LMT 260 rem or 6.5 CM

[Jenciano]

Have a MWS 308 16” cl and have been more than happy with its sub moa performance, looking to get a second barrel, just can’t find a whole lot of input on 260 rem, which I’m learning towards for barrel life. My question is are Lmt 260 barrel length and twist rate good enough to get solid performance out of this cartridge, or would 6.5cm be a better choice? I reload if that makes a difference.

 

[JPaul]

I dont own anything LMT, but I do have one of each calibers in a gas gun; I always go to my 260. They are both same barrel length, 8 twist and shoot exceptional.

The 260s handicap, in a gas gun only, is the mag length; can't optimally load 140gr bullets as you could in a 6.5CM gas gun. I run 130gr bullets.

Bumping up the numbers, distance to transonic the 260 with a 130gr bullet is only about 75yds behind, a click of wind @10mph, 30lbs of energy less of my 6.5cm with a 140gr.

 

[Jenciano]

Thanks for the for the info, that’s the kind of knowledge I was looking for. I don’t hunt, but just got some hits on steel at 1k with the 308 and now looking at shooting at that distance more. If you had to pick one over the other for long range what would you go with?

 

[hafejd30]

Thanks for the for the info, that’s the kind of knowledge I was looking for. I don’t hunt, but just got some hits on steel at 1k with the 308 and now looking at shooting at that distance more. If you had to pick one over the other for long range what would you go with?

I don’t run either in a gas gun but do have both in a bolt gun. My preference is the 260. You can achieve more velocity with same components. As mentioned the downside of the 260 is mag length. Which is the 6.5 cm design benefit. For certain bolt guns it can be an issue but I would assume in the AR10 platform it may be more of an issue

The 260 is the winner between the two as far as I’m concerned. But you need to be able to seat the higher bc bullets out further to take advantage of the powder capacity

Both will do 1,000 easy enough. I’ve had my 260 over a mile

 

[krw]

I love my 260’s. But I would go the 6.5 CM. The main reason is autos are rough on brass and 1x fired CM brass is everywhere and 260 isn’t. I like the 260 Lapua and Norma brass but ain’t no fan of Remington brass. In this situation CM all the way, just skip Manbun and rainbow onesie’s and no one will ever know!!

 

[Jenciano]

Thanks, I was really hoping to go against the grain and go the 260 route but sounds like 6.5 is the way to go, As long as I don’t end up drinking whiteclaws in a pair of crocs.

 

[stevieb92]

I agree with the others that already chimed in. 6.5 cm is the way to go in a gas gun. I have two and have built 3 others. As others have pointed out, mag length is an issue and brass is plentiful.

 

[Hoser]

I vote 260.

You can use 308 brass necked down and it you cant find a few pieces of LC in the weeds it isnt a big deal.

 

[Xcount]

LMT lists the 260 barrel in 9 twist only.

 

[hafejd30]

I don’t think at 1K you’d notice a serious difference. I think the shorter 6.5 CM would serve better in a gas gun than the 260. In reality we’re talking 50 fps difference in velocity. Personally I’d choose 6.5 just to have less chance of running into COAL issues. This is coming from a 260 fan

 

[FALex]

I love my 260’s. But I would go the 6.5 CM. The main reason is autos are rough on brass and 1x fired CM brass is everywhere and 260 isn’t. I like the 260 Lapua and Norma brass but ain’t no fan of Remington brass. In this situation CM all the way, just skip Manbun and rainbow onesie’s and no one will ever know!!

Interesting perspective. I go the other way, and actually prefer the .260 in gas because of the multitude of brass choices. You can neck down .308 and 7mm-08, and neck up .243.

But, I won't stop anyone from going CM. One less person looking for brass...

 

[st1650]

260 will do fine with scenar 123s for mag length. And for a gasser I think you’re better off with with 120-130s than the 140-147s.
Not a bad idea to neck down 308 brass too if you have a ton available.
It really boils down to if you want factory ammo or not.

 

[Laseredge]

LMT lists the 260 barrel in 9 twist only.

Don’t even bother doing a 9 twist LMT .260 barrel. Ask me how I know.

