LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

[buckskin52]

I checked the LMT web site. I have not seen a price for either of the two or a release date. I am leaning towards the creedmoor. I have spent the last few weeks researching the differeces between the two. This is weapon system specific, so any input or information is greatly appreciated.

 

[Hawk45]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

Are you talking from the factory setup for either 6.5? I know they have the barrels for the .260 coming in the next few months.. so I would expect after that if you want a factory build 6.5. Or get the .308 version and the extra 6.5 barrel when available . I'm waiting also to see what shakes out in the next few months.

 

[Blaster4]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

Blaster7, I have a LMT in 308 and am in the process of having a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel built for it. I'm not going to wait for LMT. I have talked to them at SHOT and through emails since and I haven't got a solid answer...even when I said I would send them a Bartlein blank for them to contour...

Fortunately, somebody else stepped up and said they could do it. It's still in the planning stages but I suspect once I send them the Bartlein blank it will move quickly. I will keep you posted.

Respectfully,

--KJ

 

[Oakland Tactical]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

I have my .260 barrel on order, the order sheet from LMT says expected delivery April 20. But I was told June.

 

[Blaster4]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

I also asked LMT at SHOT what length they were making them and they said 20" --that is a little short for my liking for under .30 cal

--KJ

 

[Oakland Tactical]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

Im getting the 20" Im hoping some of the super performance powder from Hornady will help with velocity.

 

[Blaster4]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

Superformance should be at least 100fps more but I'm not sure I can jump up the powder to help with velocity. In a bolt gun that is easy...but a gas gun? I'm not so sure.

In a bolt gun I can run H4350 and a 140gr AMAX in the mid 2800's...that seems to be a sweet spot in my 28" Bartlein. I would be happy if I can get in the 2700's with the gas gun...but I'm not holding my breath. I will try the new Hornady 140gr BTHP and the 123gr AMAX...should be able to find a accurate load with one of those.

--KJ

 

[buckskin52]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

I already have the 16 inch 308 CM. I am looking to get the creedmoor or 260 barrel also. I have seen the 260 and creedmoor debated to no end, but have not seen the pro's and cons of either in a gas gun. I do not know if i want the barrel over 20 inches either. KJ let me know what you have cooking with the bartlein barrel and maybe I would get in on it with you. I am leaning towards the creedmoor though. I would prefer the barrel be threaded also in case I decide to suppress it in the future.
Anyone have any other info?
Thanks,
Zach

 

[overkill]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

comparsion of the 6.5's
a good write up with the differances in the diff 6.5's
Creedmore and .260 rem are almost identical in performance.
i shoot the 140gr berger VLDs at 2715fps out of my 24"bbl REPR with 42.8gr of IMR 4350(.260 rem). i can get to 2750fps before pressure signs but i loose a bit of accuracy.

 

[Oakland Tactical]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

One potential advantage is the tapered case of the .260, it may be a bit more reliable than the 6.5 Creedmore in a dirty chamber. After reading this post and some of Lowlights comments on an 18.5 260 gasser I dont feel so bad about the 20" being capable for what I want.

 

[buckskin52]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

Anyone else have input? As much as these calibers are debated there has to be more info out there in the semi auto platform and barrel lengths!! Also where to get the barrels from if LMT is that far back logged. I do not want to go more than 20 inches and am not looking at shooting past 1000. 260 or 6.5 creedmoor?

 

[problemchild]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

Im just trying to get a spare extractor or bolt. No joy for 1 year!

 

[Blaster4]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

Blaster7...without hard data for velocity in a 20" barrelled gas gun for either caliber...staying MOA at 1000 might be difficult. Hornady Superformance powder might help but that is still unkown yet. I'm going to go with a 26" bbl to start...I can always cut it back if I think its needed.

Respectfully,

--KJ

 

[Hawk45]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blaster7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anyone else have input? As much as these calibers are debated there has to be more info out there in the semi auto platform and barrel lengths!! Also where to get the barrels from if LMT is that far back logged. I do not want to go more than 20 inches and am not looking at shooting past 1000. 260 or 6.5 creedmoor?</div></div>

I think the verdict is on on the comparison of the two... they are exactly the same. I'm partial to the .260 as I have one in a bolt. Components are more available for the .260 as well. Optimal barrel length for the 6.5 calibers is I believe 24", so chopping it down you are obviously losing some performance from max, but I think anything down to 16" would be fine to 1000yds. Over that you would probably want to start moving up. Again.. I would probably go with 18" and call it a day.. or if the extra 2" isn't a bother for your needs.. go 20" and have a little more assurance on velocity. The quality of the barrel will make a difference on velocity also.

