Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

[mkm]

Hi all,
Just wondering if someone can give me some loads for a 260 rem.
I have one arriving next week, 8" twist finished @ 26", maddco barrel.
Apparently it's been chambered to be able to feed to the lands the 142g projectiles in std magazine, at the expense of a little case capacity.

I currently seriously shoot .223 & 308, mainly F Class, so I am very familiar with reloading.

RL17 seems like a fairly dense powder and useable across a fairly broad range of calibers, but I am wondering if it's a bit slow for the 95g Vmax's in the 260?

I have a friend that use ADI2209 in his 6.5x47L with good results. I have only used ADI BM2 and 2208 when reloading for .223 & .308.

If anyone can give me an idea where to look for a load with 95g Vmax's, 123G Scenar's and the 140g class projectiles I would be much appreacitive.

I have purchased a tin of RL17, so I'd like to give it a go.

mkm

 

[Red Ryder]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Go to Sniper's Hide Reloading Depot and look for "260 Loads Only" - you may find something useful.

 

[mkm]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Thx RedRyder,
I'll start making my way through the 200+ posts.

I did do a couple of searches but couldn't get specific search results for RL17 and the bullets in 6.5 I want to use.

Thought some one could give me a few ranges to start with.

mkm

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Why RL17, H4350 is a proven combo, all your going to do wear out your barrel faster with RL17

 

[Red Ryder]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Yeah, that's what I did..looked through 200+ posts. Gave me a chance to ponder things. If you wanted specific suggestions, you should have clearly stated so.

 

[mkm]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Thx Cobra,
I grabbed the RL17 based on what I have been reading on the net.

When you mentiuon barrel wear, is this because I'll get more velocity with RL17 or has it got something more to do with the makeup of the powder?

Will H4350 be suitable to cover the 95g to 140g range of projectiles???

 

[mkm]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedRyder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah, that's what I did..looked through 200+ posts. Gave me a chance to ponder things. If you wanted specific suggestions, you should have clearly stated so. </div></div>

I thought the fact that I created a new thread titled "Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??" was being clear.

How could I have been more clear?

 

[SooStan]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

In my 260 I use 42.0 RL-17 with a 144 Lapua, 41.5 H4350 with a 139 Secnar. That shoud get you started close. H4350 is the better powder for the 260 in my experence. RL-17 worked real well in my 300 Win Mag giving sub moa and 100 fps advantage over H4350 in my hunting rifle.

 

[pinzmann]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

My load with 139 Lapuas is 41.7gr of R17. This is giving me around 2850fps out of a 25" Broughton barrel. Accuracy is very good at 1/2" at 100yds. Using Rem brass with CCI 250 primers.

 

[Red Ryder]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Well, you threw out the bait so I'll bite -

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If anyone can give me an idea where to look for a load with 95g Vmax's, 123G Scenar's and the 140g class projectiles I would be much appreacitive </div></div>

Maybe if YOU would have written that you had already checked the 260 Loads Only thread or maybe if you hadn't written such an open ended question MAYBE I wouldn't have felt a need to at least try to help you out.

Now there have been times when I thought I wrote a pretty specific question or statement so let's both chalk this one up to a learning experience.

 

[hill billy]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pinzmann</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My load with 139 Lapuas is 41.7gr of R17. This is giving me around 2850fps out of a 25" Broughton barrel. Accuracy is very good at 1/2" at 100yds. Using Rem brass with CCI 250 primers. </div></div>Good info here.

 

[poison123]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hill billy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pinzmann</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My load with 139 Lapuas is 41.7gr of R17. This is giving me around 2850fps out of a 25" Broughton barrel. Accuracy is very good at 1/2" at 100yds. Using Rem brass with CCI 250 primers. </div></div>Good info here. </div></div>

What chrono did you take the measurements with on that? 2850 sounds high for 41.7 of RL17

 

[RobertB]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Mine is fond of 45 grns of H4831SC under a 142 SMK at 2825 FPS. 28" bbl but others are getting the same speed with a 26

 

[k2peaker]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

I'm using 42.3 gr. Rel17 in my .260 with 142 gr. SMKs. 26" Krieger barrel (+ can), CCI BR2 primers, Lapua/Nosler/Win brass (mostly .243 necked up).
2850-2875 fps but at altitude (8050' DenAlt).
Not a big group shooter but am getting .25-.5" MOA groups.
Primers are beginning to flatten at this charge but no other pressure signs. If I go up from 42.3gr, I see pressure signs.