 

[GUNNER10]

Have a MWS 308 16” cl and have been more than happy with its sub moa performance, looking to get a second barrel, just can’t find a whole lot of input on 260 rem, which I’m learning towards for barrel life. My question is are Lmt 260 barrel length and twist rate good enough to get solid performance out of this cartridge, or would 6.5cm be a better choice? I reload if that makes a difference.

6.5CM/260Rem/6.5X47 are all really close and depending on your application, one round may make better sense, 6.5CM was designed for gas guns where an argument could be made for the other two if applied to a bolt gun. I had initially wanted to do a 260 based on what i felt may have been a better shoulder angle, but after enough feedback that 6.5cm are shooting lights out in large frame gas guns, i picked up a 6.5cm barrel and could not be happier. I will eventually get set up to reload for it but until then the 140gr class shoot bullets shoot great.

 

[KimberGuy]

6.5 if you absolutely have to shoot 140s.

260Rem if you want to shoot the 130s.

I prefer the 260/130 combo.

 

[Roscoe_M4]

6.5 if you absolutely have to shoot 140s.

260Rem if you want to shoot the 130s.

I prefer the 260/130 combo.

+1

I have the LMT .260 barrel, and it does well with the 130 Berger Hybrids and 130 Hornady ELDs. The only problem is that LMT used a 1-9 twist in their .260 barrels and favored the 6.5 CM with a 1-8 twist. The 1-9 won't stabilize the 140s and up, although it is passable on occasion with the old 139 gr. Lapuas. I was really disappointed in their choice of a 1-9 twist for the .260, since it won't work with most of the .260 handloads I developed for my bolt gun. Still I like the 260 and 130 gr. combos.

 

[jonron1207]

I get a 5/8 of an inch at 280 yrds using Allient Reloader 26, 46gr, Berger VLD 140 gr. My rifle is Tikka T3 forest, 22” barrel. Got the heads up on Nosler Website. At 100 yrds, it is 1 hole. It rattled me. You’d a thought I won the lottery.

 

[Pappasniper]

I have a MWS gun in 6.5CM and I think they availability of factory ammo is a big advantage for 6.5. If you reload you can take other considerations, if not its a no brainer to me. Even though current availability still kinda sucks for 6.5CM. We reload 6.5CM, but I still have bought and continue to buy factory fodder. Recently bought some Norma 143's.

PB

 

[Paladin's Hammer]

+1

I have the LMT .260 barrel, and it does well with the 130 Berger Hybrids and 130 Hornady ELDs. The only problem is that LMT used a 1-9 twist in their .260 barrels and favored the 6.5 CM with a 1-8 twist. The 1-9 won't stabilize the 140s and up, although it is passable on occasion with the old 139 gr. Lapuas. I was really disappointed in their choice of a 1-9 twist for the .260, since it won't work with most of the .260 handloads I developed for my bolt gun. Still I like the 260 and 130 gr. combos.

Wilson Combat makes a better barrel and it's 1:8 twist. Another great one is Shaw Barrels where you can choose the length, diameter, twist rate, material and finish. I have both Wilson Combat and Shaw and couldn't be more impressed. Also, I use the 143 Hornady ELD-X in both of my AR-10's and both of my A-Bolts and love it. Length isn't an issue when you reload. I've never had a length issue and be cause of the larger powder capacity I can out do the 6.5cm by a couple hundred fps. But I like my barrels so I keep the fps down to 2750fps and save my barrels. And they are extremely accurate. If you want to see what a .260 Rem. can do visit Matt Dubber on YouTube "AirArmsHuntingSA" and you'll be quite impressed. He take a 792 yard shot on a Blesbok and it never knows what hits it. The link is " ". If you get a chance watch this video. Amazing. I've watched all his videos and this young man is very impressive.

 

[mettee]

In a gasser from what I can see, pushing the bullets heavier than 136 causes some pressure signs(speeds making the heavies worth while). The 130s can be shot faster 2850-2900 and from memory they are beating out the 140s because the 140s are in the 2600 range for speed.

I shoot 130s, 136s, from a 22" 1/8 twist in 260.

I think even if I had a creedmore I would still shoot 130 class bullets.