260 Loads Only

For what it's worth, here's my load data:
Savage 12 LRP (26" barrel, 1:8.0" twist) in 260 Remington
Remington brass (full length sized)
TUL large rifle primers
42.0 gr Hodgdon H4350
140 gr Hornady BTHP Match bullets (perform nearly identical to 140 gr Hornady A-MAX)
2677 FPS at 10' using ProChrono at 4770' elevation 60F

I've used this load for the past year, and it performs well in no wind/light wind environments. I do a lot of windy shooting and have a supply of 140 gr Hornady BTHP bullets, so I'll be spending the next few weeks developing a new load. I suspect it will plateau around 43.3 gr H4350.
 
39.3 and 39 of varget pushing the 130 GMK makes less than half inch holes at 100 yds, stuffed in Lapua brass that is turned, sized with lee collet die, primer pocket and FH uniformed. shot out of a LRI build 700 rem with a Rock 26" 8 twist MTU barrel.
 
For what it's worth, here's my load data:
Savage 12 LRP (26" barrel, 1:8.0" twist) in 260 Remington
Remington brass (full length sized)
TUL large rifle primers
42.0 gr Hodgdon H4350
140 gr Hornady BTHP Match bullets (perform nearly identical to 140 gr Hornady A-MAX)
2677 FPS at 10' using ProChrono at 4770' elevation 60F

I've used this load for the past year, and it performs well in no wind/light wind environments. I do a lot of windy shooting and have a supply of 140 gr Hornady BTHP bullets, so I'll be spending the next few weeks developing a new load. I suspect it will plateau around 43.3 gr H4350.

You may want to try a different chrono...You sure you didn't mean 2877? I'm getting 2925-2940 with only one more grain of powder than you and 140 amax, same length barrel.

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You may want to try a different chrono...You sure you didn't mean 2877? I'm getting 2925-2940 with only one more grain of powder than you and 140 amax, same length barrel.

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I won't go so far as to say my Chronograph could not be inaccurate, but it is very doubtful. According to Hodgdon, a 140 gr bullet fired from a 24” barrel with 42.0 gr H4350 will produce their maximum suggested velocity of 2680 FPS. According to me, a 140 gr bullet fired from my 26" barrel with 42.0 gr H4350 produces 2677 at 4770' elevation 60F. Since my measurement is nearly identical to Hodgdon's, it seems more likely that your measurement is wrong... especially since most people see major pressure issues at 2900 FPS with 140 gr bullets.

Mine was measured ten feet away, in a shaded area, with hoods on. I also stated my elevation and temperature. What conditions are you testing in?
 
260 Loads Only

Das,
Don't sweat it. I recorded 2,780 with 43.5 H4350 and a 130 VLD out of a 24" barreled 260 when a bunch of people get around 2,900. The pronghorn and mule deer don't know the difference!


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I won't go so far as to say my Chronograph could not be inaccurate, but it is very doubtful. According to Hodgdon, a 140 gr bullet fired from a 24” barrel with 42.0 gr H4350 will produce their maximum suggested velocity of 2680 FPS. According to me, a 140 gr bullet fired from my 26" barrel with 42.0 gr H4350 produces 2677 at 4770' elevation 60F. Since my measurement is nearly identical to Hodgdon's, it seems more likely that your measurement is wrong... especially since most people see major pressure issues at 2900 FPS with 140 gr bullets.

Mine was measured ten feet away, in a shaded area, with hoods on. I also stated my elevation and temperature. What conditions are you testing in?

Elevation is not going to affect mv by more than a few feet per second. Temperature on an extreme powder will vary mv only a little. I haven't noticed more than a 25-30fps change in mv between a 50 degree temp swing here in AZ. Barrel length will have the biggest impact on mv of any other factor. A mere 2 extra inches of barrel will account for as much as 100fps, sometimes more.
To answer your question, I am using a Magnetospeed chronograph, and my conditions were around 78f and around 5500ft DA.
Also, my measured velocity matches my ballistics calc quite well, all the way out to 1,000 yards. In fact, if I dial what my ballistics tells me exactly it will impact high at almost any known distance, which indicates that either I'm conservative in my input velocity of 2925 or hornady is conservative in their advertised bc of the 140 amax.


