260 velocities

[reeljob]

I have been developing loads for my new 260 build.
The load I have settled on is:
Rem Brass
2.870 OAL
Berger 140 match BT .559 BC
44.0 H4350
Br2 CCI primer
2851 FPS
26" CBI Match Varmit weight 1-8"

I am showing no signs of pressure at the 44.0 grains and the rifle is turning nice groups. I have stopped at this powder weight due to the fact I am not sure how high temps may change the pressures. I would have liked to break the 3000 fps mark but I don't think it can be done with H4350. What velocities are you guys getting out of a 260.

 

[Red Ryder]

Re: 260 velocities

3000fps out of a 260 with 140grain bullet?! Man, I think you're pushing the limits of reality. I don't know everything there is to know but a velocity like that comes with 120g and maybe 130g bullets.


I just ran a QuickLoad analysis w/ 44g H4350, OAL 2.870 140g Berger and QL is showing 2887FPS and a pressure of 66430 psi - do what you will but it sure looks hot to me.

 

[42769vette]

Re: 260 velocities

i went up to 43.5 gr of 4350 in my 260 and saw no pressure signs. but when i reloaded the nosler brass the primer pockets were shot. there were no signs on the case.

out of a 26 inch tube i send 140 amaxes @ 2800ish with 42 gr h-4350

 

[Red Ryder]

Re: 260 velocities

42769, were you using H4350 or IMR4350?

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: 260 velocities

boltripper laughs....


do you really expect us to believe that you want to blow torch yourself a hunk of steel....to what end.......


there is no glory in rocketing lil'boolits like that.....

 

[reeljob]

Re: 260 velocities

I have worked up in half grain increments starting at 39.5 grains of H4350 and have yet to see any signs of pressure.
If this load appears to be danger hot let me know.
Thanks

 

[42769vette]

Re: 260 velocities

have you checked your primer pockets yet? im going to guess they are loose.

im using h4350

 

[aggiesig]

Re: 260 velocities

I think people are trying to tell you that you are good to go where you are at.

but pushing the .260 much over 2800 becomes a lesson in burnt barrels, brass, and potentially bystanders.

the hottest loads I've seen are on the net and come from VV550 but they are only 2900.

It you wanna push 3K you are going to have to either drop weight or grow your case capacity to a 6.5x284 6.5x47 or if you are really kinky a 264 Win Mag.

 

[sniperaviator]

Re: 260 velocities

What makes reloading 260 Remington confusing is the Hodgdon wesite shows a max load of H4350 for SIE HPBT 142 grain bullets as 44.5 grains. But, they show this as getting 2745 fps.

However, if I load 41.8 grains of H4350 behind a 140 grain Berger bullet, I get 2820fps and start getting pressure signs. (Same with 139 Lapua Scenars).

The fastest fps for any 140gr or 142gr they show is 2755fps. So attempts to exceed that fps are likely to show signs of pressure.

I suggest starting at 39 grains of H4350 and working up from there. Expect pressure signs at anything over 41 grains. You might be able to go a little further. Doubtful you can safely get much over 2800fps out of a 24" barrel (my barrel length) or shorter. Not sure what Hodgdon uses for barrel length.

This is all for the 139 Lapua Scenars and the 140 Bergers. I havent tried the 142 SMK's.

 

[reeljob]

Re: 260 velocities

Primer pockets are fine at this point on once fired brass, I was shooting excellent groups around 40.5 grains (.3) and then it fell off a little and groups came back around at 43.5 and 44.0 grains.
I believe I will back it to 42.5 where groups where a consistent .5 and let it be. I have been handloading for fifteen years and know the signs to look for, just not alot of info on the 260 and Bergers. I have been driving a .308 for a few years and wanted to give the 260 a spin. As a side note Hornady 140 Amax's have been doing well around the 2700 fps mark.
Thanks Guys
reeljob

 

[427Cobra]

Re: 260 velocities

If you want 3k shoot 123 Scenars or 130 Bergers, the 140s don't need anymore than 2800 to flat out kick a 308's ass.

 

[Jerkface11]

Re: 260 velocities

Perhaps an upgrade to 6.5-284 is in order.

 

[Red Ryder]

Re: 260 velocities

3000 w/ 140s is the domain, IMO, of 264 Win Mags.

I understand where you're coming from reeljob, I'm trying to coax a little more speed out of my 260 as well. But I'm only trying for 2800fps.

 

[42769vette]

Re: 260 velocities

2800 is very flat shooting out of those 140s. i dont have my book but from a 200 zero i think i have 12.5-13 moa drop @ 750 (furtherst i can shoot at my house)

 

[reeljob]

Re: 260 velocities

Thanks for all the input, I am going to go with:
42.5 H4350
2.870
Br-2
rem brass
140 berger match BT
@2769 fps

I know this is safe and shoots well out of my 26"
Going to stretch it legs tomorrow.

 

[aggiesig]

Re: 260 velocities

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: reeljob</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I know this is safe and shoots well out of my 26"
Going to stretch it legs tomorrow. </div></div>

you just got the most important parts....

safe and shoots well.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: 260 velocities

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: reeljob</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If this load appears to be danger hot let me know.</div></div>
I am letting you know! Your 44 grains is a HOT load. Most rifles will see pressure much sooner, and I've blown primers as low as 42.5 grains, depending on the chamber. Most will see pressure around 43.5 or sooner, so, yes, you have a hot load. I would not run it this fast. When reloading these cases, can you seat a primer without it falling out?

 

[wyobill]

Re: 260 velocities

i run 43.7 h4350 with 142mk for 2850 fps in my 260 primer pockets are still tight after being loaded 4 times.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: 260 velocities

With 44.0gr of H-4350, you are .2gr above my load for 140A-Max/142SMK. I get about 2850 out of a 28" tube. More than that I do not care to do.

Greg

 

[dar1246]

Re: 260 velocities

One of my 260s shot H4350 great but ran into pressure signs early. I was only getting around 2760 out of 139s. I switch to H4831sc and was able to get the load to 2800. It seem to have less pressure in the chamber and was able to get the desire velocity I wanted.

 

[reeljob]

Re: 260 velocities

I stuck with the Berger BT 42.5 H4350 load and it shot lights out,literally! Went to the range today and shot light bulbs at 270 yards fairly consistent considering we are in a high wind advisory.
I unloaded the 44.0 grain loads, no need in burning barrels or getting someone hurt.
I loaded another load specifically for 100 yard matches we shoot locally with a 140 Hornady Amax and 38.0 of H380. This one will be slow but hopefully accurate enough to shoot the tiny "X".
I will let you all know about it when the wind lays.
Once again thanks for everyone's help.

 

[Clark]

Re: 260 velocities

I have only experienced the same 8 pound jug of H4350 that I have been using for the past 2 or 3 years.

In many cartridges, it always seems to need a couple more grains than Quickload predicts to reach the loose primer pocket in a work up.

I have shot 45 gr H4350 [my jug] 140 gr 2.994" in my 260Rem, and it is <span style="font-weight: bold">not</span> a hot load.

Typically with 1889 7.65x53mm Mauser case heads built with large primer pockets [like the 260Rem], I would expect loose primer pockets between 70kpsi and 75 kpsi, and backing off 4% margin in powder charge, I would be somewhere around 67 kpsi in Quickload land.

But with my jug of H4350 and the Quickload library, the error is 4 or 5% in the prediction to reach loose primer pockets or predicted velocity over the chronograph.

What does it all mean?
I paid for canister powder, but got a slow lot of H4350.

 

[reeljob]

Re: 260 velocities

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: reeljob</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I loaded another load specifically for 100 yard matches we shoot locally with a 140 Hornady Amax and 38.0 of H380. This one will be slow but hopefully accurate enough to shoot the tiny "X".
</div></div>

The 38.0 grains of H380 shoots in the .3's @ 100 yards.
Mission accomplished.
.308 Fed case resized to .260
140 Amax
2.820 OAL
GM210M
2550 FPS

 

[bkster]

Re: 260 velocities

shoot the 123s if you want 3000fps

the difference in the bigger 139-142 at that speed is not worth it
only on paper will you see a major difference
unless you can measure 7 inches of wind drift at 1000yds

 

[Alan Griffith]

Re: 260 velocities

Try Rel 17. You'll probably see 100-150 fps more.

 

[captrichardson]

Re: 260 velocities

A lot of data and numbers getting thrown around, something that seems to be missing, Barrel Details (lengths, twist rates, manufacturers, etc)!

There are some shooters safely and effectively pushing the 140 weight class 6.5 bullets in a REM .260 to 2,900-3,000 fps with the correct combination of Powder and Barrel.

The Powder has to be one that can take advantage of the increased burn time in a longer barrel.

The Barrel has to be longer (26"+) to provide the extra burn time, and it has to be a "fast" barrel.

If you really need to push the 140s close to 3,000 fps, then you must have the right combination to try and do it. Per above, most "standard" .260 setups are going to be hard pressed to do it. Pushing to this "upper limit" is also going to be hard on all components involved.

The other option with a .260, is to look at doing an AI (Ackley Improved) which is what Terry Cross runs.
Terry Cross Tactical .260
His "standard velocity" for this setup with a 140 weight class bullet is in the 2,900-3,000 fps range.

My loads are:
Rem Brass
210M Primers
2.800 OAL
139 Scenar with 42.5 grains of H4350 @ 2,750 fps
142 SMK with 41.9 grains of H4350 @ 2,700 fps
These are out of a 24" Krieger with a 1:8 twist

I could push these load into the next higher accuracy node which would be around 2,800-2,850 fps, but I prefer not to be beat the crap out of everything for an extra 100-150 fps velocity gain.

Best of Luck,
M Richardson

 

[Alan Griffith]

Re: 260 velocities

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: captrichardson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I could push these load into the next higher accuracy node which would be around 2,800-2,850 fps, but I prefer not to be beat the crap out of everything for an extra 100-150 fps velocity gain.

Best of Luck,
M Richardson </div></div>

One of our best shooters here in Utah runs a 6.5x284 pushing 142 SMK's about 2750. He gets great brass life and still continues to do well, usually winning; though he I did beat him back in August. ONCE!

And then their was the time in September at the Utah State Sniper Shoot..........

Alan

 

[81sfo]

Re: 260 velocities


One of our best shooters here in Utah runs a 6.5x284 pushing 142 SMK's about 2750. He gets great brass life and still continues to do well, usually winning.

Alan [/quote]
I'm just ignorant or missing something but why have a 6.5x284 if your only pushing speeds 2750,in that case just stay 260 rem.? I thought the point of the 284 case was more powder more velocity? I guess one good side would be the lapua 6.5x284 brass...

 

[Alan Griffith]

Re: 260 velocities

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Forwardeyes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
One of our best shooters here in Utah runs a 6.5x284 pushing 142 SMK's about 2750. He gets great brass life and still continues to do well, usually winning.

Alan </div></div>
I'm just ignorant or missing something but why have a 6.5x284 if your only pushing speeds 2750,in that case just stay 260 rem.? I thought the point of the 284 case was more powder more velocity? I guess one good side would be the lapua 6.5x284 brass... [/quote]

Dunno! You'd have to ask the guy shootin it!

Alan

 

[Jerkface11]

Re: 260 velocities

That does sound like a waste of a big case.

 

[RL15]

Re: 260 velocities

Maybe he only has one precision rifle, and wants to get better barrel life. And unlike the 260 has the option to jack up the velocity over 3000 if he wants.

Myself I like having different rifles, for different jobs.

 

[Jerkface11]

Re: 260 velocities

That's the excuse I use for having so many lol.

 

[greentimber]

Re: 260 velocities

RE17 will get you to 2900 out of a 26" tube. I saw no pressure at all there, but found better accuracy at 2850fps.

 

[jrob300]

Re: 260 velocities

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: greentimber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">RE17 will get you to 2900 out of a 26" tube. I saw no pressure at all there, but found better accuracy at 2850fps. </div></div>

GT,

Was accuracy tested across all temps.? I've heard conflicting reports on RL17 with regard to accuracy and temperature. My personal theory is that those who are loaded somewhat close to the top of an accuracy node when cold get bumped out of the node when hot. Those at the bottom of a node simply move up in the node. But I'm speculating trying to understand differing results.

RL17 certainly seems to give very good velocity, but if it's not consistent, I won't bother. The new PowerPro powders also seem promising.

John