.260 Remington

[Mallie]

I do really like the .20Remington.
I have 2 Tikka rifles in this caliber.
The first one is a CTR with the factory 20" barrel, that i did shoot out, it took over 6000 rounds to do it, so Tikka factory barrels can handle shooting and it did still did under 0.4 MOA with 5-shots, but it was gettin so slow.
This rifle is now rebarreled with 28" Krieger M24 SS 1/8" and Carnbonsix 24" BULL 1/8" barrels.
Nice to see, that kind of speed that Krieger will give .
Then i have this 24" Tikka T3 SS Varmint.
Super accurate rifle.
It works well with N150, N160 or N555.
N160 and 123gr it will do over 900 ms with the powder charge from VV manual.
Now i am running it with N555 with 123gr Scenar, even the VV do not give data for it, but i did test it with the load
that works well on my 6.5CM, and it is working very nice.
Like this young chap can demonstrate

Hi there I have a CTR tikka 20" bbl and have 108g Lapua scenar would you have any load data inIMR 4350 or Lovex S065 . I was thinking 36grains to start with ?

Would appriciate any advise . Many thanks

South Africa

 

[viking78]

Hi there I have a CTR tikka 20" bbl and have 108g Lapua scenar would you have any load data inIMR 4350 or Lovex S065 . I was thinking 36grains to start with ?

Would appriciate any advise . Many thanks

South Africa

Sorry mate, i use only Vihtavuori.

 

[squib]

Hi there I have a CTR tikka 20" bbl and have 108g Lapua scenar would you have any load data inIMR 4350 or Lovex S065 . I was thinking 36grains to start with ?

Would appriciate any advise . Many thanks

South Africa

Curios why you chose the 108gr projectile?
FYI lighter projectile =more powder

 

[jambau]

I had the same gun. It is now a 22 incher with an MDT chassis. I do recall having some exceptional loads for the original barrel and light bullets. I'll check my notes and get back to you. What's your reasoning for the light weights?

 

[viking78]

I never had good results with 108 Scenar.

 

[2/319th]

I started my 6.5 reloading with a 6.5x06 in the 60s so never paid any attention to the 260 book loads or folks that want to load a 6.5x08 like a 308. That is a fools errand. The 6.5 CM with less capacity and same design out performs the 260, give me a break. That is marketing Crapola.
If you want to make a 260 shoot, you start with a 1-8 twist quality barrel, in a trued action, with brass fully prepped and segregated by fire formed case capacity.

With a 120 SMK set .003 off the 6.5x08 is capable of .1 groups at 3,200 fps with single digit standard deviation numbers using H-414. The 260 is the 6.5x08 with a 1 or 2 degree shoulder angle change by Remington, is all it is. If you neck size the 6.5xo8 fired brass in a 260 die you never know the difference.

Giving credit where credit is due, I had a retired,30 year, sniper show me how his social rifle in 6.5x08 worked, I just followed his lead in cutting my first rifle of five and his loads. You load H-414 at the starting load then increase in 1/2 grain increments until it shoots one hole, then you stop. It will shoot 1-1 1/2 " groups then go to 1 ragged hole when you get to the place. You will have a slight crater in the primer. Now at 3,200 fps with the 120 SMK you can do the math, it is supersonic past 1,200 yards and shoots .75 at 500. All you need to do is hold it.

My 700 Remingtons are trued actions the ARs are Armalite AR-10s
This is my Medesha AR-10 upper, it shoots .13 in the AR-10T lower with NM trigger.

 

[FuhQ]

22" R700 5R Milspec .260 Rem in an Aero Solus 15" chassis w/ Ergo Suregrip & MDT mag. Zeiss LRP S3 6-36x56 ZF-MRi (MRAD) scope in ARC M-Brace 34mm Low rings on EGW HD 20MOA base. TriggerTech Special w/ screw removed. And Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen-S 6.5mm w/ DA KeyMo setup.

Target load: Nosler 140 Custom Comp (or RDF) with 38.0gr Varget in Lapua .260 Rem brass and CCI 200 primers. Shoots nice cloverleafs, good enough for banging steel at distance.

 

[FuhQ]

New video is up on my freshly modded R700 5R .260 with the Aero Precision SOLUS Chassis, Zeiss LRP S3, and Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen-S 6.5mm suppressor.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Bighorn origin
260 Match chamber
2.180 BTO (.060 jump)
43.3 h4350
140 elite hunters
2725 fps

1/2 inch at 100 today and will take out to distance soon.

 

[ImperfectLiberty]

Thought I'd put this up here for anyone interested. I have some ADG, Peterson, and Starline brass that I was curious about capacities. All Virgin capacities as I haven't fired any of them yet.

