Hey Gents, 120, 130, and 140 grainer loads?

Have H4350, RL17 and H4831sc on hand.

Thanks!

You don't have this powder listed, but I have great success with Hunter and 120gr bullets. H4350 has worked well with 140's for me too.

Brad,

I didn't get the velocity with H4350 in my .260 that everyone seems to get in any bullet weight. Good accuracy though.

Couple of weeks back a 130 Scirocco with 42.5 grains of RL-17 in R-P brass and CCI's gave me 2900 and good accuracy. I maxed at about 43.4'ish. 21 1/2" tube.

Run the ballistics on that one...grin...

Brad, as in Brad has a 260!?

130, 45.0 of H4350 and my rifle works up to 45.8 for 2,900

Love to see a pic of that rifle.

anyone of those will serve you well, if a barrel prefers one over another, that would surprise me..

Thanks guys.

SU, yepper. Been a round I've wanted to play with one for a loooong time. I still have Carmichael's article about the round when it was introduced, as well as his Bobcat and Panther articles, as well as Water's articles. I still think it should have been called 6.5-08!

It's the only factory 308 based round I haven't worked with.

Mine is a Kimber MT.

I cant tell you what the speed is, but I get real good accuracy, under 1/2", using 46.5gr H4350 and 120gr NBT in my .260 Rem.

Nice Brad, I'm envious.

Bob, it's a re-barrel. Picked up the 260 factory barrel from a guy on the forum who got it from his gunsmith. My smith bead-blasted it to a new finish, screwed it on and opened up the chamber a skoshe as the No-Go Gauge wouldn't go. Just re-bedded the barrel under the chamber and re-mounted the scope. Will head out with some handloads in the am... fingers crossed.

At first blush, the Kimber shoots!

However, all my loads are likely .5 - 1.0 gr. over where I should be... no doubt mostly due to the excellent, but tight, Kimber chamber and the excellent, but thick, Lapua brass.

140's will go 2,750 no problem (shot 139 Scenars at 2,800 but am going to back off that). Load was 44.5 H4350.

120 NBT's went 2,970 and around 3/4" but I'll likely back it off to 2,950-ish. Still, extraction was easy, but it seems a bit much for a 22" bbl. Load was 46.0 H4350.

129 SST's went 2,860 and 3/4". Load was 45.0 H4350.

I'm going to LIKE this rifle! Perfect compliment would be the 84L Montana in 30-06 or the M70 300 WSM I already have.

The Kimber at the range this am:

Brad,

Looks like you're already doing fine with 4350, but be sure to give the 4831 a try too. I've had good results with both 129gr Hornadys and 130gr Accubonds when loaded to just over 2850 with H4831. I think the SC version would likely be better still. Less crunch when seating the bullets....

John

Thanks John, H4831sc is on my "to do" list for this rifle.

Brad, in my 28" F Class rifle, H4831 S/C is the clear winner with 140 grainers. Somewhere around 46 grains works very well in necked up Lapua brass.

Good to know Rick, thanks.

Working with a new 260 myself so this is good info. Thanks.

260 is my main hunting caliber... and it surprises me of all the folks using the slower 4350 and 4831 speed powders...

I use 4064 and RL 15 for all bullet weights of 130 grains and down...

for the 140s, if I am not using one of the above, then it is H 414 or IMR 4350 for the 140s...just because...

Mine see regular use with bullet weights from the 85 grainer HP Sierra to the 142 Sierra...

even tho they quite making them my rifles were throated to do the 160 grain RNs also...which the old 260 could actually rocket them to an MV of 2800 fps with the right powder...but since they don't make them anymore it is a mute point...

for field hunting tho, still my bullet weights I depend on are the 100 grainers at 3350fps and the 120/125 Nosler's at 2800 fps ( yeah,I know I can get another 100 fps out of them... but the need hasn't arisen and 2800 is a lot easier on the brass in the long run..)

Where I hunt at woods range, then my standard load is a 129 Hornady at 2400 fps with a one to 4.5 power scope...

I've 5 different 260s in the rack... 3 factory and two custom barrels on Model 70 actions, with two more barrels that need mounting...

definitely a versatile cartridge...

for off season or just enjoyable plinking... I load it with 30 grains of RL 7 or IMR 4198, and use the 85 HP Sierra, the 90 grain TNT Speer or the 100 grain Nosler BTips, 100 HP Sierra and the 100 SP Hornady...

it is more than plenty of ooomph for a coyote etc at 200 yds.. which if plenty for the wooded conditions here in SW Oregon..

U shoot that bad boy again this morn?

Dober

Seafire, believe me I tried 4350 with the 140's. In a lot of rifles it is the most accurate. My rifle however definitely prefers 4831. Only proves that the rifle knows better than us what it likes!

Crap, I use RL25 with 140's.

SU-will 7828 work with the case or does one need to go with a bit bigger case to use it?

Thx
Dober

7828 SSC is one I will definitely try...

John

Guys,, I've used the slower powders... and they work just fine in a 260, which shows what a versatile cartridge it can be..

I just don't see the extra powder volume for the slight increase in velocities...I really think 4350 and slower comes alive when you move to the 6.5/05 or the various 6.5 mm magnums etc...

Hope it doesn't come across that I think the guys who use them are wrong.. I am just presenting a different opinion that works pretty well also...

both ends offer a lot of flexibility to a great cartridge...

Mark, 7828 didn't work for accuracy, for me anyways.

RL25 in a once fired Lapua 243 case necked up.
50 grains with a 140 NP for 2,800.

I look forward to trying it the Ackley version.

R25 huh...wouldn't of thought of that one

Thx
Dober

I've been working with Superformance in the 6.5 Creedmoor which has only a smidgen less capacity than the 260. Nice dense, flake powder that meters like water.
I'm a 1/2 gr. over book max for the 123 gr. A-max and just shy of 3100 fps-24" barrel. Bolt lift,brass, and primers are showing no pressure signs at all.
It has a particularly good smell as well. Definitely a powder to try in the 260.

Good to know, how long are the primer pockets staying tight?

The 123 AM is one of the first slugs i'm gonna run down the tube when I get a .260 together.

Thx
Dober

They made two so far but I'll let you know.

I bought some Superformance to try out in my 300 WSM and 6.5-284. I'll give it a go in the 260 Ackley now that you bring it up.

That's a good speed for a 123 grain.

There is some load data from Hodgdon floating around using H 1000...the charge was like 50 grain ( IIRC)....

tried it with 142 matchkings and some 160 RNs...

bughole groups.. the 160s REALLY liked that powder and charge weight...

I have a container of Rl 25 sitting around getting dusty..

I also picked up two containers of Alliants new AR Competition Powder...

Giving it a work out in the 223 and 22.250 right now...its very accurate.... one thing I have noticed is that when the barrel heats up with it, groups DO NOT open up... I've been testing it at 200 and 300 yds....

I was going to try it out in my VLS in 260 with 120 grain Matchkings next...

its burn rate is suppose to be faster than RL 15, and slower than RL 10...haven't chronographed it in the 22.250 or 223 yet, but they both are flatter shooting than normal using that powder..

its made by Norma, for 223 and 308 competition in ARs and M1As...

Thanks to Mathman for pointing out an error! on burn rate analysis

Maybe "its burn rate is suppose to be slower than RL 10, and faster than RL 15" instead?

Keep us in the loop as to when they begin to open up. I have a liking to get 9-10 loadings per case. Seems to me that most of the loads that are the toasty side the primer pockets begin to go early around 3 or 4 times. And this is just my wife and I'm not really up for defending my ways but if the load won't go 7 or more times then I'm leaning on it too darn hard.

Dober

The 123 Amax is amazing in the 260, I use either H4831 or H4350 and they shoot great. I have only shot coyote sized critters, but the results were devastating so far! I don't check speed, but mainly just load up to what shoots best and stick with that. I like 4350 a little better because I don't like compressed loads (only personal preference) and the 4350 fills the case 90+ percent which is perfect for shot to shot consistancy. My gun also likes the 140 a-max with both of these powders. T.S.

Yeah I'd think a 123 AM would rock most critters pretty well!. How much and which 4350 are you running?

Thx
Dober

Hornady gives 3000fps out of a 24" barrel. Haven't seen the pressure for that load but most loads that I see listed with PSI ratings are running 58-59,000PSI. I'm thinking 3000 with this powder will give you your case life.

hey Mathman,

thanks for correcting a homer simpson moment...

modified the post...Duh on me..

I am running 42.5gr H 4350 with the 140gr A-max and 44.5gr H 4350 with the 123's and I am very happy with the results!

I use winchester's discontinued WXR under a 129 Hornady Sp for 2650fps out of my stubby 18.5" barrel. Gives me .75" groups all day long every time out. As I understand it, WXR is Rel-22 in a different can.

Mark,

I'm running 45.5 grains of H4350 with a 120NBT for a smidge over 3000fps. this is out of a 24 inch tube. Very accurate and flat enough for the 100% of shots I take under 300 yards.

40 grains of Varget also works well but found the H4350 to be better in terms of accuracy for similar speeds. Could never get the velocities out of W760 or RL19 using the same projectile. Having said that, both were very accurate as well. It seems most powders can get a load to MOA in 260rem, just seems to be a fairly accurate cartridge.

130gr AB's with 44.5gr H4350, running 2850 in my 21" shilen tube. Consistently .5"...

100gr BT's with 48gr H4350, run 3175 and shoot just as tight.

I just picked up a Montana last week in 260. Next week Im gonna see which one stays, the Sako 85, Remmy 7 or the Montana. Im hoping the Montana edges them out. Im heading for the 120 TSX's and/or the 129 Hornadys.

Joseph

I'm hell-bent on jackin an elk with a 260 next opp I get.

Joseph

I will have to try the 100BT load you gave, sounds like a good coyote/critter load. T.S.

I run mostly H4350 in my 260's. 45g with a 130 AB is hot but shoots great. 43.5 with 140's. I just tried 46g with 123 Amax's and they clocked over 3000 but aren't grouping the best. I need to play around with the 123 some more but since my gun likes the 140 Amax I should probably just stick with it. I've also had decent luck with H414 and Hunter in the 260.

Bb

I went to the range yesterday to shoot a little and a guy had a chronograph. I asked him if he would shoot a round through to see what it was doing. This was only a 1 rd shot but it was 3040 fps. It is a 22 1/2" Rock bbl using 46.5 gr H4350 and 120gr NBT.

Did this load show any pressure signs. I am running 44gr H4350 and the 123 A-Max and haven't seen any yet, but this is the max listed by Hodgdon for a 125gr bullet. Just wondering if there is still wiggle room for a little more powder. I have not true maximum load because Hornady just recommends using the load data for the 129gr bullets. T.S.

Not according to this.

Burn rates (faster to slower):
152. H4831 (Hodgdon)
153. MRP (Norma)
154. Reloder 22 (Alliant)
155. WW785 (Winchester)
156. H450 (Hodgdon)
157. Mag Pro (Accurate)
158. N165 (Vihtavuori)
159. WXR (Winchester)
160. 7828 (IMR)

If a 10 year old can do it...

Well, once again proved this to be true!

My rifle's 1-9" twist seems to prefer 120-ish bullets. H4350 gives good speed and average accuracy (3/4" - 1.25"). Decided to experiment with H4831sc and the 120 bullets. Everything shrunk immediately.

Shot these two in a row:





Going to try H4831sc with 130 and 140 grainers as well.

Oh my!

Not bad for a rifle that sits right at 6lbs at the bench!

6.5s seem to really like slower powders. Might try Ramshot magnum as well, haven't tried it in the .260 but my swedes have shown a lot of promise with it. It's really dense and might fit better then 4831 in the .260

Brad,

Not much you couldn't so with that 125 NP load...

Good shooting...

Nice that both bullets go into the same POI as well...

Will definitely try 130's and 140's with the 4831...

Aside, mis-print on the 120 NBT group... charge is 49.5 gr's not 49.0 gr's.

My go to load for the 260 Remington is 43 gr. H-414. The groups below were shot off the bench at Pearland Shooters club, 100 yds. Sako Varmint, 260 Rem, 130 gr. Accubond, 43 gr. H414, different OAL's, 3 x 9 variable power scope at 9X. Groups were fired in order from shortest oal to longest oal. Barrel was fouled with three shots after cleaning and before the 5 groups pictured were fired. Rifle was allowed to cool for fifteen minutes or so between each group.
Best
GWB











I'm using the 2.900 oal loading. for my go to hunting load.

PS: Don't tell those critters I only used three shot groups for load development! (ha)



[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/may2010onward/DSCN7110.jpg[/img]

Glad that worked out well for you Brad. I'm bettin' that 4831 will do well for you with the 130s and 140s too. My 2nd .260 should be done shortly. First thing I'm going to try is the 130 and 140 VLDs in front of 4831...

John

Nice group for those 125 NP's. 2,950 is ideal.

760 will do that.

H4350 already got it to 2,950 but accuracy wasn't there and I have a real distaste for 760/414. Another 50 fps really doesn't matter to me regardless.

There always seems to be something about a case full of H4831 that makes bullets just want to shoot. As Sammer Olson says, "magic powder."

Thanks again for the bullets SU!

To bad you never gave it a chance with high BC bullets.

I really need to try H4831...

Brad - your load for the 120NBT is the same as one of mine. I am waffling between 49 grain -IMR4831sc or 40grain H4350. I know they are on different ends of the speed scale. Mine definitely liked the 4831 for the 140's better.

A friend of mine swears by a case full of H4831sc. My 260 didn't like it as well as his and preferred H4350. But his groups with his rifle tell me that H4831sc may be the magic powder for the 260. T.S.

