The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

As and when I free up a slot I will go for a Tikka T3.
See how it shoots then bling it!
Tony

lapua338 wrote:I've read many reviews and articles about the .260 Remington cartridge and it's all positive.

I made an enquiry about a SAKO 85 Varmint (600mm barrel with a 1:8" twist). I've been told special order only and at least a 6-month lead-time! 6-months! Oh, come on!

That's simply ridiculous!

Don't do it. Source a Sako 75 (preferably finlite) and get it re-barrelled. The 75 is a better gun and you'll have a match grade barrel with a twist rate of your choice.

The sectional density of 6.5 bullets is high; just what you need and the bullet selection is large.

I have a 260 I made from an old LH 308 Rem 700. It is amazingly accurate and on a direct comparison test shot 1/4 of the windage of a 308. At longer distances out to 1000yds I can hold a Fig11 in variable wind.

This means I do not have to be as quick at catching the wind (unfortunately it can make you lazy with the wind calls).

Also the come-up are the same as the 300WinMag out to 600 and only 1 or 2 clicks different at ranges to 1000 (according to the 300WM turret that came with the scope) marking the marking of come-up very easy.

Conclusion - I can thoroughly recommend the 260Rem cartridge for mid to long range shooting.

Scotsgun wrote:Not target orientated but a mate uses one for culling. Every bit as consistent with as much long range punch as my 308.

It doesn't really measure the ability of the cartridge when he's head and neck shooting though!

The 6.5 bullet is so much better in a ballistic sense than the 30cal, so it stands to reason that it would have better long range characteristics, but I don't know about hunting with it.

Although I wouldn't try to talk anyone out of a 260 Rem. I've been a bit disappointed.

I initially built one as an option to the 6.5x47 Lapua - thinking it would give better velocities with a 123 gn bullet than the 6.5x47. It does - but the benefit is marginal and it just doesn't seem to have the inherent accuracy of the 6.5x47.

I also though it might be better than the 6.5x47 at 1000 yards but my own and two other shooters of 260Rem. rifles say otherwise.

Our 103 year old Carl Gustaf in 6.5x55 is superbly accurate, even in our paws.

And all of these 6.5mm bullets are better than the equivalent in 30cal