Thoughts on this round?

I was wanting to get my dad a new deer rifle, something with less recoil as he is getting up in age.

I suggested the 6.5 to my friend who owns a gun shop and he suggested the 260.

Great round, it’s my go to Whitetail round. Ballistics are identical to 6.5 Creedmoor. Only problem is ammo is hard to find so only good choice if you handload....

I have 4 of them. All my kids and myself hunt with them around texas. Only when I'm shooting past 300 do I pick up the magnum rifles. You'll love it. 243 on steroids.

As stated above, if you don’t reload then you’re very limited on available ammo, and I only see that getting worse. Also, unless your friend has a particular rifle you’re interested in, you’ll find factory options drying up.

As much as it pains me to say it, the Creedmoor is a better choice these days. Not because I think it’s superior, but because ammo selection is excellent, with excellent support from Hornady, and most manufacturers are chambering several offerings in it.

Do you reload Brady? 260 is a great round. If y’all reload then go for it. If not then your suggestion of a 6.5 would be a better choice. Performance of the two is close to identical. Availability of factory ammo is pretty limited in 260.

I use a 260, and never had a factory round in it. But, if I didn’t reload, it would probably be smarter to just get the 6.5 Creedmoor. But, if you do get the 260, you will like it. Recoil when shooting the 100 grain bullets is very light, and not much even with the 120’s. And don’t let anybody tell you that the 100 gr bullets aren’t efficient deer killers. They do a great job.

Handloaded .260 Rem and handloaded 6.5 Creedmoor produce IDENTICAL ballistics, and this was confirmed to 1000 yards.

But if you are buying mass produced ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor wins hands down, and it is not even close.

Like the others I think a 6.5 CM would probably be a better decision. Several upsides to a CM and I cant seem to come up with any downsides, unless you purposely want something that isn't popular or common 6.5 CM would be better.

I am actually building a 260 right now.

I had a brand new out of the box Remington model 7 .260 years ago when they first came out. It was advertised on a hunting show that it had low recoil and was a good caliber for kids. NOT! Same recoil as my .270, and would never pattern better than a pie plate. Sold it at a gun show. .243 would be a better choice.

If anybody is willing to share .260 loads, my son is looking for info as we speak. Particularly with the 139 Scenar and 130 Accubond. Thanks.

I’d share loads, but only shoot the 100 gr Nosler BTs (IMR4064) and 120 gr BT (R17). I like short barrels and bullet speed, so the heaviest bullet I’d consider would be the 130 gr Accubond.

68rustbucket probably shot factory 140 gr bullets in that light Model 7, and I can imagine that it did have some recoil. He should shoot my 100 gr Nosler loads. He and the kids would have no issue with recoil. And my Tikka is very accurate.

I have 3 different .260 remingtons that I reload for, its definitely one of my favorites. I typically load 44.0g of H4350 for all 3 rifles shooting 129g Accubond LR bullets. My 24" rifle is shooting at 2867fps and the 22" barrel is shooting 2800 fps and the 20" CTR is shooting at 2754 fps.

JGR,

I worked up a load for my then young nephews with a 100 gr Barnes TTSX. I took it out to test and make sure it would work with a variety of shot placements, through the shoulders, heart, and lungs.

The load turned into one of my absolute favorite deer hunting rounds and I still use it often.

H414 is my go to load with Lapua brass and a F210, 100 gr TTSX 0.010" off of contact with the lands. 3080 +/- is a magic spot for TTSX's in every rifle I use them and drops the deer and pigs like a hammer.

I tried H414, which is an old powder, when H4350 was unfindable for years. Turns out accuracy was better and recoil is less than H4350.

I've used it out to 212 yards with DRT results.

Give it a try and you'll be pleasantly surprised and it is mild on the shoulder too.

Thanks guys.

140-ish gr bullet.

CCI-200
Fed-210M

H-4350 start at 42.4 go toward 44.0. Look for extractor marks and hard bolt lift, then quit. But you know that.

My 260 Rem load with 130 Bergers is 43.6 H4350 for my AR10. Can likely go higher in a bolt rifle as Jason suggested.

I have 2 and love them but like said above if you don't reload get the creedmore. 260 ammo is a tad expensive, as in almost $3 a shot.

You need to take a look here then. 260 Rem ammo

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