Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 260rem barnes 120tsx

Never loaded TSX before,want to try Benchmark and H4350 in 260.
As I dont have any load data specific for tsx would I just use starting loads as listed on Hodgdons website??

Are most people generally able to exceed listed maximums with tsx??

Thanks

Just use start loads with 120s listed....

My experience in my .260 Rem 700 SSM indicates that TSX's do not create more pressure than cup-and-core bullets, and are very easy to work up a load with.

I have gotten the best acccuracy and velocity combination with H414; though I did well with Reloder 15 too. I found the TSX to be relatively sensitive to seating depth, and likes to be close to the lands. I got the best results with the bullets seated to the maximum length that cartridges would fit comfortably in the magazine -- with all powders I tried.

Here is one result from Sitka blacktail season :


South Dakota mule deer buck lungs:


I think the 120 TSX is the best hunting bullet available for the .260 -- accurate, flat-shooting and utterly devastating. The SD buck collapsed in his tracks; the only bones struck were ribs.

DN

Great looking buck for sure.

As you have found H414 to work for the 120, 760 it's very equal has worked great for me as well in the 260.

I use 760 quite a bit also in the 338 win mag and 300 WSM all for top speed and accuracy. It's not dirty either as some writers will have us to believe.

I had two cans of H414 and only one can of WW 760, and that is absolutely the only reason I tried H 414 instead of 760 in my 260 . I have used both powders with great success in a number of cartridges.

DN

I wouldn't look to Benchmark for full speed loads. H4350 and Reloder 19 are about optimum for 120s, and if you want to try a quicker powder the Varget/4064/Re15 class works well.

There is no data yet in the Barnes #4 for the .260 (unpublished for the future release of #4) for the TSX. The following data is for the 120 grain XFB. Barnes had stated that you can go a couple of grains hotter for the TSX. I do not take any responsibility for the data yada yada, blah blah blah, for use in your rifle. This is from Barnes #3.

Powder gr vel max gr vel
RL 15 34.0 2495 38.0 2789
RL 19 40.5 2606 44.5 2863
Varget 34.0 2497 38.0 2791
H414 40.0 2635 44.0 2898
H4350* 39.0 2627 43.0 2896
IMR 4064* 34.0 2526 38.0 2823
IMR 4350 39.0 2603 43.0 2870
IMR 4831 40.0 2639 44.0 2903
Win 760 39.0 2600 43.0 2867

Muledeer- great picture and great buck man.

Thanks for replies gents.

Great photos Mule deer!!!

Reason I ask this question is that I loaded up some rounds to try out,starting load was 1 grain below max with bullets seated .015 from rifling. Had pressure signs...increased recoil,difficult extraction...only fired one.

Was under the impression as per tsx loading guidelines that you could load 1-2grains over max with tsx to get equal pressures created by other makes of bullets,hence my reasoning to use 1grain below max as a starting load....

Just wondering if my seating bullet close to rifling would be the cause for the excess pressure,what seating depth would you guys recommend??

I use H4350 that is below max and have oal at 2.765" in a M700. Velocity is 2850. Not the fastest but very accurate. If I go up 1 more grain I get a stiff bolt and slight smearing of the brass.

I'm way off of the 1-2 grains over max. my experience with barnes has been that they are a little optimistic on SOME of their velocities, not all.

Hope this helps.

Was the one you fired a Benchmark load? I ask this because I believe the top charge (Benchmark, 120 Speer) I see in my Hodgdon 2004 Annual Manual is rather hot.

I picked up some to try. The 130's shoot great in my montana, but I'll give the 120's a whirl this spring.......

you got way too much time on your hands

Mathman\ Thanks for your comments on Benchmark. You are correct,the load was indeed Benchmark. Think I will strip the rest of the Benchmark loads and work up some loads with H4350.What was the max with Benchmark in the Hodgdon 2004 Annual Manual with 120speer?

Cheers for your useful comments too, "260madman".I will try some H4350 and I guess I will start at about 44grs? Might adjust seating depth to .050" off rifling and see how they go with a bit more jump. Magazine length is not a problem for me. Could you PM me your load with H4350.

Do you guys use Remington 260 factory brass,if so how have you found it??

Regards

They show a max of 40 grains, but I strongly believe that's too hot.

PM on its way.

I use both 260 brass and neck up 243 brass. Either works for me.

Benchmark works well with 120 grain bullets in the Nosler BT and the Sierra match and hunting bullets.. with the TSX, the same 40 grain charge is too hot in my experiences.. Mine 260 will take it, but then I had it long throated as soon as I got it.. and I seat the bullet just a hair off the lands...

otherwise the pressure would be too hot, and the 260 data is loaded fairly hot to begin with...

Seafire,

Does Hogdons "Benchmark" work with bullet weights up to 130 grains??

Doc