Looking for Comments on the 260REM Caliber

[Mighty Peace]

Looking for comments on the 260REM cailber, bullets and powder combos that work for others.

Reason why I ask is I found a used mint Sako m75 Greywolf 260REM with good scope mounted in Sako Optilock rings and bases. Would be a sweet addition to my collection of Sako 75 rifles.

I have a 243 and 270WSM so would the 260REM be a good predator rifle or another good deer caliber for my sons when they get older (I know the fight will be on over the 243)

Thanks for the input!! :mrgreen:

 

[JD338]

The 260 Rem is a dandy for deer, light recoil and great bullets that offer excellent BC for distance.
The 120 gr BT is ideal for deer sized game while the 125 gr PT gives deep penetration. The 130 gr AB offers high BC for flat shooting and penetration.
The fight might be over the 260 instead of the 243. :mrgreen:

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

A short action 25-06 basically. 100 gr PT's or BT's at 3300 fps. But with a nice 140 gr you can bust any elk out there.

Now that is alot of clout! :!:

 

[brianwyo]

I do not have any experiance with the 260REM. I have 2 Sako 75 and 1 Sako 85 all stainless/synthetic. Sako rifles are so smooth you cannot describe. The grey wolf looks awesome. My next Sako will most likely me that model. Brian

 

[DrMike]

Should be a deer killing machine. Loaded with any of a number of great bullets, you will enjoy reasonable velocities and good sectional density to ensure penetration. I'm still working up loads for mine.

 

[FOTIS]

And to boot a 160 Hornady RN or other decent make would make a moose killing machine with Sectional density from now to next month!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[1Shot]

The 260 Rem is a great rifle for North America. Best with deer size game but will do well on varmints and will work on elk with proper bullet and placement. The 100 gr Sierra HP is a BOMB on groundhogs and a 130 or 140 AccuBond or Partition should do an elk in with in 300 or so yards. The Scandinavian's have taken their moose with the 6.5X55 Swede, which the 260 Rem duplicates in a short action rifle, for decades so elk should be no problem.

One of the 4350 powders should get you what you want. The 120 ballistic tip is an awesome deer size game killer. You can get it going around 3000 fps pretty easy and recoil is as light as a 243 Win but kills with authority waaaaaaaaaaay beyond what you think it should. Those looooooog .264 bullets just keep expanding and driving deep.

I have 6.5X55 Swedes but helped do the work up with a buddy on the 260 Rem back when it first came out in a Rem 700 SS with 24" barrel. Back then there was no loading data out yet for it and we could not even get any ammo or cases so we ended up making our cases out of 243 Win cases and we used H-4350 with 120 and 140 Sierra bullets. My buddy was a control hunter on a big farm in NC and he took over 50 deer that year from point blank to close to 400 yards and only had one take a step after taking a bullet. It took three jumps before going down for the count. He does not keep a rifle long if he can make some money on it. He sold it to a fellow for his grandson to use one deer. The grandson is grown now and still uses that Rem 700 260 Rem for most of his deer hunting.
By the way I used to be in a gun club with Jim Carmichael who was shooting editor for Outdoor Life magazine who was instrumental in getting the 260 Rem brought out from a wild cat into a production caliber by Remington. He was the one that told me to use H-4350 powder.

 

[gerry]

I really like the caliber it kills well and has light recoil you should jump on it if you can. I have had good results with H 4350, IMR 4350 and H 4831 SC with bullets ranging from 120-160 gr and IMR 7828 SSC with 140gr or heavier bullets. The two Hodgdon powders are my favorites in the 260. A 125 gr Partition, 130 gr AccuBond or Swift Scirocco would be hard to beat for most game.

 

[257 Ackley]

i have only worked up a good load for the 130 AB bullet with my 260. Both deer shot have were on the run and took a couple jumps before doing face plants. I have not recovered a bullet yet, only seen the results of a solid hit.
R19 gave me the best groups and H414 had a bit more velicity with moa groups.

 

[Powerstroke]

The .260 is a fantastic round for what you have mentioned. I actually have two of them in my safe - would consider 3 if you'd tell me where this Sako is that you're eyeballing :grin:

As .257 Ackley mentioned - RL-19, H-414, N-140 & N-560 have all given me good results.

The 100 / 120 B-tips are coyote pounding morsels - The 130gr A-bond has worked well for us on elk. If I recall correctly, the Sako uses a 1-8 twist barrel - the 140gr AccuBond should work great.

 

[BK]

Comments?