Lot's of the guys that I shoot with were really enthusiastic about Rel17 a year ago but some of the sheen has worn off. Seems to be temp insensitive when cold/mild but spikes some when hot. I'm in your boat; I bought a few lbs so that's what I'm shooting until I order powder again.

 

[mkm]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Hey thanks guys for all your responses.

This is really what I needed, a few starting points.

I just picked it up today, haven;t received my dies yet and I am going away this weekend, so it may be a few weeks before I develop some loads.

I have a box of 123g scenars and some 95g vmax's.
Has anyone tried the lighter projectiles with RL17?

It seems like I better grab a tin of H4350 as well.

Do any of you guy's reckon ADI2208/varget will be too fast for the 95g amax?
I have also thought about ADI2209 for the 95 grainers.

Either way, I will update here for others when I find my loads.

Here is a pick of it next to my Tikka 223 and 308 Savage Match rifle, BTW, the barbie is not mine!

mkm

 

[mkm]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedRyder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, you threw out the bait so I'll bite -

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If anyone can give me an idea where to look for a load with 95g Vmax's, 123G Scenar's and the 140g class projectiles I would be much appreacitive </div></div>

Maybe if YOU would have written that you had already checked the 260 Loads Only thread or maybe if you hadn't written such an open ended question MAYBE I wouldn't have felt a need to at least try to help you out.

Now there have been times when I thought I wrote a pretty specific question or statement so let's both chalk this one up to a learning experience. </div></div>

Don't blamne me for what comes out of your mouth.

You have done a bit of talking, but you still haven't suggested a load.
Seems to me your appearance here is not to help, but to bitch.

mkm

 

[MuleyMan]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Here are some loads I've tried with good results.

44 grns RL 15,100 Nos BT, rem brass,fed 210

46 grns H4350,120 Barns TSX,win 243 brass,fed210

45 grns H4350,130 berger VLD,win 243 brass,fed 210

43.5 grns H4350,140 JLK VLD,win 243 brass,fed 210

These are Max loads in my rifle,So use caution.

I did try RL 17,But H4350 got better accuracy.
hope this helps,RS

 

[k2peaker]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

MKM,

Can't help with the lighter bullets. I tend to find something that works (Rel17 + SMK 142s) and stick with it. My next step will be to work up loads with H4350 per comments similiar to what others stated here. I'm sticking with the SMK 142s or Scenar 139s for my application.
Good luck.

 

[mkm]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

HI Guy's,
Got time for a few shot today.

Using RL17 and 95g vmax, I loaded a round from 43-47g every .5g.
I then loaded 4 at 44g to sightin my scope.

The purpose was to try to find where pressure signs started.

Basically all the loads grouped within 1.5" at 100 yrds, so they didn't show a ladder type pattern and even at 47g there was no noticable flattening or cratering of the primers.

I didn;t have a chrono though.

I am away this weekend for a shoot but next week I'll try to get out and I'll probably load up some 5 shot groups at .5g increments between the 43g-47g mark.

mkm

 

[mkm]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

BTW,
I was told today ADI2209 is the same as H4350, just like Varget is the same as ADI 2208.

I have a tin in the shed!

Now what do I do?
I don't really want to develop loads for both powders.
I may just use the RL17 to work a hunting load for the 95g vmax then use the 2209 for the 123 scenars I have.

mkm

 

[mkm]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Ran a few loads yesterday with chrono,

Results...

RL17 + 95g Vmax + RP cases + CCI LRP
44g 3010fps
45g 3103fps
46g 3239fps
47g 3336fps
47.5g 3361fps

RL17 + 123g Scenar + RP cases + CCI LRP
42g 2880fps
42.5g 3103fps
43g 2964fps
43.5g 3034fps
44g 3021fps
44.5g 3128fps
45g 3137fps
45.5g 3183fps > Sticky Bolt

Do these velocities seem fairly high for a 260?

I am thinking of looking in the 44 - 46g range for the 95g Vmax and 42.5 - 44.g range for the 123g Scernar's.