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2677 out of a 26" barrel behind 42 grains of H4350 is subsonic. I don't think I would be trusting your chrono. Might be your barrel but I doubt it.
 
Elevation is not going to affect mv by more than a few feet per second. Temperature on an extreme powder will vary mv only a little. I haven't noticed more than a 25-30fps change in mv between a 50 degree temp swing here in AZ.
So according to you, a 50F temperature difference won't make more than "25-30fps change in mv"? Sorry, but there's data all over this forum this indicates a 50F increase in temperature can add a whole lot more than 30 FPS. Even my own data reveals a difference of 100 FPS difference between 55F and 95F.

2677 out of a 26" barrel behind 42 grains of H4350 is subsonic. I don't think I would be trusting your chrono. Might be your barrel but I doubt it.
I have to wonder if you know what subsonic means, because the accepted FPS for subsonic speed is 1125 and yet you quoted the 2677 FPS my load produces. Also, did you see where I quoted Hodgdon's website? My 42.0 gr of H4350 produces 2677 from a 140 gr bullet and 26" 1:8 twist barrel in cool weather, and their MAXIMUM suggested load is that same 2677 FPS from a 140 gr bullet and 24" 1:9 twist barrel in unknown temperature. I'm dead-on with their performance exceptions and nearly identical to many others who have posted in this thread, so it's unclear why you and bodywerks seem to think my equipment is faulty.

You can view the min/max load data here, then forward you complaints and objections to Hodgdon.
 
Shot 0.16 MOA yesterday in 15mph wind at 100 yards. Lapua brass with 140gr Berger bullets over 45.7gr H4831 (haven't been able to find H4350 lately, so tried this and very impressed) with no pressure signs. Did not have time to chrono the load, but will in the near future.
 
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I dont fuss too much over chrono readings. I use them as a starting point for developing a drop data sheet. Once I get a mv, I put together a data sheet and head to the range. That is what really matters, where the bullet goes at distance. I couldnt care less about mv, but do care a lot about how much to come up to put me on target.
 
So according to you, a 50F temperature difference won't make more than "25-30fps change in mv"? Sorry, but there's data all over this forum this indicates a 50F increase in temperature can add a whole lot more than 30 FPS. Even my own data reveals a difference of 100 FPS difference between 55F and 95F.


I have to wonder if you know what subsonic means, because the accepted FPS for subsonic speed is 1125 and yet you quoted the 2677 FPS my load produces. Also, did you see where I quoted Hodgdon's website? My 42.0 gr of H4350 produces 2677 from a 140 gr bullet and 26" 1:8 twist barrel in cool weather, and their MAXIMUM suggested load is that same 2677 FPS from a 140 gr bullet and 24" 1:9 twist barrel in unknown temperature. I'm dead-on with their performance exceptions and nearly identical to many others who have posted in this thread, so it's unclear why you and bodywerks seem to think my equipment is faulty.

You can view the min/max load data here, then forward you complaints and objections to Hodgdon.

I guess if you're happy with 2677 and the lofty trajectory, higher flight time, higher lag time, and lower impact energy that comes with it then that's all that matters. It'd be interesting to see if that number plugged into ballistics calcs gives matching dial up at various distances compared to actual dope. I would not be satisfied with a number that is barely on par with Hodgdon posted data, given that they are very conservative on their loads, including max powder charge and seating depth.
Even my 308 pushed 175gr bullets faster than you're pushing those 140s...

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I guess if you're happy with 2677 and the lofty trajectory, higher flight time, higher lag time, and lower impact energy that comes with it then that's all that matters. It'd be interesting to see if that number plugged into ballistics calcs gives matching dial up at various distances compared to actual dope. I would not be satisfied with a number that is barely on par with Hodgdon posted data, given that they are very conservative on their loads, including max powder charge and seating depth.
Even my 308 pushed 175gr bullets faster than you're pushing those 140s...
Which is exactly why my post said:
I do a lot of windy shooting and have a supply of 140 gr Hornady BTHP bullets, so I'll be spending the next few weeks developing a new load. I suspect it will plateau around 43.3 gr H4350.
If I get 2677 now with 42.0 gr H4350, I'll be much closer to 2800 with 43.3 gr.
 