Brad,

Ever get around to trying H4831sc in your 130's or 140's?

4064 will do that, and give an MV of 3350 fps or more depending on barrel length...

Seafire,
How do you dispense your powder?
Do you weigh each charge?
Reason I ask is that I find 4064 to be a pain in the ass to run thru my powder measure (BR-3)...
I wouldn't even bother using it but I reload a .280 for a friend of mine who has a bunch of 4064...

Maybe you know the secret, eh?

naw, Seafire doesn't know any secret....

he's old fashion and patient...

I load all of mine by using a Lee Dipper, an old 505 Scale, and a powder trickler...

me and a powder measurer never hit it off real well, just for the reasons you don't like running 4064 thru it..

the only guys that are any lower tech than I, are the old guys that poor a pile of powder on the table... scoop their case in it till full and then swipe off the excess with a business card, before seating a bullet...

but I am not talking about the guys who do the same above...except the powder might be some 4895, 4831, 4198 and
W 748 all mixed in one container...

I'll tell ya what patience is...during load testing, testing 3031 snd 4064 in a 17 Fireball....that took patience!!

BTTT - Anyone shooting the 100 grain Amax in their 260?

I have tried 4064 and N550 in of a Ruger MkII and having troubles getting my groups to shoot tight. The rifle shoots Hornady 120s over H414 just fine.

Any favorite recipes yet?

work up, but my Ruger's shoot ANY 100 grain bullet real tight behind a charge of 43.5 grains of IMR 4064...haven't tried the AMax, but the Ballistic Tips are something I shoot a lot of...

the only bullet that I have ever had problems with in a 6.5 bore was the Hornady 95 grain V Max... and I don't know how closely the construction of the V Max and the 100 grain A Max are to each other...

I don't even waste my money buying the 95 grain V Max.. over price and don't shoot worth crap...

Thanks Seafire. I am going to try it in a couple more guns but am afraid the Amax and the Vmax may be performance related in this situation.

Just wondered if anyone had a known history here.

The 85 Sierra Hp's which are good for gopher tossing shoot really well in my lil 6.5...can't wait can't wait for snow goph season....grin

Dober

oldtrapper,
I haven't used the 100gr. A-Max but looking thru my .260 target binder see that I shot two groups using the 95gr V-Max and Rl-15 on a windy day out of a un-bedded original stocked Model 7 ..
Loads were:
41grs = .60"
42grs = 1.15"
CCI BR primers
Shoot in 2002
Those were the best loads out of this rifle before I had it re-stocked into a Wildcat stock..
Funny thing I have a bunch more 95gr. V-Maxs loaded to take to the range as soon as weather permits..

Thanks guys, I'm on a quest for a light practice load for the 260 where I won't need to change things up a lot to shoot the 100 grain ttsx.

Ya know, to repel the ever vicious Richardson ground squirrel a guy has to do what he has to do. ;-{>8

Found it,now I can pick your brains guys.Hope you dont mind me bringing this to the top? Gary

Sounds good, always a fun topic

Dober

42g of R-15 @ 2.775 runs about 2950 outta my 22" MR. work up, don't use this load, so on, so forth.....

How the heck do you get 49 grains of H4831 in the with a 130 grain bullet without crushing a bunch of it?

It'll crunch, but that doesn't seem to hurt anything.

John

Thanks Dober.Again I have a Rem 700 in 260 with what I believe is a 1/9 twist.I`m going out tomorrow and try my last loads using H4350 which range from 44.2 44.4 44.6 44.8 and some 45.0.Along with Hornady 123gr Amax.Keeping a close eye on primer bulging as I go up.It has a standard brl that I floated and did a trigger adjustment.Now I think it will come together.Will post back with pics and info .Thanks for any help on any do`s and dont`s with this cal. Gary

I run 44 grains of 4350 with the 140 grainers.... so you should be more than fine with a 123 grainer...

Looks like Rick made this a sticky. Thanks Rick!

John

120's and RL-15 went .65 outta my 22" mountain rifle. There's a little room to step on it, but I'll call it good. Probably go H4350 with 123 Scenars next go around....

All OALs include a Sinclair bullet comparator.

10 shots



5 shots



10 shots



10 shots


John

Hondo what kind of rifle are you using to launch those

This one:



Folks are probably sick of seeing it, as I'm so tickled with it I have posted it all over these forums.

Stiller Predator
Brux #4 with interrupted fluting, finished at 24"
McMillan Remington Hunter in arctic flame pattern.
Shilen Trigger
Wyatt Magazine Box.
PT&G bottom metal.
Stiller 20 MOA rail (not shown in the above picture)
Burris XTR low rings (also not shown in the above picture)
Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14 with target turrets.
All 'smithing done by Mike Bryant of Bryant Custom. Mike does superb work.

John

Nice rig, what's she weight?

I have never weighed it. I'm guessing in the 9lb range...

John

Ultralight Arms .260 Rem
22" Bbl
Velocity per Shooting Chrony (confirmed w/ known velocity load)

127 Barnes LRX
0x Fired Lapua brass
210M
45.3gr H4350
0.080" jump
Avg= 2857 fps
SD= 9.4 fps


First four rounds went into 0.492" and the fifth opened up to 0.816. I'll take it for a skinny pencil barrel...

That would be a fine group out of ANY hunting weight rifle.

John

Great thread all. Thanks for the link John.

Sharing 2 links I bookmarked here:

260- http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1252154#Post1252154

2nd has loads for 243/260/6.5x47/Creedmoor

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=348731#Post348731

Hope that helps someone. I found most guys there are using H4350 and H4831SC, often w/140-142s due to the type of shooting done.

I shot a Pac-Nor built 6.5-308 before Rem did the 260. Really liking 123 Sierra Matchking HPs and 130 Accubonds, though just started using some 130 Bergers. My 8 twist shoots fine thru 142s as did a former Sako sporter w/9 twist.

Alot of me to like in the 120-130gr range for what I do.

Latest load using 44/H4350 and 130 Bergers, works w/ABs too. Finding better accuracy w/Winchester 708 brass bumped down, though have 200 new Lapua's onhand.

Same load w/123 MKs shot under .2 for 3shots at 100yds using a 6x. 130s shoot +/- .5"

No chrony data yet sorry. I'd say the 130s are doing 2800-2830.

Custom .260 by Precision Rifle & Tool
26" Brux bbl
Win 7-08 brass necked down
210m
42.6gr RE17
140gr Berger VLD
2850fps
Consistently sub-half MOA (with multiple charges & shooters)

When I switched to JLK VLDs, I bumped up to 43.0gr - work up as these are over book.

Here's a 700 yard group from the 140gr VLD load I posted above. I'll be the first to tell you that 3 shots don't mean squat and the first to admit that I could probably never do this again, but I was still pretty tickled. Was missing my 8" steel plate and fired these three against my backer to see where I was hitting. Came out to a hair over .3 MOA.

John

GT,

Have you noticed any temp sensitivity with R17? Would like to give it a try, but temps here can be 110 degrees in the summer, and in the 20s or occasional high teens in the winter.

John

No, but I'm in TN where I generally shoot between 30f and 80f. My buddies out in CO and WY who shoot in wider temp swings have found no issues at all on that subject.

I was using IMR 4350 in my .260 Remington but I got a great deal on some Accurate XMR 4350 and switched. Here's my hunting load for this year.

Bullet: Nosler 125 gr. Partition
Powder: Accurate XMR 4350 44.5 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: Remington
LOAL: 2.776 inches
Velocity: 2938.10 fps
Accuracy: 1.336 inches @200 yards (five shot group)
Gun: Remington 700 with 26 inch Kreiger Barrel

.6-.7 moa is about right w/Rem brass. Might get down to .5 or better w/Win 708 or Lapua....

Nice shooting for 200 yds and a partition, a solid hunting load

Was searching in Photobucket, where I haven't been for eternity...

found this pic from back a few years ago... show what a 100 grain Ballistic Tip out of a 260 can do, at 125 yds or so...
175 lb blacktail....

260 Accuracy potential?

Put a new barrel from ER Shaw on a Model 70 Short Action...
24 inch, heavy magnum contour...one in 8 twist...

nonstandard "book" load... but plenty enough for blacktail at 200 yds...



3 shots at 50 yds...but not bad considering it being a brand new ER Shaw barrel...not 'broken in' yet... within the first 10 shots down the new barrel...

load? 33 grains of H322, CCI Large Rifle Primer... bullet: 85 grain Sierra HP...

I'm a big fan of TNT bullets, always been incredibly accurate for me. So, today I ordered some 90 TNT's to give a go in my .260. My rig shoots the 85 Sie's lights out so will be interested to see how it goes via flight 90 TNT.

Guessing accuracy will be wonderful and I'm guesing the yotes and bunny wabbits won't appreciate them near as much as I do...grin

Anyone ran the 90 TNT in their lil 26 yet?

Thx
Dober

Yeah Dober... I have about 500 or so of them hanging around and stock piled..

then and the 85 grain Sierra HP are pretty interchangeable for accuracy and terminal performance...

surprisingly the only 6.5 bullet I have tried that I did not have predictable accuracy out of was the 95 gr V Max...

Same with me, I couldn't get the 95 VMax to shoot either. I gave up on it.

Dober

Haven't tried TNTs in my .260 yet, but when I was running a 25-284, it preferred the TNTs to any other bullet. Be sure and tell us how the goo flingin' goes.

John

I'm a thinking come snow goph time it'll be technicolor...grin

Dober

With the 95gr Hornady try 40gr of IMR-4064. Not real hot but unbelievable accuracy from my 40xb.

All of my 6.5's (Grendel, 260, and 260 A.I.) shoot the 90 gr. TNT superbly. The Grendel with Benchmark and IMR 4064 in both the 260 and the 260 A.I. I couldn't get the 95 gr. VMax to shoot wirth a chit either. You are right yotes and other vermin don't like it at all. Not fur friendly.

PaPa20

Shot the 90 TNT this morning along with H4895. Bug holed and flew along @ 3108 fps. Thinking it'll be bad news for the rodents this spring.

Dober

Also shot 120 Bergers along with 44/R17, shot real tight and went along @ 2976 fps.

Wind was rocking like a fiend, so naturally I had to shoot @ 330 yds. Sent 5 downstream and they went into 1.72".

Dober

And almost forgot but I sent 5 downstream @ 330 with my 140 Berg load as well. 46/H4831, R-P brass and 210M's.

Wind was kicking but I got lucky trying to shoot during the gusts...grin. Group was 1.88", good enough for me.

These being with my Zebra rifle

Dober

Nice shooting, both the Sierra 85 gr and Speer 90 gr TNT are on the list to try this spring......along with a pile of other 6.5mm slugs

Dober,

What does that load chrono at for you? My rifle likes it too, stacking them virtually into one hole, but I wish the velocity was just a little higher...

John

John-I'd like a bit more speed as well but 2650 is all it'll do. In my mind I feel that 2700 is top end for a 22" tube with a 140 unless one wants to really push it and anymore that aint my style.

But, the load shoots very well and to date I've been very happy with it.

What does yours clock at?

Dober

Anyone try any 120 SAF's out in their .260, if so what did you use for a OAL on it?

Gracias in advance

Dober

Yes Dober, 2700 is on the upper end for 22" - might could sqeeze a tad more if one pushed hard, but it would be moot in the field as you know.

123 SMKs are highly accurate...drawing a blank - SAF?

SAF = Swift A Frame

The 120 SMK shoots lights out in my rig as does the 120 Berg and 120 NBT.

Two slugs I wanted to run in it were the 95 V-max and the 129 Horn sp and oddly neither one will shoot worth a hoot in my rig.

Dober

SAF - thanks. Never heard much good on the vmax but would not sweat w/the TNT and 100BT, the 129 - now that is unusual. Wonder if its the load, twist, or leade specs. Many great options in 6.5 as you know.

The 130 Berger has a great reputation and 130 ABs have been very consistent for me in 260 and Swede.

I just got a 260 custom from Roger's Rifle Shop in SLC. Below are my first loads. Note that the H4350 loads were also tested during barrel break-in. The rifle specs are -

Remington 700 Action, blueprinted.
Rock 26' Barrel, 1 in 8" twist
HS Precision Stock

All bullets were 123SMKS loaded to .010" off the lands.

Any of you all tried the Nosler 123 grain bullet? I see them on sale in the SPS.

Thx

Dober

26 foot barrel might be overkill.

I bought some scenar 123's but have loaded them yet.

May people swear by them with H4350

Lol, the 26' barrel was overkill...should say 26"...

24" Brux is giving me 2695ish. One grain higher on the scale gave 2750ish, but accuracy was definitely not as good. I might play with the 140 a little more, but 45gr H4350 behind 130gr VLDs is looking like it is going to shoot nearly as tight as the 140 at 2695 and gives 2943 to boot. Hard to not like that...

John

One of the best loads I have found for my PacNor 260 is the 140 Amax over H4350. Like others I have found the best accuracy around 2650 in a 22" barrel. This is one of the best loads but I am not finding the consistency I am after.

Hornady 129 gr SP with 36 grains of Varget

Fox,

What's your rifle specs? I'm thinking about throwing together a load with Varget.

J

All,

The results of yesterdays loads. I tried 142SMKs w/H4831SC. Really good results -

ruger compact 18" barrel and rem model 7

I finally tracked down some 130gr JLK's. Looks pretty promising...up close anyway.



130gr VLD's shot well too.



Still hammering with 2500+ rounds through it.

mmmm mmmm good!

