A Time for "Last" Times

[GB]

In a recent post, One of the commenters posted that I should buy myself a new gun. He was not aware that I had done that very thing. For my 73rd birthday I ordered a new rifle. In this case a Savage in 260 Remington. I have been on the hunt for this cal. for a couple of years. And before there is a deluge of people saying that was not the best pick of the 6.5 cal. guns out there. It wasn't about the best choice, I already own 5 rifles in 4 other 6.5 variations. I picked the 260 because I think it is interesting and I wanted one. This is more than likely my last new centerfire rifle purchase. I say this because my hunting days are about over, due to mobility issues. But I can still load up the truck and head out for some range time.

It occurs to me that I have entered into a time of/in my life when there will be a lot more [ last times] than first times. Not to say that my end is near but there are more sunsets behind me than sunrises ahead. Thus, this is probably my last rifle purchase.

This wasn't supposed to be so much about my new shooter as it was about my place in my life but I find I am excited about my new adventure.

I have been reading up on the 260 and think it never got the press or the push from
Remington ( but they have proved that for a big company, they think small). Think 244, 280 and the 260. With the advent of the 6.5 Cred. the 260 is effectively dead. I have all the stuff to feed this new shooter for longer than I think I will be able.

For those that scoff at my statement of "last rifle", that doesn't mean I won't be buying more guns. Still a couple of handguns on the "I would like to have list." I still am not that far down the last time road to say no more guns. OK, I have babled enough, I have to wait until the 30 of June to get my new toy. OH, THE AGONY!

 

[Rustyt1953]

Good for you.

It appears you chose wisely.

 

[sigp220.45]

I bought my wife a Ruger M77 Compact in .260 when we lived in Montana. I was so impressed I bought one for myself.

It kills like the Hammer of Thor. I've taken whitetail, mule deer, and antelope with it. I never had to shoot one twice.

Good choice!

 

[hivel37]

That's a good choice. I've had Swedes and the CM.
Like you, it may be my time for the .260.

 

[Rustyt1953]

A while back I gave my 6.5x54 MS to my SIL as it is no longer comfortable for me to shoot. I also gave him my remaining two clips of ammo.

I recently asked him if he had shot it yet and he said he was looking for a co-signer.

 

[quikdraw67]

All that matters is that you're happy with the gun and caliber choice. Congrats, enjoy.

RE: .244 Remington. We had a 722 that was my brother's, bought new back in the 60's.

In the late 70's early 80's when I started getting into guns/hunting I remember looking at Gun Bible/Gun Digest and seeing no ammo loaded for the .244.

Only later did I realize that Big Green had re-branded the caliber as 6mm Remington.

Mrs. QD67 has a 700BDL from the 80's in 6mm Remington, and my nephew still has his Dad's 722.

 

[Buford57]

Good for you. I always wanted to try that caliber, but the only 6.5 in the safe is the wife's Arisaka. I'm also at the point where there is more country in the rear view mirror than the windshield. I am treating each new gun purchase as if it were the last so that I don't waste my time on stuff I am not serious about.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

About 15 years ago I was looking at 260's, But all I could find were slow twist, light weight, custom, deer rifles. I wanted a fast twist, heavy barrel, stock or custom long range target rifle! Several of my friends had them and were not interested in parting with them! That is a very high endorsement.

I ended up going with a custom 6x284. The first time I shot it at a friendly "One Shot" competition, I won first place. At 523 yards I was grouping 1.25" with 70 grain Blitzkings over 4831SC. Things were not so friendly after all!

Be careful who you beat with your new rifle!

Ivan

 

[tinkerer]

From Rusty1953 "
A while back I gave my 6.5x54 MS to my SIL as it is no longer comfortable for me to shoot. I also gave him my remaining two clips of ammo.

I recently asked him if he had shot it yet and he said he was looking for a co-signer."

I've got one of those. Haven't shot it in years. Last ammo I saw was from PMC (I think) and about $1.50 a round. Soft point and not military. Probably higher and not available now.

 

[desi2358]

From Rusty1953 "
A while back I gave my 6.5x54 MS to my SIL as it is no longer comfortable for me to shoot. I also gave him my remaining two clips of ammo.

I recently asked him if he had shot it yet and he said he was looking for a co-signer."

I've got one of those. Haven't shot it in years. Last ammo I saw was from PMC (I think) and about $1.50 a round. Soft point and not military. Probably higher and not available now.

Try @ $2 a round now, maybe more if you can find it. I deal a lot in old, obsolete and discontinued calibers and it's not easy to find. Last I've sold was some older CIL stuff, $40 a box. Newest I've seen was Norma, was a bit more than that.

 

[tinkerer]

I've been looking for a set of dies to load my own. Beyond my budget when located. Maybe someday.
Used to be able to get mil-surp at the local army store. Both gone now.

 

[muddocktor]

I beat you to the punch by about 8 years or so, GB. I bought mine around 2014, a left hand Savage model 11. I wanted a left hand bolt gun and I already reload for 264 Mag, so I had commonality in bullets and powder selection between them and had always wanted a left handed bolt gun since I am a lefty. It's a sweet shooting round and easy to reload and for brass you can simply buy 308 brass or 243 brass or 7mm/08 brass and neck it up or down. I just make sure that I anneal the necks after resizing the brass for longer case life to cut down on work hardening after necking the brass.