Well I made it to the range to do some work with the SF powder. Thank you Southpaw for starting the testing and thread. Anyway, the chrono was being a pain, so I only shot one load.

Rifle: Remington 700 .260
McGowen barrel, 1:8 twist, 26"

48.3 SF
Lapua virgin brass
BR2, 123 Scenar 2.235 to ogive
3172 was average with a 40 SD.
Not satisfied with that SD
.510, 5 shots

There were no pressure signs anywhere with the brass. Lapua is somewhat heavier than Remington, but again, no issues. I will try to get better info with the Lapua in the near future. Was dissappointed with the chrono being such a pain.
 
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Long Rifles Inc. M700 build. 22" Bartlein SS barrel, 1:8" twist 5R, rem varmint contour.

140 Amax at 2.800" COAL
42.3gr H4350
Rem .260 brass
CCI #200

2716 fps average. .3-.5 MOA accuracy. Tested at 533, 772, 1057, and 1229yd today, all 1/2 MOA vertical or better. Windage... is another story. Time to practice.
 
I just purchased a Model 12 Savage LRP in 260 Remington. I bought some 123gr Lapua Scenars and cannot find any published bullet reloading data on the Internet. Does anyone have some good recipes I can start with? I'm looking for suggestions for powder type and weight, and bullet seating depth (from ogive). I will be using Lapua brass and CCI 200 primers. Powders that I own now are: Varget, H4350, H380, RL19, RL15, IMR 4064
 
142gr SMK
REM 9 1/2 LRP
FED Brass Trimmed to 2.015"
43.5 gr IMR7828
loaded to 0.010" from the lands.

2740fps from 28" criterion barrel (1/8 twist)

This is slightly compressed (tiny bit of crunching), but had an ES of 11 and an SD of 4.
 
Shot 0.16 MOA yesterday in 15mph wind at 100 yards. Lapua brass with 140gr Berger bullets over 45.7gr H4831 (haven't been able to find H4350 lately, so tried this and very impressed) with no pressure signs. Did not have time to chrono the load, but will in the near future.

I have had great results with H-4831 as well. It's extremely accurate and consistent in both of my 260s. It doesn't get quite as much velocity as 4350, but just as good or better in every other way, especially since h-4350 is virtually impossible to find these days.
 
My 260 is working really well with H4831SC and 140 Hybrids. 24" Criterion barrel 1:8 twist.

260 Lapua brass
140 Hybrid
H4831SC @ 46.5grs
Wolf LR Primer
.016" off the lands
COL @ 2.960"

Speed 2808 avg with 12 shots. 11ES / 5 SD. It's super consistent and have only shot it to 700 yards so far, and is holding under half MOA easy.Super impressed with H4831 so far. Varget and H4831 has been really top performers in my rifle.
 
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Just put this together yesterday:

139 Scenar
47.0 H4831SC
210m
2x fired necked-down WW 7-08 brass

It's half MOA at 100y and at 300y with less than 1" vertical at 300y. That's five rounds per group, but only had time for one group each at 100 and 300. From a 100y Z I'm up exactly 1 MIL at 300y which should put MV at 2750ish. Hope to get dope to 1000y Thursday.

For reference, the other load I was testing yesterday was:

123 Scenar
46.1 H4350
210m
2x WW708

This load also shot 1/2 @ 100y, but barely held 1MOA at 300y with a touch over 2.5" of vertical. Only needed 0.7 up from 100y so it's moving at 2950ish. Would have been a great load had it held together at longer range. I'll tweak it a bit and retest, maybe different primers, when I have time.
 
Here are the results of load workup with RL19. Seems this is the recipe my rifle likes.

