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Rifle · SAAMI

.260 Remington

.260 Rem6.5x51mm

Precision 6.5mm cartridge in short action.

Caliber
0.264″ · 6.706 mm
Introduced
1997
Case
Rimless
Parent
.308 Winchester
Primary use
Target, Hunting, Competition
Status
Active
Velocity2,750–3,000 fps
Energy2,300–2,600 ft·lb
Typical grains120 · 140 · 142 gr
Identity
Introduced
1997
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Remington
Manufacturer
Remington Arms
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
52.5 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:8 to 1:9
Primer
Large Rifle
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Max pressure
60,000 psi
Eff. range
1000 yd
Recoil
10–14 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady Match ELD-M 147 gr, 2,700 fps, BC 0.357 G7 · 100 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd26992378-1.5″—
100 yd257521630.0″0.0
200 yd24521963-3.8″-1.8
300 yd23331777-13.3″-4.2
400 yd22181605-29.2″-7.0
500 yd21051446-52.2″-10.0
600 yd19951299-83.1″-13.2
700 yd18881164-122.7″-16.7
800 yd17841038-172.1″-20.5

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady Precision Hunter143 gr · ELD-X · 2,960 fps · BC 0.320 G7Buy now →
Best for TargetHornady Match ELD-M147 gr · ELD-M · 2,700 fps · BC 0.357 G7Buy now →

Buy links open .260 Remington ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

SAAMI · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀6.710.264✓
Neck ⌀7.540.297✓
Shoulder ⌀11.530.454✓
Shoulder angle20°—✓
Base ⌀11.950.470✓
Rim ⌀12.010.473✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.370.054✓
Neck length6.590.259≈
Case length51.692.035✓
Overall length71.122.800✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .260 Remington is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 304 active loads across 40 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 304 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
HornadyVarmint Express SST95SST3,2002,1600.186 G7
HornadyPrecision Hunter ELD-X130ELD-X2,9752,5540.272 G7
HornadyPrecision Hunter143ELD-X2,9602,7820.320 G7
HornadySST129SST2,9502,4920.249 G7
FederalGold Medal130Sierra MatchKing BTHP2,9502,5120.530 G1
HornadyELD Match130ELD-M2,9502,5120.271 G7
WinchesterExpedition Big Game125AB2,9502,4150.265 G7
SierraTipped MatchKing130TMK Polymer Tip BTHP2,9502,5120.270 G7
HornadyPrecision Hunter ELD-X143ELD-X2,9002,6700.320 G7
NormaDiamond Line Match 130gr130Diamond OTM2,9002,4270.271 G7
LapuaScenar-L139HPBT2,9002,5950.614 G1
BergerVLD Hunting 130gr130VLD Hunting2,9002,4270.271 G7
RUAG AmmotecSwiss P HPBT 130gr130HPBT2,9002,4270.530 G1
LapuaScenar-L BTHP136Scenar-L OTM2,8872,5170.293 G7
Underwood AmmoELD-M130ELD-M2,8502,3440.271 G7

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

8 reloading powders listed for .260 Remington, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Norma 200IMR 3031N550N555LT-32AR 2209Reloader 17StaBALL 6.5
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .260 Remington

12 models in the database chamber .260 Remington. Browse all →

Accuracy International AT 6.5 PRCBarrett MRAD Gen 3Daniel Defense Delta 5 .260 RemRemington 700 PCR EnhancedTikka T3x UPR 6.5 CreedmoorTikka T3x UPR 260 RemMasterpiece Arms BA PCR Competition 6.5 CreedmoorMasterpiece Arms BA PCR Competition 308 WinRemington 700 PCRTikka T3x UPR 308 WinHawkins Precision RogueRemington 700 Magpul

Lineage

Immediate parent
.308 Winchester
Family TreeOpen .260 Remington in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads304 factory loads for .260 Remington↗Reloading8 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .260 Remington↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced by Remington in 1997. Short-action alternative to 6.5x55 Swedish. Popular with precision shooters until 6.5 Creedmoor came along. Better marketing would have made it dominant.

FAQs

What twist rate does .260 Remington use?
.260 Remington typically uses a 1:8 to 1:9 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .260 Remington?
.260 Remington uses a 0.264″ (6.706 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .260 Remington still in production?
.260 Remington is active; typical availability is common.
What is .260 Remington used for?
.260 Remington is primarily used for target, hunting, competition.
What is .260 Remington based on?
.260 Remington is derived from the .308 Winchester case.
What are the best powders for .260 Remington?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .260 Remington include Norma 200, IMR 3031, N550, N555, among 8 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 304 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →