Thread: thinking about an ultra light 260 build school me up

having got my self sorted with a laser long range tops rifle and a very adequate lever carbine for the short stuff the urge to tinker has struck.....
Having sold my ultra light 270wsm I now yearn for another ultralight hunting rig for general duties not super long range but capable out to say 350-400 yards that is nice and light for easy carrying.
I have heard that the 260 is a beautiful and accurete cartridge that's light recoiling and also super quite when suppressed.
I'd like to aim for 3kg or less (maybe optimistic)
anyone got any real world advice ?
what length barrel ? should I look at howa or tikka (chokes ) actions or something else ? is it worth going down the route of getting it chambers in 260ai ?
I'm currently thinking

model 7, fluted barrel and bolt
carbon stock
talleys rings
ziess 3-9 durlyte or similar
DPT suppressor

Not looking at starting anytime too soon just in the planning stage currently, alternatively if you've built something similar then lets see what you've done and some specs.

So a bergara single shot in 308...... O you said lightweight

My standard model 7 260 rem in a wildcat composites fibreglass stock (lighter than most CF stocks and very stiff) with a 4-12x40 scope in Talleys weighed under 2.9kg scoped.

Ive just unscrewd the M7 260 barrel off it tho and screwed on a 8 twist rem 700 24" barrel in 6.5CM. So it weighs a bit more again now.

My old 260 barrel was a slow twist and only liked 123gr max.

The 6.5cm tube shoots 143s well and the shorter length of the CM even with 143s suits the model 7s short magazine much better.

You'll run into problems with mag length using a model 7 unless youre happy to stick to the 120 class bullets, a lot of the model 7 260s are 11 twist so wont shoot anything heavier anyhow, although newer ones are 9 twist . Depends what you want to spend but easiest way to get lightweight, affordable, and versatile, is a tikka with a CF stock. If you want super light bin the suppresor idea and run a brake if you really have to and enjoy the benefits of a longer barrel for the same or less overall weight/length. 260 goes pretty good in a 22" barrel and is still pretty handy in a 20"
Do you want to actually build a rifle or just buy a 260 and modify it to be light as possible? If you wanna spend $$$$ and rebarrel etc the sky is the limit...

260 is a pretty cool wee round that punches well above its weight. If it was a no limits build...

Pick an action
Manners Ultra Classic
Bartlein #1 22"
Terminator Brake
Triggertech

I will be looking to hand load so that is also a consideration what's the mag length vs chamber length like on the above mentioned actions ? is there other actions I should be consider ?

Factory Tikka T3 superlight

No brake or suppressor

#dontshortenthefuckinbarrel

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

You'll run into problems with mag length using a model 7 unless youre happy to stick to the 120 class bullets, a lot of the model 7 260s are 11 twist so wont shoot anything heavier anyhow, although newer ones are 9 twist . Depends what you want to spend but easiest way to get lightweight, affordable, and versatile, is a tikka with a CF stock. If you want super light bin the suppresor idea and run a brake if you really have to and enjoy the benefits of a longer barrel for the same or less overall weight/length. 260 goes pretty good in a 22" barrel and is still pretty handy in a 20"
Do you want to actually build a rifle or just buy a 260 and modify it to be light as possible? If you wanna spend $$$$ and rebarrel etc the sky is the limit...

260 is a pretty cool wee round that punches well above its weight. If it was a no limits build...

Pick an action
Manners Ultra Classic
Bartlein #1 22"
Terminator Brake
Triggertech

build won't be limitless
a little light gunsmithing can be factored in such as fluting and rechambering to AI if it's beneficial ? I would like to be shooting heavier than 120gn pills and definitely want it suppressed so I know there is a weight concession to be made there...
the stock will need to be something made here in NZ as I will be wanting custom length of pull....admittedly the tikka is looking like a possible contender.

Originally Posted by GWH

The 6.5cm tube shoots 143s well and the shorter length of the CM even with 143s suits the model 7s short magazine much better.

