TassieTiger wrote:My local gun shop owner built the 260 i now own.
It started as a varmint 24 inch barrel but is now 21.2 inches. It was specifically built for 120gn projectiles to 5-600m and its a bloody laser. My understanding was that this rifle underwent testing / chrono every 12mm of barrel length removed.
I’ve never owned a rifle that shoots like this and I think there are many years in front of me - learning.
2 other ppl I know who are much more experienced than me have shot it and both have made offers to purchase it...the latter shooting his first ever 5 group with all holes touching at 140m.
If your thinking of going this way - I cannot recommend enough...I used to think that long thick barrels were absolute necessities to accuracy but I’m learning - not exactly black and white.
Urastus wrote:I have my .22, now I want to work toward something bigger I'm interested in range, but would like to hunt deer and, really, any feral animals. Range it will definitely get used, so the priority is range with the possibility of hunting. I came across the 300 black out. It looks like it drops off big time after 100m, but I really like that nothing is wasted - all the powder is burned in 16" or smaller barrels. The calibers I'm considering, at this point, are 7mm-08 (good for all victorian deer) or 6.5mm creedmoor (easy life). I'd like to keep the barrel short and stiff - varmint. 22" or 20" would be great. I only know enough about reloading to realise there are so many variables - but I wondered why people aren't using shorter stiff barrels with loads tailored to that - no loss of velocity? I can imagine that people have explored this path to the nth degree and wandered back into the fold Is there a really good trade off in length of barrel for the 6.5 and 7mm-08 before significant loss of velocity sets in?
Urastus wrote:Well it's looking like 7mm-08 over 6.5 cm. The gist of what I've been reading is creedmor is better with 26" barrel. I haven't read any such thing for the 7mm-08. A 22" in 7mm-08 would be great.
No, not interested in reduced loads. And in reality I'd probably be putting in a fair bit of time at the range with it. It also sounds as though 110 and 140 projectiles are the go. I like the idea of smaller and faster, so I was toying with working between those two projectile weights. With that in mind, do you know what the ideal twist would be?
Urastus wrote:Thanks marksman and in2anity. It's been quite a long road of research for me, and the .308 was in the mix early on. The plan is to get what I want to keep. It will necessarily be range and hunting, and my short list was 6.5cm and 7mm-08. Although tassietiger threw in the .206 which sounds good too. And then there was the 6mmBR but I want an easy life. If it was just hunting, I'd go the .308, but I think it will probably spend more time at the range. I'm leaning toward the 7mm-08 which looks great at the range and for hunting; not so good for ammo or range of rifles. But I only want one of them and will load my own. Even 24" would be OK.
Urastus wrote:I want to be able to go hunting. The range for me means proficiency and familiarity with the rifle ultimately with hunting in mind. 24" is OK. The LA-102 in 6.5CM is looking good. Not a tight twist though (1:8). Barrel is looks med like the .22, kind of looks OK for range and hunting - 22". I suppose my only question is, is this twist OK? I'm going to look at what you have - haven't come across it yet.
TassieTiger wrote:The Load data I have from smith, shows 140gns in the 260 exiting at just over 2980fps on the shortened barrel with 46gns adi powder(can’t recall 09 or 6h) - just because it’s been optimised for 600yds with the 120’s, the 140’s should still shoot quite nicely out over 1000 yds with the applicable BC for that particular projectile.
I’d have no objection in taking any OZ game at humane distances with the 260/140...or even the 120’s at a higher FPS...
SCJ429 wrote:2980 fps is pretty fast out of a 260, most people struggle to get to 2800 fps.
A 1:8 twist is as fast as you generally get out of a factory barrel, it will shoot 140 grain pills easily. My advise to you is a Tikka T3, I have not seen any disappointed Tikka owners, I am a convert myself. The Creedmoor is a capable cartridge but not a giant killer, especially at long range, check to make sure it is legal for the deer you want to shoot.
TassieTiger wrote:Yep. I was about to buy a CM when the LGS showed me the 260 custom he had to unload reasonably quickly. Sent me scurrying home to research the heck out of 260 ballistics, barrel lengths, custom loads, etc - I didn’t haggle on price being asked, the only caveat being it was a refund if it couldn’t do what he claimed....which was a little outrageous tbh. But it not only met those claims, but exceeded them (FYI - claims were 3 inch groups at 500-600m with specific load). However - it’s not perfect. It runs a muzzle B, and is noisey as a 30/06. Top end loads recoil like factory 308 as well. The 260 lapua brass is gorgeous, but a bit exy. I’ve also used 308/243 brass.
With the “quoted” speeds - it will apparently shoot(need borrow chrono to confirm), I am at least mindful it might chew a barrel but x that bridge if and when...the fact is the ppl that built this knew a LOT more than me.
I can’t comment on the 7/08 but have read and heard only good things and the 6.5cm speaks for itself.
Urastus wrote:It looks like the CM is really popular - everyone seems to love it. Apparently it has a slight advantage with BC (bullet coefficient?) over the 7mm-08. 7mm-08 has better barrel life. Creedmoor has awesome reputation for accuracy. It would be easier to live with. The tikka in CM is 1:8 twist which seems to suit heavier rounds than 110 - 140. Decisions. Anyway, I'm close, and I imagine a lot of you will think they're all good choices - LA-102 in CM, T3X in CM or 7mm-08.
Urastus wrote:I was wrong re the tikka t3x varmint. They have 6.5 x 55. It's strange - they seem to have all calibres except 6.5 creedmoor. That's the stainless, the blue varmint has different calibres again - still no 6.5 creedmoor. https://www.berettaaustralia.com.au/fir ... tainless--
Urastus wrote:TassieTiger - where abouts do you range shoot for distance? My range is only 200m (Franklin), which I intend to explore fully with the .22