.260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

[Das Capitolin]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

In all honesty I've found hundreds of rifle cases, and never .308 oddly enough.

 

[FCS]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

144 SMK is a bullet Sierra makes for European customer. Customer didn't take all of an order and Graf's ended up with the bullets.

BC is same as 142 SMK when I called in to Sierra.
Load data is same as 142 SMK.

Reading between the lines from what the Sierra tech would tell me, the 144 SMK is a 142 w/2 gr heavier core.

 

[Jerry m]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootist2004</div><div class="ubbcode-body">there is no 1745 144 matchking on Sierras website.
(unless you know something we dont know) </div></div>

Norma loads the 6.5X55 Swede with the 144 SMK bullet. I have not seen them advertized elsewhere, but I have some and they do weigh 144 gr.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[mouse07410]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Resurrecting this thread.

New to this caliber, trying to decide on the bullet - the choice is between 140gr A-MAX and 142gr SMK. Any input/feedback as to which one is likely to perform better at LR? We're talking bolt-action, 26" barrel, 1:8.5" twist.

<span style="font-style: italic">I understand all that stuff about individual rifles having their own preferences. Still, as there may be some common trends & patterns - trying to see if there's some consensus wrt. performance of these bullets that would save me time & money on experimenting, by learning from what somebody else may have already done.</span>

 

[Ring]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

i have shot the 140amax and 140 and 142 SMK, all have shot great out of my savage/shilen 8tw, the amax is WAY better if you plane on hunting anything with it, i have not had a chance to shoot any of those past 1500y, this is subsonic for my load, ill have a chance this summer, but unless you are shooting past 1500 i wouldnt worry about it... on a side note, the amax are WAY cheaper!

 

[03psd]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Can .243 cases be necked up to use for .260 Remington?

 

[mouse07410]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have shot the 140amax and 140 and 142 SMK, all have shot great out of my savage/shilen 8tw</div></div>
Great to hear, thanks!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...the amax is WAY better if you plane on hunting anything with it</div></div>
I haven't planned on hunting with it - but definitely want to keep that option open. That means - I'll be stocking 140gr AMAX.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have not had a chance to shoot any of those past 1500y, this is subsonic for my load, ill have a chance this summer, but unless you are shooting past 1500 i wouldnt worry about it... on a side note, the amax are WAY cheaper!</div></div>
Naw, I don't think I would stress 260 Rem past 1500 yards, nor do I have a place to try it within 6 hours of driving... Though I wonder how 140gr AMAX behaves through transonic region - whether it maintains its stability...

And yes - after you mentioned it, I noticed the price difference! Thanks!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 03psd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can .243 cases be necked up to use for .260 Remington?</div></div>
No personal experience, but the forums say that before 260 Rem quality brass became available - the "standard" way to get 260 Rem brass was necking up .243 Win brass. Check this article by Zak Smith.

 

[Ring]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 03psd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can .243 cases be necked up to use for .260 Remington? </div></div>

i use 308 necked down and 243 necked up... i have less issues with the 243 brass

BEST source for 243 brass is http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12631

that is cheaper then once fired 308...

the 243 can be necked or FL'ed to resize just fine

also, 7-08 brass works as well

 

[mouse07410]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 03psd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can .243 cases be necked up to use for .260 Remington? </div></div>

i use 308 necked down and 243 necked up... i have less issues with the 243 brass

BEST source for 243 brass is http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12631

that is cheaper then once fired 308...

the 243 can be necked or FL'ed to resize just fine

also, 7-08 brass works as well</div></div>
But these days when high-quality 260 Rem brass is available from multiple manufacturers - is it worth bothering with resizing 308 or 243???

 

[Ring]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mouse07410</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 03psd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can .243 cases be necked up to use for .260 Remington? </div></div>

i use 308 necked down and 243 necked up... i have less issues with the 243 brass

BEST source for 243 brass is http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12631

that is cheaper then once fired 308...

the 243 can be necked or FL'ed to resize just fine

also, 7-08 brass works as well</div></div>
But these days when high-quality 260 Rem brass is available from multiple manufacturers - is it worth bothering with resizing 308 or 243???</div></div>


refer to the "BEST source for 243 brass is http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12631

that is cheaper then once fired 308..."

depends on your budget...

 

[adam3999]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
But these days when high-quality 260 Rem brass is available from multiple manufacturers - is it worth bothering with resizing 308 or 243???</div></div>

I'm curious about this as well. There are tons of articles about 260 Rem from 4-5 years ago, but hardly any have been updated recently. From what I've read you get doughnuts inside at the shoulder if you neck 243 up to 260, but if you go 308/7mm-08 down to 260 the OAL of the case can be too short. I'm thinking there is less discussion on this topic since Lapua recently introduced 260 Rem brass. Seems like it would be a lot cheaper to use 308 or 7mm-08 Winchester brand brass over Lapua.