How.much of a crimp are you guys putting on the bullet?

I put zero crimp on bolt-gun .260 loads

I am going to play around with a slight crimp on them. Was told by a veteran reloader about it. Better powder burn and accuracy.

Scenarshooter,

Nice groups! I might have to try some scenars now!

129 gr Hornady SST over 48.2 H4831SC in my sons' Ruger M77. Dropped a lasered Whitetail buck @ 290 yds in Nebraska last year. Very happy with the rifle and the load.

Dave

The 142 SMK shoots very well in my rig as well. H4831 is what I run with it.

Dober

Scenarshooter: What's the skinny on the cheek rest? Is that leather? Custom or over the counter?

Pat do you find better accuracy w/Norma than Lapua? I ran Noz and IIRC Norma mfg it, and it did real well in past. What contour and length is your bbl? 8.5 ROT? Thanks.

Who's running the 130gr Scirocco II's? .571 B.C. would be dandy. Think I'm going to pick up a box and see WTF....

Scenarshooter,

Those groups are outrageous but the JLK's is f'ing rediculous!

Based on a report I reviewed on another site, I'd run Bergers for hunting over the JLKs.

"Better late than never...

I have killed no less than 500 deer with my x47. I am running a 130 Berger at 2940 fps in mine. My brother clones deer so we kill a crap load of doe every year for their overies.

I have shot a few pigs in my day as well with this round. I have used several bullets trying to figure out the best killing combo and here is MY opinion on what I have experienced. It is not holy nor sacred, just what happened and I observed. So take anything you read with a grain of salt as it may not turn out the same for you.

My rifles specs:
Rem 700 left hand
Lawton 1-8" twist finished at 29.5"
Fat bastard break
McMillan A3 with 3 way butt plate and adj cheek piece
Hubor concepts 2 stage trigger
Premier Ret 5-25x56
130 Berger VLD @2940 fps

123 Scenar- this bullet shoots great on paper with my rifle. consistant .3" groups. Even at 500 and 1000 it would print an occasional half min group. That is with three shots mind you. On game I was less than impressed. They have a bit thicker jacket and didnt expand too well. I actually never dropped a deer once with a shoulder shot. Head shots didnt show to do too much damage either. IMO this is not a great projectile for hunting.

123 SMK- This bullet shot absolutely lights out in my rifle. I had to shoot this round for the first thousand rounds or so because 130 bergers were rare as hens teeth. This round shot in the .1's-.2s all day long for 5 shots. At 600 yards this round printed a 3.4" 10 shot group shot prone. I had some interesting results with its terminal effects. The very first deer I shot was a cull 6 pt and he was 606 yards. I put a high shoulder shot on him and he folded up. The next few doe I shot I put shoulder shots just to see bullet performance. One was DRT and 4 ran off a good 100 yards before dying. Not what I like for the amount of deer I shoot. On the head shots again I didnt see consistant enough trama to use this as my go to bullet.

130 JLK- This is the best long range target bullet I have ever used. I have shot some groups that yall would flat out call BS on so I wont even say what it can do on paper. On critters...TERRIBLE! I never once dropped a deer with this bullet. Last month I was wanting to test it on a coyote. While waiting 800 yards from a gut pile, a BIG boar walked into the field at 660 yards. Dead calm wind. I fire up the video camera and zoom in on him. dial up and send the shot. I hear the bullet smack him and actually see it through my scope. Well he just absorbs the bullet and runs off without a limp. I maybe thought I missed..rewind the camera and you can see trace go down range and his upper shoulder ripple. He just absorbed it and trotted off. I even shot a crap load of prarie dogs this summer with the JLK and it just penciled through all of them. Only popped em if they were within 200 yards and thats off kinetic energy alone.

130 Berger- this is THE bullet for hunting for what I have found. I literally have not had a deer take a step yet from the hunting VLD. This bullet shoots very well on paper and shoots very well on critters. Wound cavities are unreal. It looks like a grenade goes off inside the deer. I almost took a does head off this last weekend! A few months back I shot a yote at 1230 yards and he folded up.

140 grain bullets and up i use H4350, under 140 grain i use varget
works awesome. A local sniper with the police put me on to this.
I have a lb of xbr 8208 i want to try with under 100 grain bullets.

Great report 6BR. Thanks

1st time I've tried the Hornady BTHP Match bullets, but they seem pretty good!



I think I showed this load before, but here's a confirmation:



As with all loads I show, the OAL includes a Sinclair "hex nut" bullet comparator. For base to ogive measurement, subtract 1".

John

Did they make H4350 just for the 260 ?

Nice shoot'n Tex!

It's a very popular combo! Indeed great shooting John.

What Ramshot powders have any of you all worked with and or like in the .260?

(I have a bunch of Big Game on hand)

Thx
Dober

In my 260's BG worked well under 100 gr. BT,s but was a little fast for heavier bullets like the 120 bt and 130 ab..

What kind of speeds did you get with the 100's RL? To date I've not found a load that will break much over 3K or so.

Dober

I'll have to dig a bit to get those numbers..

All in all, while I like the RS powders, H4350 and 4831 bested them in my rigs across the board.

It might have been different if I had used mag primers under the RS powders as JB suggests.

Next .260 I'll have to do that.

H4350 with 123gr and 140gr A maxes for me. T.S.

For some reason my rebarreled Mt. Rifle really likes the 108 Lapuas. Usually shoot about 1/2 MOA out to 500- the furthest I have shot them. It is my new Coyote load! Shot my bear with 140 SGKs this year out of it. They work really well at 260 velocities. I use R17 mostly.

I run 120gr Barnes TTSX pushed by 43gr of H4350 at about 2631fps through a little 260 Rem Scout gun for my little cousins. They love it and it shoots great.

Mark,
Try using varget with the 100grain bullets. You should easily exceed 3000fps. 45.5 grains of h4350 gets me to 3,000fps with a 120nbt and great accuracy.
Matt

Mine loves H414 with 100 gr NBT's and I am getting well over 3250 FPS out of it.

probably posted somewhere... but 100 grainers in the 260, 4064 will deliver excellent accuracy plus safe pressures yielding 3300 fps or better..

I run 43.5 grains of 4064, that I worked up before load data was available.. Nosler's manual came out with a load I think 1/2 grain less than I did..

these run 3350 fps out of my 22 inch barrel Rugers.. out of the 24 and 26 inch barrels predictably more...

4064 is my go to powder for 85 to 107 grain bullets for both accuracy and velocity...

I've used both Big Game and Hunter. I like Big Game behind 95 gr. v-max's. Either with 120-130 gr. bullets.
Pretty much the only 6.5 bullets I use are 95 gr. V-max's,123 gr. A-max's,120 gr. barnes TSX, and 130 gr, Sciroccos.

Looking at the Ramshot load guide, they have Big Game and Hunter loads for the Hornady 129 grain SP interlock that are right at 2,700 fps. 41.0 Big Game and 43.5 Hunter. Pressure seems pretty low with both loads.
I've emailed them to see what they recommend with the Berger 130 VLD Hunting as I'm going to use that in my .260 and I have an 8 lb jug of each powder.

Great thread here, guys!

Just ordered my first .260 today. I've wanted one for about a dozen years, ever since a friend took a T/C in .260 to Africa and did very well on large plains game. I ended up ordering the Remington Model 7. I like its handiness and its something I can put away until the grandkids are big enough to hunt. I was a little put off by the 1 in 9 twist. I have a Model 97D in the 6.5BRM and it has a 1 in 8 twist. I guess I will wait and see what the 1 in 9 twist does in this 20" barrel. Any thoughts appreciated on the twist rate. I've enjoyed reading this thread. It seems the .260 is so generally under-appreciated by the public.

1:9 doesn't suck....

Agreed

That's good to know. There are those who claim the 1:9 will only stabilize bullets of 120 grains and less and I have a number of shorter 140-grainers that my 6.5BRM is not partial to.

Anyone run RL-19 for 120-130ish stuff?

Scott at Ramshot didn't have any load data for the 130 VLD, but recommended the load for the 129 Hornady with Hunter. 43-44 grains will get around 2,800 fps. Debating whether to mess with that or just go the tried and true H4350 (if I can get my hands on some!)

mtrancher congrats. My 1-10" stabilizes 140 Gamekings just fine. Shoots 120 nbt's great too. That is all I have used so far but am betting the 130 hobt I nearly went with would fly just fine too.
I was reading another post where 1-10" would not shoot 120's and the Remington rep told him to use 140's and things improved against the common thinking. This very thing got me reading on Miller formula and Greenhill and JBM- evidently it isn't weight but bearing surface size that matters most- then speed.

Admitted novice- flame away.

Congrats on your 260- it will be your new favorite.

Brad, I wouldn't be surprised if the little 260 becomes your favorite. Had a 6.5x55 for years--they are essentially the same in the field. Arguably the best whitetail cartridge going and not bad on other stuff either.

That little Kimber is nifty too.

How you been George?

Lifes good this way, and my .260 is still perky good as ever.

Dober

Just fine Dober other than a few age-related, and heavy-use issues (a left knee that ballons up just watchin' my dog run )

I think the little 260 is about perfect for about 90% of what we hunt here. Don't have one presently but scenarshooter's rifle piqued my interest.

Have a nice Blaser k95 in 7x57R I'm working on; it's another nicely balanced cartridge.

Love your pic's of you and your grndkids. I have a beauty of a little grandaughter; if Photobucket didn't have me exasperated I'd post a pic.

I hear you on the knee's George, hope to see you come spring.

The .260 and I have bonded quite well.

Dober

I'm afraid I didn't check through all the pages...

...but the guys who shoot regularly in our long range matches are all doing very very well with 38 grains of Varget and 140's... no kidding... that's the load.

Dan

I just ordered 5# of Hunter after talking to one of the guys at Ramshot. He thought their data was very conservative as it is only up to 55k psi. Anyway, hunter was the only suitable powder I could find anywhere, so I ordered some. I hope I can find a good load with it. With a burn rate between 4350 and 4831, it should be perfect. If I could find any magnum, I would give it a try too.

John

Hondo,

Exactly what I'm going to do when my 260 comes in. Having a hard time finding H4350...

Try H100V?

how long a tube are you running?

Dober

27 more or less. 1x8 Bartlien. It began life at 29 and I asked they save as much as possible.

The 200 yard group at the upper left was with RL-19. Only reason I didn't hunt with that load was I wanted to try a Partition.



Bullet: Hornady 129 gr. SST
Powder: Alliant Reloader 19 45.0 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: Nosler
LOAL: 2.818 (2.213 base to ogive for 0.050 bullet jump to lands)
Average Velocity: 2833.56 fps
Extreme Spread: 37.31
Standard Deviation: 15.90

Blueprinted Model 700
Kreiger 26 inch, 4-groove, 1 in 8 twist.
Glass bedded H-S Precision Stock

I use a 130 gr. Berger and reloder 17, start at 42.0 grs and work up from there. Remington brass and federal 210 primers, jammed this load shoots .3" at 100yds and handles my family freezer quotas . This gun was built for the prairie and is kinda heavy and kinda long ,14.5 lbs, and 30" barrel. But kicks like a sporter weight 22-250 and the wife can shoot it as well as I. Living in North Central Wyoming, the temperature swings a bit. 105 in the summer ,-10 in winter at times. When I adjust my drop charts to ambient conditions they are spot on. The velocity from the long barrel and reloder 17 is great, I won't quote because everyone will call B.S. , but its a good safe load in MY GUN. has taken some antelope and a Hog. Bang ,flop results every time.

As far as barrel twist what would you guys prefer. 1-8, 1-8.5, or 1-9?

I'm building a 6.5x55 and will go with 8 twist for high ogive 140's, loaded long.

That may be less of an issue with the .260's, because of the SA. For 130's and lighter, any twist should work.

DF

I like a 1 in 8 twist in the 260 and similar rounds so you can handle any bullet you want.

Have and will for Little Dude to plink till the rest of 5 lbs is gone. 22" barrel, 2950 in R-P hulls, Fed 210, 120 accutips (SST), Moly.

Bring your drop tube... and don't plan on loading '19 on a Dillon.

42gr-H4350
140 Berger VLD
Federal Match Primers
2.800
600 yards into 5" groups w/#3Rock barrel

No I believe they made Reloder 17 for .260s.

Here's a ladder I did yesterday with 7828ssc and 140gr Amaxes. Appears to be a definite lack of vertical from 46.2gr to 47.7gr. The grid is 1cm and the ladder was shot at 300 meters. Within the node, looks to me to be <1/2" of vertical. I'm going to load up some with 46.8gr for accuracy testing.

Warning! 47.7 and 48gr are too hot, leaving definite ejector marks on the Lapua brass.

John

I am looking at a Rem model 7 .260 20" barrel. What kind of velocity shouid I expect from 100g/120gr bullets.

A case full of H 4831sc with the 120 gr Core Lokt clocked in the 2750 fps range in the 20" BLR I used to have. With the right load you should be able to break 2800 fps still with the shorter barrel and 120's.

43 gr. of '15 will getcha 3097 fps with 108 Scenars in a 22" tube.

I get 2650 with 129 Hornady SP over 44.5grs of Win WXR[Rel-22] and a CCI 250 primer out of my 18.5" model 7 260rem. So maybe another 150fp with the 100s and 20" to work with.

Settled in at 2.800....

I just got my first .260; Encore rifle. this is just the information I needed.

