260 or 6.5X55

summitsitter

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Minuteman
Sep 29, 2008
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Crowville, Louisiana
I'm getting ready for another build to start in a month. I've narrowed it down to these to calibers I think. From what I can tell they are pretty much identical. I'm using a long action. I would like to shoot 100-120gr bullets out of it. Just another thought would it be worth the hassle and extra expense to to with a 260AI. What Twist for the 2 calibers. Which would you choose base on brass, accuracy and volicity. It'll be for whitetail and paper punching.
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

I am going with the 6.5x55 in a long action.
Good selection of components and tools.
Since we're using a LA might as well use the case that can more fully utilize the length of that action.
The Swedes got it right over a 100 years ago and in a modern action you can get some very impressive proformance with bullets up to 142s. You will want to do your homework on the reamers that are availible. The old swedes have a long throat for the old round nose bullets.
You can probably tell by my handle that I'm a big fan of 264/6.5 family.
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

What action? I was thinking about a 6.5x55 and decided on a 6.5-06 because I was told that the Laupa 6.5X55 case would not would with an unmodified -06 extractor of a Remington 700. The rim is slightly larger on the 6.5x55 case. I understand the Winchester brass uses a smaller rim, though I never verified this myself.
Winchester M70's do not have this issue and will work unmolested with Laupa cases.

Please post a picture when you finish.

Good luck

Jerry
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jerry M</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What action? I was thinking about a 6.5x55 and decided on a 6.5-06 because I was told that the Laupa 6.5X55 case would not would with an unmodified -06 extractor of a Remington 700. The rim is slightly larger on the 6.5x55 case. I understand the Winchester brass uses a smaller rim, though I never verified this myself.
Winchester M70's do not have this issue and will work unmolested with Laupa cases.

Please post a picture when you finish.

Good luck

Jerry </div></div>

you can't go wrong with any of these cartridges. For what it's worth, by having either a Sako or an M-16 style extractor installed on your bolt or by just buying a new bolt from Pacific Tool and Gauge (PTG Bolts) you'll be good to go using the 6.5x55 Swede. The 6.5x55 Swede is an excellent cartridge as is the 260 Remington.
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

Either is fine. I chose the .260 because I can use essentially any .243 or 7-08 brass, and it's usually somewhat more easily available than 6.5x55. I run Winchester .243 brass through the F/L die, and my cases are instantly .260's. Nothing more is required. Lapua .243 brass is available, I suppose, somewhere...

Loads for the .260 use marginally less propellant; otherwise, they both handle the same bullets with the virtually same accuracy and terminal performance.

6.5-'06 doesn't seem to have a lot of followers, but those who do use it appear loyal enough. I've had some exposure to the .280 Rem/7mm Rem Express (essentially a 7mm-'06), and I'm growing some healthy respect for it.

Greg
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Lapua .243 brass is available, I suppose, somewhere...

Greg </div></div>

Greg, Powder Valley has Lapua .243 in stock. <span style="color: #000099">Powder Valley </span>
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

The Howa/Vanguard short action is longer than the Remy700 and comes with the M16 extractor. You may find it more acceptable. Shoot Mr. Lincoln at Roedale Precision an email as he's built several Swede's on the Howa short.
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

Since your using a long action I would go with the 6.5x55. I am basis any way I have one that is almost finished and should have it by the end of January. Only because I am taking two weeks vacation at the end of this year and CA 10 day waiting period.

Jamie
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: David777</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Lapua .243 brass is available, I suppose, somewhere...

Greg </div></div>

Greg, Powder Valley has Lapua .243 in stock. <span style="color: #000099">Powder Valley </span></div></div>


For those of you who dont know, Lapua offers 6.5x55 brass, and is some of the cheapest brass they sell. But dont let me stop you from your masterfull reforming, neck trimming, blah blah blah.
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MWDG3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Howa/Vanguard short action is longer than the Remy700 and comes with the M16 extractor. You may find it more acceptable. Shoot Mr. Lincoln at Roedale Precision an email as he's built several Swede's on the Howa short. </div></div>

Ditto.

I have a 6.5 x 55 that was rebarreled and trued by Krieger. It is on a Howa LA and is flawless. I was talking to Hide-member Banshee the other day and he mentioned the rifle and I said I needed to take it out and put more lead downrange. As a note, I shot my best 3-shot group with that rifle.

No marred cases with the Howa.
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

I would go with the 6.5 x 55 if for no other reason than Lapua makes the brass at a very good price. I should be shooting my new 6.5 x 55 AI in a couple of weeks and I went with that case to try to get 6.5 x 284 velocities out of 130-140 grains bullets for F-class.
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

Greg

Grafs.com has .243 Lapua brass in stock now
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Re: 260 or 6.5X55

260 Rem with custom ammo design by ChadTRG42 or you can by his interval loads find out what your rig likes and get the recipe for his load.

I have a 18" 260 GAP Crusader and I love it. Chad is working on the loads for us. It is accurate as hell even out to 1000 yards.
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

Hi. Thumbs up for 6,5x55.

1. By handloading to Lapua brass you can get higher velocities with heavy bullets.

2. You have a long action. It easier to get nice feed with proper lenght catridges. 260 is bit short to your action eaven when loaded over cip/saami lenghts.
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

I have both. I would go with a 6.5x55 on the long action. There is no problem with using Lapua brass with a stock Remington bolt. I started off with the Lapua brass but found the Remington brass to be great brass and has shot just as well as the Lapua in my rifle at half the price.
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

Both are good rounds. The Swede will have a tad more case capacity because it is longer like everyone has pointed out and will have a slight edge over the .260 especially with the longer bullets.

Our 6.5x55 match reamer is a standard case dimension but has a different throat and seating some 140gr. bullets to approx. 3.065" they will touch the lands. We built a guy a rifle earlier this year and he won the Oregon or Washington state F-class or high power title with it.

I've got two 6.5x55's and like'em a lot but cannot say flat out one is better than the other.

You would be happy with either one.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
 
Re: 260 or 6.5X55

I'd go with the 6.5x55 or 6.5x57. They will handle the heavier bullet better (140 class. In a modern bolt gun, loaded to similar pressures as the '06, the 6.5 will outperform the .260, not sure about the .260 AI though. Either one will work fine if you stay below 130 grain bullets, look how well the grendel does with a much smaller case.