H4350 H4831SC Hunter SW4350
ADG- 50.5 49.9 51.8 50.3
Pete- 53.3 52.6 53.0 52.1
Star- 52.1 51.5 52.2 51.7

I found this pretty interesting. I've got 6.5x47 brass in Peterson that's quite a bit smaller capacities than the other cases I have. Same with 308. I thought the ADG and Peterson would be pretty close and the Starline would be the largest. Wasn't a super duper scientific test and it was measured on a chargemaster lite. But I repeated it a couple times and was always within a tenth off at the most. This was filled to the very top of the case so it's not a usable number, just a comparative one. Thanks!

 

[SnowMan]

Anyone tried Superformance? Tried a few loads. Garmin Chrono. Thinking the readings were a little high but seem to be inline the history of the rifle.
26" Krieger 1/8 twist" / With Suppressor
140 eld-m
Lapua Brass
2.92" OAL
44.3g: No velocity readings but shot well
46g: 2850fps
47.5: 2995fps / Had a few that were 3010,3011fps

 

[lash]

Anyone tried Superformance? Tried a few loads. Garmin Chrono. Thinking the readings were a little high but seem to be inline the history of the rifle.
26" Krieger 1/8 twist" / With Suppressor
140 eld-m
Lapua Brass
2.92" OAL
44.3g: No velocity readings but shot well
46g: 2850fps
47.5: 2995fps / Had a few that were 3010,3011fps

Wow! And no, I haven’t tried it. Was tempted a couple years ago, but missed that boat.

I know those speeds are doable, I’ve just always gone for medium speeds around 2750+/-.

 

[SnowMan]

The Hornady book shows max load: 2700fps with 44.3g Superformance/Remington case at 2.785" OAL out of a 24" barrel.

 

[Big Grizz]

I was getting about the same velocity with RL26 in my McGowen precision 26” 1-8 with 140 gr RDF’s So sounds about right. These numbers are possible with modern powders that match the cartridge.

 

[LRRPF52]

I found some old pics of my very first groups out of the GA Precision-built LR-260 for me, using a Bartlein pipe.

I should shoot it more. Freaking laser. I actually ended up settling on 130gr VLDs because they’re so flat at 1000yds.

 

[zeroz]

I found some old pics of my very first groups out of the GA Precision-built LR-260 for me, using a Bartlein pipe.

I should shoot it more. Freaking laser. I actually ended up settling on 130gr VLDs because they’re so flat at 1000yds.

I should do the same. Ive got a 20" gap 10 in 260 that I shot my best ever 1000 yard group with. 6 in 5 inches off of a bag and bipod. It does chew up the brass on ejection and shows pressure signs on moderate loads. Thing is kind of a pig and its so much nicer carrying a little Grendel around that she stays in the dark most of the time.

 

[Big Grizz]

I have two LR308’s in 260rem, BHW 22” 1/8 twist , one set up as a mid range with an Vortex 1-6 LPVO. The other is a long range rig with a Burris XTR2 5-25 x 56 . They both shoot awesome as well , but they are 12.5 to 13 lb rigs.

 

[LRRPF52]

I should do the same. Ive got a 20" gap 10 in 260 that I shot my best ever 1000 yard group with. 6 in 5 inches off of a bag and bipod. It does chew up the brass on ejection and shows pressure signs on moderate loads. Thing is kind of a pig and its so much nicer carrying a little Grendel around that she stays in the dark most of the time.

That’s exactly what happened with me, though my brass doesn’t get shredded really. I just lose primer pockets after 3 firings, which is not cool even back when I was spending $1/piece of brass.

I’m thinking I can maybe tame the treatment of brass with the new Bootleg LR-308 bolt carrier, which has adjustable gas in the carrier.

The first time I grouped that rifle at 1000, I was laying in the back of our truck bed and purposely ignored a wind call so I could see where it would go horizontally.

It was still a 9.25” group, with 2 rounds within 4.5” of each other, the wind change round opening it up to over 9”. I shot those on crib mattress cardboard box with 2 layers, so I could see the trajectory downrange. It was so flat, I couldn’t believe it.

I haven’t shot the .260 Rem since 2015 I think. Grendels get taken out every time I shoot long range, especially the 12”.

I have a 22” Lilja Grendel with fluted bull barrel that shoots like the Bartlein, but I never shoot it either because I like the short, compact guns so much.

 

[LRRPF52]

I have two LR308’s in 260rem, BHW 22” 1/8 twist , one set up as a mid range with an Vortex 1-6 LPVO. The other is a long range rig with a Burris XTR2 5-25 x 56 . They both shoot awesome as well , but they are 12.5 to 13 lb rigs.

My .260 Rem gasser is 14lbs when scoped-up.

I just installed an A5 RET on the lower, replacing the standard rifle stock, RET, and AR-10 rifle buffer. Used the same rifle spring and a Franklin Armory carbine buffer with multiple dead-blow weights and elastomer buffers between the weights. Haven’t shot it yet in that configuration, but it always ran like a raped ape with the rifle set-up.

