The .260 Remington was a 6.5mm short-action round before the 6.5 Creedmoor made the idea famous. It still has a loyal crowd of hunters and match shooters, and its 260 Remington ballistics explain why. Most of our hunting loads put a 120 to 140 grain bullet at about 2,700 to 3,000 feet per second, with light recoil.
This guide lists the published speed and energy for the .260 loads we stock. It also covers how to read those numbers, how the round compares to the Creedmoor and which bullet fits which job.
Where the .260 Came From
The .260 is the .308 Winchester case necked down to hold a .264-inch bullet. Shooters wildcatted it for years. Remington made it a factory round in 1997. Since it shares the .308 case head and length, it fits short actions and .308-size magazines.
260 Remington vs 6.5 Creedmoor
The two rounds fire the same bullets at similar speeds. The Creedmoor has a shorter case with a sharper shoulder, which leaves more room for long bullets in a short magazine. The .260 holds a little more powder. In the field, few game animals could tell them apart.
Why is 260 Remington ammo hard to find?
Once the 6.5 Creedmoor took off, fewer new rifles came out in .260. Less demand means makers run fewer batches. Ammo is still made, but stock comes and goes. When you find a load your rifle likes, buy enough of that lot to last a season.
260 Remington Ballistics Table
Here is the maker data for our 260 Remington ammo, from light to heavy.
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes VOR-TX 260 Remington 120 Grain TTSX Lead-Free | Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock X (TTSX) polymer tip, lead-free | 120 | 2,950 | 2,319 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Ballistic Tip 260 Remington 120 Grain Polymer Tip | Nosler Ballistic Tip polymer tip | 120 | 2,850 | 2,164 | 20-round box |
| Nosler E-Tip 260 Remington 120 Grain Lead-Free | Nosler E-Tip polymer tip, lead-free | 120 | 2,750 | 2,015 | 20-round box |
| Fort Scott 260 Remington 123 Grain TUI Solid Copper | Solid copper (TUI), lead-free | 123 | 3,026 | 2,501 | 20-round box |
| 260 Remington Partition 125 Grain Nosler Trophy Grade | Nosler Partition jacketed soft point | 125 | 2,800 | 2,176 | 20-round box |
| 260 Remington AccuBond Long Range 129 Grain Nosler Trophy Grade | Nosler AccuBond Long Range bonded polymer tip | 129 | 2,800 | 2,245 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Superformance 260 Remington 129 Grain SST | Hornady SST polymer tip | 129 | 2,930 | 2,459 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Match 260 Remington 130 Grain ELD Match | Hornady ELD Match polymer tip | 130 | 2,840 | 2,328 | 20-round box |
| 260 Remington AccuBond 130 Grain Nosler Trophy Grade | Nosler AccuBond bonded polymer tip | 130 | 2,700 | 2,104 | 20-round box |
| Berger 260 Remington 130 Grain Hybrid OTM Tactical | Berger Hybrid OTM Tactical hollow point | 130 | 2,847 | 2,340 | 20-round box |
| Fort Scott TUI 260 Remington 130 Grain Solid Copper | Solid copper (TUI), lead-free | 130 | 2,922 | 2,464 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Match Grade 260 Remington 130 Grain RDF | Nosler RDF hollow point | 130 | 2,900 | 2,427 | 20-round box |
| Grizzly Cartridge 260 Remington 130 Grain Swift Scirocco II | Swift Scirocco II polymer tip boat tail | 130 | 3,000 | 2,598 | 20-round box |
| Swift Scirocco 260 Remington 130 Grain High Grade | Swift Scirocco II bonded polymer tip | 130 | 2,826 | 2,305 | 20-round box |
| Lapua 260 Remington 136 Grain Scenar-L | Lapua Scenar-L open tip match (hollow point) | 136 | 2,671 | 2,150 | 50-round box |
| Black Hills 260 Remington 140 Grain ELD Match | Hornady ELD Match polymer tip | 140 | 2,750 | 2,334 | 20-round box |
| Barnes Precision Match 260 Remington 140 Grain OTM | Barnes Open Tip Match hollow point | 140 | 2,735 | 2,325 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core-Lokt 260 Remington 140 Grain Pointed Soft Point | Core-Lokt pointed soft point | 140 | 2,750 | 2,351 | 20-round box |
| Swift A-Frame 260 Remington 140 Grain High Grade | Swift A-Frame bonded round nose | 140 | 2,793 | 2,425 | 20-round box |
How to Read the Numbers
Velocity is the speed at the muzzle in feet per second. Energy is foot-pounds, figured from speed and bullet weight. Both come from a test barrel.
A few loads show how the trade-offs work. The Fort Scott TUI 123 grain solid copper lists 3,026 fps and 2,501 ft-lbs, the fastest .260 load we carry. The Grizzly Cartridge 130 grain Scirocco II lists 3,000 fps and 2,598 ft-lbs, the most energy in the group. The Lapua 136 grain Scenar-L lists 2,671 fps, slower, but built for tight groups.
The box does not show how well a bullet holds speed. That is the job of ballistic coefficient. Long match and hunting bullets with high BC lose less speed and drift less in wind. A blunt bullet starts the same but slows down sooner.
Bullet Choice by Use
Target and match
Choose match bullets such as the Hornady 130 grain ELD Match, Berger 130 grain Hybrid, Nosler 130 grain RDF, Lapua Scenar-L or the Black Hills 140 grain ELD Match. They are made for paper and steel, not for game.
Deer and pronghorn
Polymer tips and soft points from 120 to 140 grain fit well. The Hornady Superformance 129 grain SST and Remington Core-Lokt 140 grain are classic options. Recoil stays mild, which helps new hunters.
Elk and tougher game
If you take a .260 after elk, use a bonded or copper bullet and keep shots close. The Swift A-Frame 140 grain and Nosler Partition 125 grain are built to hold together. Many states set rules on cartridges for big game, so check yours first.
Caveats: Barrel and Air
Short barrels give up speed. Thin, warm air at high altitude flattens the path. Cold, dense air does the reverse. Because 260 Remington ballistics shift with your rifle and your weather, chronograph your load and use a ballistic app before you stretch a shot.
Want more speed in a 6.5? See our 6.5 PRC ballistic data guide.
Shop 260 Remington Ammo
Browse the full 260 Remington ammo section for match, hunting and lead-free loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 260 Remington ammo hard to find?
Demand dropped after the 6.5 Creedmoor became the default short-action 6.5. Fewer new rifles mean fewer ammo runs, so stock comes and goes. Ammo is still made by several brands. When you find a load your rifle shoots well, buy enough from one lot to last.
How is a .260 Remington for long range?
It does well at distance with high-BC match bullets such as the ELD Match, Berger Hybrid and Lapua Scenar-L. It has mild recoil, so you can see your hits. Wind and your own skill set the real limit. Practice and confirm your data at the range you plan to shoot.
Is the 260 Remington the same as the 6.5 Creedmoor?
No. Both fire .264-inch bullets at similar speeds, but the cases differ in length and shoulder shape. They are not interchangeable. Fire only ammo that matches the cartridge stamped on your barrel.
Is 260 Remington good for deer?
Yes. A 120 to 140 grain soft point or polymer tip works well on deer and pronghorn. Recoil is light, which helps with shot placement. For larger game, use a bonded or copper bullet and keep shots close. Check your state’s hunting rules.