A number of .260 shooters have maligned the Hornady 95-grain V-Max bullet for poor accuracy. I don't doubt that they experienced poor accuracy, but in my M700VLS they shoot very well. The "best" load has been 46 grains of W760 for 3140 fps and 20-shot aggregates in the .6s - although only a few loads with other powders have exceeded 1 moa with this bullet. Here is admittedly one of the better groups.

My current 260 Rem load has been performing well. The load below has been repetitively 1/2 MOA with less than 1" vertical out to 550 yards. I think it can do better with some fine tuning.

260 Lapua brass / full length S die with .292 bushing
Berger 130 VLD Hunting
IMR 4064 @ 39grs.
CCI-200 Primer
COL@ 2.942"

Avg speed 2853 with 19 ES /12 SD with 15 shots.

Could you guys help me out with a load with some of the lighter weights 100 gr and under . Looking to kill yotes between 50 and 350 yds and the 130 and 140's would be way overkill. I've got varget , re22, and h4350 on hand and fed 210m's and 215m's. This is out of an m7. Thanks in advance

2700 should be easy to reach. I get nearly that with 129gr hornadys and the 18.5" barrel.

Nosler's latest manual lists IMR 4064 as the most accurate powder with their 100 grain ballistic tips and partitions...

They also list MV as close to 3300.0 fps out of a 22 inch barrel (If I remember the barrel length of their test rifle correctly)

my chrony, the one that is highly accused as being inaccurate oh here, lists the MV of a 100 grain bullet, as 3350 fps out of a 22 inch barrel, when I developed a load with IMR 4064 with that bullet before data was available... my load is half a grain more than Nosler listed in their manual...

I'm not quite sure I want to be behind a 260 shooting anything at 33000 fps sounds like I might be seeing some pressure problems on the brass and quick barrel erosion. You must be using the mag primers for that load . LOL

yeah maybe those guys WERE Right.... my Chrony is off some....

or I got a little overzealous and show how crappy my typing is...


I'll take off a zero so some nimrod won't try to get 33000 fps out of his 260... the type they got all concerned about...

I've never shot them in my 260, but 95gr V-max ran real well in my 6.5x55 ruger at 3100fps when using IMR4064. Used that same load with the 100gr BT and killed a fat doe at about 100yds away. Bullet worked well and even broke the offside shoulder upon exiting the critter.

As a do all bullet for 'chucks, 'yotes, and deer, the 100gr Nosler BT might serve well.

Recently I received 1000 of the 100 grain A Maxes I had order via Powder Valley... been playing with this bullet out to 700 yds ( rock busting only at that distance) but I have to recommend trying some of them.

at our local range there is a rock out at 725 yds ( laser ranged ) that is about the size of a folding chair like ya see down at church or in a school.

with one of my Ruger's zeroed 1.5 inches at 100 yds with these 100 grain A Maxes, behind a simple charge of 40 grains of IMR 4895, with scope set on 2.5 power ( a 1.5 x 6 Scope), by holding the aiming point at the spot where the lower post goes from thick to thinner on the rock, the bullet was striking pretty much dead center....

could see the strike in the scope reticle, but a spotter with a 12 power set of Binocs also verified it..

haven't had a chance to chronograph it with my 'crappy' Shooting Chrony yet....but when I reload the cases, I don't even have to neck size them ( for the first 3 reloads on that brass).. deprime, seat a new bullet, and give it just a simple barely touching crimp and its good to go...

40 grains is even giving me some blow back on the case, which I clean off with steel wool and a tumble in the old Tumbler....

oh and they shoot little bitty groups at 100 yds also....

Hi guys. Maybe this should be a new topic, but since my rifle is a 260 rem, I'll at least start here.

I notice that in this forum (which admittedly I have not read in it's entirety) and other handloading/reloading sites it is common for loads to exceed the "maximum" posted loads in the manuals by A LOT.

Has everybody REALLY started out at the manuals' starting loads and cautiously increased the load fractions of grains at a time up to, and beyond, the published maximums?

In a time where ALL the components are in short supply, is there a SAFE way to "get there" sooner? Or at least to get close to "there" so that the resources can be used more efficiently?

I see all kinds of guidance. Anything from starting at the minimum published load to starting a 90% - 95% of the published max load. I know, the min load is usually ~90% of the max load, but using 95% would save half the bullets, primers and powder.

And when I see that virtually everybody is using loads that are significantly above the published max loads, I wonder about trying 90% or 95% of these supermax loads.

I have a chrono and wonder if I shouldn't just make the jumps on powder charge based on how close to a targeted MV.

I also have learned that the best charge has to be found by testing on each and every gun, and I wonder about what range of velocities or range of powder charge less than supermax or maybe even published max I should do my ladder at.

I saw a post someplace that said to use a chrono and get up to 2775 - 2825; then fine tune.

My rifle is a Savage M12 LRP.

a lot of 260 shooters

yep, and counting..

130's and R22 anyone?

Its tough to fit H4831SC in the case for 130's. You might not get high fps with RL-22, you will run out of space to reach pressure. Could try it and see what happens!

IMR 4064 and Varget works awesome with 130's though.

551 yards / IMR 4064 39grs. 5 shots with cold bore. Doing work...

Can the 100g AMax be used as a varmint load? ( coyotes and smaller). Never seen this bullet in person.

Recently ordered a couple of thousand.... some manufacturers list their 100 grain bullets as varmint bullets and some as game bullets...

Can't answer the question about being able to keep the hide damage down... but once again, there is also the 95 gr V Max, the 90 gr TNT and the 85 gr Sierra HP... reload manuals have those listed up to 3500 fps...

108's and 95's have been good to me...

My 24" Encore loves the cheapest of everything:
WW 243 brass necked up
CCI #34 primer
surplus IMR 7383 powder
PMC 139gr PSP
groups like this:


My DPMS LR 260 doesn't like anything so far. I have tried AA4350, IMR 4230, IMR 7383 and IMR 4064. Also, 140gr Sierra's, 139gr PMC's 129gr Hornady's and 120gr Rem's and Noslers.
Best I could get so far is 1.25" @ 100yds. I'll try H4350 and 130's next.

I'm not interested in saving hides <smile>. I won't a varmint bullet that does damage!

Lapua Brass
123 Amax (Scenars shoot the same, per't near exactly)
44.0 Win 760
WLRM cap
Sucks SA mag lengthish...
right at 3k

100....







300...





3 @ 435... today....



5 @ 400-500...

[img]http://i352.photobucket.com/al...3-000001FAA64E179F_zps3dedf5a3.jpg[/img]

My favorite 5-shot group.... 300-400ish yards...

[img]http://i352.photobucket.com/al...4-0000007BBBBA483B_zps6ee2b94d.jpg[/img]

Good shooting Dog. Have you been able to chrono that load in varying temperatures? I've always heard horror stories about the temp sensitivity of 414/760 (same with RE22, etc), but wonder how significant it is in the field.

I've heard a lot of whore stories about temp sensitivity too.... but haven't seen it in the field. Note the Winny magnum primer in the listed load... I believe that has a lot to do with my lack of temp issues with W760/H414 (along with RE15/17/19/22).

Short answer: no, I've not run the load over the chrony in a veritable cornucopia of ambient temps. I game, however, shot many pounds of 760/414 with nary a notable issue afield.

Hi Brad. You'll love it. Though I don't have one I load for my friends R Ti and use H4831sc and the 130-gr Accbond for about 2880 fps. Previously he used various 140-grs over the same powder for ~ 2800 fps.

Edited to say I initially thought H4831 would be too slow, but accuracy is good and velocity is where it should be; at least in his rifle.

I tinkered with 4831SC a little with 120TTSX, but ended up with '15. Didn't really give it a fair shake, but after seeing your numbers, Ima shake it again. Been wanting to try some 130AB's. If it'd eek out 2,900 with molyed 127LRX, that'd be some good juju....

My favorite load for my 260 is 47.5 gr VV N-560 under a 129 gr Interlok. Fed 210M primer. I'd like to see how this load tinkered for the 130 gr Accubond would do...

130 AB is an accurate deadly bullet, w/good BC, my go to over H4350

Piker.

I'm going for a moose.

Probably penetrate well- maybe even over penetrate.

What's a chrono? I've never used one. Have no idea what either factory or reloads velocities are - nor care with one exception. If I know the vel, I can calculate the drop at range. Book value velocities are probably close, but not exact to individual rifles - especially since many of these are taken at alternative barrel lengths and ammo components.. Close enough to work with for drop, tho.

Velocity is virtually meaningless in hunting situations, within reason. Accuracy is what is important to me. Once that is dialed in, I can work with the drop, whatever it is for that caliber/bullet weight/powder charge - on the range if need be, tho book values seem to work quite well for my hunting purposes. But then I don't shoot itty-bitty critters nor beyond 500 yards on the big ones.

Those that do, have legitimate other criteria...

I've always assumed that book max loads are conservative, and when building a ladder, I've gone above them often enough.

I've never found a load that was more accurate above the book load - or even at the max book load. They have always been a grain or few under max book load. Rifles differ of course. Mine are all common beaters, but seem to kill things as needed.

I start out at 4 grains under max book, and go to 4 grains over, in 2 grain increments if pressure signs allow. Refine in 1 grain increments from there, but I've found that usually there is a slot of 1-3 grains in there that just doesn't matter too much for field accuracy. You can dink with half or quarter grain loads within the field, but I generally don't bother. Almost always, I wind up 1-4 grains under max book listing. I do powder charge/trickle with whatever I select to within .1 grain for my hunting loads. Probably not too important, but it makes me feel good. Neck sizing-only fire-formed cases has shown a far more significant increase in accuracy. Including for belted magnums. Perhaps especially so. My .338WM hunting loads are all shoulder head-spaced, with just a slight bump-back from neck sizing. Accuracy is noticeably improved (as if that matters when shooting moose at 70 yards..... )

I hate building ladders. My two best loads for the .338WM are junk loads I randomly threw together to get rid of some unwanted bullets. Both went sub MOA. I'm stuck with those rounds now, as they are just too good to shoot at anything but game. Probably gonna die with some left.... Damn!

Once I have the accuracy, I'll work the drop of same in hunting situations. It's not hard.

Currently, I'm using factory 140 Corelokts in my .260. My last 2 shot group at 300 yards went 2.2 inches, the 200 yard 3 shot group went 1 inch. From a snow machine seat rest. And I know the drop at 100 yard increments to 500.

The caribou don't deal with it well.

The only reason I'm going to work up a load is that it torques my ass to pay $40 a box....

From the stuff I've been reading for the last month on the .260, looks like I'll try H4350 first for 140 gr loads (preferred by the rifle, not me), and if that doesn't do "good enough", I'll try IMR 4831SC. I've a hundred count of Corelokts, and another 100 of Hornady to play with.

Every rifle is different ESPECIALLY to how it reacts to loading. If your ONLY goal is to save money, then bite the bullet and shoot factory. Otherwise heed the advice of others and follow your manuals. BTW, I've been loading since 1973 or 4. I ALWAYS start at the suggested starting load and increase at 1/2 grain increments till I find the sweet spot. I NEVER exceed the maximum. In fact, MOST of my loads are no where near the maximums listed in any of my manuals. DO NOT CUT CORNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kiss, find pressure, rock on.....

Love him or hate him (Stick), thats the way to do it.

The kids are looking forward to the opportunity to kill some cow elk this month with the Ruger SS 22 inch 260's. It behooves the old man to slap together some elk capable rounds.

I have loaded a lot of rounds this month and the component stash is becoming depleted. But I found a box of Sierra 140 spbt Gamekings in the cabinet, and I still had a pound of IMR 4831.

Nosler says IMR 4831 will make 2800 fps with their 140 gr Partition, it should do so more easily with a bullet which has less bearing surface (like the Sierra BT) and with Moly lube.

Here's the results with CCI 200 primers, IMR 4831, and the 140 gr Sierra spbt Gameking (molyed), in Remington brass, seated just barely short enough for the bolt to close without resistance.:
42.. gr .....2527 fps
43.. gr .....2539 fps
43.5 gr .....2613 fps
44.. gr .....2650 fps
44.5 gr .....2666 fps
45.. gr .....2690 fps
45.5 gr .....2700 fps
46.. gr .....2751 fps
46.5 gr .....2767 fps
47.. gr .....2790, 2810, 2820, 2815, 2802, 2790
47.5 gr .....2837 fps
48.. gr .....2881 fps

The 47.5 and 48 gr loads began to show some loss of primer radius.

I loaded up 70 rounds at 47 gr and zeroed both rifles 2.75 inches high at 132 yds. The boys should be good to go out to 200 yds. Neither of these rifles has the accuracy to guarantee a shot much beyond that range.

I also ran a couple of other old 260 loads over the Chrono while it was set up.

CCI 200, Rem 120 gr core lokt w/ moly, 50 gr H4831....2910 fps

CCI 200, Rem 120 gr core lokt w/ moly, 46 gr RL 19....2690 fps

Has anyone tried H380 with 120-130 gr. bullets? I've got about 7 lbs. of H380 and love how it meters - I've used it with success in the .243 Win and .308 Win - I can't imagine it doesn't work well in the .260 Rem. I've got some loads put together, but haven't shot them yet. Anyone else tried this powder?

Yeah Selmer old buddy, I have... and it performs just as well as the best of them, in all 5 of my 260 barrels...for both accuracy and velocity....

funny I burn it in about everything except the 22.250....

it is a highly overlooked powder nowadays, but with these powder shortages, that is a good thing.. because a lot of guys will pass it by and it stays on the shelves longer....

its also a hell of a powder for the 223, using 70 and 75 grain bullets... but don't tell anyone that...

