which 260 Rem length and contour?

H

hkfan45

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 25, 2013
143
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#1
I've narrowed down my caliber choice to a 260 rem for my first bolt action build. I decided on the 260 Rem vs 308 due to reduced recoil (I'm a bit recoil sensitive) and better ballistics at long distance. The availability of factory ammo was also a consideration ( I do plan to reload in the future) and HSM does appear to make reasonably priced 260 Rem match ammo.

I am now at the stage where I need to decide on barrel length and contour. This barrel will be going into an Eliseo RTS stock w/ a Pierce action and will be used primarily for field/hunting and possible competition to a lesser extent. I chose the tube gun chassis because I need a rifle with the ability to adjust to my body and shooting position, and I like the ability to run the bolt without shifting my sight picture. My goal is sub 1/2 MOA, but in a package that can be carried (fairly short distances). Therefore, I am not looking for a 30" unwieldy competition barrel that weighs a ton. Ideally, I'd like a 20-24" barrel in a medium weight contour, but that is still capable of achieving my accuracy goal.

I have a limited background with bolt actions, so I am seeking the vast knowledge of Hide members to give me recommendations on:

(1) is 20-24" for a 260 Rem doable, and if so, which length would you recommend,
(2) which contour (and barrel maker) would you recommend given my goals listed above.

Cost is less of a concern. I am simply looking for the best equipment given my goals.

Thanks for your help, Hide members.
 
#2
I like 260 in a longer barrel, mine is 26" I wouldn't go less than 24"

I went with a Bartlein M40 contour. It is a fairly heavy rig, but plenty of other people on here have guns that weigh more.
 
#3
teerex said:
I like 260 in a longer barrel, mine is 26" I wouldn't go less than 24"

I went with a Bartlein M40 contour. It is a fairly heavy rig, but plenty of other people on here have guns that weigh more.
Click to expand...

+1. I'm getting a 6.5x55 (close enough to a .260) built right now and I went with a M40 26" Bartlein. That extra 2" doesn't weigh enough to worry about for me. A little less wieldly but it's not a truck gun.

L
 
#4
The responses seem to indicate a longer barrel (26"+) is necessary for a 260 Rem. Is this the general consensus? If so, I may need to consider the 308 since it seems to perform well even in shorter barrels.
 
#5
A shorter barrel generally translates into better accuracy potential because it’s stiffer, but a shorter barrel will also lower a cartridge’s velocity potential. I run a 24” Remington varmint contour barrel on mine and I am happy with both the accuracy and velocity... getting right around 2830fps with 140 a-max and on perfect days at the range (low to no wind or very consistent wind) I have shot groups well under moa out to and including 1000y.
 
#6
nilescoyote said:
A shorter barrel generally translates into better accuracy potential because it’s stiffer,
Click to expand...

Come on Niles don't be passing around this old argument. LOL It's theoretical at best. Plenty of 28-30" rifles are very accurate and set records at 1000 yard matches. Just had this argument with a guy on another forum this morning. It's one of those things that someone says enough to get taken for fact with no proof in execution in the real world. Might the shorter barrel be stiffer if tested on laboratory machines? Yes. But will it equate into better accuracy than a longer barrel if both were put together right and have a good load worked up or them? No.

OP get it 16". It's what the cool kids are doing now. All the rave on the internet. ;) Seriously 24-26" is a good length. Contour like a Rem Varmint or Light or Med Palma would work well. Bartlein makes an excellent barrel and you might find them in stock at http://www.grizzly.com/products/category/365000
 
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#8
hkfan45 said:
The responses seem to indicate a longer barrel (26"+) is necessary for a 260 Rem. Is this the general consensus? If so, I may need to consider the 308 since it seems to perform well even in shorter barrels.
Click to expand...

It's not necessary in my honest opinion.

Personally, I wouldn't go less than 22" with a .260. But, long story short, a 140gr 6.5mm projectile at 2600fps (bad case scenario, short .260 barrel) is going to have a flatter trajectory, and stay super-sonic longer than a 175gr .308 SMK at 2750fps (good case scenario, long barrel .308). The only category the .308 does better in is energy, and the farther away you get, the closer the two come to each other in that respect because of the high BC of the 6.5's.

There are other considerations, I suppose, like barrel life, brass/ammo availability etc. But purely ballistically speaking, for long range target shooting, the .260 is better, hands down.

Now, my recommendation to you is to get a #4 or #5 profile barrel finished at 24", possibly fluted if you're really worried about weight.

edit: Just some anecdotal stuff; I just mailed my box o' parts to C. Dixon to have my first custom rifle built. I'm looking at similar criteria. I want to hunt and target shoot, mostly inside of 800yd, but occasionally out to and beyond 1000. I got a remington Varmint contour Bartlein and I'm having it fluted, and cut to 22" (.260). I want 2700fps minimum, and I'm confident I can get it with 22", anything over that is gravy. That lets me take deer to 600yd or so, puts the rifle overall weight around 12lb w/optics unloaded, and I've got a heavy enough barrel to shoot longer strings of fire when I make it to Pdog towns or if I start doing competitions etc.
 
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#9
If I were to go with a shorter barrel (20-24") 260 Rem, would it be advisable to go with a heavier contour barrel to increase rigidity? You'll have to excuse my ignorance, but what do I give up in terms of accuracy by going with a lighter weight contour over an equivalent length heavier barrel?

I've looked at the contour spec pages for a number of barrel makers, but I'm overwhelmed by the sheer number of contours to choose.
 
