260 REMINGTON AMMO

.260 Remington Ammo: Overview, Ballistics, Best Uses & Factory Ammo

Overview of the .260 Remington

The .260 Remington, introduced by Remington Arms in 1997, is a versatile rifle cartridge that has gained popularity among hunters and precision shooters. Also known as the 6.5-08 A-Square, this cartridge is based on the .308 Winchester case necked down to accept a 6.5mm (.264 inch) bullet. This design offers a flat trajectory, high ballistic coefficient, and manageable recoil, making it suitable for a variety of shooting applications.

The .260 Remington is capable of matching the trajectory of the .300 Winchester Magnum while generating significantly lower recoil. It has proven successful in various rifle competitions, including bench rest, metallic silhouette, and long-range shooting.

Best .260 Remington Ammo We Sell at ProArmory

At ProArmory, we offer a selection of top-quality .260 Remington ammunition to meet your shooting needs:

Remington Premier AccuTip 120gr
Federal Premium Sierra MatchKing 140gr
Hornady ELD Match 140gr
Nosler Ballistic Tip 120gr

History of the .260 Remington

The .260 Remington originated from wildcat cartridges based on the .308 Winchester case, resized to accommodate a 6.5mm bullet. Recognizing the potential of this configuration, Remington standardized the cartridge in 1997, branding it as the .260 Remington.

Its design advantages included:

High ballistic efficiency – The 6.5mm bullets used in this cartridge have excellent ballistic coefficients (BC), resulting in better energy retention and less wind drift.
Moderate recoil – The .260 Remington generates less recoil than .308 Winchester, allowing for better shooter control and quicker follow-up shots.
Versatility – Effective for long-range target shooting and medium- to large-game hunting, making it a well-rounded cartridge.

Since its introduction, the .260 Remington has remained a favorite for those seeking precision and hunting performance in a short-action rifle.

Best Purposes for the .260 Remington

The .260 Remington excels in several shooting applications:

Hunting – Ideal for deer, antelope, and caribou, offering deep penetration and reliable knockdown power.
Long-Range Shooting – The high-BC bullets provide a flat trajectory and excellent energy retention at extended distances.
Competitive Shooting – Used in bench rest, PRS (Precision Rifle Series), and metallic silhouette competitions due to its accuracy and manageable recoil.

Why Choose .260 Remington?

Shooters and hunters prefer the .260 Remington for its unique combination of power, accuracy, and efficiency:

High Ballistic Coefficient – 6.5mm bullets offer excellent BC, reducing wind drift and maintaining velocity downrange.
Flat Trajectory & Low Recoil – Less recoil than .308 Winchester, making it easier to shoot accurately while still delivering effective stopping power.
Versatility for Hunting & Precision Shooting – Suitable for big game hunting and long-range target competitions, giving it broad appeal.

Ballistics of the .260 Remington

Factory-loaded .260 Remington ammo typically fires 120- to 140-grain bullets at speeds between 2,750 and 2,890 fps, offering excellent accuracy and retained energy.

.260 Remington Ballistics Table

Bullet Weight	Muzzle Velocity (fps)	Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)	Drop @ 300 yds (inches)	Energy @ 300 yds (ft-lbs)	Drop @ 500 yds (inches)	Energy @ 500 yds (ft-lbs)
120 gr	2,890	2,226	-7.2	1,800	-21.0	1,400
140 gr	2,750	2,351	-8.0	1,950	-23.5	1,600

Note: Ballistic performance may vary based on specific rifle barrel length and environmental conditions.

Differences Between .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6.5×55mm Swedish

When comparing the .260 Remington to other popular 6.5mm cartridges, key distinctions emerge in muzzle velocity, bullet drop, and energy retention. The table below outlines these differences in ballistics based on commonly used 140-grain bullets for each cartridge.