I tried H4350 with 123gr Nolser Competition bullets and CCI 200 primers and Lapua brass (resized and trimmed). My groupings were not good as expected from many comments about the powder. Is H4350 better for heavier bullets (140 grains). RL19 produced fantastic groups with the 123 gr Noslers. Anyone have great results with 123 grain bullets other than RL19? RL19 is hard to find now and I'm looking for alternatives.
 
I just purchased a Model 12 Savage LRP in 260 Remington. I bought some 123gr Lapua Scenars and cannot find any published bullet reloading data on the Internet. Does anyone have some good recipes I can start with? I'm looking for suggestions for powder type and weight, and bullet seating depth (from ogive). I will be using Lapua brass and CCI 200 primers. Powders that I own now are: Varget, H4350, H380, RL19, RL15, IMR 4064

I have your same rifle and components, but you'll need to work up a load specific to your conditions/gear. Create a test set of at least three rounds each between 44.0-47.0 grains in half grain increments. Create a board with small targets labelled for each individual load, and cycle one round per target then repeat all over again. Some suggest 100 yards, but I think you get better results at 200. Once you can see which charges cause the horizontal deviation to shrink, fine tune another set of rounds every 0.2 grains and test a longer distance.
 
Unfortunately, that's a long story, as I messed up my last ladder set. It's somewhere between 2850 and 2950.

My latest good data is as follows: (CCI 200 primers, bullet 0.020 off lands, Chrony Beta, 5164 ft, 70F)

42.5 gr, 2833 fps, 23.21 sd, 0.92" group
43.0 gr, 2842 fps, 14.79 sd, 0.72" group
43.5 gr, 2876 fps, 20.39 sd, 0.59" group

I expect I still have a long way to go, as the case can probably hold 46 - 48 grains with a 140gr bullet.

And I'm pretty sure I need to experiment with that bullet-to-lands distance. I tried some loads with zero jump distance and got 150-200 fps more but SD shot up as well.

Hope that helps!
 
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I'm in the process of having a custom M40A1 rifle built using a Lilja barrel. Obviously, I'm taking some liberties with it, as the caliber will be .260 Remington. I believe the originals had 24" barrels or maybe 25.5" (I believe some of the specs varied over time, or maybe the 24" is from the lug). Anyway, what would be an optimal barrel length for this gun to have? I'm interested in eeking out all the performance I can from the .260 Remington and so might be interested in a longer barrel than the standard 24" rifle barrel. What's a good length to go up to without having to stick it out my car window on the way to the gun range? Or should I just stick with 24"?

Thanks,
Jay
 
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Does anyone have a T3 in 260 Remington that has tried Berger 140 OR 130 VLD? My gun shoots everything super consistent but these. I just tried 2.214 (about 2.870 OAL) to the ogive with 43 gr of H4350 and CCI BR primers / lapua brass....and it shoots like crap. I've tried sizes from 2.204 to 2.222 to the ogive and R19 H4350 and H4831sc powder without much luck.
The VLD are the only bullet I cannot figure out......thoughts?

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Did you try their loading guidance? Thinks it's 0.01, 0.05, 0.09 and then 0.13 off lands to find starting spot, then go from there. Its somewhere on the Hide

Thanks for your input. Ive seen some threads about the VLD but not with T3 platforms. I may have to go back and try it again....I feel like I'm missing something. I'm not a new reloader and have many successful loads however this bullet design has been my kryptonite.

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Load testing is getting boring! I've burned through an entire box of 140gr Nosler Custom Comp during load testing. But this morning I got a very definitive ladder of charge weights with consistent SD from one charge to the next, so I'm settling on this for now:

Lapua brass, CCI primers, 140gr Berger Hybrid, 0.010" jump to lands, PowerPro 2000MR 43.5 grains. Average velocity is 2928 fps in my rifle, and accuracy seems better than I'm capable of shooting (which is lately 0.5 MOA on a good day, but I'm getting some "one ragged hole" bursts from the rifle that make me think I am the limiting factor). The CCI 200 primers are giving me around 14 SD so I'll probably switch to the BR2.
 