I still have boxes of 130gr loaded up. I’ve never shot factory ammo through it, but I bought some Hornady 130gr ELD-M to try.

 

[zeroz]

I wonder if the gun would have benefitted from a longer gas system. I got mine right before the +1 and +2 gas systems got popular. Adjustable gas carrier is interesting. Ive always thought it was unlocking a bit early even with the gas turned down so that it barely locks back on an empty mag.

And yeah, my 12" G gets shot more than anything. Im super interested to see what you find out with that 8" when you play with it.

 

[Big Grizz]

I put Kak 8.6 oz buffers in . Slow it down immensely and saves my brass

 

[Big Grizz]

I put Kak 8.6 oz buffers in . Slow it down immensely and saves my brass

Yes + 1 or + 2 would have help

 

[zeroz]

If only GAP knew what they were doing, LOL.

 

[lash]

The LR308s were all over gassed a bit.

Mine once broke the extractor using some hot factory superformance loads.

 

[LRRPF52]

The LR308s were all over gassed a bit.

Mine once broke the extractor using some hot factory superformance loads.

My first ArmaLite AR-10T ran fine without issue. I sold it and later bought an LR-308, which folded the extractor lip over on the first few rounds fired. I ordered another extractor from DPMS and replaced the bent one. Didn’t inspire a lot of confidence and made me miss the ArmaLite, which was a 1/3 MOA gun with FGMM. Stupid accurate. The guy I sold it to came back to the FFL I worked at then with a giant grin on his face, “Son! That raffle iz uh shooootarh!!!!” shoved the target in my face with a ragged hole 10rd group.

“That’s at thuree-hunderd yeeaards!!!!!"

He was tickled silly.

 

[secondofangle2]

So where are we in the RL16 bs H4350 debate? Assume they’re the same price (they’re not) and availability (both in stock right now)

What’s better overall as regards speed accuracy temp sensitivity SD consistency, ease of load development across platforms?

 

[zeroz]

Im so sunk into h 4350 that I dont even want to hear how much better RL-16 is.

 

[jambau]

I've had good luck with both. But I'm with zeroz on this one. I feel It's been easier to find good loads with H4350 than RL16 throughout my handloading experience. I think it's more forgiving if that makes sense. With similar cartridges I will always reccomend H4350.

 

[LRRPF52]

If only GAP knew what they were doing, LOL.

GAP knows that they are doing. They cautioned me from the start that things start to get wild when you try to duplicate bolt gun performance with .260 Rem in gas guns, which I why I lean on 130gr.

 

[zeroz]

GAP knows that they are doing. They cautioned me from the start that things start to get wild when you try to duplicate bolt gun performance with .260 Rem in gas guns, which I why I lean on 130gr.

I know, I was kidding. Like I said, I shot my best 1000 yard group with my gap 10 in .260.

 

[Viking_Prs]

My current load is 36.5gr n150 with Norma 130gr DL. I’m getting 2575 fps in a 24” barrel. VV load data says with a 18’3/4” barrel, max speed with a 130gr bullet is around 2650 fps. I just think that the speeds I’m getting is a bit low for a 24”? Since VV load data uses a 18’3/4”. Or is the speeds I’m getting expected? Is my barrel just really slow?

 

[ShootnFool8]

My current load is 36.5gr n150 with Norma 130gr DL. I’m getting 2575 fps in a 24” barrel. VV load data says with a 18’3/4” barrel, max speed with a 130gr bullet is around 2650 fps. I just think that the speeds I’m getting is a bit low for a 24”? Since VV load data uses a 18’3/4”. Or is the speeds I’m getting expected? Is my barrel just really slow?

I think so, my 20" with a 130 gr. I'm at 2712 fps, and I think I'm slow.

 

[Viking_Prs]

Yeah that’s slow but also a bit of a modest load. Book max is around 38gr and those are usually conservative.

My speeds but with N555 and a 130gr
42.5gr 2773
43.0gr 2796
43.5gr 2836
44.0gr 2860
44.5gr 2905

I always try to stay a bit under book max as a general rule, but if VV is conservative with their max I’ll try to push it a bit more and see what happens. I have already loaded up 10 rounds of 37.0, 37,5 and 38.0 n150. Maybe I’ll load up 38.5 and 39.0 too.

I accidentally loaded up 39.5gr once (always pay attention when reloading I guess). Saw a few pressure signs but nothing major.

N150 is easer to get here in Norway. I do have some n550 but that’s harder to get so was planning to only use that for my hunting loads.

I’ve heard that the n100 series is more temperature stable than the n500 series. Is the difference big enough to notice for an average shooter?

 

[Viking_Prs]

It could be in Norway given your temp swings but N555 was designed to be temp stable. Speak to Jakt & Friluft. They should be able to get you most powders. N150 is decent though.

