Range Report 260 Rem Factory Ammo Range Review

[TxWelder35]

Alright guys time for me to make my first meaningful post to this forum and add something useful. I didn't see any real reviews on factory 260 ammo anywhere on here.

Headed out to the range today to shoot a new to me rifle. And brought 4 flavors of factory ammo to try out.

Rifle details: Savage model 12 LRP w/ 26" barrel MDT LSS XL Chassis, Vortex Razor Gen 2 4-27, Seekins precision rings, Atlas Cal gen 2 bipod with a rear bag.

Ammo flavors:
-Berger 140gr Hybrid Target
-Berger 136gr Lapua Scenar-L
-Federal Gold Medal Match 142gr SMK
-PRIME 130gr HPBT

Velocities were measured using a $80 Caldwell Chrono. 26" barrel

Berger 140gr Hybrid Target
2605, 2609, 2660, 2705, 2676, 2655, 2655, 2681, 2697, 2683
SD- 33 fps
ES- 100 fps

Berger 136gr Lapaua Scenar-L
2801, 2759, 2753, 2748, 2737, 2735, 2726, 2742, 2737, 2771
SD- 22 fps
ES- 75 fps

Prime 130gr HPBT
2881, 2883, 2830, 2872, 2851, 2710, 2744, 2869, 2868, Error on #10
SD- 63 fps
ES- 171 fps

FGMM 142GR SMK
2742, 2729, 2655, 2684, 2683, 2687
sunshade fell off and didn't get last 4
SD- 32 fps
ES- 87 fps

The Berger Lapua Scenar-L shot the best in my rifle.
The Prime ammo was a big let down. My rifle just must not like it.

Each ammo was only fired 10 rounds. Will repeat this test next time at the range.

Best ammo I shot today was some reloads that were sold to me with the rifle. Best groups was a 5 round groups in 2 holes at around .3" hoping I can get the load data on those rounds. They shot lights out.

 

[Tunnuh]

Is it a factory barrel?

 

[TxWelder35]

Is it a factory barrel?

Yes factory barrel. Had 565 rounds on it at the start of the day.

 

[Steel head]

Nice.
I get excellent accuracy wit FGMM 142 but the vertical at distance is noticeable.

Regardless it’s nice to be able to buy something that shoots well if I’m lazy.

When I first started with 260 target ammo was really rare and stupid expensive.

Good times now for the 260 master race.

 

[ShtrRdy]

That's good to hear.

 

[TxWelder35]

Nice.
I get excellent accuracy wit FGMM 142 but the vertical at distance is noticeable.

Regardless it’s nice to be able to buy something that shoots well if I’m lazy.

When I first started with 260 target ammo was really rare and stupid expensive.

Good times now for the 260 master race.

Give that Berger ammo a try. Lapua brass also

 

[Steel head]

Give that Berger ammo a try. Lapua brass also

Someday I’ll certainly try it.
This is what FGMM does for me though.

 

[TxWelder35]

Someday I’ll certainly try it.
This is what FGMM does for me though.
View attachment 7092072

That's pretty dang good. I've got 30 rounds of the stuff left. Maybe I'll get some better groups

 

[Steel head]

That's pretty dang good. I've got 30 rounds of the stuff left. Maybe I'll get some better groups

When your barrel dies you should look into a Shilen pre fit.
I’m half way through my second one and they haven’t disappointed me.

 

[Ccollins02]

Too bad you didnt get any of the Hornady 130 ELD match in that test. For me personally it has proved to be some good factory 260. I get consistent SD's in the teens and usually around 1/2 minute groups from both my rifles, seems to hold up out to the 7-800 yards I've shot it to as well. Its a little slow at 2820-2830 but it shoots good. I have two cases of 142 GMM I won I'm anxious to try as well...

 

[skatz11]

I’ve tested 130 Prime, 130 HDY ELDM and Fed GMM 142 with my new 260 barrel. It’s all shot well and had decent consistency. 1/2 - 3/4 groups with rear bag and bipod, with my fundamentals most weakest link.

I started the test to get some baseline velocity data to measure my hand loads and barrel life with. Turns out it shoots good enough to be worth keeping a few hundred rounds on hand in case I run short on time for reloading.

