260 rem

[wapiti16b]

Probably a STUPID question , but for those that reload 260 REM or Improved versions with 140 grain and above what on average is your COAL ? .
I know CBTO is all that really counts but I'm a little concerned whether my magazine oal is sufficient ?
Please list your COAL along with the corresponding bullet used in the measurement .
Thanks !

 

[MachoKing]

I load the 143 eld-x at 2.900 and can fit in a savage magazine.

 

[neeltburn]

2.830" is my COL for Hornady 140 BTHPs Match Bullets

 

[jambau]

2.790 inches with all bullets. That's the max in the magazine of my MDT-LSS chassis.

 

[Citius7]

2.795 max mag length.

 

[Geno C.]

My 260ai is at 2.880 with 140vld the freebore on the reamer was .060"

 

[lash]

2.888" with 136 Scenar Ls in an AW mag. 0.020" off of lands.

 

[Fursniper]

2.920 with 140 hybrids, that's .030 off the lands.

 

[zeroz]

2.815 with 142 smk's. Mag length for the magpul pmags. Turns out, that gets me to my 2.22 BTO

 

[BIRDHUNTER]

That question is too open ended to help you out. What matters is what freebore you have and what bullet you want to use and what jump you find that works. The most common FB are .047, .067, .080, .090, .098 and .104. The one I prefer is .090FB for the 142SMK, jumping .015. Loaded round is 2.238 BTO.

 

[lash]

In this case, it seems as if the OP is more concerned about whether or not the loaded rounds will fit into his magazine and load properly from it. At least that's how I read it, which is why I mentioned the magazines that I'm using along with other pertinent information. Hard to tell exactly though.

 

[padom]

I loaded to max length that would fit in AICS mags with 140 ELD-M which was .02" off lands. Shot lights out. Around 2.88"

 

[wapiti16b]

That question is too open ended to help you out. What matters is what freebore you have and what bullet you want to use and what jump you find that works. The most common FB are .047, .067, .080, .090, .098 and .104. The one I prefer is .090FB for the 142SMK, jumping .015. Loaded round is 2.238 BTO.

You are absolutely correct and I apologize for being so vague ! , perhaps a better way to approach my situation would be provide my magazine oal limitations . Max length for my mags is 2.895 and reliable feeding with the projectiles I'm currently using is 2.880 . The rifle is currently a 308 and I'm planning on a re-barrel and will have the freebore set to accommodate a jump of no more than .015 for the projectiles I'm considering which are Bergers Lapuas and Hornadys and if reviews are good the Nosler RDFs . I know it's not a one size fits all for freebore and I'm willing to compromise on a happy medium .
So I guess the real question is will my current magazine limitations allow me to seat 140&up grain bullets without detriment to performance of this cartridge ? , I could and probably should change to a CDI bottom metal and Alpha magazine combination but at this time I'm looking to save as much money as possible for the re-barrel .
Thanks !

 

[padom]

The only ones I couldnt fit in AICS mags in my Bartlein 260rem at their optimal seating depth because they were too long was Berger Hybrids.

 

[Triple D]

That question is too open ended to help you out. What matters is what freebore you have and what bullet you want to use and what jump you find that works. The most common FB are .047, .067, .080, .090, .098 and .104. The one I prefer is .090FB for the 142SMK, jumping .015. Loaded round is 2.238 BTO.

With a .088fb, I'm at 2.233 BTO with the 142's. Shoots lights out and I've got room in the magazine for when I need to start chasing the lands. Staying around .090 freebore is a great choice for the 260 and the heavies feeding from AICS length mags.