123 Scenar
44 grains H4350
Winchester brass
Winchester Large rifle Mag primers

Groups almost cloverleaf

Thanks Seafire. H380 just seems like a good fit - especially in the quantity I have right now. What charges have you used with 120-130 gr. bullets? I've got 7 lbs downstairs and 5 lbs of IMR4350, so my .260s are well fed, plus a few lbs. of Varget, but I haven't found the sweet spot with Varget yet. Strangely enough (or predictably enough...) 44 grs of IMR4350 is the sweet ticket in my Ruger M77 and 17" MGM .260 Rem barrel for my Encore. (129 gr. Hornady or 120 gr. Nosler BT or 130 gr. AB - all run sub-MOA) Different seating depths, but same load. All have been hell on deer, I just like having more than one "pet load" for each gun. I'll see how the H380 turns out and get back - the 5 degrees on the thermometer were not conducive to shooting today...

One stupid question and one easy question. First - the stupid. I received a pound of free H870 (discontinued) - any ideas if this would work worth a darn in the .260 with heavy bullets, or is it just too slow?

Easy question - I'm normally a Nosler kind of guy, but both of my .260s have a liking for the 129 gr. Interlock, and they are GREAT performers on deer, at least in the 5 samples of kills I have with them from 100 to 359 yds with both pistol and rifle, propelled by 44 gr. I4350 running 2825 fps from the rifle and 2575 from the pistol (17" barrel). I don't own a Hornady manual and don't plan on buying one. Can someone provide me with the load data that Hornady publishes for the 129 gr. Interlock in their manual? I have a wide variety of suitable powders and I want to find more than one "pet load" for this bullet - such as I4350, H4350, Varget, RL15, 4064, H380, BL(c)-2, and I4831. I'd love to have that data, as I know that the 130 Nosler AB and 129 IL likely have different pressures due to different design and jacket composition. Thanks!

Selmer...

I run the 129s, using the same charge as I do with the 140s, which is 44 grains of IMR 4350....which run 2750 fps out of my 22 inch barreled ones and 2800 out of my 24 inch barreled one...

IIRC the same load ran the 129s at 2900 fps out of my Rugers with the 22 inch barrels, but surprisingly didn't gain much velocity out of the 24 and 26 inch barreled 260s...

Yep, I'm using 44 grs. of IMR 4350 behind my 129s in both the Ruger and the Encore 17" barrel. My Ruger is a little slower than yours, but still has performed admirably out to 350 yds. Pistol did a great job on the first kill with that bullet from the pistol a couple weeks ago - slid it between the ribs at 150 yds and the lung were mushed - I got a 100 yd death dash after the donkey kick. I was grinning after the I saw the reaction to the shot.

when I got them, I had both of my Ruger 260s throated out to accept a 160 grain Hornady RN, with the bullet seated to the cannula...so mine are not factory throats anymore.. which were kinda tight...

I did that to both of them about 2 weeks after I got the first and as soon as I got it home on the second one... which I got mega cheap, because the store had had it for over 3 years and it never moved... well under $300 for it... stainless, laminate stock...

Any of you fellas mess with Varget in your 260? I got 2# of the schit and a pile of empties. As for bullets, who the hell knows. Maybe Dobers magic 90gr TNTs? Might even give 108's a try...

??

Ive been shooting 37.5 grs of Varget behind a 130 gr Accubond. Shoots around 3/8" 5 shots.

2800ish?

39.2grs Varget, 130 vld, Lapua brass, and CCI-BR2 primers. COL @ 2.950". Speed is 2876 avg. with 24" barrel.

Thought I would share load data from my 260 AI. Originally had a 24" barrel which I later had shortened to a 22" barrel (or depending on how you measure, a 25" barrel shortened to 23"). Rem action and a min spec reamer was used for chambering. PacNor SS barrel with 1:9" twist. Only accurate loads listed and some aren't near max. All loads 0.005" off lands.

260 Ackley Improved

Sierra 100g HP
42.5g BenchMark 3,291 fps
49.0g IMR-4350 3,161 fps (very accurate)
50.0g H-4350

100g Partition
50g H-4350 3,330 fps (3,290 fps after barrel was shortened)

100g Nosler BT
24.0g SR-4759 2,475 fps (reduced recoil load)

95g VMax
43.5g IMR-4064 3,333 fps (longer barrel)
45.0g RL15 3,236 fps
49.0g IMR-4350 No crono, very windy but still shot 1/2" - 3/4" groups)
50.0g H-4350 No crono, very windy but still decent groups
49.0g Hunter No crono, 3/8" group on fireform load with Rem brass & 215M primer

120g Pro Hunter
45.5g H-4350 2,955 fps (good hunting load, some 1/2" groups)

Nosler 120g BT
45.0g Hunter 2,826 fps (crazy accurate) 215M primer

129g Spire Point
46.0g RL-19 2,769 fps

HogWild,

It's interesting seeing that you use Benchmark for one of your loads. My 260 really likes Benchmark. I've used it with 100 gr NBTs in the past and just tried it with 120 gr NBTs; they are by far the most accurate loads I've found. Here's the information:
Rifle
Model 70 action
24" Shilen barrel 1:8" twist

100 gr NBT 2.80 COL
41.0 gr Benchmark

120 gr NBT 2.78 COL
40.0 gr Benchmark

Think I will be using Benchmark in the future for my plinking/fireforming/varment load. Uses very little powder but still has good velocity/accuracy, and its temp insensitive. I would like to find some 100g VMax for this task but so far, no luck. Oh well, the 100g Sierra HP shoots great in my rifle.

I've not yet tried it, but it seems BenchMark and the 85g Sierra HP are made for each other! Guessing 3,500 fps is doable.

Interesting stuff:
More 260 Loads

260 was shooting like a big silly last go round..


Might see if 123 AMAX will follow suit and make this thing a one hit wonder. For the price, BC, and performance (hopefully), it could be the best of the best....

Good velocity and accuacy on the 120g TTSX load. Great accuacy on the 108g Scenar load but velocity could be better. Sure is a tack driver!

I used to just swap the 108 and 120 TTSX over the same charge for messing around. I've got some Varget fueled 108's that I'm trying to hit warp speed with.

These are the first loads I've shot since dumping the moly schit. I've lost a whole 30 FPS. Very sad about that. Same load, same brass, primer powder lot blah blah blah...

123gr A maxes are awesome, and 44.5gr of H4350 give me right at 2950fps which really gets out there! Got to love those .264 bullets, they are like little missiles! T.S.

Eating crow sucks. Ran my schit sans moly and won't do that crap again. Shooting 2 rifles required 6 cleanings total for a day of only 100ish rounds. Cleaned my 260 more that day than I have since I put it together. Fook that....

It did show some promise with Varget. Not even close to hitting any pressure signs yet. At least I wont have to dump it in the lawn.






I'd like to find some of those little missiles. Almost tried some 123 SST's. Same BC, but didn't like the horror stories I heard about them. I'm sure the Amax will come back around...

What horror stories have you heard about the 123g SST?

Evidently they are geared more for Grendel speeds, come to pieces, and not the most accurate bullet on the block. Read it on the eenernet so it must be true.

So you're one of the ten or twenty people on earth who still uses moly? I'm sorry.

Loaded 108 Scenars in my 260AI at about 3275. Worked pretty good on pigs. Need to shoot something bigger with them and see how they hold up. Got an exit.

#14

I'll see if I can find my membership card to the club.......




What are you fueling them with?

All schit aside, if you are having problems with fouling after going to naked bullets, I'm wondering if the moly wasn't completely cleaned from the barrel ahead of time? Something was wrong if you needed to clean that frequently; I often go several hundred rounds without cleaning my rifles (none of which have seen a molyed bullet in over a decade). Were you shooting dirty butt powders, such as H414?

I didn't know there was any other powder than R17

Barrel was naked as a jay bird. Varget and R-15 with 108 Scenars, R-15 with 120 TTSX, H4831SC and H4350 with 140 NPT's. Slight smorgasbord. Cleaned that rig more in a day than I had in 2 years.

Weird! I've had one barrel that did quite literally the opposite.

Most barrels the moly didn't do a darned thing, and was enough of a PITA that I abandoned it.

I reckon it could go either way. I can do without the cleaning. I know it worked before so its going back.

Curious to see what my 270 does. Its never been done, so maybe that'll be the test.

I use the 130 Norma diamond line in my 6.5 and they are moly. I bought several hundred of them. They work real well. After 100 rounds I will run a bore brush through in addition to the solvent. That's about all I do. I would never coat my own bullets.

I see they exited behind the shoulder.

Thanks for the post. The 108 is one of those enigma bullets on game because not many shoot it. From the blood splatter on the rock I'd day it opened well.

I can't get out these days so please keep us informed. Be real good to see good one caught after quartering.

Anyone shot the 129g LR Accubond?

I opened one up and laid it on the rock belly first to dry out before I put it in my pack. It rolled down the hill and stopped in a bush about 8' above the bottom.

I have and took 3 deer with them last October, 44 gr H 4350 for a bit over 2900 fps and good accuracy. You can read more if you wish about it all here.

http://www.noslerreloading.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=25842

I have killed several feral horses with a 130 Accubond, didn't know they made a 129??..

I thought 129 was a Hornady thing. I have shot the 129 SSTs.

The 129 Accubond Long Range jobs have a .561 BC.

I don't think they are available yet.

A few folks have them.

H4350, 42.5 grains, 136 L Scenar, 2.820 OAL, CCI primers, Rem brass, 23" barrel 8 twist barrel. Got 2805 fps and excellent accuracy.

Do the 120-grain Nosler BTs in 6.5mm have the same reputation as those in the 7mm size? Seems I've seen cutaways of the 7mms that show them having a bit thicker jacket. Is that the case with the .260s? Thanks.

I asked Dogzapper just that once and he said yes, the 120gr 6.5s are fairly heavily constructed.

John

140 Partition
RP Brass
CCI 200
42.5grs imr4350
2.780" OAL

Under 1" from my 22" barreled Rem 700 Mountain Rifle

Finally got the Tikka perkin' with 130 Berger VLD's:

130 Berger VLD
Lapua Brass
WLR
47.0gr Viht N165

about .060 off lands.

2840fps out of the 22" barrel.

Sub 3/4 with several 1/2" groups.

44 to 45 grains of H 4350 with a Scenar 123 on the top of the stack is good.

Yup those Scenar's shoot lights out in my rig too, with 44.5gr of H4350.

Most of the links to my pics were broken so I thought I would repost some of the loads that have worked well for me. All OALs include Sinclair bullet comparator.

John

5 shots.



Only three shots, but has done similar on multiple occasions. Also has a MV of 2940ish, which makes that bullet an absolute laser.



10 shots



10 shots.



5 shots



10 shots

120 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip is all I shoot in my 260rem, a great bullet for everything from deer through to hogs.

Lovin' my 140 Gamekings over 43.5 grs of H4350 and a CCI BR2 primer. Out of a 260 AI Ruger M77 with an unknown barrel I bought on ebay. Shoots bugholes. I don't know how fast they go, but the deer don't seem to know the difference.

I shoot the 120 gr. berger bthp target bullet and I shot a medium size mule deer at 230 yards and the deer dropped in its tracks the exit hole was about the size of a half dollar. I'm using h4350 powder and my velocity is about 2900 fps. This is the only deer that I have shot with this bullet and so far I am happy with its performance.
Joe

Just got my Browning 1885 260 Rem. I'm bumping this to the top in the hopes of inspiring more discussion on favorite loads.:)

129 gr Hornady Interlock with 49.9 gr H4831sc. Little stainless Model 7 has always shot this load stupid accurate and this past cold drizzley Monday did it again. After checking at 50 shot a 1 hole 3 shot group at 100. It was still 1" high but 3/4" left. Hole in wet target was about 1/2" wide. Moved 2 clicks right and put it away. It has no right to shoot this well but has been consistent at 1" or so with this load.

Adding all Barnes data for the 260 received from them on Jan. 30, 2015

Where is the 120 grain

On their website

Am I off or does it seem that 42.0 grains of H4350 under the 120TTSX seems light? My 130 VLD load is 43.5 H4350.

Agreed, I am running 45gr's under a 123gr Scenar in my GAP 260.

I have tried H4350 in my 260 from 123 to 140 gr. My barrel does not care for it. I tried lots of loads and ES /SD numbers were awful, and it showed down range. I have a big jug of H4350 sitting on my shelf and no current use for it. However, H4831 works awesome with 140's. Varget / IMR 4064 works great with 123- 130's. All powders provide single digit ES. My current load is 40.1grs Varget with 130 VLD Hunting, shoots bugholes at 100 yards and 1 1/4" groups at 400 yards with less than 1" vertical.

I just ran some ladder tests today using a 22" 1:9".

With the 120 grain TTSX and H4350, primer flattening started to show at 42.2, so their data is accurate on that one.

In the 22", all 120 loads tested peaked out at around 2800 and then started showing some primer flattening much beyond that. Tried H414, H4530, and IMR 4831.

Best for the 120 TTSX was 41.8 of H4350, which was just shy 2800 (2795 average), again from a 22" barrel.

42.8 of IMR 4831 was very accurate, but slower at an average of 2700, but it will work well if that is the powder on hand.

I have tried H4831sc with the 120 before, and it was not a good combination, so would not recommend it with the 120.

Worked with the 100 TTSX also. 44.7 of H414 was the tightest load of the day with an average of 3065 fps. H414 could push it much faster, well north of 3100, but the slower load was much tighter, and very mild on the shoulder.

Still need to try H4350 with the 100's.

All loads were with Lapua brass and F210M's.