I’ll probably stock up on both the Federal and Hornady since the Prime isn’t readily available anymore. I wish I would have bought a few cases instead of just one when it was on sale.

 

[TxWelder35]

I’ve tested 130 Prime, 130 HDY ELDM and Fed GMM 142 with my new 260 barrel. It’s all shot well and had decent consistency. 1/2 - 3/4 groups with rear bag and bipod, with my fundamentals most weakest link.

I started the test to get some baseline velocity data to measure my hand loads and barrel life with. Turns out it shoots good enough to be worth keeping a few hundred rounds on hand in case I run short on time for reloading.

I’ll probably stock up on both the Federal and Hornady since the Prime isn’t readily available anymore. I wish I would have bought a few cases instead of just one when it was on sale.

Im going to give the prime ammo one more chance in my gun. If it doesn't perform ill probably be willing to sell you the reminder of my case. Probably 160 rounds or so.

You can get prime ammo from target sports USA right now.

Prime Ammunition 260 Remington Ammo 130 Gr HPBT Match + - Ammo Deals

Prime Ammunition 260 Remington Ammo 130 Grain HPBT Match + for sale at TargetSportsUSA.com. Enjoy free shipping on bulk 260 Remington ammo.

www.targetsportsusa.com

 

[TxWelder35]

Too bad you didnt get any of the Hornady 130 ELD match in that test. For me personally it has proved to be some good factory 260. I get consistent SD's in the teens and usually around 1/2 minute groups from both my rifles, seems to hold up out to the 7-800 yards I've shot it to as well. Its a little slow at 2820-2830 but it shoots good. I have two cases of 142 GMM I won I'm anxious to try as well...

I'll put that on my list to try out!

 

[tnichols]

Nice.
I get excellent accuracy wit FGMM 142 but the vertical at distance is noticeable.

Regardless it’s nice to be able to buy something that shoots well if I’m lazy.

When I first started with 260 target ammo was really rare and stupid expensive.

Good times now for the 260 master race.

My findings were the same as this ^^^ in a 26” AIAE. Copper Creek with a 142 SMK in Lapua brass was the best “factory” load in my rifle, but I wouldn’t consider it affordable.

 

[mercracing]

I’ve shot a ton of factory 260 ammo out of an AI AT and an AXMC. Prime and FGMM shot well out of the AT. FGMM shot great out of the first 260 barrel I had. I tested Berger 140, ELDM 130, Prime, and FGMM out of a new 260 barrel and had less then stellar results, but it looks like it might be a barrel issue.

 

[brianf]

give copper creek a try, shoot great in my ax
didnt like the berger at all
loved the lapua 139
shot the smk pretty well

 

[Danco411]

That is actually not bad for factory ammo and also indicates why I reload and would never shoot factory ammo unless I was in a pinch.

I'm shooting a Stiller Tac 30 with a Criterion 26" SS 1"8t barrel in a Cadex Dual Strike chassis. I'm using Peterson brass, CCI BR4 primers, 43.5 grains of H4350 powder under the Hornady 147g ELD-M bullets. (.697 (G1) .351 (G7))

2820 FPS
SD - 6
ES - 12

My load is well under max load. My max load of 45.2 gets me to 2960 but my node is at 43.5 and 2820 is plenty fast for the super high BC bullet. It is the SD and ES numbers that make the difference with hand loads. My rifle consistently shoots .3 MOA at 100 and at 1000. although it is possible it is usually hard to do with factory ammo.

I don't mean to stomp on your thread because I enjoy and find valuable posts comparing factory ammo for those who don't reload. My aim is to try and get more new shooters into reloading. It is not all that expensive to load single caliber precision ammo and you end up pay less per round once you purchase your equipment. Cheers!

 

[TxWelder35]

That is actually not bad for factory ammo and also indicates why I reload and would never shoot factory ammo unless I was in a pinch.

I'm shooting a Stiller Tac 30 with a Criterion 26" SS 1"8t barrel in a Cadex Dual Strike chassis. I'm using Peterson brass, CCI BR4 primers, 43.5 grains of H4350 powder under the Hornady 147g ELD-M bullets. (.697 (G1) .351 (G7))

2820 FPS
SD - 6
ES - 12

My load is well under max load. My max load of 45.2 gets me to 2960 but my node is at 43.5 and 2820 is plenty fast for the super high BC bullet. It is the SD and ES numbers that make the difference with hand loads. My rifle consistently shoots .3 MOA at 100 and at 1000. although it is possible it is usually hard to do with factory ammo.

