Caliber Guide / AR-10
.260 Rem
An early, still-capable 6.5mm long-range option for the AR-10.
At a glance — 22" barrel, Remington Core-Lokt 140gr Pointed Soft Point (R260R1)
Velocity and energy are computed from a representative factory load (Remington Core-Lokt 140gr Pointed Soft Point (R260R1)). Loudness is a relative ranking, not a measurement — open the build planner to compare it against your exact barrel, ammo, and suppressor.
Estimated relative comparison only — not a measured decibel value. This ranks how loud one build is likely to be next to another; it does not predict what your ears will experience. Peer-reviewed testing (Lobarinas et al., Int. J. Audiology 2016) found no suppressed centerfire rifle reliably below the 140 dB hearing-damage threshold at the shooter's ear — most measured 140-150 dB, and even the quietest stayed above 125 dB. Always wear hearing protection, suppressed or not.
Overview
.260 Rem was doing what 6.5 Creedmoor is famous for years before Creedmoor existed — flat trajectory, mild recoil, strong ballistic coefficients — and remains a fully capable large-frame long-range and hunting round. It's been somewhat overshadowed by 6.5 Creedmoor's popularity, which mostly just means slightly less factory-ammo variety today.
Good for
Long-range shooting, hunting, shooters who already have .260-chambered gear.
Watch out for
Factory ammo selection is thinner than 6.5 Creedmoor's — worth checking availability before committing.
Factory loads in our catalog
- Remington Core-Lokt 140gr Pointed Soft Point (R260R1)
- Remington Premier AccuTip 120gr Boat Tail (PRA260RA)
- Remington Premier Match 140gr Sierra MatchKing BTHP (RM260MA)
- Hornady Superformance 129gr SST (8552)
Ready to plan a .260 Rem AR-10?
Build one →Other AR-10 calibers
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Pricing
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Sound Is Ranked, Not Measured
ArmoryBench does not publish decibel levels. A 2026 review of published suppressor data found that most manufacturers release either nothing at all or bare numbers without the test standard, weighting, and microphone position needed to compare one against another — and that most cartridges have no published unsuppressed reference level whatsoever. Rather than present figures assembled from sources like that, we show a relative ranking: how loud one configuration is likely to be next to another, and how much to trust that comparison.
These rankings are algorithmic approximations for educational purposes only. They are not laboratory measurements and are no substitute for professional acoustic testing or OSHA/NIOSH occupational noise guidance. Peer-reviewed testing has found no suppressed centerfire rifle configuration reliably below the hearing damage threshold at the shooter’s ear. Always use proper hearing protection when firing any firearm, suppressed or not.
Ballistic Coefficients
Where a manufacturer publishes a ballistic coefficient we use it. Most hunting, defensive, and house-brand loads don't publish one, so those use a value typical of the bullet's construction, flagged as an estimate wherever it appears. Be aware that advertised BCs often run optimistic — some bullets measure meaningfully lower in the field than on the box, and the gap widens past roughly 600 yards as the bullet slows. Treat every trajectory here as a starting point for confirming on paper, not a substitute for it.
Exterior Ballistics
Trajectory, drop, wind drift, and energy figures are computed estimates based on a standard point-mass ballistic model and the inputs you supply. Actual performance varies with atmospheric conditions, chronograph accuracy, and firearm/ammunition variance. Verify zero and trajectory data at the range before hunting or competition use.
Reloading Data
This tool does not calculate chamber pressure and never generates a charge weight from first principles. Any future custom-load feature is constrained to interpolation between published load-data points and must never be the sole basis for a handload. Always verify any load against current published data from the powder and bullet manufacturer, start at the published starting load, and never exceed a published maximum charge.
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NFA Items
Configurations involving suppressors, or a barrel under 16" paired with a shoulder stock (SBR), require ATF approval (Form 1 or Form 4), a background check, and an approval wait period before assembly or possession. As of January 1, 2026, the associated $200 federal tax was eliminated by federal law; the registration, background-check, and approval process itself was not eliminated and remains fully in effect. Verify current law in your jurisdiction — you are solely responsible for completing all required legal steps.
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