J&F has everything. But can’t order powder by mail, so I have to drive 8+ hours if I want to buy from them…. Closest store for me is about 3 hours.

 

[NELAshooter]

Well, a guy that used to work for me called a while back asking if I shot a .260 Remington. He had nearly 500 pieces of Lapua brass that he want to off load, for free! I picked it up today and then ordered a new SAMMI chamber reamer from JGS. I’m going to order the barrel tomorrow, to put on a new Defiance Rukus action that I purchased yesterday. I’ll get this build completed on my next trip home!

 

[NELAshooter]

Has anyone tried the 130 grain closed nose Sierra Matchking? Looking at them to try in the new build. I will be testing the 130 AR Hybrids as well

 

[Jngarrett]

I'm new to community, so how do I get questions answered or suggestions from the rest of y'all?

 

[lash]

I'm new to community, so how do I get questions answered or suggestions from the rest of y'all?

Uhm…Hello fellow gun enthusiast.

If there’s already a thread topic that applies to your question, you just ask your question in that thread. Or else you start your own thread.

 

[NELAshooter]

Finished her up yesterday. Just threw this together with Sierra load data. I’ll have 50 rounds down the tube after today. I’ll get down to business with real load development in the next few days.

Defiance Rukus action
Custom rifle barrel @27.5”
Manners TCS
Bushnell DMRII

 

[lange92]

What are people running for h4350 to get over 2800 fps? Pushing to 43 gr with 140 elds and 140 match burners started to seem erratic with accuracy and velocity. 42.5 was where it was at but I was still in the 2700 range. Then again my barrel isn’t fully broken in yet(NSS .260 match criterion .) so that could be a factor

 

[lange92]

What are people running for h4350 to get over 2800 fps? Pushing to 43 gr with 140 elds and 140 match burners started to seem erratic with accuracy and velocity SD/ES.
42.5 was where it was at but I was still in the 2700 range. Then again my barrel isn’t fully broken in yet(NSS .260 match criterion .) so that could be a factor

 

[Defender3]

FWIW - I was running 42.5grs of H4350 with the 136gr Lapua's and getting 2825 and solid accuracy out of a 24" AI barrel.

 

[lange92]

FWIW - I was running 42.5grs of H4350 with the 136gr Lapua's and getting 2825 and solid accuracy out of a 24" AI barrel.

Running 26” maybe just need give it rounds to speed up with break in.

 

[secondofangle2]

I top out at 41.5 in every barrel I’ve had. 2800 fps. Never could get up to 42.5 like others and not see pressure

 

[jambau]

FWIW: I'm running 42.8 gr. and getting 2760 with a 140gr ELDM in a 22" barrel. My Preffered Barrels varmint contour sped up about 55fps. Give it a chance.

 

[lash]

I found that 2750-ish with 41.8gr 4350 and 136 Scenars was gold. I am quite happy with the consistency and results over multiple barrels. 26” barrels from 2 each Bartlein and Rock Creek in M24 and Heavy Varmint profiles respectively.

I get in excess of 3000 rounds and even 4000+ of below 1 moa rounds that way.

 

[lange92]

Ty for reports, helps. If I don’t break 2850 mark with 140 gr bullets guess it’s okay just that’s one thing a lot of people tout over 6.5 creed is comfortably getting that speed.

Honestly this first time working with .260 much and I do love the heck outta this cartridge. It’s dang fine for a .308 family based cartridge. Sad it’s not more popular.

Down the road I’m hella excited to try the AI, close to 6.5 prc speeds I hear but significantly less powder and more efficient which is my kind of thing I am a big ackley cartridge fan for that.

 

[lash]

You can break 2850 with the .260 and 140s if you really want to. But apparently not that barrel with 4350 in your case. And there’s a price to pay for that speed. It’s called barrel life.

Sure, barrels are an expendable, but I personally prefer to have an accurate and consistent load that works every time over a slight decrease in hold at 1000y.

 

[Dimefox]

This either a really good or really bad 5 shot group lol. Final seating depth test on this deer rifle. Probably plenty good enough for hunting. Going to load more up and run another 5 or 10 shot group to see where the point of impact actually lives.

260 Rem
AnTi
Proof steel 3B Bugnut Prefit
127 gr LRX
RL 17 @ 42.70 gr
Fed 210
Lapua brass
2845 fps avg
ES 19.7
SD 7.6

Was 30 deg out the other morning when I shot this. First outing with the Garmin. Shot this load a couple of weeks ago when it was 60ish out with a Magnetospeed and averaged 2917 fps. I thought RL was more temp stable..maybe its the chrono difference...idk.

 

[secondofangle2]

RL17 is exquisitely temp sensitive (up to 3 fps/degree); I abandoned it for this reason. RL16 is supposedly temp stable.