#10
More than anything with lighter barrels, you give up how many rounds you can fire quickly. Less mass, the quicker it heats up, the hotter it gets the more likely it is to do goofy stuff (stringing, inaccurate etc..).

My take on it, anyway. I've seen a LOT of rifles that can shoot 3-5 rounds precisely then open up to 2-3 MOA. Cool the barrel down with a damp rag and we're back to sub MOA for 3 more rounds.

Of course, a quality, stress free, free floating, cut-rifled barrel is going to be less affected by heat than a factory button-rifled tube like I described above. My thoughts are that anything over #4 profile is a pretty good bet.
 
#12
Rob01 said:
Come on Niles don't be passing around this old argument. LOL It's theoretical at best.
Click to expand...

Shhh, I got the wife believing it. But back on topic, your right I cant test it but it does make theoretical sense thats why I used big words like generally and potential :p

I would not go with a heavy contour but that’s just my opinion and preference for a do it all range/hunting rifle, nor would I go shorter than 24 as I am happy with the speed I am at and its portability in the area that it is employed.
 
#16
I've got a 26" 260. The longest I have to shoot is 650yd and I do not compete

In the next few weeks, my barrel will likely be chopped to 21". I don't need the velocity the longer barrels provide, and the shorter tube will be a bit lighter and more maneuverable when hunting.

A 20" 260 should get a 140gr bullet to 2700fps...which still spanks your typical 20" 308.
 
#17
It sounds like a 20-24" barrel isn't giving much up in velocity over a 26". The furthest I plan to shoot is 700 yards. I am more interested in accuracy at medium distances than squeezing out the most velocity possible. What groups are people seeing with medium contours (#4 or 5) with HSM match ammo (snipercentral)? This is a deciding factor for me.
 
#20
If your goal is only 700 yards why not get a .308. Barrel length and velocity have nothing to do with precision and accuracy. Your barrel will last longer than a .260 and there is(was) plenty of factory loaded ammo to choose from.
 
#21
816Gump said:
If your goal is only 700 yards why not get a .308. Barrel length and velocity have nothing to do with precision and accuracy. Your barrel will last longer than a .260 and there is(was) plenty of factory loaded ammo to choose from.
Click to expand...

My main concern was recoil and comfort since I typically shoot 100 rounds a session and didn't want a sore shoulder (previously injury) at the end of the day. With that said, I'd consider it since you are right, at less than 700 yards, ballistics are less of a factor. Has anyone shot an Eliseo in 308 with a medium weight barrel? How was the recoil?
 
#23
I got a Beanland built .260 rem... 22" Krieger #10 contour. She's a tank. When I throw my can on, she shoots right around 2780 fps off mild/mid loads (43.0 gr of h4350 & 139 gr scenars @2.850" COL).
 
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#24
Just to throw in another opinion, I like my 21" .260 TRG. I cut it down from 26" and lost a bit of velocity but not enough to worry about getting to 1000 yds easily. It's a pound lighter and handles better. Accuracy is the same if not better, less than 1/2 moa with 123 gr Scenars.
 
#26
I went with a 24" Bartlein #6 HT. If I did it again it would be a lighter profile. #5 or even a #13 Sendero.

The responses seem to indicate a longer barrel (26"+) is necessary for a 260 Rem. Is this the general consensus? If so, I may need to consider the 308 since it seems to perform well even in shorter barrels.
Click to expand...

No. 26"+ is not necessary but some are trying to get the maximum fps and performance out of the .260 for the long haul. Same length on up, the .260 will best the .308 (trajectory, not always ballistic energy). It's a lighter pill that can be pushed relatively faster and the BC is better. Those physical factors do not change with barrel length. If you want a shorter tube, get a shorter tube.

I think that 2" of barrrel length gets stressed way to much over the profile.
 
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#29
On one hand you say you want to hunt and the other compete. I am almost in your same boat without the competition part, but I like to shoot too. The guy I am talking to about a .260 is doing some amazing stuff with light-er weight rifles. They can drill holes. But when they heat up it takes a while to get them back. I have a .308 as well and I have a lighter weight one with a 22 inch barrel that is pretty good out to 400yrds for me and what I am doing wth it. I don't know where or how you hunt but a 12 pound gun is pretty heavy at the end of the day chasing antelope or mulies over the high desert. But for just shooting and hanging out I am think 24 inch med. Palma in .260 or the 6.5 x 47. I have talked myself out of the 6.5 x 06...
 
#31
Longer than 24" is not necessary for the .260, I have reached 1KM with one. But a longer barrel (my LR .260 uses a 28" barrel) can be highly desirable, as it allows long distances to be reached adequately with lesser load pressures, and that promotes better throat longevity.
 
#32
Velocity = accuracy at distance 24-26" is optimal. You may give up a tiny bit of handyness but you will be able to achieve better down range performance. If you are going to reload, 260 will actually cost you about the same to shoot even with barrel changes than 308 due to the cost of bullets. If you want to bring some handyness back to the rifle look at getting a folder. JP AMCS, Manners, Mcree and XLR make a folding chassis system that can be adjusted to your body. I ran an Eliseo for a number of years and ran it all last year on the PRS and It was one of the most accurate rifles, Gary is an awesome guy with great customer service, but since the scope base does not directly attach to the action you may run into POI shifts if you bang the gun around. I switched chassis systems to the JP this year and have not had a wondering POI.
 
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