260 Ackley Improved for hunting?

[SAUMan]

I personally loathe fire forming anything because it takes me twice the components, twice the barrel life, and in my case twice the time at the range which I have about minus zero of available. Most of the time, my fireformed rounds would come out .035" or more different in length (from each other) - and always shorter than they started. I was told the answer was to fire forming them again... and again... now I'm 3 and 4X the cost on the above precious elements.

My gunsmith LOVED and highly recommended the .260 AI noting what he considered much-improved performance on the range and in the field.

Having said that, he eventually moved to a .284 Winchester, and now is jumping aboard the 7mm PRC bus. He still touts the .260, AI, however, if you have plenty of time and components to burn.

As an aside, I have a Manson reamer for a 6.5/6mm Remington wildcat I dreamed up a couple years back. I have a load of 6mm Remington brass on hand I made sure to acquire before commissioning the reamer. This wildcat should duplicate the .260 AI without fireforming. That was my objective. More performance than the Creedmoor, but not as much recoil as a PRC or even 6.5x284N. I had a bit of freebore added (.200"), so it essentially equals the Creedmoor's throat length. I called it the 6.5/.200 (Six-Five Two Hundred). I will say going from 6mm to 6.5 neck diameter (2 calibers) will be tricky keeping the already borderline concentric Hornady brass from doing the wobble when rolling across the bench.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I like the niche stuff and think you absolutely should do it. I’ve also been a 260 shooter for a long time.

 

[PanhandlePilgrim]

I've wanted a 260 AI for a long time, but the foreforming requirement kills it for me every time I circle back to it. It's pretty awesome being able to get 6.5 PRC velocities with a smaller case though.

 

[Castle Rock]

I've wanted a 260 AI for a long time, but the foreforming requirement kills it for me every time I circle back to it. It's pretty awesome being able to get 6.5 PRC velocities with a smaller case though.

It would be great if that was possible, but it just isn’t true

 

[BlackGreyhounds]

Great comparison article. It looks like 6.5 Swede would out perform the Creed and .260 Rem with appropriate brass and a custom chamber for longer, high-BC bullets. That said, the 40 degree shoulder on the 260 AI means less trimming of brass. Which is worse, trimming brass or fireforming???? Y'all got me thinking a Swede would be a perfect middle ground between my 6 Creedmoor and 280 AI.

 

[BlackGreyhounds]

This is a good writeup on the issue: https://chuckhawks.com/case_capacity_matters.html

Great comparison article! Thank you. It looks like 6.5 Swede would out perform the Creed and .260 Rem with appropriate brass and a custom chamber for longer, high-BC bullets. That said, the 40 degree shoulder on the 260 AI means less trimming of brass. Which is worse, trimming brass or fireforming???? Y'all got me thinking a Swede would be a perfect middle ground between my 6 Creedmoor and 280 AI.

 

[PanhandlePilgrim]

Great comparison article! Thank you. It looks like 6.5 Swede would out perform the Creed and .260 Rem with appropriate brass and a custom chamber for longer, high-BC bullets. That said, the 40 degree shoulder on the 260 AI means less trimming of brass. Which is worse, trimming brass or fireforming???? Y'all got me thinking a Swede would be a perfect middle ground between my 6 Creedmoor and 280 AI.

Trimming (if you have a good trimmer) is less work and definitely less expensive than fireforming. I think you're on to something or better yet, how about 6.5 Swede AI?

 

[BlackGreyhounds]

Trimming (if you have a good trimmer) is less work and definitely less expensive than fireforming. I think you're on to something or better yet, how about 6.5 Swede AI?

FWIW, I've had great luck with Tikka T3x/T1x off the shelf, and of course they make factory 6.5 Swede's, being Nordic and all. Hmm...

 

[PanhandlePilgrim]

FWIW, I've had great luck with Tikka T3x/T1x off the shelf, and of course they make factory 6.5 Swede's, being Nordic and all. Hmm...

They're tough to beat for the price thats for sure. I finally drank the kool-aid last year and bought a CTR out of the classifieds and it's every bit as accurate as my custom guns. I bought it with the intent of turning it in to a custom but it shoots so well I have just kept it as-is. I just finally got around to doing load development for it because it shot the Berger 130 Otm factory ammo so well I didn't need to.

 

[cal30_sniper]

FWIW, I've had great luck with Tikka T3x/T1x off the shelf, and of course they make factory 6.5 Swede's, being Nordic and all. Hmm...