 

[mouse07410]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: adam3999</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
But these days when high-quality 260 Rem brass is available from multiple manufacturers - is it worth bothering with resizing 308 or 243???</div></div>

I'm curious about this as well. There are tons of articles about 260 Rem from 4-5 years ago, but hardly any have been updated recently. From what I've read you get doughnuts inside at the shoulder if you neck 243 up to 260, but if you go 308/7mm-08 down to 260 the OAL of the case can be too short. I'm thinking there is less discussion on this topic since Lapua recently introduced 260 Rem brass. Seems like it would be a lot cheaper to use 308 or 7mm-08 Winchester brand brass over Lapua.</div></div>
I think the issue was pure availability of <span style="text-decoration: underline">quality</span> brass, not necessarily the cost of it. So once the sources of factory-made quality brass appeared - the question of resizing became moot, and people lost interest. I for one would rather spend more on Lapua brass (that is likely to last longer, besides its other advantages) than bother with resizing and dealing with the associated problems. Probably there aren't enough of resizing enthusiasts to keep the subject alive.

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I've got 8+ reloadings on my Win 7-08 brass that I ran through a Redding 260 FL die. Never saw a donut and it's as accurate as I can shoot it. Placed an order with Powder Valley for 500 more and guess what? They're sold out, which tells me someone else is doing the same thing. I can't think of any negatives to resizing the Win 7-08 brass for good 260 cases.

 

[adam3999]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowe Left</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got 8+ reloadings on my Win 7-08 brass that I ran through a Redding 260 FL die. Never saw a donut and it's as accurate as I can shoot it. Placed an order with Powder Valley for 500 more and guess what? They're sold out, which tells me someone else is doing the same thing. I can't think of any negatives to resizing the Win 7-08 brass for good 260 cases. </div></div>

Did you FL-size to move the cases to 260 and then neck size after that, or FL each time? Out of curiosity, have you ever sectioned a case and looked at the inside of the neck? Thanks.

 

[johnsta]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I am very interested in this round. I am thinking about ditching the 308 for the 260 based on its long range capability.

 

[Ring]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

i FL 308 brass to 260, then turn the necks...

on 243 brass, i can FL or just run them in a neck die and they are good to go... for 260.. since i only have 1 260, they only get necked after that..

 

[worldhunter]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Lapua brass
CCI BR2 primers
140 gr amax
42.5 H4350
.12 off lans

sweet shooting load

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: adam3999</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowe Left</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got 8+ reloadings on my Win 7-08 brass that I ran through a Redding 260 FL die. Never saw a donut and it's as accurate as I can shoot it. Placed an order with Powder Valley for 500 more and guess what? They're sold out, which tells me someone else is doing the same thing. I can't think of any negatives to resizing the Win 7-08 brass for good 260 cases. </div></div>

Did you FL-size to move the cases to 260 and then neck size after that, or FL each time? Out of curiosity, have you ever sectioned a case and looked at the inside of the neck? Thanks.</div></div>

FL size and no I haven't cut a case open. Why would I?

 

[Ring]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

how else do you get to the creamy center....?

 

[Unknown]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

My load:

142 grain Sierra MK

43.8 grains of H4350

CCI BR2 primer

Winchester 7mm-08 cases necked down to 6.5mm

Length to ogive 2.30 inches..I load to the ogive if the mag will take the COAL as it is more consistent for lot to lot accuracy. My AW magazines take this easily.

Obermeyer 27 inch stainless barrel with 1-8.75 twist, 5R rifling. Length measured from front of the recoil lug to crown on the barrel

Velocity 10 feet from the muzzle is 2888 FPS at 610 feet elevation, 72 degrees F, 63% humidity, barometric pressure 29.58

Accuracy is easily .5 inch at 100 yards...better if I'm having a good day.

If I'm having a good day, the load usually prints about .35-.45 inch at 100 yards for 5 shots... The problem is that I usually can only hold about .5 inch for 5 shot groups. I gave up getting frustrated because I can't get the rifle to shoot better. Bench rest shooters who shoot the rifle, and take 10 minutes to shoot 5 shots really make me look like an idiot. But I have plenty of fun at half inch, and I get lots more shooting in, rather than spending more time waiting.

 

[Das Capitolin]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Thank you for sharing your set-up. I began having major problems with 42.0GR H4350 using 140GR Hornady BTHP Match bullets and Lupua .260 brass. At one of the last competitions, heat got into the 90's and I began blowing primers before taking out my ejector pin. 41.0GR charges did the same, so I went down to 39.0 and things seem more stable. I realize that H4350 is recommended max up to 42.0GR with 140GR bullets, but my 26" barrel probably sent it over the edge.

 

[Topstrap]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Das Capitolin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thank you for sharing your set-up. I began having major problems with 42.0GR H4350 using 140GR Hornady BTHP Match bullets and Lupua .260 brass. At one of the last competitions, heat got into the 90's and I began blowing primers before taking out my ejector pin. 41.0GR charges did the same, so I went down to 39.0 and things seem more stable. I realize that H4350 is recommended max up to 42.0GR with 140GR bullets, but my 26" barrel probably sent it over the edge. </div></div>

We've been using 42.5gr of H4350 in all four of our 260s with no problems. it's actually on the low side of loads that shot well in all of them. We were using Rem brass last year but switched over to WW 7-08 for most of this season and tried WW 243 brass on our last outing and couldn't tell them apart on targets out to 1000 yards.