@GWH thanks for this, I am looking at getting a model7 in .260 for a my tops rifle but you make a good point. Remington sell a HS stocked version but it comes in 6.5CM so will keep that in mind.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

You'll run into problems with mag length using a model 7 unless youre happy to stick to the 120 class bullets, a lot of the model 7 260s are 11 twist so wont shoot anything heavier anyhow, although newer ones are 9 twist .

All the new (as in past few years) ones are 1:8

Try and find a Kimber Montana in 243/308/7-08 and rebarrel it with a light contour 1:8 20”, Dpt Supp, Leupold vx3 4-14, use Sierra gamechangers 130gn with Superformance. Job done! Or drop the Supp, go 22” and carry earplugs

I have been thinking along same lines of light, short, adequate power.
So far caliber wise a 250-3000 AI would be my pick with 110 ABs at 3000 ++. That calibre would be the best combination of light powder charge for velocity and low recoil, but not something available off shelf. I already know what 110 AB's can do.
In looking for an action I wonder if the Howa micro minis which come already barreled in 6.5x47 would be the go, 125 partitions at 2850 could be possible. With a short barrel and a fast powder (RL15) the 47 is probably could be a better choice than a 260 ?? @Wingman ???

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I have been thinking along same lines of light, short, adequate power.
So far caliber wise a 250-3000 AI would be my pick with 110 ABs at 3000 ++. That calibre would be the best combination of light powder charge for velocity and low recoil, but not something available off shelf. I already know what 110 AB's can do.
In looking for an action I wonder if the Howa micro minis which come already barreled in 6.5x47 would be the go, 125 partitions at 2850 could be possible. With a short barrel and a fast powder (RL15) the 47 is probably could be a better choice than a 260 ?? @Wingman ???

Well blow me down Garth you could have a very valid point there, pretty sure someone was making nice C/F stocks for these mini actions too ?

If you go with a med action I would go 6.5 Creedmoor.
I would go for a Tikka superlight in .260 cut to 18" or leave at 20" either way you with fling the 143 at over 2800.
The long action let's you seat out to be close to the rifleing, even in my sako carbon light I have to seat to mag length where as a Creedmoor would let you get out near the lands.

Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk

Just to tempt those who want something "off the shelf"

H&J Outdoor world in Frankton (currently in closing down mode) had a Kimber walnut/stainless (1 of 1000 I believe) in 6.5 crudmore "on sale". Don't quite me but the price was around the $2200 mark if I recall correctly. Quite a nice rifle.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I have been thinking along same lines of light, short, adequate power.
So far caliber wise a 250-3000 AI would be my pick with 110 ABs at 3000 ++. That calibre would be the best combination of light powder charge for velocity and low recoil, but not something available off shelf. I already know what 110 AB's can do.
In looking for an action I wonder if the Howa micro minis which come already barreled in 6.5x47 would be the go, 125 partitions at 2850 could be possible. With a short barrel and a fast powder (RL15) the 47 is probably could be a better choice than a 260 ?? @Wingman ???

6.5x47 - are you sure ?? They do come in 6.5 Grendel . . .

I've got a long term build on the go, a Weatherby Varmintmaster action (a mini Mk V action) in either 6.5 or 250, on either the x47 case or the crudmore case - both of which are really just 250-3000 improved cases. Action is still in the UK but will surface eventually.

I tried the AB's in an original 250-3000 running at about 2800 but they didn't expand very well, even on a big Red stag I shot in the shoulder, and they penciled through Tahr as well - to be fair I don't recall actually losing an animal, but some required finishing.

There is always some twit who'll want to change the spec .. but anyway here we go



Does it have to be a 260

Tikka Superlight.
Stock of choice or Bed .
Leupy or Swaro 3 or similar in 4x14 or 3x12 etc
Atec or DPT suppressor
Barrel chop at 20 if you like but...
Run 130gr EDL, 129SST, 140sst, 143EDLX, 130 Serria G/Changer, 130/135/140 Berger.
and the kicker
6.5x55
Cheaper Lapua brass and you can use the extra case capacity in the x55 brass to seat out further and stoke it up in the Modern Tikka action.

Just my take

{Or just buy a Finnlight}