Take a look at Ramshot Hunter, it's a very good performing powder for me in the 260 Remington. With the 120 TTSX I use 45 gr Hunter. With the 120 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, I use 48 gr of Ramshot Hunter.

Would if I could find any. Working with what I can find.

Just managed to find a few pounds of H4350 again and thought I'd hit the lotto.

That's pretty good data on the 140s. Some of the rest is lite. I run up to 47gr of H4350 with a 123 Scenar, for example. Have done so in 100+ degree temps and never the first pressure sign (GAP NT). With the 127LRX 45.0-45.3gr of H4350 gives phenomenal accuracy and 2850-2900fps (22" ULA). Thanks for posting. Need to find time to load some 100TTSX for the wife and kids.

Remember that a monolithc bullet builds a lot more pressure than a lead core bullet. therefore the reason for the lighter powder loads in the manual. Barnes bullets are grooved to relieve this pressure. Also keep in mind that due to pressure buildup, seating should move away from the lands rather than closer to the lands

Great info here

Besides .260 brass; which brass has the least amount of problems resizing to .260; 7mm08 or .308? I am acquiring a .260 and finding 260 brass seems to be a problem unless I buy the expensive brass.

Picked up a 260 3 wks a go, haven't seen any 260 brass or reasonable priced factory loads for it either. Did buy a set of RCBS dies. I pulled 2 boxes of WW once fired 243 Winchester brass off the shelf, lube the case& necks good inside and out and size, you have instant 260's. I'd rather have the right headstamped brass but these will work (and are) until I find some new Remington or drop big bucks for Lapua. I sure didn't have to ream or turn necks either. Magnum Man

jeffbird, I found the exact same max for Superformance with a 127 LRX before they made this available. I used 6.5 Creedmore data and started low for 130 grain bullets in the Hornady Manual. I had the powder and really wanted to give it a try and the case volumes were really close at that bullet weight. Turns out 46.5 gr Superformance with a 127 LRX is right where my Savage model 11 likes to shoot.

My Tikker likes 125 NPTs and H4831. I get 2750fps out of this rather mild load. Works great on game. Will be working up a load for a new Remington 700/8 twist when weather permits.

AR Comp and a 100 grain Partition or Ballistic Tip is a very fast stepping and accurate combination, that I recently enjoyed discovering...

What's the load data Seafire? Got some NBT 100s and AR Comp at LGS.

Finally got my tikka 260 together and got to do a little shooting. I started out with some factory nosler with 125gr partitions and was less than impressed I had loaded up some 139gr lapua scenear's and as I worked up the better my groups got I was using 4831SC ended at 45.5 and I'm real happy with the way it was shooting them. They avg right at 2710 should I leave it at that or work up a little more?

Factory lists 42 grains with a 95 grain Bullet...

mine happens to be 43.5 grains...developed that on my own and my Rugers, and Model 70 seem to be just fine with it....

I have been experimenting with RL26 under 130 Berger hunters in Lapua brass. After picking a seating depth of 70 thou off the lands, I worked up an OCW series. Once I got that roughed in, I played with seating depth running 10, 40, 70, 100 and 130 thou off. Currently, I am at 40 thou off the lands with 49.9 grains RL26 giving a 3 shot group (I hate those lol) of .612 averaging 3118 fps with an ES of 2. Its only 3 shots so no extreme celebrating lol. Also, one thing on the group, I was pretty jacked up on coffee with my heart banging away. The 3rd shot broke on a heart beat and I pretty much called the flier. I loaded up 5 more to try out tomorrow and we will see how it works. Also, I tried CCI No. 34, Federal 210gmm, 215 and 215gmm primers and there was no real advantage to the magnum primers with the 210gmm being the best for me.

I Adjusted QL for bullet measurements, case capacity, seating depth, etc. and also adjusted the Ba rate to match velocity and it predicts my pressure to be about 61500 psi. Because my rifle is a switch barrel rig, I can not use my Pressure Trace on it. With Lapua brass, I think I am almost close to warm :p lol

I tried to load down to 3000 fps but the accuracy and velocity spread was terrible. Like RL17, it looks like RL26 needs to be at higher pressures to be consistent. One thing I noticed was that at about 3130 to 3140 fps the pressure appeared to really spike sending some bullets well over 3160 fps and having over 60 fps of spread and piercing even magnum and nato spec primers. Recoil was noticeably sharper and there was smoke and sooted necks. I didn't try to keep going to see if things would mellow out for obvious reasons lol.

Overall, I like what is coming together with RL26 and the 130 Bergers. Tuning in the VLD bullets can be funky but once you get it, you are set. I think I am pretty close here. We shall see.

3118 fps with 130's is a rocket, good grief......

yeah it is. Initially it had me worried as to what pressures I was getting. I still really wish I could get my pressure trace on there but the brass looks good, my primers look good, ignition is consistent... yeah. Once I cycle through the brass, I'll start measuring case webs to see where they sit.


I just sent one at a 6" popper I have at 500 yards. Hit about 2ish inches off center at the 7 oclock. I'll take that for now. lol

14" of drift at 500/10mph is some serious juju.

Reloder 17 will get you in that Neighborhood also.

I used Winchester 7mm-08 brass, one pass thru the 260 full length die, and it's good to go....

With Reloader 17...... is the load development method also to 'pierce a Magnum primer... then back off 40-50fps'?

What barrel length are you running Eryhk?

I have to lean on 123s to see 3k.... and I'm not shy about mashing on the pedal and letting the brass decide. But alas, I'm running 20" and 23" barrels respectively. H4350/Varget/4831, RE17/19/22/25, IMR7828, Magpro.... none of them could get me over 2925 with 130 H-VLDs without seeing/feeling some stress in the brass.

Here's a couple more .260 loads that have run well recently....

23" Rock 1-8"....
Remington Brass
140 Amax
fed 210
48.0 IMR 7828 SSC
2800fps

20" Tikka CTR
123 Scenar (or Amax/MatchKing)
Lapua Brass
fed 210
40.5 IMR 4064
2875fps

I have 3 Lbs of Reloader 17, and wondering if it's worth looking at in the 260, opinions? use.....

I have 3 Lbs of Reloader 17, and wondering if it's worth looking at in the 260, opinions? use.....

Definitely worth investigating. Seems to get a little more velocity than H4350 did for me and accuracy was ok too.

John

It works good for me, better than anything else I tried.

I'll give it a go then, I ran out of Hunter, of which I really like, but have easy access to RL17. thanks

I started with Reloder 17 before data was available.
With 130 gr. Berger hunting VLDS I worked up to 45 grs. Very slowly from 42 grs.
This was at an OAL of 2.99" Into the lands just a small amount in my gun.
Nosler load dat shows 45 grs. as max for their 129 gr ABLR at 2.80OAL and their velocity is 3045fpswith 26" barrel.
My 30" krieger beats that by a 100 fps. No pressures signs and accurate. .3-.4'" average at 100 and under an inch off a bipod at 200.
The antelope and hog harvested with it are the only complainers thus far with Reloder 17......

P.s. Its a plains gun so 30" of barrel and 16lbs of weight ain't a problem. Shorter barrels in this caliber I have little experience with.

Above load in my gun was with Remington brass and Federal 210s

I don't know anything about 'plains rifles'.....









Here's the only one that ever weighed 16lbs.... and it lasted about a month before I got sick of packing that fhugkin boat anchor.... it was a 22" 6.5x47 that made 2825ish with 130 VLDs , and it was accurate as hell.... but worthless as a 'plains rifle'...

The plains around here ain't that flat, thankfully, but still no trees to clank barrels on. I do not mind the weight or length of my gun for most of my antelope hunting, but I do have a 7 lb. .243 for a stalking/walking gun also.

True. I know several people who are complete and total A-holes to everybody who is not one of their sycophants who are also correct in various analyses they present. When the homunculus from Alaska states things my father told me decades before I readily admit that he knows at least some things.

Sorry, been busy retiring from the Army here

The barrel is a 26" stainless Mcgowan 1:8 twist

127 LRX
0.050" jump (OAL is about 2.870")
WW7-08 brass necked down
210m
45.6gr H4350

2920fps from a 22" barreled GAP 260. That velocity is based on come ups out to 700 yards measured at 7500' ASL and has held true up to almost 10,000'ASL and down to 940' ASL.

Hot load so start around 42.0 and work up. No pressure signs in my rifle, but 46.0 did start to show pressure and 46.3 had signs of pressure on most cases.

Anyone try Hodgden Superformance with 130g bullets? Based on the Barnes data posted earlier, it should be great velocity if it's accurate.

Barnes Data with a 120 gr TTSX looks great in the 260 Rem.

They list Superformance powder with a 120 TTSX or TSX :

41.7 gr Min @ 2697 fps and 46.3 c gr @ 2963

c = compressed load

Did some work with IMR 4451 in my Savage Predator Max.

Sierra 130 gr HPBT - 43 gr - Lapua case - CCI 200 - 2899 fps and accurate

129 gr Hornady Spire Point - 43 gr - Lapua case - CCI 200 - 2862 fps. Every other 6.5 mm gun I have owned loves this bullet except this one for some reason. Oh well it shoots lots of others great though.

Nice velocity.

Five shots at 100 yrds with an upper end load of R17 (2715fps), 22 " barrel, Berger 140 VLD-Hunting bullet, seated to about .015 off the lands. No pressure signs whatsoever.
Rifle was a bone stock tikka t-3 hunter (wood stock).

g

What is your powder charge in this load It interests me as I usually run 130 gr. Bergers.

I found IMR4320 to be a diamond in the rough with my daughter's Rem Model 7 and the Sierra 120gr PH.



My Rem 700 shot really well with both IMR4064 and RL19 and the Sierra 120gr PH.

Doubletap claims 3,000 fps with their 127 LRX load. Wonder what powder they are using?I wouldn't mind replicating that!!

http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=687

That's moving right along.

H4350 gets me 2925 with the 127 from a 22" tube. 3000 isn't out of the question if you're running a 26" as some are.

Planned to work on a new load this weekend for my .260 Remington with the Hornady 129 gr. SP Interlock. My Nosler brass had developed donuts so I decided to test some shorter Nosler 100 gr. Ballistic Tips instead. Not sure if this would do for hunting whitetail but it might be good for coyotes! Uhh... forgot to pack my chronograph too!

Six shots at 100 yards.



Bullet: Nosler 100 gr. Ballistic Tip
Powder: IMR-4064 41.0 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: Nosler
LOAL: 2.800 (2.270 base to ogive for 0.015 bullet jump to lands)

Ran hondo's 130 gr nosler accubond load today.

130 ab
46.5 gr h4831
Rp brass
Rem 9 1/2

Put 10 into 3/4" 2640 from a 21" barrel

I think my load was 48.5... Great group for 10 shots though.

John

More testing with the Hornady 129 gr. Spitzer Interlock. This load with Reloader 19 is showing potential but it's still not as good as my hunting load with the Nosler 125 gr. Partition. More work to be done.

Five shots at 100 yards with the Hornady 129 gr. (forgot to measure it)



Bullet: Hornady 129 gr. Spitzer Interlock
Powder: Alliant Reloader 19 46.0 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: Remington
LOAL: 2.775 (2.259 base to ogive for 0.005 bullet jump to lands)
Average Velocity: 2854.73 fps
Extreme Spread: 51.98
Standard Deviation: 21.86
Comments: Very good accuracy but need to get ES & SD down.

And five shots with the Nosler 125 gr. Partition.



Bullet: Nosler 125 gr. Partition
Powder: XMR-4350 44.5 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: Remington
LOAL: 2.776 (2.270 base to ogive for 0.006 bullet jump to lands)
Average Velocity: 2938.10 fps
Extreme Spread: 26.15
Standard Deviation: 11.91
Comments: Five shot group at 100 yards 0.679 inches/Five shot group at 200 yards 1.336 inches.

This isn't really a game load but for the sake of science! I usually don't use ball powder for anything but H-414 really surprised me!

I shot some better groups but this is the only one I photographed...

Four shots at 100 yards (I blew one but it's still under one inch).



Bullet: Sierra 140 gr. HPBT
Powder: Hodgdon H414 42.0 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: New Lapua
LOAL: 2.780 (2.272 base to ogive for 0.020 bullet jump to lands)
Average Velocity: 2804.10 fps
Extreme Spread: 30.52
Standard Deviation: 8.60
Comments: Very accurate! Four shot group at 100 yards 0.951 inches

I have killed more than a few deer with the 100 gr BT out of my 260.
It is a death ray on them. Never caught a bullet to see what the retained rate was so all I can tell you is they work.
My vel. is 3250 FPS with H 414 and it shoots bug holes.

@pullit

Thanks! Real world experience wins over theory!

Good stuff. I am getting a rifle re-barreled to .260 right now. The 129 Hornady is my bullet of choice.

I got my rifle done on Friday and have been doing some load work since.

It is a 24-inch Rem-age barrel from Criterion and it is shooting everything that I put through it very well.

I have tried IMR 4451, H4350, IMR 4350,Re 17, and Re 19 so far with the 129 Interlock. Everything shot 1/2-1 moa at 200 yards, but all would have done better with a better shooter!

I also ran a few 120 Speers that I had and they shot well, too. The speers really liked Varget, but the other powders were fine, too.

I settled on two very good loads with the 129s for my go-to stuff this season.

44 grains of Re 17 got me 3010 fps with a 19 fps es on three shots over the chrono.

44.7 grains of IMR 4350 got me 2990. Both loads were easily under moa @ 200, even with me shooting.

