Skip to main content

Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

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:

Year Event
2020 The .260 Remington continues to be popular among long-range shooters and hunters, maintaining its position as a respected cartridge in the face of newer 6.5mm offerings.
2012 Gaining popularity in Precision Rifle Series (PRS) competitions due to its accuracy and mild recoil.
2003 Adoption by some law enforcement agencies for precision rifle applications.
1999 Growing popularity in F-Class competitive shooting.
1997 Commercial release of the .260 Remington cartridge by Remington Arms.
1996 Final testing and approval of the .260 Remington cartridge design.
1995 Development of the .260 Remington begins, based on the 6.5-08 wildcat cartridge.

.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.

Note: Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads, barrel length, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

.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:

Long-Range Target Shooting
  • Excellent ballistic coefficient for long-range accuracy
  • Moderate recoil allows for easy shot observation
  • Popular in F-Class and other long-range competitions
Hunting
  • Ideal for medium game like deer and antelope
  • Effective for larger game like elk with proper bullet selection
  • Flat trajectory aids in accurate shot placement at varying distances
Precision Rifle Competition
  • Widely used in Precision Rifle Series (PRS) competitions
  • Balances accuracy, wind resistance, and manageable recoil
  • Allows for quick follow-up shots in timed stages
Tactical and Law Enforcement
  • Used in some specialized long-range tactical roles
  • Offers good penetration and energy retention at distance
  • Moderate recoil allows for faster target reacquisition

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:

.260 Remington vs. 6.5 Creedmoor ▼

.260 Remington vs. .308 Winchester ▼

.260 Remington vs. 7mm-08 Remington ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of .260 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads, firearm weight, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .260 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 100-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of .260 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of .260 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the parent case of the .260 Remington?

A: The .260 Remington is based on the .308 Winchester case, necked down to accept a 6.5mm (.264 inch) bullet.

Q: How does the .260 Remington compare to the 6.5 Creedmoor?

A: The .260 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor are very similar in performance. The .260 Rem typically has a slight velocity advantage, while the 6.5 Creedmoor often has better factory ammunition availability and is more commonly used in precision rifle competitions.

Q: What is the effective range of the .260 Remington?

A: The .260 Remington is capable of accurate shots beyond 1000 yards. For hunting purposes, it's highly effective out to 500 yards or more, depending on the specific load and target size.

Q: Is the .260 Remington suitable for hunting?

A: Yes, the .260 Remington is an excellent hunting cartridge. It's suitable for medium-sized game such as deer, antelope, and black bear. With proper bullet selection, it can also be used for larger game like elk at moderate ranges.

Q: What are the typical bullet weights for .260 Remington ammunition?

A: Common bullet weights for the .260 Remington range from 120 to 140 grains. Some manufacturers offer loads with bullets as light as 100 grains or as heavy as 156 grains for specific applications.