Load testing is getting boring! I've burned through an entire box of 140gr Nosler Custom Comp during load testing. But this morning I got a very definitive ladder of charge weights with consistent SD from one charge to the next, so I'm settling on this for now:

Lapua brass, CCI primers, 140gr Berger Hybrid, 0.010" jump to lands, PowerPro 2000MR 43.5 grains. Average velocity is 2928 fps in my rifle, and accuracy seems better than I'm capable of shooting (which is lately 0.5 MOA on a good day, but I'm getting some "one ragged hole" bursts from the rifle that make me think I am the limiting factor). The CCI 200 primers are giving me around 14 SD so I'll probably switch to the BR2.

Wow! 2928 FPS seems really hot for 140gr Berger. Are you getting any pressure signs? What rifle are you using?

I'm working up reloads for my Savage 12 LRP 260 and am only getting 2850 FPS with 123gr Nosler Competitions. My accuracy falls off past 2850 fps. Best load I'm getting so far is with 37.5gr IMR 4064 (0.316 MOA @ 100 yds). Tried H4350, RE19, and RE15. Was getting over 1.0 MOA @ 100 yds with these powders. Seems like my rifle likes IMR 4064 from 37.0gr to 38.0 gr. Have not chronographed the loads yet since I'm just figuring what's best in my rifle. I'm guessing, based on Nosler reload data, I'm pushing the 123gr's around 2830 fps with IMR 4064. I'm seating my bullets 2.800 COAL. Can't find any 260 Remington Hornady bullet comparator for my COAL gauge to measure my distance to the lands.
 
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Varget and 4064 will get you more velocity with less powder with the 123 - 130 gr bullets, good accuracy, the H 4350 seems to work better with the 140 - 142 class bullets. Just my experience with MY rifle work up your own though.

I shot some different loads with IMR 4064 today and got much better results than with H4350. Best group was around 0.316 MOA @ 100 yards. I have some Nosler 140's on the way and will try the H4350 with them. I'm sticking with the IMR 4064 (for 120-125 grain bullets) since I'm getting great groupings. I'll play with bullet seating to see if I can shrink the groups more.
 
Varget and 4064 will get you more velocity with less powder with the 123 - 130 gr bullets, good accuracy, the H 4350 seems to work better with the 140 - 142 class bullets. Just my experience with MY rifle work up your own though.

I shot some different loads with IMR 4064 today and got much better results than with H4350. Best group was around 0.316 MOA @ 100 yards. I have some Nosler 140's on the way and will try the H4350 with them. I'm sticking with the IMR 4064 (for 120-125 grain bullets) since I'm getting great groupings. I'll play with bullet seating to see if I can shrink the groups more.
 
Are you getting any pressure signs? What rifle are you using?

I got pressure signs when I reached 44.5gr (2985 fps) so I backed down to 43.5 which my Savage 12 LRP seems to love. Interestingly, my rifle can drop 50 fps if I let the barrel get really dirty.

Yeah, either my rifle is a rather speedy copy of the 12 LRP, or my chronograph is lying to me. My first load in this rifle was some 120gr Amax, where 43.5gr IMR4831 reached 2997 fps and 43.5gr PP2000MR got 3152 fps on my chrono.

I'm working up reloads for my Savage 12 LRP 260 and am only getting 2850 FPS with 123gr Nosler Competitions. My accuracy falls off past 2850 fps. Best load I'm getting so far is with 37.5gr IMR 4064 (0.316 MOA @ 100 yds). Tried H4350, RE19, and RE15. Was getting over 1.0 MOA @ 100 yds with these powders. Seems like my rifle likes IMR 4064 from 37.0gr to 38.0 gr. Have not chronographed the loads yet since I'm just figuring what's best in my rifle. I'm guessing, based on Nosler reload data, I'm pushing the 123gr's around 2830 fps with IMR 4064. I'm seating my bullets 2.800 COAL. Can't find any 260 Remington Hornady bullet comparator for my COAL gauge to measure my distance to the lands.

