6.5 CM, 260, or 260AI?

[MHWASH]

I have a Winchester model 70 243 that just sits in the safe. I'm thinking about turning it into a semi custom with new barrel and stock. Originally I was thinking 260AI, but I'm wondering if the hassle of fire forming brass and expensive dies are worth the small gain in performance. I just received my 22-250AI back in December and immediately was sorry I didn't just do a 22CM.

Barrel will be 22", threaded. Not trying to go light weight, would like a bare gun around 7.5#. Game is deer, bear, and spike elk out to 600yds or so. This will also be my main steel banging rifle as well.

Thanks, for the input.

 

[handwerk]

I would just do the 6.5CM,, they all are pretty close in ballistics and the CM will be cheaper to shoot.

 

[h2so4]

I’d say the .260 and 6.5 are the same price to shoot. I’ve seen more availability in .260.

 

[kevin11mee]

I'm rebarreling a 6.5 CM to a .260 AI now. Generally the .260 AI gets a bit more velocity than the 6.5 CM. Fireforming isn't a huge deal to me as I like to fire brass once before load development. Dies weren't too bad: I got a Redding body die in .260 AI ($60) and a Lee collet neck die ($22).

 

[Lawnboi]

How much space you have in the mag box? That would be my deciding factor

There’s a reason the creedmoor was created when the 260 existed. And it’s not cause it can kill a Bigfoot at 2 miles or the hair style.

 

[woods89]

How much space you have in the mag box? That would be my deciding factor

There’s a reason the creedmoor was created when the 260 existed. And it’s not cause it can kill a Bigfoot at 2 miles or the hair style.

This.

If its 2.800-2.820, Creedmoor all the way.

 

[Lawnboi]

And screw fire forming when primers are 10 cents a piece

 

[PantherCity]

If you want a little more juice from the 6.5 on your standard bolt face, look at 6.5-284. Good brass and dies available


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[Zappaman]

I have a Winchester model 70 243 that just sits in the safe. I'm thinking about turning it into a semi custom with new barrel and stock. Originally I was thinking 260AI, but I'm wondering if the hassle of fire forming brass and expensive dies are worth the small gain in performance. I just received my 22-250AI back in December and immediately was sorry I didn't just do a 22CM.

Barrel will be 22", threaded. Not trying to go light weight, would like a bare gun around 7.5#. Game is deer, bear, and spike elk out to 600yds or so. This will also be my main steel banging rifle as well.

Thanks, for the input.

Bought a pair of 260ai barrels: 25" for mountain rig, and 27" for future long-range (also mountain rig). I've been fire forming brass for three years (total of maybe 60 rounds) using a Gold Dot (Fusion) 140g and I've killed MANY deer while fire forming with an IMR4831 load that clover leaf's at 100.

Just this year I finally started loading up the formed cases-- working with RL23 but might play with RL-26 (thankfully I snagged 8 lbs of each a few years back).

I ALSO have a 22-250ai and same story... just now getting to loading the formed brass. But it also shoots VERY good and several coyotes later I'm a happy camper (just pick up that brass!!!)

 

[Wrench]

I have a few 260ai's and my fireforming loads accounted for half a dozen deer and elk. My fireforming data shoots a 140 at 3020. I wouldn't allow that to sway my choice. If you plan on any high speed reloading, the ai is the most likely to be a finicky feeder. I too use lee Collett die for sizing and I have great results.

I'd not rule out the x47 or x284.

The 260rem will always feed well and does have more speed potential than the creed.....but the creed has everything you need and nothing you don't.

 

[jimh406]

I'd look at what ammo availability looks like in your area. 260 is readily available in my area, but so is 6.5 CM. 260AI would be a bit better, but more work. If you shoot a lot, it matters unless you really enjoy reloading.

Other options are 308 and 7mm-08 as well as 300 WSM. 300 WSM is a lot more powerful that most of your choices.

I would confirm with the barrel maker if the caliber you are choosing will fit in the magazine and isn't too long.

 

[MHWASH]

How much space you have in the mag box? That would be my deciding factor

There’s a reason the creedmoor was created when the 260 existed. And it’s not cause it can kill a Bigfoot at 2 miles or the hair style.

Lots of room in the mag box. It’s one of the early post 64s that used the same action for the short and long cartridges.

 

[idahodave]

.260 all the way then.

It’s not a “better” caliber, but different is always cooler, if only by a little.

dave

 

[wyosam]

Lots of room in the mag box. It’s one of the early post 64s that used the same action for the short and long cartridges.

I’d look pretty hard at the 6.5x284


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[SDHNTR]

7-08 IMO

 

[woods89]

Lots of room in the mag box. It’s one of the early post 64s that used the same action for the short and long cartridges.

Then 260 AI, and 156 Bergers!

 

[Castle Rock]

260AI
A Lee collet die set is 40 bucks , doubt you will need to fls for a long time

 

[wildwilderness]

Lots of room in the mag box. It’s one of the early post 64s that used the same action for the short and long cartridges.

What about the bolt stop? To go to a long action does that need to be adjusted?

With it being a long action the 6.5x284 makes a lot of sense, and a straight 6.5CM less sense

If you want something different then look at the 6.5x55 AI

 

[B23]

I have a Winchester model 70 243 that just sits in the safe. I'm thinking about turning it into a semi custom with new barrel and stock. Originally I was thinking 260AI, but I'm wondering if the hassle of fire forming brass and expensive dies are worth the small gain in performance. I just received my 22-250AI back in December and immediately was sorry I didn't just do a 22CM.

Barrel will be 22", threaded. Not trying to go light weight, would like a bare gun around 7.5#. Game is deer, bear, and spike elk out to 600yds or so. This will also be my main steel banging rifle as well.

Thanks, for the input.

Maybe take a look at having Defensive Edge Rifles build you a 260 Terminator it's their version of a 260 Improved. They can build it for you and you can buy formed Lapua brass, Redding dies, and have load data all in one stop shopping. I don't have a 260 Terminator but they've built me many others and they've all been great.

I'm always a fan of about anything 6.5-284. Shawn +P my 6.5-284 and with 26in Shilen 8tw it easily shoots the 140 Berger's over 3200fps.

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[MHWASH]

Thanks for the ideas fellas. I’m not ready to pull the trigger on this project yet, but lots of food for thought.