 

[Oakland Tactical]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

It would be nice to see if a longer than rifle length gas system could bring up the velocity and by how much.

 

[skinnypitt]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

I wouldnt say the creedmore and the 260 are EXACTLY the same. I neck down the 7-08 winchester brass for more case capacity and am at 2835fps with super accuracy and no pressure signs. I'm Pushing 140VLD's with 47.5gr H4831SC out of a 26" barrel. I dont think you could get that with the creedmore but i could be wrong......

Also, man, 20" barrel seems pretty short to get out to 1000.
I have a friend that has a 28" barrel it looks like every inch is getting you somewhere around ~30fps. So add that to not being able to tweek as much with a semi-, lower velocity in the creedmore and .......

 

[Oakland Tactical]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

I dont think its a problem getting there, 6.5 grendels do it all the time, with less. The question is how much do <span style="font-style: italic">you</span> need when you get there.

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

.

 

[Rob01]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skinnypitt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wouldnt say the creedmore and the 260 are EXACTLY the same. I neck down the 7-08 winchester brass for more case capacity and am at 2835fps with super accuracy and no pressure signs. I'm Pushing 140VLD's with 47.5gr H4831SC out of a 26" barrel. I dont think you could get that with the creedmore but i could be wrong......

</div></div>

You are. I can get 2870fps with no pressure signs in my Creedmoor with H4350 and the 140 AMAX. I know a guy getting 2920fps with no pressure and H4350 from a 28" barrel.

 

[buckskin52]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

I would imagine you guys are talking mostly of bolt guns. I am looking for the pro's and cons of each in a gas gun. I do not want to push the envelope on either and possibly cause damage to my gun, or reduce the life of the gun by running loads that are to hot.

 

[Oakland Tactical]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Anchor Zero Six</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Re25</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It would be nice to see if a longer than rifle length gas system could bring up the velocity and by how much. </div></div>

Since the hand guard only extends so far IMO an adjustable gas system would be a more elegant solution. Otherwise I would expect to see an unsightly exposed gas tube hanging out in the open. </div></div>

It would be ugly that is true. But If im going to make my auto loader into a bolt gun I might as well shoot a bolt. I dont have any experience with it but if you shut off the gas to the port does'nt it change velocity? If it does wouldnt you have different dope for the same load and possibly have a different zero? For me, it would be hard to keep track with those variables at match.

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

.

 

[skinnypitt]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

I was trying to point out that I had more case capacity with the 260 over the creedmore and I have even more case capacity from necking down 7-08 brass; to the point that the creedmore and the 260 are not identical........I probably could have worded it more clearly

 

[Rob01]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

The .260 case is minimally larger than the 6.5 Creedmoor but it doesn't make a difference in performance. You will get the same velocities from handloading a 6.5 Creedmoor as you will from loading a .260.

 

[hopps]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Anchor Zero Six</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Re25</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It would be nice to see if a longer than rifle length gas system could bring up the velocity and by how much. </div></div>

Since the hand guard only extends so far IMO an adjustable gas system would be a more elegant solution. Otherwise I would expect to see an unsightly exposed gas tube hanging out in the open. </div></div>

Its possible you will see slightly more fps with a longer gas system and you can always get a 15'' handguard from SWS, JP or PRI, and PRI is capable of custom making them longer.

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

.

 

[buckskin52]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

Next question is do I have to special order a barrel. Are any good barrel makers making these barrels for the LMT or do I have to find a standard AR10 barrel and send it off to have it done. I would like a Rock, Noveske or other top of the line barrel. I buy once and cry once, I only want the most accurate set up as possible. Probably going to be 20 or 22 inches MAX. Thanks

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

.

 

[buckskin52]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

Alright, I think I have decided on a 20 inch factory LMT 260 barrel. It is the cheapest and I believe they use the Rock SS barrels anyway which works for me. 6.5 creeedmooor is unknown delivery with the 260 being approx. 4 weeks and with southwest offering match ammo for a reasonable pric(I do reload but the price of southwest compared to virgin brass, is hard to justify buying just brass) I think I found my answer. Anyone else have some input?

 

[Oakland Tactical]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

I would not say they are Rock like the 308 SS. When I ordered mine I got the feeling they were not. I asked and it was said they wouldnt give out the vendors name.

 

[buckskin52]

Re: LMT MWS 6.5 or 260 availibility and preference

I ordered my 260 barrel from LMT yesterday. Anyone have a good source for brass? Or some pet loads for a 20 inch gas gun?