The 260 must be a great cartridge. I own several of it' s ancestors (6.5 X 55 and 6.5 X 54MS). Its numbers resemble the numbers of the 6.5 X 55 and the 6.5 X 54MS and even a few othes still being used and globally recognized as premier hunting rounds for a wide range of purposes.

Some collectors prize their now defunct .264 diameter rounds like the 6.5 X 53R or 256 Mannlicheror the 256 Gibbs. A few wildcats like 6.5/257 or 6.5/7 X 57 ' s are still out there as well. Some others that are similar are still being used in Europe in the 6.5 X 57 Mauser and the 6.5 X 57R. These less well known rounds generally began life using 160 grain round-nosed bullets at around 2300 fps (some slower, some faster, but not much), and they were even used with solids to take brain shots on elephants. Thier excellent sectional density gave deep penetration (when decently placed). That said, I wouldn' t recommend a .264 diameter on elephants. I admit I have no experience with elephants, but I would rather be behind the buttstock or something MUCH larger.

The 260 took an already proven ballistic plan, put it in a short package, and shoved into a cheap, easily obtainable case. It is by no means a new idea. But it is a great package that has been decently advertised and promoted by Jim Carmichael. I think he originally called it the " Cheetah" , but as I said before...lotsa folks have played with shoving a 6.5 into a .308 case since the NATO round emerged. The 260 should become a staple eventually.

I' ll keep my 6.5 X 55' s and my 6.5 X 54 though. They' re paid for!