I'm guessing maybe the Lapua brass is thicker and causing some of your problems. We've shot this same load at 32 deg and also over 100 deg with very little variation in our settings. We've also using the Hornady 140BTHP Match and CCI 200 primers. OAL at 2.850.

Topstrap

 

[Das Capitolin]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I also thought it could have been the Lupua brass, so I switched in some Remington brass. Unfortunately, I had the same result: blown primers and broken bolt-head parts. My setup also used CCI-200 primers with OAL 2.85" exactly. I've since gone down to 39.0GR, and so far so good.

 

[Topstrap]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Sometimes it's surprising how different these guns can be in the same chamberings. In the end though the gun tells you what it likes no matter what others use or the books say should work.

We got very lucky with both our Savage rifles with Shilen Select barrels and also both our LR 260 pistols use the exact same load.

A buddy has been having a terrible time with blown primers in his Savage LRP but he was using WW primers and Rem brass. I think we've maybe had 2 primers that blew between all our 260s and that was with Rem brass with many reloadings and were getting a bit loose towards the end of our first season with that brass.

I wonder, we set our headspace when we built our guns but my buddy has a factory built and maybe he's pushing the shoulder back a bit more than necessary when he's sizing his cases? We are barely touching our shoulder and really only sizing the necks. Got to be something that is causing his to blow so many.

Good luck with it, hope you get it figured out.

Topstrap

 

[Ring]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Das Capitolin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also thought it could have been the Lupua brass, so I switched in some Remington brass. Unfortunately, I had the same result: blown primers and broken bolt-head parts. My setup also used CCI-200 primers with OAL 2.85" exactly. I've since gone down to 39.0GR, and so far so good.</div></div>

Is your bbl. nitrided?

 

[Das Capitolin]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Das Capitolin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also thought it could have been the Lupua brass, so I switched in some Remington brass. Unfortunately, I had the same result: blown primers and broken bolt-head parts. My setup also used CCI-200 primers with OAL 2.85" exactly. I've since gone down to 39.0GR, and so far so good.</div></div>

Is your bbl. nitrided? </div></div>

It doesn't appear chromed, so I'm leaning towards a nitride finish. Unfortunately, Savage doesn't say much on the subject: http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11LONGRANGEHUNTER

 

[Ring]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

ok, so its a factory gun... thats not nitride, basically a blued or park..

no idea why it would be running that hot with that load... other then a fluke..

or, if you are "jamming" the bullets into the lands by loading to long, that with WAY increase your PSI

load 5 @ at 2.810 COL from the tip and see if the flat primers stop...

 

[Das Capitolin]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

I was mistaken, my original load (42.0GR) was built to 2.874" COL. I suspected it was getting too close to the lands so when I began charging to 39.0GR I built a few rounds to 2.870" COL. This didn't feel right, so I went with 2.86" COL for the remainder. As of yesterday afternoon, so far so good.

 

[bohem]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Naw, I don't think I would stress 260 Rem past 1500 yards, nor do I have a place to try it within 6 hours of driving... Though I wonder how 140gr AMAX behaves through transonic region - whether it maintains its stability...</div></div>

My experience with the 140 Amax in DA's as low as -700' DA is that it will reliably/stably transition.

The 142 SMK does as well at 900' DA in my experience.

The 140 Berger VLD wouldn't do it below 4000' DA.

 

[Ring]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Naw, I don't think I would stress 260 Rem past 1500 yards, nor do I have a place to try it within 6 hours of driving... Though I wonder how 140gr AMAX behaves through transonic region - whether it maintains its stability...</div></div>

My experience with the 140 Amax in DA's as low as -700' DA is that it will reliably/stably transition.

The 142 SMK does as well at 900' DA in my experience.

The 140 Berger VLD wouldn't do it below 4000' DA.</div></div>

i have used 142smk, 140 hornady bthp and 140 amax to 1 mile..

the amax and 142 did well, the bthp was a bit iffy...

 

[The Punisher]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

43.0 H4831
140 VLD Berger's
7mm08 re sized brass
Federal 210 Match primers

Both of my 260`s love this combo (Savage 12 LRP and a built Remy)

 

[bohem]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

the bthp was a bit iffy... </div></div>

Good to know, I haven't shot them past 1040yd yet from my rifle and even on the slow load they're still going pretty supersonic there.

I will keep an eye on them next time I can take them past 1300, thanks.

 

[mnhntr]

Re: .260 Rem Reloading Questions: Case, Bullet, Powder

Win 7mm-08 brass FL sized with RCBS dies.
142gr SMK .020 off the lands
44.5gr H4350
out of my Savage LRP is a great combo. I get sub 1/4moa groups.