There is one, the 6.5x55 BJAI. It really makes no sense when you consider the 6.5-284 exists and has all the features of a good 6.5x55AI on steroids with no fire forming or other nonsense required and good Lapua brass available.

IMO, the 6.5x55 is perfect for what it is, but other options make more sense for wild hotrodding.

 

[cal30_sniper]

Great comparison article! Thank you. It looks like 6.5 Swede would out perform the Creed and .260 Rem with appropriate brass and a custom chamber for longer, high-BC bullets. That said, the 40 degree shoulder on the 260 AI means less trimming of brass. Which is worse, trimming brass or fireforming???? Y'all got me thinking a Swede would be a perfect middle ground between my 6 Creedmoor and 280 AI.

Every Swede I’ve ever picked up is already throated very long with a short twist.

My next project is probably going to be messing with 107gr TMKs in a 6.5x55. They should handily exceed 3000fps loaded to 62ksi.

 

[BlackGreyhounds]

Trimming (if you have a good trimmer) is less work and definitely less exnsive than fireforming. I think you're on to some thing or better yet, how about 6.5 Swede AI?

So, no surprise, several 6.5 Swede (Ackley) Improved wildcat exist... https://mdttac.com/us/blog/capable-and-versatile-a-close-look-at-the-65x55-swedish That said, an inexpensive off-the-shelf Tikka T3x Lite SS is sounding like a great option. Especially, since I have a carbon fiber Pure Precision stock in my safe for one right now. Hmmm....

 

[PanhandlePilgrim]

So, no surprise, several 6.5 Swede (Ackley) Improved wildcat exist... https://mdttac.com/us/blog/capable-and-versatile-a-close-look-at-the-65x55-swedish That said, an inexpensive off-the-shelf Tikka T3x Lite SS is sounding like a great option. Especially, since I have a carbon fiber Pure Precision stock in my safe for one right now. Hmmm....

I know there is, I already went down that rabbit hole.

 

[199p]

I've been looking to replace/upgrade from my current Tikka T3x in 6.5 CM to be used for deer, antelope, etc. It seems like this would give a nice, moderate increase in velocity in a short action, standard .308 bolt face without the higher recoil +/- mag bolt face +/- med-long action of the 6.5 PRC or 6.5-284. I reload and don't mind fireforming, so don't need factory ammo and appreciate the AI's for extending brass life with limited trimming. I don't mind doing a custom chambering/custom build. I already have a 280 AI for bigger game. What say you all? P.S. I have read all the old threads.

if its on a tikka go a 6.5-284 because its just a mag change i think its the 270 win one and bolt stop. can download it to 260 speeds if you wanted

 

[BlackGreyhounds]

I know there is, I already went down that rabbit hole.

I figured...

 

[BlackGreyhounds]

if its on a tikka go a 6.5-284 because its just a mag change i think its the 270 win one and bolt stop. can download it to 260 speeds if you wanted

Nah. Literally, I have two great custom hunting rifles already, GAP 6 Creedmoor and Cooper of Montana 280 AI that cover anything I'll ever hunt. Both shoot around 1/2 MOA with hand loads, so honestly, I'm just looking to squeeze a 6.5 in between these, for literally a backup rifle. 6.5-284 is and AWESOME cartridge, but too close to the 280 AI.

 

[199p]

Nah. Literally, I have two great custom hunting rifles already, GAP 6 Creedmoor and Cooper of Montana 280 AI that cover anything I'll ever hunt. Both shoot around 1/2 MOA with hand loads, so honestly, I'm just looking to squeeze a 6.5 in between these, for literally a backup rifle. 6.5-284 is and AWESOME cartridge, but too close to the 280 AI.

haha nice bro, long throat 260ai goes well mate had a sako carbonlite in it for a while and the old 140 amax were zipping along

 

[Castle Rock]

This conversation is a waste of time, get you a PRC , 130 TMK at 3200 for hunting, the absolute super 270.
Or 147 ELDM at 2950for real long range performance .
It’s not only significantly better, it’s way cheaper and easier too

 

[xsn10s]

All these cartridges are good cartridges, and to some degree overlap each other. I chose a 260 AI for practical reasons. I have a ton of 308 win brass, so in a pinch I can convert that brass to 260 AI. Also I like the ability to use srp brass since small rifle primers are more readily available. And as far as fire forming being a hassle. I just use my fire forming loads for everything. It's one of my most accurate loads and accounted for an 811 yard coyote last month. Barnes MB 145gr @ 2800 fps is mild, accurate, fire forms nicely, and hits hard.