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So I am looking for a new rifle more than likely in 260 rem if I can ever find one.
AI AE3 looking good at the moment.
Do I go for 20 or 24 inch barrel?
I will certainly be engaging targets to 1000m if not more.
Reloaded ammo using Lapua brass and either 123gn or 139gn scenars.
What does the panel think?
Tony

mag41uk wrote:So I am looking for a new rifle more than likely in 260 rem if I can ever find one.
AI AE3 looking good at the moment.
Do I go for 20 or 24 inch barrel?
I will certainly be engaging targets to 1000m if not more.
Reloaded ammo using Lapua brass and either 123gn or 139gn scenars.
What does the panel think?
Tony

I think 24" ,mine's 27" and it's spot on ,good velocity without max pressure !I only get 600yds here but it's superb !

Neither bud. For a .260 Rem out beyond 1k you should be looking at a 26" 1:8 IMHO.

My 260 with a 23" barrel and 140amax at 2800fps smashes 1k

Yes it may. I shoot a .308 18" to 1k but that doesn't make it ideal.

Have a look at the number of .260 / 6.5mm shooters there were in the snipershide cup and see how many used barrels 23" or below. There is a reason for that. The OP stated 1000m (not yards) so it sort of depends just how far he really wants to go. You need to be pushing a 139/140 faster than 2800 much beyond 1400-500-yrds ideally.

My 20" 308 can make 1000yds but its right on its limit and not reliable

My 23" 260 will go right back to the gate at Barton rd (1200yds) reliably , the loads are hot mind you !

Beyond that I use my 300rum which I had built specifically to shoot the mile so that's got a 28" barrel to launch the 208amax at 3250fps

A 260 will work at 1000m without a super long barrel.

Thanks very much for your wisdom chaps.

Tony