.260 rem barrel length

[HALODIN]

I suppose this is my point. The extra barrel length isn't required for 100 yards because you don't need to run a hot load, but the barrel harmonics could be effected by the longer barrel at shorter distances. Which would you go for? 26" or 28" given 99% of my shooting will be @ 100 yards.

Higher velocity does not necessarily mean greater accuracy, at 100 yards you'll probably find that the most accurate load is nowhere near the maximum safely achievable velocity. I run my .260 at 2750 FPS and it's more than accurate enough winning the RBL Charity Match long range stage by a fair margin.

[HALODIN]

Thanks. Which bullet styles perform better at shorter distances?

I think, and stand to be corrected, that bullet style will be more important at 100 yards.
My 260 has a 26inch heavy barrel on it. ( 1 in 8.5 )
It will routinely v bull at 900 and knock down fig 11`s at 1000.
This is with 123gn scenars at 2850 fps.
Tony

[HALODIN]

Who says size isn't everything...

My club is 2-3 miles from my house and with only 100 yards at our disposal, if I manage to buy a rifle that doesn't perform exceptionally at this distance, I'll curl up in the fetal position and cry like a child. As I'm sure you'll appreciate, it's not a good look!

Yep, definitely 28 over 26. It'll give you a bit more oomph in the longs.

I wouldn't have thought that it would disadvantage you in any way, but bayonetting distance isn't really my area of expertise tongueout

Gaz

[HALODIN]

I suppose the ultimate question is - can one rifle perform spectacularly at the extremes of both distances for this caliber or do the extremes lend itself to 2 different barrel lengths?

[ovenpaa]

I shoot an AI with a 26" barrel chambered in 6,5x47 Lapua and it gets out to 1200 with 123 Scenars and balances nicely as well so I would have thought 26"-28" should suffice for a .260 with 139 Scenars

[HALODIN]

Thanks for the reply. I don't doubt it performs at greater distances, my concern is the lowly 100 yards which I will shoot most of the time because it's on my doorstep. Any thoughts?

[ovenpaa]

100 yards, it is down to profile so with an Accuracy International I would opt for a 24" - You can always chop it down a bit if needed.

[waterford103]

Mine's 26" , just perfect !

[HALODIN]

Wow a 4" difference is significant. Now I appreciate this is an awkward question, but your best guess would be appreciated. So I can try and gauge which barrel to order, would you estimate how the accuracy is effected per inch of barrel please?

You have "diplomatic immunity" if your call doesn't materialise into real word results, but I would prefer an educated best guess, rather than an uneducated best guess, which is all I have at the moment. Any chance you could estimate the values below for me please? If you'd rather not say, I understand.

## .260 @ 100 yards ##
24" - X moa
26" - X moa
28" - X moa

## .260 @ 1000 yards ##
24" - X moa
26" - X moa
28" - X moa

100 yards, it is down to profile so with an Accuracy International I would opt for a 24" - You can always chop it down a bit if needed.

[HALODIN]

What moa do you achieve at 100 and 1000 yards? I appreciate the loads will be different, but what do you get out of the best of both loads? Is it an AI?

Mine's 26" , just perfect !