.260 Rem Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.260 Remington: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle |
| Used For | Long-range Shooting, Hunting, Competition |
| Case Design | Rimless, Bottleneck |
| Year Introduced | 1997 |
.260 Remington: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Excellent long-range accuracy
- ✔ Lower recoil compared to larger calibers
- ✔ Efficient powder burn for its size
- ✔ Versatile for medium-sized game hunting
- ✔ Good barrel life due to moderate pressures
Cons
- ✘ Less common than some other calibers
- ✘ Factory ammunition can be more expensive
- ✘ Not as powerful as some larger calibers for big game
- ✘ Limited selection of factory loads
- ✘ May require handloading for optimal performance
.260 Remington Ammo: In Depth
The .260 Remington is a high-performance rifle cartridge known for its excellent accuracy, flat trajectory, and mild recoil. Developed from the .308 Winchester case, it offers superior ballistic performance for long-range shooting, competitive shooting, and medium-game hunting. The .260 Remington has gained popularity among precision shooters and hunters for its ability to deliver high accuracy and energy at extended ranges while maintaining manageable recoil.
History and Development
The .260 Remington was introduced by Remington Arms in 1997. It was developed as a commercial version of the 6.5-08 wildcat cartridge, which had been popular among handloaders and long-range shooters. The cartridge was designed to offer the ballistic advantages of the 6.5mm bullet diameter in a package that could be easily adapted to short-action rifles.
The .260 Remington is based on the .308 Winchester case necked down to accept 6.5mm (.264 inch) bullets. This design allows it to propel relatively heavy-for-caliber bullets at high velocities, resulting in excellent ballistic coefficients and retained energy at long ranges. The cartridge quickly gained a reputation for exceptional accuracy and wind-bucking ability, making it popular among competitive shooters, particularly in long-range disciplines.
Despite facing competition from other 6.5mm cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor, the .260 Remington has maintained a loyal following. Its efficiency in short-action rifles, combined with its ability to push heavier bullets than the .243 Winchester while generating less recoil than the .308 Winchester, has made it a versatile option for both target shooting and hunting applications.
The .260 Remington has proven particularly effective for medium-game hunting, offering sufficient energy for clean kills on deer-sized animals at extended ranges. Its mild recoil and flat trajectory also make it an excellent choice for mountain hunting, where weight considerations and the need for accurate long-range shots are paramount.
In competitive shooting, the .260 Remington has excelled in disciplines such as F-Class and Precision Rifle Series (PRS) competitions. Its combination of accuracy, mild recoil, and wind resistance has allowed shooters to achieve excellent results in these demanding long-range events.
Timeline of .260 Remington Development:
.260 Remington Performance
The .260 Remington offers excellent performance characteristics that have made it popular for long-range shooting and medium-game hunting. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Velocity | 2,750-2,950 fps (120-140 grain bullets) Varies based on barrel length and load type |
| Trajectory | Flat trajectory suitable for long-range shooting Effective for precision shooting beyond 1,000 yards |
| Energy | 1,900-2,100 ft-lbs at the muzzle (120-140 grain bullets) Sufficient for medium-game hunting at extended ranges |
| Recoil | Mild, allowing for comfortable shooting and quick follow-up shots Less recoil than .308 Winchester with similar bullet weights |
| Accuracy | Sub-MOA accuracy potential in quality rifles Excellent for long-range precision shooting and competitions |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .260 Remington loads.
.260 Remington: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .260 Remington ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Range Target Shooting | 0-1000 | Excellent ballistics for long-range precision shooting |
| Hunting (Medium Game) | 0-600 | Ideal for deer, antelope, and similar-sized game |
| Hunting (Large Game) | 0-400 | Effective for elk and larger game with proper bullet selection |
| Precision Rifle Competition | 0-1200 | Popular in PRS (Precision Rifle Series) competitions |
| Tactical/Law Enforcement | 0-800 | Used in some specialized long-range tactical applications |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .260 Remington is known for its excellent long-range performance, flat trajectory, and moderate recoil. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .260 Remington
The .260 Remington's performance profile makes it particularly suitable for long-range shooting and hunting applications:
Caliber Comparisons
To understand the .260 Remington's place in the rifle world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .260 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .260 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .260 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .260 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .260 Remington
Sectional density is a measure of a bullet's mass relative to its diameter. The .260 Remington, known for its excellent ballistics, offers impressive sectional density values.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .260 Remington | 120 | 0.246 |
| .260 Remington | 130 | 0.266 |
| .260 Remington | 140 | 0.287 |
| .260 Remington | 142 | 0.291 |
| .260 Remington | 156 | 0.320 |
Note: Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². The .260 Remington, with its 6.5mm (.264") bullet diameter, achieves high sectional density values, contributing to its excellent long-range performance and penetration capabilities.