I was loading the Nosler Custom Comp to 2.795, which was 0.010 from the lands in my rifle. The Berger Hybrid needs 2.948 OAL to have the same jump in my rifle.

A chronograph would be better than guessing, even a very basic one. Each rifle is different, so the only way to truly know the limits, weak points, and magic formula is to measure as much as possible.

I got my 260 Modified Case for my Hornady OAL Gauge from a guy on eBay who makes them. Shipping was fast and my case seems to work great.
 
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I tried H4350 with 123gr Nolser Competition bullets and CCI 200 primers and Lapua brass (resized and trimmed). My groupings were not good as expected from many comments about the powder. Is H4350 better for heavier bullets (140 grains). RL19 produced fantastic groups with the 123 gr Noslers. Anyone have great results with 123 grain bullets other than RL19? RL19 is hard to find now and I'm looking for alternatives.

Shot some 123 gr Lapuas to day with IMR-4350 and did quite well. 42.0 grains gave best accuracy (1/4 moa at 100 yds) and just under 3000 fps. 43.5 gr went 3096 fps but didn't group quite as well although it held tighter SD; single digit. No pressure signs either. I only shot one 5 shot group at 43.5, so it could have been me. I will be retesting again as soon as I get more 123s. Used up what I had left today.
 
Here are some 260 loads im doing OCW test on. Stock Savage 12 LRP.

Lapua 139 grain and 2000MR. So far the Lapuas are not working in my rifle. FPS is all over the place. I bought some 4350 to try with lapuas. If the results are the same then im done with lapuas.


Hornady 140 BTHP and 2000MR. Grouped better than Lapuas and FPS was much more consistent. I know its only 4 shots but I've never gotten an ES of 6fps and stdev of 3. If the Hornady works out at a longer range I think it will be what ill be using. Same BC as the lapuas but 30% cheaper.

Thinking either 41.2 or 41.8 should be tested further.


Nosler 140 grain CC and 2000MR. I shot these just for fun. No OCW. 41.0grain. The only difference between the groups is the amount of neck sized and scope adjusment after the 1st group was shot. Necks were sized From 1/4 to full. I though it was interesting that there was a 150fps difference between 1/4 and full neck.



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I cannot fathom why you guys load to 2.8 oal - almost no rifle does not allow you to get much closer to lans. My two savages criterion and shillen in 1/8 both allow me to run all 140 class bullets at 2.85- 2,9 range. Now if for some reason you bought a short action with way short mag capacity, then it makes sense but nobody except ar/fn crowd need to shorten to book listing of 2.8. I get 2850-2880 fps on all the 140 class bullets with no pressure using a variety of powders ( vit 550, imr4350, n160 are great for this bullet weight). lighter bullets can use varget or rl15ish powders. I would never tolerate a meager 2600 or 2700 speed out of a 260 in the 140 bullet range. Then again I barrel my own savages with good quality barrels ( not sloppy chamber) and know they are not factory slop headspaced. Remember improperly headspaced chambers can show pressure signs on brass. if I could only get 2650 range in the 140 bullet, I would buy a headspace guage and see what is going on. And my barrels are 24" and 26" varm contour. Not ragging on you guys but anyone who thinks book velocities are what to expect does not know what they are doing and might as well buy factory ammo. The most accurate book for me seems to be the nosler one, but even it is around 100 fps slower than what I can easily achieve.
 
I have a 260 I just had built and have read on the Hide here to check for load data and I think you all for the info. Currently using 140 grain Berger hunting vld set at 2.825 with Lapua brass fm primer and 40 grains H4350 which gives me a .141 group at 100 yards. If I use more powder my accuracy goes and anything above 41 grains I start seeing extractor marks. Have not checked speed yet but I'm pretty sure it is going to be slow. I may have to drop to a 130 grain bullet to get speed up. My rifle has a 26" Bartlein barrel with 1-8 twist.
 
I have a T3 sporter, that loves the 130 - 140gr projectiles. Im using AR 2213sc & Rel 19, almost identical groups. My COAL is 2.980. with a bit of dremel work they fit in the mag.
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