This afternoon, I shot a handful of 143 Eld-x that my buddy gave me. I stoked 47 grains of H4831ssc under them and went to the range. They shot just as well as any of the other bullets and got 2700 ish fps mv.

This is my second Criterion barrel and I am really happy with it. My 7 mag barrel shoots just as well.

Tikka T3x CTR
Hornady 123 SST
43gr. H4350
OAL 2.910 (forgot the jump)
CCI 200
Lapua Brass
No chrono, so no speed
5 shots@100
shot on left is cb shot

My pet load in my Rem Ti G1:
F210
120g TSX
COL: 2.790
48g H 4350
Lapua brass

Criterion barrels do shoot well, I have two criterion in 260 Rem, and 7 SAUM.

Anybody tried a 260 in a DPMS platform? I have wanted a LR308 for awhile as well as something in a 260. So I decided to build one and satisfy both wants. Used an 80% lower I had and ordered a McGowen Semi-HBAR barrel. Still waiting to get to the range and do a barrel break-in. Once that is done I am going to have to come up with a load for it. I'm thinking Berger VLD Hunting in either 130 or 140. This will be my first experience with both the rifle and the caliber. Plan on using it hunting even though it comes in at 10 pounds.

Hope it works well for you. My .260 weighs 10 pounds and it is a bolt. The weight is no big deal. I like the 130-grain weight of bullets, as I am not a mega-range shooter and the rifle is for deer. I think that bullet weight is the right balance for that caliber.

I have come to the same realisation and really like 130's in my 260 as well. Use a powder like H 4350 or IMR 4451 and similar powders and you will be good to go.

39grs of Varget OR IMR 4064 with 130's works great.

I have been messing around with 120 TSXX and 48.5 grs of H4831SC. I found the Barnes bullets on sale for $33 a box so I bought 4 of them.

What velocity?

I have not chrony this load. All I know is it shoots good and will be fast enough for coyotes.

was getting bored, so tried something different, new target/hunting load:

Rifle:
Stock T3X CTR
Brass: Lapua (minimal prep)
Primer: CCI 200
Bullet: 130gr. Berger VLD Hunting
Powder: 43.3gr. H4350
COAL: 2.910"
Approx .4 MOA.

Still no chrony, so no velocity, ES...

47 grains of WW760 under a 95 grain V max has been good in my 700 Limited.

I read about accuracy issues with this bullet, but it shoots about .75 for three shots in my rifle.

147gr Hornady ELD-M, over a heavy load of Re19, has proven to be an extremely accurate combo in my .260. I get 2724 fps, from the 24-inch barrel and under 1/2 moa accuracy.

Working up some loads in a customer's Savage 12, 3-shots run 0.420" at 200 yds with 140 gr SSTs using 40.5 gr H4350 clocked at 2661 fps. 120 gr AMAXs with 43.0 gr H4350 grouped 0.380" @ 100 yds running 2860 fps. I ran a string of 10 shots using H4831sc from 42.1-45.7 gr and they all grouped in 1.120" @ 200 yds with the 140 SSTs, velocities ran 2487-2737 fps. Needless to say I'm impressed with the potential of the model 12 LRP, the gun is heavy and pleasurable to shoot.

I have worked up to 46.5 grs of Reloder 26 with a 147Gr Hor. ELD-M and it has been both fast and accurate in my gun. OAL length at lands is 2.95 and there is still alot of bullet in case . Have only killed a few pd's thus far but I am optimistic about results on antelope and deer.

I am hoping that my neighbor comes through with some depredation permits, so that I can test the 147s.

Anyone rocking the Nosler Long Range Accubonds with H4831SC?

I've shot the 142 LRAB with 44.o gr H4831sc (Nosler's accuracy powder and best wt. BTW) for sub-MOA out of my 1:8 twist Tikka. I've got 45.o gr loaded and ready for evaluation. The 143 ELD-X and 139 are more accurate in my early trials.

My current 260 Rem load is 46.5 grs of H4831 or H4831SC, and works really well with 140 Hybrids. Lapua brass and Wolf LR primers. Very accurate load in my rifle.

I used the 129 gr ABLR with H 4350, shot so well I never tried anything else.




What kind of speeds are you getting? I have always had excellent accuracy with H 4831sc but they were always about 100 fps slower than what they should have been. Have had better luck with the 4350 burn rate powders.

I have loaded the 129gr with 46gr's of H4831SC and had good accuracy. The nosler data says they max out at 47.5, was hoping to hear someone that pushes them to the max.

I'm going to have to try some H4350, seems a lot of people like it for the 260

Re 17 got me more velocity in my rifle with 129 Hornadys. IMR4350 was next down. H4350 was OK, but not as good as either of those two. Re19 is the ticket for 143ELD-M in my rifle, clocking 2724 fps.

Remington 700 Stainless Mt. Rifle. Barns 120 gr. TTSX. Powder Hybrid 100V 39.4gr.,Federal 210M primers, C.O.A.L. 2.770 2918fps. 3 shot group .8 @100yds 2 shot group .25 @ 100yds.

IMR 4451 has been pretty good for me with other bullets around 130 gr so far as well if you can't find H 4350 anywhere.

49.o gr H-1000 (heavily compressed) + CCI-200 + Lapua 7-08 cases + 143 ELD-X in a Tikka T3 1:8 twist. Seated at max magazine length of 2.800" Will likely go sheep hunting next month.

MM I have not tried H1000 seems as though its worth a try. I note all the load data says 48 to 50gr. Can you actually fit 50 gr in a Lapua case? Have you checked velocity?

Faster or slower than H4831SC?

Good luck and shoot straight all

Bob

I was using H4831sc for starters, as it is Noslers listed accuracy powder with 140-142 gr bullets, I was getting great results with it but decided to try some H-1000 on a whim after seeing data for in on Hodgdon's site and having some one hand. H-1000 has done better during all my tests against 45.o and 45.5 gr of H-4831sc at 200 and 300 yds. It's 2-3 grains slower and, no, I have not run either over the chronograph yet. They should both do slightly over 2,700 fps by my reckoning.

Hornady 147 ELD - hbn coated
Lapua brass
CCI 200
22" bbl

48 gr RL 26 - 2,787 fps

42.5 gr RL 17 - 2,775 fps

I just was looking back through this thread and saw my mistake. It should have read "147 ELD-M".

I've got a bunch of the 136 L's so am going to give this load a try in my .260.
Thanks!

I just picked up some 139 scenars.

Anyone have good load info? I'm thinking around 42 grains of H4350. Maybe try R26?

Yes sir... 42-42.5gr H4350 will be right in there

My wife's 20" CTR .260 runs the 139 Scenar at 2725fps with 42.5gr IMR 4350. Our son killed a deer and an antelope with that bullet last year.

43.5 grains IMR4350 behind the 130 Accubonds clocked 2778 out of the same rifle today, she pounded steel/rocks out to 560... and didn't miss. She and the kids will be shooting that load at deer, elk, and antelope this fall.

I have some Benchmark laying around.....any opinions on using this with 130gr Bergers in a 20" barrel? Not a ton of info out there on anything over 120gr with this powder. Maybe start at 36.5gr and work my way up?

I have a new Tikka, and have gained confidence reading through theses pages.
My 260 is going to be used for elk this fall.
The 130's I intend to practice with, later fine tune with some 140's.

Thank you gentlemen for sharing your experiences.

Who has shot the 100g Barnes TTSX in your 260 Rem? What results did you have? H-4350 works great in mine with other 100g loads so I'm guessing it would with the Barnes as well.

129 IL, 48 grains of Re 26, 2984 FPS. Extreme spread 20 fps. This can be increased somewhat. I ran it with 50 grains and it was too hot, but the es was only 8 fps, @ 3118 fps. All loads 1/2 moa in my Criterion barrel.

47 grains of Re 26 under the 147 ELD-M, got me 2825 fps and superb accuracy.

That's motoring pretty good with RL26, even with a 24" barrel. I get about 100fps less with H4350 and 130's in a 22" factory 700 barrel.

And regarding Hogwild's older post about the 100TTSX, I've been playing with them and Big Game. 47gr with R-P brass, CCI250 mag primers, and a 2.805" OAL yields 3,190fps in 85 degree weather. Nosler goes as high as 47.5gr for well over 3,200 with their 100gr bullets, so I'm trying 47.3gr this weekend, also because my groups were shrinking as my charge weights were going up.

Thanks JPro!

I asked about the Barnes TTSX as my brother ran some calculations on Quickload with that bullet. Using the water capacity of my 260 AI and using the same max pressure as is standard for the 6.5 Creedmoor, here is what QuickLoad predicted:

260 Ackley Improved
100g Barnes TTSX
Fed 210M Primer
50.5g RL17
3,364 fps

That should be a good load. And those aren't crazy numbers. I've killed several deer with the 100g Partition at 3,280fps with 50g of H-4350 and 23" barrel (that load got 3,330 fps back when my barrel was 25" long).

130g might be pushing it as it is a fairly quick powder. I've had good luck with it with 100g bullets and fire-forming with it shooting 120g bullets.

Was browsing shooters pro shop and saw the 6.5 120 grain E-tips on sale so decided to try them. Will probably look at 46 gr Hunter, 44-45 gr H4350, or some RL17. I bet it will do 3,000 fps and knock deer dicks in the dirt.....

Loaded some up with 45-46 grains of Hunter in Alpha brass. We’ll see how she flies in a couple weeks.

Have any Berger users made the switch to the Nosler RDF? At $10-15/box cheaper, wonder how they compare. Plus, wonder if the higher BC is a little inflated......

Got a nice fat doe this weekend with a 123 yard shot from my .260 Remington. Broke the front left shoulder, took out both lungs and the top of the heart. Deer went down within 20 feet.

Bullet: Nosler 125 gr. Partition
Powder: XMR-4350 44.5 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: Remington
LOAL: 2.776 (2.270 base to ogive for 0.006 bullet jump to lands)
Average Velocity: 2938.10 fps
Extreme Spread: 26.15
Standard Deviation: 11.91

Crap groups. Can’t say I wasn’t warned.
Gonna start seating them deeper to see if the groups get better....

couple months old, but if you are after velocity in the 260 with 100 grain TTSX,
try 43.5 grains of 4064.. Large Rifle primer...

3350 fps MV out of the 22 inch barrel of a Ruger 77...

faster out of a 26 inch barrel model 700 VLS...

Anyone trying RL-16 in their 260?

Who has tried the new 107g Sierra TMK? What results have you had? Should be fast and flat. Out to 600 yrs or so it would be tough to beat for shooting flat.

Any suggestions on bullet for antelope? I may get to try it this Oct. I have a 1:9" twist so likely leaves out 140g class bullets.

Oops, double post.

Classic fence post pic Brad......!

That is nice.

Sierra Gamechanger Load Data (130 Tipped Game King)
Lapua Brass, WLR, 2.825 COAL
43.2 H4350 22" Tube 2815 FPS
42.5 2760 FPS

May wanna think again about using the GameChanger after reading this post (yes... loaded with sarcasm ) ... GameChanger on Game

Since the mid 1960's we have been using the Sierra 120 spt in our 6.5's.for deer. Made no difference if it was a 6,5x55, 264 mag or 6.5x06. They have all been mature muley bucks. As this year I took a mature muley buck easily over 200 lbs. About 185 yds. One shot from my 260 with the Sierra 120gr. He went down on the spot. Bullet placement is every thing. If some one looses a buck it's generally poor bullet placement .It doesn't take some special bonded or partitioned type of bullet to take deer.Just properly placed..

I've loaded 260 Rem ammo for deer using 120 grain Ballistic Tips, 129 grain Interlocks and 125 grain Partitions and they've all worked great.

My go-to in both of my .260s, is the 129IL. I backed it down a bit to 43.3 grains of Re 17 and get 2977 fps, with 1/2 moa accuracy to 300. It shoots better than I can out to 530.

Same here

My Rem 700 VTR really likes the 120gr Noslers. Can't get near the same accuracy with 140 gr bullets.

Varget

Agreed, varget is great powder for the 260.

Anyone used 4451 or 4955 on 120gr bullets? I see some info on this thread for 4451 on 130s. Looking to push 120 ttsx out of a short barrel.

Plenty of data at Hogdon. I have not tried either of the Enduron powders but neither seems a bad choice.

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

I've used 414/760 H4350 and H4831SC with 120 NBT and 123 Scenar all have been extremely accurate. Please post your results.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

its close to deer season, less than 30 days here in Oregon...

so I'll muddy up the works for some.... and make a few dads happy looking for a light recoiling load.

22 grains of Blue Dot in a 260 with a 120 gr will yield 2400 fps or so.. depending on barrel length.

and with a 100 grain SP or B/Tip. 2600 fps, with a 22 inch barrel..., either one a 200 plus yard capable deer load.

works for short range needs around the property here....

260 is a great first and last rifle. I used internet 4759 for my boys starting loads. Light and quiet.

Now the boy used 140 nosler partition in front of Ramshot Hunter to kill his elk.
Imr 4759 not internet. Spell check got me.

Loading for a throated 260 today, 3.095" OAL instead of 2.8".
The action is 1903 Turkish Mauser that was Made in Obendorf Germany 1903-1905.
It was converted from 7.65x53 Mauser to 7.92×57mm Mauser in the 1930s by the Turks.

Then converted by me in 2021 to 260 long.
To be tested in 2 weeks.

I think you will LOVE that 260 with a bit of room for bullets. I am happy with mine standard and 140 cup and cores. Folks who want to use any of the mono metals or higher BC 140 + weight bullets find they take up too much case capacity.

