this isn't a chat about which one is better. My actual question is whether a pet load in one will be close to the pet load in the other. The two are very similar, so maybe they do have similar accuracy loads. I'm in the process of transitioning from the 100 gr Nosler BT to the 120 gr Nosler BT in my Tikka 260. The Powder is Reloader 17. The Nosler guide shows that powder in the 6.5 Creedmore at 42.5 gr for the most accurate load with R17. The book does not show R17 for the 260, but the best load I had with that powder in the previous 260 was 42.6 grains. Coincidence?

Some of you have had rifles in both calibers. Did you find that the best loads in each were about the same? I'm sure you used H4350 instead of R17, but the question still applies.

.260 Rem, 24" barrel

140 gr. A-Max, H-4350, 43.5 gr, 2800 fps MV




6.5 Creedmoor, 25" barrel

140 gr. A-Max, H-4350, 42.4 gr, 2800 fps MV

Well, there goes my theory. Thanks.

From what I've seen, using equal barrel lengths, the 6.5 CM is going to make less velocity on "the" powder charge where it shoots best. However, give the C.M. an inch more barrel and it will equal 260 Rem. MV using less powder, as shown above, ~.5 to 1.0 gr. Case geometry benefit goes to the 6.5 C.M.

AA 2700 and 130 gr Berger VLD has been 1/4 moa accurate in my 260.

The 260 and Creed are really close, and it depends which node you can get on. In my experience the 260 likes to be shot hot, right up at the top. With good Lapua brass you can do that. Or you can drop down to the next lower node which is kind of being on cruise control. The Creed it seems absolute max charge is in an internode. Just like with mine, 42.3 isn't max, I can go higher. At that point though I am out of a node and can't quite get up to the next one. Not with Hornady brass anyways which seems a bit soft IMO. At least it is when compared to Lapua or Norma.

As you really research both Creed and 260 loads you will find there are certain sweet spots. With H4350 those spots kind of overlap in the 260 and Creed. It depends on your rifle exactly which one you can get to. Nearly all Creedmoors will hit that top node without stressing, and still have a bit of room. The 260, maybe and maybe not. The top node on the Creed seems to be kind of in-between the nodes of the 260.

I have been talking about data for 140 grain loads though. With a 123 SMK my creed hits top node and max charge right together, right at 3000 fps, which is smoking. I'm not sure where a 260 falls in there.

That just seems to be my personal experience. Someone else my have different experience that contradicts that.

Thanks for the info. I think I'll see how the "old load" of R17 works in this new rifle, and then wait for hot weather to work up toward max. I don't want to tinker with max loads in cold weather, since they might be way too hot in hot weather. My objective is to get best accuracy with near max velocity. With a 20 inch barrel, prob 2800 is the best I'll do.

Maybe I ought to just switch to H4350 now. It's more temp stable isn't it?

If you have some yes, but its tuff to find!

Or, just go ahead and get some of the new 4451 Enduron. It is lots easier to find than H-4350. It is new, temp stable, has a de-coppering agent, and just about the same speed as 4350. I have been hearing several folks having really good luck with it in the mid-6.5 bores. If you are working up a new load anyways, it would be for sure worth trying.

I try and find where the bottom end of the high node is in cold weather, then find the top end in hot weather. My final "year round" load will be somewhere in between.

Shot 45gr of AA2700 and 120 smk COAL=2.785 yield 3 groups that were in .1's to .2's but had vertical strining. Going to go in .3gr increments from.here.

Using the R17, I got a fairly tight group, which was vertical rather than round, at 42.6 gr. I raised the load to 42.9 and got what might be "the load". More testing required. Noticeable increase in recoil going from the 100's to 120's.