Thread: 260rem vs 6.5x55

Im interested in these two calibers for my next rifle has anyone got any advice or opinions on them thanks

Phill

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Stuff all difference ballistics wise.. Unless you reload, 6.5x55 ammo will be easier to find.
Also depends if you want a long or short action rifle. 7mm-08 might be another one to look at

As logesearle said 6.5x55 ammo isn't hard to get but much of it is downloaded (especially the US brands) because of the perceived risk from firing in old Swedish mausers. Ammo for the 260 Rem can be thin on the ground and expensive too. Personally I used the 6.5x55 for 15yrs before changing and I still recommend it. The 6.5 calibre gives you a large choice of projectiles and weights if you want to get into reloading too.

I've got both, off the shelf for the 260 is hard on the pocket and hard to find at times.
Brass is easier for the 260 as it's just 308 necked down.

Thx for the advice guys. I know a few people with 6.5s and they seem to all do really well. Im going to be reloading and thinking of buying a tikka which is long action anyway. Too bad sako a7s dont make a 260

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I’ve been using the 6.5x55 in various guises for 30 years. Never used a 260, but have watched them closely. The only advantage that the 6.5x55 seems to offer is with 140 grain bullets, which it seems to generate better speeds with. So if BC is important to you, it does have a slight edge for equal barrel lengths. With 140 grn AMax and SST I get 2800 fps from a 21.5” barrel (a good hand full of N560 - only try this in a modern action). I haven’t heard of a 260 matching that.

I've been doing some research on 6.5s lately. I've ended up thinking that a 260AI in a 22-24" barrel (maybe less if suppressed) would be hard to go past.

However, there is very little separating all of them; 260Rem, 260AI, 6.5x55, 6.5-284 and 6.5-06. I haven't really looked into the 6.5WSM(I already have a 270WSM)

If you are reloading, I don't understand why people are commenting on 260Rem brass being hard to come by, 308 should do the trick.

Originally Posted by Tahr

I’ve been using the 6.5x55 in various guises for 30 years. Never used a 260, but have watched them closely. The only advantage that the 6.5x55 seems to offer is with 140 grain bullets, which it seems to generate better speeds with. So if BC is important to you, it does have a slight edge for equal barrel lengths. With 140 grn AMax and SST I get 2800 fps from a 21.5” barrel (a good hand full of N560 - only try this in a modern action). I haven’t heard of a 260 matching that.

That 140 Amax load sounds pretty nice from a 21.5" barrel. Nice work!

Gillie is getting good speeds in his 260 using 2209 and 139gn scenars 2850 Fps not a hunting load from memory

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My .260 AI is doing 2960 fps with 129gr long range accubonds 22 inch tube and brass is easy lapua or Norma for the .260 lapua was $145 for 100..

Not in a 21.5" barrel though! I have a 26" barrel and am running my 130grs at a bit over 3000fps and the 139gr scenars at about 2850fps. These are accuracy loads and i could have pushed the 139gr projectiles another 100fps faster with my brass / chamber / barrel with no pressure signs (i did in load development).

6.5x55 is a long action calibre - 260 is a medium action calibre. I shoot a 260 and like it. I would not recommend it to someone who doesn't reload. Find a rifle you like in either calibre and be happy with it

6.5x55 is medium action. 260 is short action

I get a very comfortable 2980 thru a 23" with 125's in my .260AI. It can get a bit more speed with 120-125's but it reduces my brass life and I don't see the point. I have found brass is easy to come by in either Rem or lapua. Rem brass being quite good in .260 I reckon.

Had a 6.5-06 for a while, really loved it and shot a lot of animals with it. Never missed an animal with it either. I ran that @3160 with 130gr sciroccos but only got 5-6 uses of a case.

Im happy with the .260improved though. It groups an excellent killing bullet, out to 600 very well and that is a few hundred yards beyond what I will ever shoot at an animal.
I have shot the 140 Amax @2920 accurately to 1000 yrds. But in all honesty I reckon I would be just as happy ballisticly with a standard .260 or 6.5x55

Action length is not a consideration or deciding factor in a R93 rifle

Originally Posted by R93

I get a very comfortable 2980 thru a 23" with 125's in my .260AI. It can get a bit more speed with 120-125's but it reduces my brass life and I don't see the point. I have found brass is easy to come by in either Rem or lapua. Rem brass being quite good in .260 I reckon.

Had a 6.5-06 for a while, really loved it and shot a lot of animals with it. Never missed an animal with it either. I ran that @3160 with 130gr sciroccos but only got 5-6 uses of a case.

Im happy with the .260improved though. It groups an excellent killing bullet, out to 600 very well and that is a few hundred yards beyond what I will ever shoot at an animal.
I have shot the 140 Amax @2920 accurately to 1000 yrds. But in all honesty I reckon I would be just as happy ballisticly with a standard .260 or 6.5x55

Action length is not a consideration or deciding factor in a R93 rifle

Out of interest what powder are you using mate?

I think I have tried every powder there is for the cal, including super performance.

Bearing in mind, my chamber is long throated so there can be a loss of pressure and velocity for equivalent powders compared to standard cut chambers.
RL-17 gives me the best speed and contrary to belief, the best ES from 120gr thru to 140gr projectiles.

I am getting a bartlien barrel to replace the Vulcan as it has had over 1000 put thru it. I was always intending to learn about the cal with the cheaper barrel and when I was satisfied I liked the cal and learned enough, as it is my first Ackley, I would upgrade.
No doubt I will get totally different results but I know roughly what to expect.