Ballistic Differences Between .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6.5×55mm Swedish

Feature	.260 Remington	6.5 Creedmoor	6.5×55mm Swedish
Case Length	51.7 mm	48.8 mm	55.0 mm
Overall Length	71.1 mm	71.1 mm	80.0 mm
Max Pressure (SAAMI)	60,000 psi	62,000 psi	51,000 psi
Typical Bullet Weights	120-140 gr	120-140 gr	120-160 gr
Muzzle Velocity (fps)	2,750 fps (140gr)	2,710 fps (140gr)	2,650 fps (140gr)
Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)	2,351 ft-lbs	2,283 ft-lbs	2,190 ft-lbs
Bullet Drop @ 300 yds (inches)	-8.0	-8.4	-8.9
Energy @ 300 yds (ft-lbs)	1,950 ft-lbs	1,900 ft-lbs	1,860 ft-lbs
Bullet Drop @ 500 yds (inches)	-23.5	-24.7	-25.6
Energy @ 500 yds (ft-lbs)	1,600 ft-lbs	1,550 ft-lbs	1,500 ft-lbs
Best Use	Hunting, long-range shooting	Competitive shooting, hunting	Hunting, especially in Europe

Which One Should You Choose?

.260 Remington – Best for hunters and long-range precision shooters who want high muzzle velocity and flatter trajectories than the 6.5 Creedmoor.
6.5 Creedmoor – Optimized for competitive shooting with slightly lower recoil, making it popular among target shooters and PRS competitors.
6.5×55mm Swedish – A classic hunting cartridge used for large game hunting in Europe, known for its mild recoil and ability to fire heavier bullets (up to 160 grains).

By selecting the right cartridge for your shooting needs, you can maximize accuracy, energy transfer, and long-range performance based on the strengths of each 6.5mm caliber.

Best Factory Ammo for .260 Remington

Remington Premier AccuTip 120gr

Best Use: Medium-game hunting (deer, antelope, wild hogs)
Recommended Barrel Twist: 1:9” or 1:10”
Why Choose This Ammo?: Designed for controlled expansion and deep penetration, the AccuTip bullet ensures maximum energy transfer on impact, making it ideal for quick, ethical kills. The lighter 120-grain bullet delivers higher velocity, making it an excellent choice for short to mid-range hunting in open terrain.

Federal Premium Sierra MatchKing 140gr

Best Use: Long-range competitive shooting
Recommended Barrel Twist: 1:8” or 1:9”
Why Choose This Ammo?: Featuring high-ballistic-coefficient (BC) Sierra MatchKing bullets, this round is designed for precision target shooting. The 140-grain bullet resists wind drift, maintaining a flat trajectory at extended ranges, making it perfect for bench rest and PRS competitions.

Hornady ELD Match 140gr

Best Use: Precision long-range shooting
Recommended Barrel Twist: 1:8” or 1:9”
Why Choose This Ammo?: Hornady’s Extreme Low Drag (ELD) Match bullets offer consistent ballistic performance and superior aerodynamics, ensuring exceptional accuracy past 1,000 yards. This load is a top choice for long-range precision rifle shooters who demand low drag and optimal stability in windy conditions.

Nosler Ballistic Tip 120gr

Best Use: Hunting medium game with a lightweight, high-speed bullet
Recommended Barrel Twist: 1:9” or 1:10”
Why Choose This Ammo?: The Nosler Ballistic Tip design ensures rapid expansion and effective knockdown power, making it one of the best hunting loads for .260 Remington. The lighter bullet weight increases velocity, making it an ideal choice for quick shots at moving targets and hunting in brushy environments where fast expansion is needed.

By selecting the right ammo for your barrel twist rate and intended game, you can optimize accuracy, energy transfer, and terminal performance for your .260 Remington rifle.

Final Thoughts on .260 Remington

The .260 Remington is a highly efficient, versatile cartridge that excels in hunting, long-range shooting, and competitive marksmanship. Whether you need an accurate, flat-shooting round for big game or a precision rifle load for extended-range target shooting, .260 Remington ammo delivers superior ballistic performance.

DoubleTap 260 Rem 140gr HPBT

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