Mine loves the NAB LR 142 gr and H4831sc. I bought 1,000's of seconds when they were available.

Got bored with the 129SST and not having an exit, regardless of shot placement or distance (all killed quickly though) and switched to 100gr TTSX over 4064 at @3300fps. No more exit issues and kills just fine

My A bolt has a 1:10 twist so I'm guessing I'm gonna be limited to 130gr and less. Has anyone had any luck with anything heavier in a 1:10?

Anybody tried the 120 Gold dots?

I would if I could find some

I luckily found some 2 weeks ago at midsouth. Looks like they sold out now

No, but my 6.5 CM seems to like the 140 gr Hot Cors. My only issue, I’ve only seen the one box I bought back in June/July. I can find .277 and .308 calibers, but no more .264/6.5 or even .284 bullets.

Nothing new here, loaded up batches of hunting ammo for the old .260 using the Nosler 120 gr. Ballistic Tip and the 125 gr. Partition. Went with the Partitions for hunting (I just trust them!)

The Mike Bryant .260 Remington.



The Nosler 120 gr. Ballistic Tip @100 yards.



And the Nosler 125 gr. Partition.



Doe shot at 80 yards (she never got up but manage to crawl to a nearby fence).

Pbcaster, what powder are you using?

Lapua 136gr Scenars, Rem brass, Wolf LR Primer. The loads below both shoot very well with varget a little slower.

H4350 @ 43.1grs
or
Varget @ 38.5grs

Hudge, here you go. Rifle has a 26-inch, 4-groove, 1:8 twist Krieger Barrel.

Bullet: Nosler 120 gr. Ballistic Tip
Powder: IMR-4350 44.0 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: Remington
LOAL: 2.785 (2.262 base to ogive for 0.012 bullet jump to lands)
Average Velocity: 2907.23 fps

Bullet: Nosler 125 gr. Partition
Powder: IMR-4350 44.0 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: Remington
LOAL: 2.776 (2.270 base to ogive for 0.006 bullet jump to lands)
Average Velocity: 2925.65 fps

Ruger ftw 24”
156 privi partisan
36 grains Precision
Win lr
Starline brass
2.795” col
3/4”
2550 estimate
Put one through a doe at 175 clipped shoulder in center shoulder out high lungs. 40 yards and dead. 1/2 dollar exit wound.

Thanks, I have plenty of H4350 and 120 gr BT’s. I will give it a try.

Anyone have an accurate load for the 129 grain SST? Id like to use it as a coyote/deer load out of my Savage 260.

As much as I wanted to use the 129 grain Hornady IL I couldn't get it to group any better than 1 1/2" out of my 260. The 123 gr. SST shoots around 3/4" but I've read it's not recommended for deer out of a 260. Works great on coyotes. The Nosler and Sierra 120s are not to be found but I did order 200 of the 129 SST to try.

Any opinions/ loads on the 129 SST would be appreciated.

I will never shoot another SST out of anything. They failed me and although people say that they are improved, I see no reason to find out. That being said, in my Criterion barrel, the 129 Interlock over Re 17, or IMR4350 shoots exceptionally well at 2950-ish fps. It is my main rifle for summer depredation work on white tail does. I have killed them past 400 yards.

Unusual for a Savage to not shoot better than that. Have you tried varying the seating-out to max allowable by magazine, of course.?

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I’ve seated the 129 gr. Interlock jammed into the lands and they do shoot better but started seeing pressure signs. If I reduced the load to account for higher pressure, velocity suffered. Seating deeper didn’t improve accuracy . I wasted way too many bullets, primers and powder to mess with them anymore and sold what I had left.
Since my original post I did acquire some 120 grain Nosler and Sierra bullets that I’m going to work with before the 129 SST.

Good thing I reread that, I see it's IMR 4350, which I am low on.

If you have plenty of H4350 you'll be fine.

I finally found some 120 grain Sierra Pro Hunters to try in my Savage 260 and finally got around to loading some today. Started out with the 44 grains of Ramshot Hunter which is the starting load from the Nosler website. I used CCI 200 primers and a length of 2.260” base to ogive, a .020” jump. Velocity averaged 2800 fps for 6 six shots.

I’m not messing with it anymore.

Yes .
I have the same rifle and the 140 Gamekings shot cloverleafs at 100 yards and performed to perfection,

I had this same question after listening to everyone tell me it wouldn't stabilize 140's - but I actually got a response from JB on this and he pulled up a stat showing that twist and bullet were acceptable -good to go.

Of course I couldn't believe my own lying eyes and went off to try 120's. They work perfectly fine but not with the 100% pass through and consistent bang-flops of the 140 GK.

Let me find my load data for you and know that I stick with mostly lighter loads. You have to be careful they fit in the mag in this rifle but my best load that worked was

140 Sierra Gameking with 44.5grain H4831sc loaded to COAL 2.788. No feeding problems. Powder charge is more or less middle of hi - lo according to Lee manual.

I love my A-bolt by the way,

Bullet length is what matters more than weight.

right which is exactly why I haven't gone to Gamechanger or some others.

Best site for comparing that.

Bullet Lengths

Shoot, thanks for the link! Never seen it.

47.o gr H-4831sc + 130 Accubond gets the nod for the deer opener here in a couple of weeks. Of course, everything shoots in my Tikka T-3 (except 100 gr TTSXs for some reason)

You are welcome - happy others can benefit. I shared it a few times before. I like how it denotes length of some of the plastic tips.

I would not mind seeing a site that listed Ogive lengths.

I bought a box and sold them after reading up and being, likely unnecessarily, scared off them. Supposedly more for Grendel speed and I was looking for something perhaps slightly stouter than 120 ProHunters....which honestly work fine.

45.5 grains of H4831 SC with a 140 Nosler Partition @ 2.780 shoot 1/2" groups in my Sako 85 Finnlite

Hi Ghostman, I have the same rifle and have done a fair amount of testing, JB himself sent me the numbers showing a 140 ought to work ok in this rig. I was getting great results with 140 Gamekings and 44.5 grains H4831sc. Mind the coal limits of the magazine though.

I was stupid for not trusting my lying eyes and worrying about twist. Reading too much from this site. I went to 120's and while they work I much prefer the 140SGK.
That combo was like magic in dropping things right there compared to any of my other calibers and combos. Absolute text book.

Since the shortages I have had to bounce around powders and bullets. I bought the Speer Deep Curls but found they are more for Grendel speeds so sold them.
My latest effort took some doing but I found some 140 Hot Cores and been trying Accurate 4350 since I couldn't find H4350....which I bought because I couldn't find IMR4350.
For the heavier bullets like 140grain I think H4831sc is the way to go. It is not hard to find now.
If interested my latest best loads with Accurate 4350 is 42 grain with the Speer HC 140.

I been fidgeting with COAL and for both 140's am setting it at 2.765.

Oh lastly, not sure how long you have had the A-bolt and if it is wood or synthetic. I loved the skinny feel of the factory synthetic but it kicked hard for a 260 so I swapped the pad. It was still not consistent and I found it was very finicky about where you rested the stock. I swapped it out for a Bell and Carlson stock and first time at the range got a 3 shot one hole group and an offer from the guy next to me to buy the rifle. Recoil was drastically cut too.

I did one other mod and that was to buy the Timney (if I recall) trigger spring replacement kit. Two springs- take your pick. I replaced the factory spring- took about two full minutes and adjusted. Super crisp light trigger now. Worth it.

Got a nice rubber sling that makes carrying it a breeze. S&K mounts, which I think are the most attractive, for my Vx3. Love the way the magazine box works , the 60° bolt throw, tang safety and crisp trigger. I know your die hard Alaskan bush people hate this rig but it suits me and my climates to a 'T".

Don’t let people fool you, I know and have hunted with a few Alaskans that carry an A-bolt or x-Bolt up here. Bought my oldest an X-Bolt in 6.5 PRC for Christmas in 21, nice shooting rig.

Nice to know. You want to tell Stick or should I? LOL

Shot them accurately out of two of my Tikka 260s. They worked as expected, killed everything I shot with it but were quite frangible and always made a mess, destroying more meat than I preferred and NEVER had an exit on 10+ kills. All shots under 100 yards, lungs, ribs, heart, shoulder...and neck shot at 30 yards. Never an exit.

out of my Ruger 260s for hunting, I have always used the Hornady 129 and 140 grain SP bullets, running at 2750 from a 22 inch barrel, using 44 grains of IMR 4350....Every deer I've hit with them, sort of expired right there....

I've ran the 100 grain SP, that in their "infinite wisdom" decided to quit making. 43.5 grains of 4064, had them running at 3350 fps MV...from 100 to 400 yds, when it hit the deer, they went down on the spot, even at 300 and 400 yds ( which I was using the hood of a Friends F250 4WD ) when the shots were taken...

The other bullets I've been able to rely on for instant knock down have been 100 and 120 grain Ballistic Tips. They worked better than the 100 grain Partition... The 260 has never failed me, or even thought about failing me.

He can figure it out himself! 😂

Liked reading this. Got a mod 700 in being rebarreled to 260 right now. First load I'm gonna try are 129gr Hornady SP's using RL-19 powder. Also have two more 6.5's a 6.5x55 and 6.5x06 and in both of them I use 140gr bullet's Speer Hot Core in the 6.5x55 and Hornady SP's in the 6.5x06. The 6.5x06 doesn't like the Speer Hot Core and loves the Hornady SP. Want to dedicate the 260 to the 130gr class bullet's.

Did anybody have any luck with the 120 E-tip bullets in the 260? My Ruger M77 has a 1:8.5 twist, I assume they will work because I had shot the 140 Accubond out of the gun before. I ordered some from SPS 2 days ago, I am hoping to get them to 2850 fps or so. The tests I have seen indicate they should expand well down to 2k fps, or 450-500 yard range.

I decided to try some 142-grain LRABs in my large-framed guns. The 142s are available as blems from SPS right now and not a bad price. I figured WTH and laid in a bunch for hog killing.

Looking over my powder selection, Re26 was sitting there and I have no solid plan for it and QuickLOAD was telling me it has the best velocity potential for the list of powders I have on hand (in abundance---don't want to shop for any more!). So, I loaded up three of each charge a couple of weeks ago:

45.8 / Re26
46.1 / Re26
46.4 / Re26
46.7 / Re26
47.0 / Re26

Shot this morning. Conditions were great. Only bad thing was I forgot to grab a magazine and had to single load each round. PITA, but results look promising...



The last shot was just a check for the round I've been hunting with---that's a 120-grain Ballistic Tip running at about 2800. I wanted to see if my junky old Weaver Super Slam was holding zero.

So...it looked like 46.7 to 47.0 was tightening up, so I'm going to shoot five each of 47.2, 47.4, 47.6, and 47.8 to see if there's accuracy in there somewhere. If I can get the kind of accuracy 46.4 was showing and another 60 to 100 fps, why not? The 46.4 load is kinda loafing a bit at 2560 outa my 20-inch barrel and I'd like more if I can have it. If not, then I'll live with 2560 and the hogs won't. I may end up sticking with the 46.4-grain load simply because it's already beginning to compress the power at that point. Don't need bullets creeping up outa the necks as I lay in bed asleep at night. We'll see.

I'm really liking the .260 out of an AR. wish I'd gone that direction a long time ago!

River Rider, nice to see the trending of your first three loads definitely telling you something. I went through such frustration trying to get 85 grain Speers to work with Accurate 4350 in my 6mm. Heard Bergers (hybrids) were easy to load since I couldn't find my old faithful Sierra's. Loaded up a few with H4350 an instantly got nice groups. Of course the question is do I really want to hunt with them? Always something isn't it?

Guess the moral is that should learn is stick with what works and trust my own results. This whole shortages period really threw me off but I am getting back to here I should be finally.

Your loads ought to be pleasant to shoot and give you flexibility to use other standard cup n cores to great effect. I role with lighter loads and those 'fragile' Sierra's typically and it is a good match for my distances.

Well, my .260 Rem likes a very similar load, but the bullet is a 140 gr. Speer Hot-cor. Shot it to confirm last week and got a 3/4” group at 100 yards.

H4350, one of my favorite powder's. What doesn't it shoot well in? Can't find any for quite a while. Just got my 260 and going to use RL-19 in it. Have had good luck with it. Have most of 2 jugs of it left. Sure miss my H4350 though!

When I first started reloading, the very first loads I did up for my .260 was using RL19. My dumbass at the time didn’t take notes, and I got my best ever group with that rifle, but for the life of me haven’t been a let to replicate it.

I just fired these 127g barnes a few days ago with 42.5G of H4350. I have previously tried 129 IL, but I never could group them like I wanted. I made up 2 more loads of the barnes, one at 42.2, and the other at 42.8. 42.8 looks to be about as high as the case will hold with these particular bullets. We'll see how they group on Monday.

That's 4 dead dear right there. Looking good.

Thank you

Anyone besides me have accuracy issues using Hunter with heavier bullets? I've tried 3 different loads of 42, 42.5, and 43, and none would touch 1 MOA with 140g sst. Those same bullets with h4350 are magic.

I’m about all out of Hunter and haven’t seen any here in a while. Maybe your rifle just doesn’t like that powder bullet combination. My .270 WSM was that way with RL-26 and 129 Barnes LRX’s. Switched powders and got 3/4” groups, from what was 2” with RL-26.

Hunter shot respectable groups with 120 ballistic tips, and decent groups with 129 IL, but those 140's absolutely would not group. Thanks for the reassurance.

I’ve got some 130 gr Accubonds I want to try in my .260 Rem with Hunter. Once I see some again, I’m going to scoop it up.