What do you guy's think???

mkm

 

[jde650]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

mkm

I'm getting 2950 fps with encore pro hunter, mgm match 28" 1-8 barrel
using 42.5 rl 17. 2.912 col, 130 berger vld hunting match, .40" to .60" 5 shot groups. First load I tried. Same powder and laod with 123 gr. serria match 3015 fps, 10 shot group .75". I haven't had a chance to work with 4350 but sure am going to try with all the good comments.

jde650

 

[socket70]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

I've been working with RL17 and 142SMKs for about 5 months now. I've been very pleased with it. I started out playing with this combo plus various combinations of 4350 and 4831sc and 139 Lapuas as well.

Rifle is custom, built on a Surgeon action with a 26" Rock 1:8.

I've settled on a load that works very well in my rifle.

Nosler 260 brass
142 SMK
CCI BR2
43.0 gr of RL17
2.201 to ogive (~2.79 OAL)
2850 fps (at 10')

It's shooting right at .3 MOA out to 300 yards and .5 out to 600 yards.

For reference, 4350+142 was getting me about 110 fps less at the same capacity.

I know a lot of guys like the 4831sc + 139 Lapua combo. But I had to load 47 grains (compressed) and right at the max of magazine length just to get 2750 fps. It's accurate but not worth it IMO.

As with all loads, start lower and YMMV.

 

[AKAce]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

RL17 seems to be wildly Temp sensitive, but works well if you want to go Fast. I am using a Well Over max load in .260 with 139's and getting 2960 - 3310 FPS depending on temps.

 

[socket70]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Damn those are huge swings!

I've shot it from about 50-95 degrees and haven't seen anything like that. But I've heard others say it as well so I guess I've been lucky.

That's also a good reason to do a proper OCW or ladder when working up a load. If you're in an accuracy node, slight changes in speed have little to no effect.

 

[Smokin99]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

My PDog load is with 95grVMaxes and Varget powder, and the gun loves it!

Shooting 20" pipe with an 8"can

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: socket70</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been working with RL17 and 142SMKs for about 5 months now. I've been very pleased with it. I started out playing with this combo plus various combinations of 4350 and 4831sc and 139 Lapuas as well.

Rifle is custom, built on a Surgeon action with a 26" Rock 1:8.

I've settled on a load that works very well in my rifle.

Nosler 260 brass
142 SMK
CCI BR2
43.0 gr of RL17
2.201 to ogive (~2.79 OAL)
2850 fps (at 10')

It's shooting right at .3 MOA out to 300 yards and .5 out to 600 yards.

For reference, 4350+142 was getting me about 110 fps less at the same capacity.

I know a lot of guys like the 4831sc + 139 Lapua combo. But I had to load 47 grains (compressed) and right at the max of magazine length just to get 2750 fps. It's accurate but not worth it IMO.

As with all loads, start lower and YMMV. </div></div>

H4831sc is rather slow in m 24" krieger compared to 4350. 46.4g of the H4831sc is about all I can stand on to get it in a piece of neck sized Norma brass while loading 139 scenars to the lands. And there is a whole lot of crunching during seating. I think this is causing the stupid large ES and SD number I am seeing with the 4831sc. It still shoots in one hole at 100y despite the 98fps ES! Anyways I'm ready to give up on messing with 4381sc and stick to 4350. I've gotten 6 shot groups at .336" with a SD of 6...then put 4 more in that target for a total of 10 shots with an SD of 9 and a .411" group at 100y. For me the winner is 4350.

 

[Clark]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

I have been messing with R17 today.
The primer pockets in a 270 gr loose between 71kpsi and 75 kpsi per Quickload.

Like wise with Re17, the primer pockets get loose in 7mmRemmag between 68 kpsi and 75kpsi.

Yet with Re22, the 7mmRemMag gets loose primer pockets between 78 kpsi and 88kpsi.

I think the QL library numbers may be matching my Re17 better than my Re22.

If I can get them over the chrono tomorrow, I will know which is right.

 

[mkm]

Re: Load for 260rem using RL17 95g 123g & 140ish??

Just to let you all know,
I ran some ADI2209 (H4350 equiv) and could only get to 43.5g @ 2850fps before I hit a sticky bolt!

This is about 300 fps slower than I am getting with RL17.

Looks like I will explore the RL17 and see how accuracy is for the 123g and 139g scenars.

I have shot a heap of fireforming loads with 42g RL17 with 95g Vmax out of it in 5 shot groups which basically all grouped 1/2" over 100 yrds, these were doing about 2850fps.

mkm