308 or 260 for tacticalrifle

[Unknown]

Re: 308 or 260 for tacticalrifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DT1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After reading all the posts in this thread about civil suits regarding the choice of caliber (260 vs 308) in this thread, I went back and looked at the original post.

A comparison of stopping power of a 260 and 308 at 500 yards was requested. I'm not a law enforcement officer nor an LE legal afficianado but don't the vast majority of LE shootings take place well inside of 100yds? Talk about the possibility of a civil suit, taking a whack at a bad guy at 500yds in a LE setting would seem to be legal suicide regardless of caliber.

Anyone got any stories of 500yd LE sniper shots to share? </div></div>

You are absoutely correct. Although I read from start to finish, I got caught up in the subsequent entries in the thread. With that in mind:

If you use the heaviest bullets you can easily find (Lapua 144 grain HBPT), I believe that the 260 will have more retained energy at 500 yards than a 308. This is due to the high BC of the 260 bullet compared to the BC of the 308 bullets. Both rounds out of a 20 inch barrel will begin at lower velocities, so it is just how fast the initial velocity bleeds off. The 260 looses velocity at a slower rate than the 308.

 

[Graham]

Re: 308 or 260 for tacticalrifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Driftwood</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are using this for LE, I would stick with 308. Anytime you are going to deviate from a LE "standard", you should be able to justify the reason in civil court. The 308 offers a greater selection of factory ammo. I wouldn't even think about using handloads in a LE duty rifle. The civil liability you would open yourself up to is not worth it. There is a lot of information out about the performance of the 308. If you pick another caliber you are going to be writing your own book, with very limited resources.</div></div>Nope. Graham's Rule #1 applies.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WyomingShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As a former prosecutor for 23 years, I'd very much like to see a case where the defendant LEO was held liable for using the "wrong" caliber rifle. Judgments in "bad shoots", whether criminal or civil, are generally predicated on shooting someone who didn't need to be shot.</div></div>Yup.

I would go with .308, though, because you don't need any of the advantages specific to a .260; uniformity of caliber might make it easier for you, or your partners, to train with; and a .308 rifle will be easier to re-sell.

 

[pilotguy299]

Re: 308 or 260 for tacticalrifle

i generally agree with going with the .308 because of the uniformity of caliber.

if you really want to look in depth into ballistic performance, i recommend you through your agency contact the FBI's Firearms Unit in Quantico and request a copy of their CD/DVD that has the results of ballistic testing on a wide variety of calibers and manufacturers. Their test sheets have the data on penetration through glass, wallboard, etc. It's pretty extensive, and includes powerpoint presentations that can are helpful to show upper brass that the .223 can be a better choice of an entry weapon than a 12ga, and with the right round has less penetration than the average .40.

Whatever round you choose, i believe that you can't lose if you pick the one that you are the most accurate with, especially if it is on a cold bore shot.