260 Remington; Short Range

[Phil3]

I have an opportunity to buy a barreled action in 260 Remington. Was not really looking at anything more than a 223, since I can not shoot any further than 200 yards, 300 yards on the outside. Checking ballistics on the JBM Ballistics site surprised me. At even just 100 yards, a 52 grain 223 in a 10 mph crosswind is off by 1.1" and at 300 yards, is blown 11.6" off target. The 260 is .6" and 5.4", about half the 223. Even a 77 grain 223 is .8" and 3.5".

I did not really expect the 260 to be that much better at short ranges, and not sure I will go that way, given shorter barrel life, higher cost per round, and more recoil over a 223. Still, it would be easier to shoot accurately on windy days...even at short ranges. Rolling my own, the 223 is $0.36 a round, but the 260 is $0.56. Ouch.

- Phil

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: 260 Remington; Short Range

If 200-300 yards is ALL the rifle will see, I'd opt for the 223, learn the wind and put the extra $$ towards ammo and range time. If you ever get in a position to shoot longer ranges, you can revisit the change.

Buying a 260 Rem to shoot 300 yds Is like buying a yacht to place it in your pond.....

Kirk R

 

[Phil3]

Re: 260 Remington; Short Range

I wish the rifle WOULD see longer ranges, but nothing longer than 200 yards until you drive over 100 miles one way. I'll just stick with the 223 I think. With a 1:12 twist, it will be shooting light bullets, forcing me to learn the wind.

- Phil

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: 260 Remington; Short Range

SORRY, I keyboard Tourettes. Nothing wrong with the 260, it just seems like a more economical choice to stay with the 223 at that distance.

Kirk R

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: 260 Remington; Short Range

The .260 does what the .223 does, only better. With 95gr HDY V-Max, it's a stellar varmint round. With 125gr Nosler Spitzers it's good on deer. With 142SMK/140A-Max, it's a 1000yd F Class platform.

You can't do most of that with a .223. So the added price per round is well worth the tarriff.

Besides, if you're not handloading for your .260, you're only getting the short version of the real story. Maybe someday the ammo makers will begin to take the .260 more seriously, but this is not that day.

Greg

 

[bcpdshooter]

Re: 260 Remington; Short Range

Plus one more for the 223 and having to learn the wind is not a bad thing. That is why some of the best shooters shoot a 22lr at 100-200-300 yards to build their skills. Later if you step out to longer distances you will be on the right track.