6.5 Creedmoor or .260?

[<MADDOG>]

I see a lot of battles on the 'net regarding these two cartridges. What is your guys opinions with these two cartridges in an AR/LR platform?

[Rust_shackleford]

6.5 Gredel

[Delfuego]

6.5 Gredel6.5 grendel is a 5.56 variant. The 6.5cm and .260 are AR10/308 rifles.

I am also interested, I am currently putting together a LR Semi and was debating between .308, .260 and .243 (I have a bolt 260 and love it).

Maybe Hoser or someone with more experience will chime in. At this pint in the game I am thinking ballistics, but also ammo availability (eg: 308 is gone from all the shelves). Hope I am not treading or piggybacking on you thread too much.

[<MADDOG>]

Thanks for correcting the misled above!

I see what your saying about the .243 & .308, but from my limited experience and what I have researched, the 6.5/264 platform outperforms both of those at longer ranges. What does concern me (slightly) is the bias I'm seeing to the 6.5CM, as it takes the "longer" bullets more readily in the mags. My wish is to try the 140 AMAX's or 142 SMK's, so this may not be a challenge at all.

Finding a barrel in either is the fun part right now. With the panic, everything is gone...

[MarkCO]

I built an AR10 in .260. I sold it, but I kept my .260 Bolt gun. If I was going to do it again, I would go 6.5CM.

[<MADDOG>]

Why?

[MarkCO]

Well, I could never get the accuracy and velocity with anything over 130 grains. The extra capacity of the 6.5CM gives it more flexibility when operating at the edge of the envelope and also more with the heavier bullets. The Factory 6.5CM stuff from Hornady is amazingly accurate and the load work-up is easier.

I have no issues in my bolt gun, and I actually slightly prefer the .260 in that platform, but the dynamics of the gas gun seemed to be a better fit with the 6.5CM.

Oh, .243, much less barrel life than the 6.5s and .308. I toyed with the idea of 7mm-08 for a while, but to me, 6.5CM and .308 are the two logical choices in the AR10 platform when all the factors are analyzed.

[Hoser]

Gas guns in 6.5 anything dont work the best with the 139/140/142 gn bullets. They eat up a lot of powder space in the case. Grab a 260 and shoot 123 Sierra or Lapuas.

The price on 6.5 CM brass is stupid expensive. At least with 260, you can easily use 308 or 243 brass.

My LaRue OBR is in 260 and 308. Right now I have the 260 barrel installed.

[<MADDOG>]

Thanks!

& Thanks!

[MarkCO]

Just FYI, if I were weighing responses, on a sacle of say 1 to 5...Hoser gets a 4.5 on this topic, I might claim a 2. [dig]

[Delfuego]

Hoser, What do you think of the Lilja 260 pre-fit barrels? I was thinking 20" would be a good length/weight.

[Hoser]

Hoser, What do you think of the Lilja 260 pre-fit barrels? I was thinking 20" would be a good length/weight.

They are excellent. My 260 is a Lilja. Not a pre-fit, but a Lilja. Dan makes some excellent barrels. The pre-fit barrels are most likely a JP rifles over-run.

[Tim K]

I shoot 123g SMK's in my .260 bolt gun. They are a bit less efficient than the 142's, but not much. I am switching to 142's, but it's more based on principal than any need for more performance. I don't know how my Lilja barrel compares to his AR barrels, but mine is a hammer with those 123's.

[two shoes]

A little late to the party (as always) but here is a pretty comprehensive article by Zac Smith:
http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-shootout-260-6.5x47-6.5-creedmoor/

[Hoser]

Good looking T2K he used for that article thats for sure.

[Delfuego]

Good looking T2K he used for that article thats for sure.[Wink] whose could that have been?

BTW I just finished my AR-260! (or whatever I am supposed to called it). Just need to get out and shoot it to see what all the fuss is about...

[<MADDOG>]

Hoser may kick me in the arse, but I went to the dark side and ordered a 6.5 CM Criterion barrel from FA...We'll see what it does 6 months from now when I get all the rest of the damn parts in.

[NGCSUGrad09]

My basic take on .260 vs 6.5 CM is if you reload, go with the .260. If you don't and plan to just shoot factory ammo, get the Creedmoor.