Finally: Almost finished with my budget rig

[thespecialist]

I've been itching for another bolt gun that didn't feel like I was swinging an 8' 2x4 for a while now. I already have a 20" 308, so I figured I'd do something in another caliber and decided on a 260 Rem after some soul searching (and a LOT of 'hide searching)

I finally ended up with a 24" AAC 260 barrel, which was promptly sent off to Chad Dixon to be headspaced and whack 4" off the end. I gotta say, Chad was more than happy to answer any questions I had despite the small amount of work he was doing for me and the meager amount I was spending. Not to mention the fact that my barreled action arrived to him on Saturday, and he called me Monday to confirm the type of crown I wanted so he could finish everything up and get the BA on the way back to me. He'll definitely be getting a call once I'm ready for an all out build

I got the barreled action back on Friday and headed out to the shop in 20 degree air to open the HS stock's barrel channel for that fat little 260 barrel. I ended up having to open the entire barrel channel for it to clear.

What started out life as a R700 P ended up as this

AAC 260 barrel, cut/crowned to 20"
HS Precision stock
Old style Rem trigger
EGW HD 20MOA
Vortex low 30mm rings
Vortex Viper HS 5-15x44

I still want to add a DBM setup at some point and need to order a stock pack, but I'm hoping to get it to the range as is later today and start working on some load development. I managed to scrounge up a few hundred 123gr Amax's, some 7-08 brass, and some H4350 over the last few weeks and have some test loads ready to go.

95% f my shooting is under 600yds, so I'm thinking that this setup should work nicely for that with the occasional stretch out to 800-900.

 

[Some Day]

Re: Finally: Almost finished with my budget rig

Very nice set up now lets see some holes.Congrats

 

[BenY 2013]

Re: Finally: Almost finished with my budget rig

I'd be interested in what types of velocities you are getting from that 20" .260? I've been considering a build like that, thanks.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Finally: Almost finished with my budget rig

Definitely want to see how that AAC barrel shoots...and velocities!

 

[thespecialist]

Re: Finally: Almost finished with my budget rig

Just got back home and crunched some numbers. It was cold as hell here this morning and the wind is kicking pretty good so I didn't shoot for any groups on this trip, mainly checking velocities. I was a bit nervous about the 20" 260 at first, especially not knowing how the AAC barrel would perform, but not anymore.

I was shooting in sand, so I set my chrono up 1.5' from the target to prevent from sandblasting the screens and getting erratic readings. Of course, I zeroed the scope first with a mild load of H4350 under the 123's.

I'll get back out once the weather is a little bit warmer and get some serious load development done, I wasn't going to attempt any group shooting in the cold. Still, I was surprised that every one of the loads I tried shot into a group under 1.5" with just trying to not shoot the chrono

That's 15 rounds, covering 2 full grains of charge weight. I think it just may have some potential.

Final result ended up as:

Ambient Temp: 36 degrees
DA: -1565ft

Load Data
New/formed RP 7-08 brass
Rem 9 1/2 primers
123gr Amax
H-4350
COL-2.820" (.045" from the lands)

Charge weight-Calculated MV (chrono reading at 298.5')

43gr-2817fps (2624 on chrono)

43.5gr-2842fps (2648 on chrono)

44gr-2865fps (2670 on chrono)

44.5gr-2889fps (2693 on chrono)

45gr-2920fps (2722 on chrono)

I was afraid I would have to give R17 a whirl to get some velocity behind these pills with a 20" barrel. It looks like the H4350 is going to crank them on down range just fine though. I'm thinking I could just possibly keep pushing the powder charges a bit higher as well, the 45gr load had zero signs of pressure. Hodgdon lists a MAX of 46.5gr under a 120gr Speer and 44.3 under a 125gr Nosler Partition, so I'm not 100% sure where I'll find the MAX for this combo.

 

[BenY 2013]

Re: Finally: Almost finished with my budget rig

Thank you sir! Really like the looks of your rifle! I am contemplating a 20" .260 barrel for my savage!

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Finally: Almost finished with my budget rig

I'd bet you'll find pressure in the 45.5-46.0gr range.

 

[Doyputasos]

Re: Finally: Almost finished with my budget rig

Congrats on the 260. I wouldnt pick any other caliber for myself right now.

 

[thespecialist]

Still haven't had a chance to really wring this thing out yet. Between work, doctor visits with a pregnant wife (our first), and life in general I just haven't had time to get out and shoot.


I have, however, been doing a little work here and there to finish the rifle out the way I want it and install a DBM setup from PTG.

Bedded with Devcon 10110

Textured with Devcon 10110.

Painted (Duracoat) using Coyote Tan, Flat Black, and OD Green with GAP stencils sourced from Bulldog Stencils

Now I just need to get off my ass and shoot it some more.

 

[tony2772]

I just recently picked up one of the AAC 260 barrels as well and set it in a HS stock. I bought the M24 fixed stock from Stockeys and alaaso installed a PTG bottom metal. I left mine at the 24" mark and have been playing with the 140 Amax's. With RL22 this thing will flat out scoot. Worked all the way up to 3014 fps but had some psi signs. Backing it back down and will settle with right around 2900. And yes these barrels shoot with the best of them at a fraction of the cost. I'm using 308 Lapua brass necked down and necks turned to .013. Best group is .65@250 yards with Varget and a mild 2550 fps.

 

[Mississippiboy]

Just wanted to post a pic of my rifle that I just put together using same barrel.

B&C M40 Stock
Rem. LA
AAC 260 Rem. Barrel
Weaver 20 MOA base and Weaver 6 hole Tactical rings
Millet TRS 1 4-16x50 MIL/MIL
Condor Drag Bag/Shooting Mat

 

[Mississippiboy]

tony2772 I am also messing around with Rl 22 with 123 nosler cc. shot this little group 4 shots at 100 yards. I just put to gether a load to get it sighted in so i could start testing loads wasnt expecting it to shoot this well.