My first center fire rifle, acquired in 1958, was an Arisaka Model 38 in 6.5X50. Not wanting to shell out for expensive Norma brass, I had it rechambered with a .243 Winchester reamer to what we back then called a 6.5X.308. Its dimensions were for all intents and purposes the same as the .260 Remington.

The barrel was reduced to a manageable 24", the bolt handle altered and a Fajen sporter stock fitted, as well as a Unertl 6X Small Game scope. It would cheerfully digest anything I put in it, from 93 grain Normas to 160 grain Hornadys, despite the dire warnings of excessive twist (7.5").

Since then, I have had a 1936 Oberndorf Portuguese Mauser fitted with a sporter weight barrel in that caliber and several target rifles. They all performed in exemplary fashion, both in the hunting field and on the target range.

I didn't learn until fairly recently that Mauser anticipated the cartridge by many years, with the creation of the 6.5X54 Mauser cartridge for rifles with the Kurz action in 1900.