DPMS has come out with a 260 in the AR platform. I have thought for some time about the dark side. Without getting into a lot of research perhaps this board could answer some of my questions. I am looking for a long range paper puncher. I thought about a 6.5x284, but it would seem costly to me. What are the chances of 260 surviving? What is on-board for the military new caliber? If they offered this in a 6.5x55 that would be really cool.
Thanks
Jim

I like the 260. I have just finished building one on a VZ24 action. I haven't shot it yet as I am waiting for the last coat of Varathane on the stock to dry (I have no complaints about the end result, but it does take a long time to dry).

I would really like to have one of the DMPS 260s. I am certain that it will perform quite well, but I doubt it will gain wide acceptance. Millitary adoption for any purpose is out of the question, IMHO.

I am certain that the 260 will survive with a dedicated following, as will any cartridge based on the .308 case, but I doubt it will do well as a factory chambering or as a factory cartridge. Correctly headstamped cases are still hard to find, and factory loads are scarce.

As a custom chambering, it is likely to do well. It is pleanty for deer, and in the hands of a good hunter with the right loads it is good for Elk and Caribou as well. I personally think it is a very good alternative to the 6PPC for many events, especially ones where high wind conditions or severe extremes in temperature and sunlight exist. I built my rifle specifically to test this theory...

Don't expect to see much positive "gun press" articles about it. It doesn't have the "Magnum" label, so no "respectable" gun writer will even talk about it. I recently read an article about the DPMS 260 and the writer's attitude was "It works, but why bother?" as far as I could tell.

It shure would be nice if writers could be focused on things that actually work, rather than things that inflate their egos...

Chambering black rifles in something other than .223/5.56mm isn't exactly new. Various manufacturers have been chambering the .308 family of cartridges, along with .243 and .260 for some time. The same thing with SAUM, WSM, WSSM, as well as 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 Spc., etc.

It does seem, however, that the 260 Rem would make a fine long range target round, as long as you don't mind handloading. There isn't much available in factory ammo, but there are many componets available for 6.5mm shooters. Even if the 260 Rem went away tomorrow, you could still form your own brass from 308, so I wouldn't worry about availabilty of brass.

The guys at the AR15 Forum have kicked this around for awhile. Take a look at http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=3

Another site you might want to check out is the Terminal Effects Forum at http://www.tacticalforums.com/

Most of my really long range rifles have been bolt actions. For my black rifles, I've gone with the military type cartridges like 5.56mm and 7.62mm Nato, or 7.62x39mm, mainly because of the availabilty of lower cost ammo for SHTF scenarios. If you want a good long range target round, however, I wouldn't be affraid of the 260. I'd say go for it. Let us know how it works out