I don't mean to stomp on your thread because I enjoy and find valuable posts comparing factory ammo for those who don't reload. My aim is to try and get more new shooters into reloading. It is not all that expensive to load single caliber precision ammo and you end up pay less per round once you purchase your equipment. Cheers!

My plan is to start reloading here soon. Sure doesn't hurt though to find out what factory ammo shoots well in your rifle though. Mine seems to like that Berger with the 136gr lapua scenar. Shot around 1/2-3/4 MOA. Not bad for a factory load.

 

[tnichols]

My plan is to start reloading here soon. Sure doesn't hurt though to find out what factory ammo shoots well in your rifle though. Mine seems to like that Berger with the 136gr lapua scenar. Shot around 1/2-3/4 MOA. Not bad for a factory load.

Solid thinking on your part. To me, factory ammo is Plan B, and there’s nothing wrong with having an alternate.

 

[the_accuser]

I tried out the following four brands of factory loads in my 20" Tikka 260 Friday. I typically reload but my spare time is limited now so for 2019 I'm going to have to try some factory ammo if I want to do any shooting.

Berger 136gr Lapua scenar
Berger 140gr hybrid
Nosler 130gr RDF
FGMM 142gr SMK

All but the Nosler were sub MOA at 100 yards. The Nosler ammo was around 1.5 MOA at 100 yards. The Berger loads produced really tight groups at 100. I then shot the two loads on steel at 300 and 500 yards. The Berger 140 was right at MOA for both distances but the 136 was sub MOA. I was really hoping the Nosler ammo would have done better as they have a $199 deal for 200 rounds right now.

 

[lash]

Alright guys time for me to make my first meaningful post to this forum and add something useful. I didn't see any real reviews on factory 260 ammo anywhere on here.

Headed out to the range today to shoot a new to me rifle. And brought 4 flavors of factory ammo to try out.

Rifle details: Savage model 12 LRP w/ 26" barrel MDT LSS XL Chassis, Vortex Razor Gen 2 4-27, Seekins precision rings, Atlas Cal gen 2 bipod with a rear bag.

Ammo flavors:
-Berger 140gr Hybrid Target
-Berger 136gr Lapua Scenar-L
-Federal Gold Medal Match 142gr SMK
-PRIME 130gr HPBT

Velocities were measured using a $80 Caldwell Chrono. 26" barrel

Berger 140gr Hybrid Target
2605, 2609, 2660, 2705, 2676, 2655, 2655, 2681, 2697, 2683
SD- 33 fps
ES- 100 fps

Berger 136gr Lapaua Scenar-L
2801, 2759, 2753, 2748, 2737, 2735, 2726, 2742, 2737, 2771
SD- 22 fps
ES- 75 fps

Prime 130gr HPBT
2881, 2883, 2830, 2872, 2851, 2710, 2744, 2869, 2868, Error on #10
SD- 63 fps
ES- 171 fps

FGMM 142GR SMK
2742, 2729, 2655, 2684, 2683, 2687
sunshade fell off and didn't get last 4
SD- 32 fps
ES- 87 fps

The Berger Lapua Scenar-L shot the best in my rifle.
The Prime ammo was a big let down. My rifle just must not like it.

Each ammo was only fired 10 rounds. Will repeat this test next time at the range.

Best ammo I shot today was some reloads that were sold to me with the rifle. Best groups was a 5 round groups in 2 holes at around .3" hoping I can get the load data on those rounds. They shot lights out.

View attachment 7092046View attachment 7092047View attachment 7092048
View attachment 7092069

If that were my test, until I found out what the hand loads are and started loading them, I’d be retesting and shooting those Berger 136g Scenars. Look at your groups. Those are groups I would prefer over the split hand load groups. Plus, look closely at the chrono data. What sticks out to you in that string versus the strings from the other factory loads?

Correct. The one reading over 2800 doesn’t fit. Sure, it could have been one bad round out of ten, or it could have been a first round bad reading from a $90 chrono. Without that shot, your rounds all fell within a 45 FPS ES. Your groups seem to reflect that.

Just something to consider.