suppressor being very handy. Looking a LL numbers, it might reach out better than I thought.
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

Remember, there's not a guarantee you'll get those numbers. You can always chop down a 24" or a 22" if your numbers are good, but you can glue more on to an 18".
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

tyler - I know what you are saying...that's probably what is making question the project but I've got several rifles with long barrels. Just wanted something shorter but did not want it to be a dog for performance.
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

308 seems to be the choice for 16-18" handys since they're not as velocity sensitive as the 6.5s. Do yourself a favor, though, and don't read too much into barrel length. Go watch some of the guys shooting 14" xp100s with a 140amax...they're hammers, even at a grand.
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

I disagree a bit about short barrels and poor performance with a short barreled 260. We shoot two 15" 260's at 2525fps and also two 28" 260's at 2820 with same load and other than a few extra clicks in the scope they all shoot very well out to 1000 yards. I wouldn't worry too much about an 18" or 20" barrel. No real loss of accuracy and the few fps isn't that big a deal to most folks.

Topstrap
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

Just for funzies....

500' ASL, standard atmosphere

6.5mm 130gr Berger VLD at 2700fps
9.7mil drop @ 1000yd
2.3mil drift @ 1000yd

6.5mm 142gr Sierra Matchking at 2600fps
10.1mil drop @ 1000yd
2.2mil drift @ 1000yd

.308 175gr Sierra Matchking at 2600fps
11.8mil drop @ 1000yd
3.0mil drift @ 1000yd

.308 168gr Berger Hybrid at 2700fps
10.1mil drop @ 1000yd
2.5mil drift @ 1000yd
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Topstrap</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I disagree a bit about short barrels and poor performance with a short barreled 260. We shoot two 15" 260's at 2525fps and also two 28" 260's at 2820 with same load and other than a few extra clicks in the scope they all shoot very well out to 1000 yards. I wouldn't worry too much about an 18" or 20" barrel. No real loss of accuracy and the few fps isn't that big a deal to most folks.

Topstrap
</div></div>

+1 I've shot the 15" and it drives tacks
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

8 twist on the 15" barrels using Lilja 3 groove barrels. Using 42.5gr H4350 with the Hornady 140BTHP match bullet. Does just as good as the 139 Scenars did but a lot less expensive.

Topstrap
 
Re: 260 SBR Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mdesign</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Topstrap - what twist you running in the 15" barrels? If I ran an 18" barrel and added 7" for a suppressor, I'd still only be 25" long. </div></div>

Is that 1.5" worth $200 and 8 months?