I want one! I wouldn't hesitate much at the thought of whacking a spike or cow elk with one. With enough twist, it'd be a dandy long range informal target/steel gun. Fantastic for deer, not too ridiculous for coyotes, probably work just fine for wolves. I might hesitate a bit shooting a moose with it, but would probably do it. Just fine for caribou.

 

[onesonek]

Unfortunately, the 6.5/.264 chamberings have been under appreciated here in the US in the long run. I have to admit, they really didn't excite me either, until I got my son a .260 Rem in a Sav. Striker. With higher sectional densities available, I feel it is more versatile than the .243's for big game. But that's just my personal opinion. And when using bullet of like SD, bewteen the .243 and .260, the .243 has only a slight edge in velocity, hardly enough worth fretting over, but the .260 hits harder.
The .260 falls a bit short in the velocity arena also when compared to the .25-06, but then it is using roughly 20% less powder also. The added weight and sectional density (if needed or wanted) off sets that in my mind, if less than desirable angles are needed, or heavier than deer sized critters are the quest.
My favorite combination for the .260 is the 125 gr. NP ahead of H-4350. When the .25-06 120gr NP, and .260-125 gr. have nearly equal SD's, and the .260 don't give more than 25 yds in usable point blank range,,if that. Keep in mind, Remington hasn't changed the .25-06 SAMMI spec's much if any since it was introduced. The .260 being relatively new, is lawyered down somewhat from what it is capable of, meaning most the load data is a bit conservative.
I would prefer the .243 over the .260 myself with varmints in mind, only because the 55 gr. BT is awesome for me in the .243 AI I had. But for bigger game, the .260 is clearly better,,,,,in my thoughts.

 

[Mighty Peace]

I do not have any experiance with the 260REM. I have 2 Sako 75 and 1 Sako 85 all stainless/synthetic. Sako rifles are so smooth you cannot describe. The grey wolf looks awesome. My next Sako will most likely me that model. Brian

I have a few Sako m75 rifles in both the SS and Greywolf models..LOVE THEM!!

 

[Mighty Peace]

The .260 is a fantastic round for what you have mentioned. I actually have two of them in my safe - would consider 3 if you'd tell me where this Sako is that you're eyeballing :grin:

It in Canada so I dont think it would work for you :wink:

Now the idea to tell my wife its a Father's Day gift to myself :mrgreen: and see how that turns out!!!

 

[Mighty Peace]

Thanks for all the helpfull input everyone...Greatly Appreciated!!!!

Just need to contemplate if this is a caliber I "NEED" or do I hold off and wait to do another "Project Rifle" based off a Sako m75 again. 130gr Accubonds in the 260 would be a sweet deer gun for my boys when they get older...but have a ways to go still...but they are so close in age that they would be fighting over the m75SS 243.

The price is sure right for the 260REM....$1499...comes with Optilock rings and bases with a Bushnell Elite 4200 (4-16x40 I think it was). I will have to see the rifle and hold it I guess.

Thanks again.

 

[DrMike]

Sounds like a good score if the rifle is still available. Grab it.

 

[Mighty Peace]

I'll ask another question...and I know you can never have enough rifles :mrgreen:

I have a new Sako m75 stainless 25-06 barrel I had removed off a Sako m75 Greywolf when I built my 338-06 Ackley Improved back in 2008. NOW...

Would you look for a Sako m75 30-06 and switch out the barrel with the 25-06 I have for the boys when younger and then graduate up into the 30-06 later....

OR just buy the 260REM?? :?:

 

[DrMike]

The 260 you describe has the advantage of already having rings and scope, which may ultimately save some coin for you. On the other hand, the 25-06 is a great cartridge. Maybe you should buy the 260 AND find a good donor 30-06 to remake as a 25-06. :grin:

 

[ldg397]

The 260 you describe has the advantage of already having rings and scope, which may ultimately save some coin for you. On the other hand, the 25-06 is a great cartridge. Maybe you should buy the 260 AND find a good donor 30-06 to remake as a 25-06. :grin:

This forum is like going to rehab and finding out your personal addication counselor is Tommy Lee!! :lol: :lol: :twisted:

Although once again cannot contradict the advice given by Dr. Mike just found it amusing.

I will add don't pass up 6.5 especially a .260 if you ever have the chance, you won't be sorry.

 

[DrMike]

This forum is like going to rehab and finding out your personal addication counselor is Tommy Lee!!

Now, that is funny! :mrgreen: Who is Tommy Lee? :?

Don't ask for advice on how to withdraw by seeking out addicts! It likely won't work.